Dell Latitude E6400 on the horizon ... but I have some final questions

Does that work in detecting a Bluetooth mouse? Hmm ...

Yeah, that's what I figured. I suppose the replacements would wear out then eventually as well? I'm very curious as to if this is normal (eg. would I run into this issue with a ThinkPad anyway?) ...

 

yes, it does work on bluetooth mice

 

You're saying the BIOS will detect a Bluetooth mouse and disable the touchpad/trackpoint when it is enabled? And then when I turn off the Bluetooth mouse, the trackpoint/touchpad will automatically be re-enabled? Does this rely on any Dell software like ControlPoint? Since I will be running Linux, I won't have any such software installed ...


As for the warranty coverage, which will I want? The options are

a) 3 Year Limited Warranty and 3 Year Mail-in Service [Included in Price]
b) 3 Year Basic Limited Warranty and 3 Year NBD On-Site Service [add $99]
c) 3 Year ProSupport for End Users and 3 Year NBD On-Site Service [add $178]
d) 3 Yr ProSupport for End Users and 3 Yr NBD On-Site Service + Complete Care [add $327]

If I get the basic warranty (option a listed above):
1) Will that let me have Dell send me replacement parts for self-installation (such as a new hinge assembly 2 years down the line?)
2) Will that let me send the notebook back to Dell to replace a faulty part for me (say 2 years down the line)?
3) Will that option let me send it back within 21 days for a full refund, or get a full replacement notebook should something be faulty after a few months?

What exactly do the other options include?

Thanks again guys for all the info.

 

I always go with Pro Support, just for the fact that when you call with a problem, you talk to an American in Austin Texas, not some guy in India you can barely understand.

 

>>You're saying the BIOS will detect a Bluetooth mouse and disable the touchpad/trackpoint when it is enabled? And then when I turn off the Bluetooth mouse, the trackpoint/touchpad will automatically be re-enabled?

I don't think the BIOS will shift device focus. I think all devices will be enabled.

>>As for the warranty coverage, which will I want?

I think you will want a 3 year warranty on parts and I prefer onsite service for repairs, for the money. If you are competent, simple phone support is good enough. It's business support... I've always gotten through to a helpful tech stateside and have had no problem getting answers.

>>Will that let me have Dell send me replacement parts for self-installation (such as a new hinge assembly 2 years down the line?)

I think you can always negotiate this with business support if you sound capable. My impression.

>>Will that let me send the notebook back to Dell to replace a faulty part for me (say 2 years down the line)?

If you have mail-in support.

>>Will that option let me send it back within 21 days for a full refund, or get a full replacement notebook should something be faulty after a few months?

I think any 30 day satisfaction would be separate from warranty. Warranty will make it right by fixing it or replacing it, not by refund.

>>What exactly do the other options include?

Ask Dell!

GK

 

Hrm, well I suppose I can always have a bash script to disable them for me.

 

Ok, I know I am picking this apart, but oh well.

Reading reviews from Notebookcheck, I see that the contrast ratios are somewhat poor ...

- ThinkPad T400: 108:1
- EliteBook 6930p: 138:1
- Latitude E6400: 136:1

Is that kind of contrast ratio to be expected from any and all business laptops?

Also, did they ever come out with a slim 90W adapter for the Latitude?

 

1. The WXGA+ display of my E6400 is the best I have ever looked at in a notebook. However, I wonder what brightness notebookcheck used for their contrast measurement since the display does wash out at full brightness. If you drop the brightness a little (full brightness is only needed if in sunlight) then the contrast is very good. I'm sure it is a match for the others since the displays come out of a limited number of factories. Also, Dell does use displays from different sources and each has different characteristics. Mine's an LG.

2. A slim 90W PSU is standard issue with the E series. I didn't get one because they were not available when my E6400 was shipped in August 2008. If you don't have dedicated graphics then the 65W PSU works fine and is even lighter. The biggest size / weight issue is now whether your PSU has a 2 core or 3 core mains cable. A 3 core cable is much thicker and significantly adds to the overall PSU bulk.

John

 

1. It's up to you whether you want to replace the standard wi-fi card but most people don't have issues with the Intel / standard wi-fi cards.

2) How bad *really* is the touchpad?
It's nowhere as good as a synaptics touchpad on Toshiba, Lenovo or other notebooks that I've used over the years. However, it's 'acceptable' especially with the driver updates, is a significant improvement over when the notebook was first released. However, I've found myself using the touchpoint over the touchpad which gives much more precision and control.

Most people plug in a mouse

3) How durable is the lid/screen?
It's probably on-par or slightly above average. Not much flex and the frame/backing seems reasonably sturdy. Won't stop a shatter if you drop your notebook but mine has survived various knocks.

4) Does the "brushed-metal" on the back of lid look good in person? Or does it look cheap, fake, tacky, etc ... ?
Looks good till you scratch it!

5) Can I replace the hard-drive?
It's extremely easy to replace. About as easy as putting an HDD into an external enclosure. A few screws, pull the HDD out, put the new one in.

6) After time (6-12 months), does the display start to wobble when open?
Haven't noticed it.

7) Is the audio bad?
I decided to use the standard Vista audio drivers and it improved somewhat. Yes, the audio isn't fantastic. The speakers are cheap, small. If you want good audio out of a notebook, buy a DAC - I use a portable Corda Meier 3Move plugged into Shure SE530's.

8) Is there anything else I should know?
If there's anything else that I need to know, I'd love to hear it.

Has anyone got the part number for the 65W adapter and a price? I emailed Dell for a parts quote with my service tag (specifically for 65W) and they quoted me for the 90W!!!

 

Build Quality is generally very good but one minor problem is the screen bezel lacks rubber bumpers so while traveling with the laptop the bezel can rub against the palm rest causing scratches and marks on the palm rest. It could be solved by putting a piece of cloth between the laptop and screen .
Note cloth was homemade