E6410 Owner's Thread

Thanks GoodBytes ... I'm in total agreement that there shouldn't be a $10.00 surcharge and a call to a CSR will likely get it removed! However, every Latitude on line advertises Win 7 32 bit for $99 and Win 7 64 bit for $109. Wonder how many have just accepted those prices?

 

Dell is doing something not right.
It's basically going "Oh you want the full experience of your computer, pay more!".. screw that.. Microsoft sales the OEM, Volume, and Retail license for both 32 and 64-bit for the exact same price.

Call them, and negotiate a price, to have this with no additional charge, and you might also get some free upgrades if your good at it. NOTE: if you fall with someone that does not want to move, he is probably new, so end the sale, and try again to fall with someone else.

 

I think maybe we are seeing a bit too far into this observation. Dell has been doing this for a while now, and it's no secret that they charge extra for the 64-bit version of Windows. If one is keen on saving the ten dollars, they can download a 64-bit version of Windows corresponding to the license they purchase, without charge, from DigitalRiver. Links to these cd images are even available through this forum. Any level-headed consumer by this point has realized that a clean install has become an essential to ensure the proper operation of a computer, so this only represents a minor extra step anyways.

A company is out to make money. If they can sucker some consumers into paying an extra (and unnecessary) ten dollars, then that represents profit. The margins on computers these days are quite small, and without the bonuses offered by the likes of companies like Intel for exclusively offering their products, they need any opportunity for easy money they can get.

Let's not blame companies for some sort of lack of morality. There is an expression in economics called "Caveat Emptor", or "buyer beware", which basically places responsibility in the buyer for evaluating the details and possible risks associated with an exchange. It's not like the company is deceiving the buyer in any way, and it's not like there's *no way* to avoid the ten dollar expense. It's the consumer's responsibility to either accept the circumstances, find an alternate deal, or negotiate to make a deal.

While I am speaking very much tongue-in-cheek, let's all be rational and logical human beings and accept that companies will do what they can to turn meager small margins into some sort of profit. I am certain you are not *actually* complaining about the situation, but I am speaking generally towards the average consumer who has the misconception that corporations are necessarily evil, and will make every attempt to deceive their consumers. Remember, not every company out there is run by Steve Jobs, and most companies will seek to compromise with their consumers to offer the best deal, that will generate the most revenue to ensure the success of the company.

 

True, it could be that, or my guess, which came to mind, is that they have HDD's pre-imaged with 32-bit Windows 7 pre done for this system model, and asking the 64-bit means more time at the factory to put the WIn7 64-bit image instead.

 

That's indeed a possibility, and a very rational response Generally, a company won't charge more for an option unless they can get away with it (unlikely due to the steep competition), or it incurs a higher cost on their end.

To be honest, I just wanted to use that post to jab Apple in the end.

 

Hmmm not really, Lenovo charges the same for either 32 bit or 64 bit editions of Windows 7 on their ThinkPad's (assuming they're the same version) so I can't see justification for Dell to charge extra for this. Especially when the serial key are interchangeable between the two.

If you plan to clean install the system anyway then as Jakeworld says, smart move would be to opt for the 32 bit version first (save $10), get a 64 bit Windows 7 disc (from DigitalRiver) and then use the same serial key for that.

 

In my earlier post where I referred to "a generic copy (legal) of Windows 7 64bit" I was speaking of a copy from Digital River and trying to be politically correct.

I guess what I was really getting at other than the added $10 cost to the consumer is given Dell's proprietary mindset would their 32bit activation key work with a clean install of Windows 7 64bit using a copy from Digitial River. I believe Dell is also one of the few if only companies that still has Vista as their standard OS on a business notebook. Even Lenovo is offering Windows Professional as their standard now. So in fact if you're picky Dell is realizing a $99/$109 profit depending on which version you choose..

I don't beget any company from making a profit, but that's a bit much in my judgement. Please don't take any of these comments as me bashing Dell, I still feel they make a solid reputable product, one which I'll likely purchase. I'm just very anal and a bit opinionated when it comes to certain business practices. I want to see each of us get the best bang for our hard earned dollar.

 

Newly-hatched owner and proprietor of a shiny (almost-)new E6410 checking in! Woo hoo!

Still breaking it in, so far the only problem I found is that the spacebar makes a disconcerting squeaky noise every time I tap it. This is decidedly not normal, but my question is, does anyone have a DIY suggestion before I call tech support?

It's really irritating, the more I type, the more I notice it (duh). I guess I never noticed how often you tap the spacebar until the spacebar reminds you each and every damn time. Squeak. Yipes!

Otherwise, first quick impression - leave me alone to drool with my preciousssss, LOL. The cosmetic condition is pristine, and everything promised was in place, including a backup DVD of Win 7 64-bit. So far the only problem I'm finding is this... squeak squeak .... spacebar.

 

While tempted to say WD-40, if the keyboard is becoming more of a nuisance then you can just ask Dell to send you a replacement keyboard, you don't really need to send the whole unit back if you're worried about that.

My friend had a busted spacebar on his Latitude XT2 so he rang up Dell and got his replacement keyboard sent to him. It only took him about 5 minutes to swap it out. It's relatively easy to fit these parts, especially as the Latitude have service manuals which shows you how you can fit them yourself.

 

I think WD-40 is more a smelly solvent than a lubricant... best for inhibiting rust/driving out moisture on metalwork... I suspect you were not too serious.

One lubricant I use from time-to-time is like a food-grade silcone although I've been using up an old bottle of silicone lubricant divers use on their gear... a thin milky white fluid easily dabbed on with a Q-Tip. Seems to last/do the job for quite awhile. Might stop a squeaky spacebar if you can access and apply it to the friction point(s). A small bottle from a dive shop looks like it will last a lifetime... perhaps half of a lifetime. Another use is on YKK coil zippers on gear... dab it on one side, it flows into and around the coils, and then the zipper works very smoothly for quite awhile... and no greasy mess... just sort of works great.

GK