e6420/e6520 to release tomorrow?

The E6410 was like brushed aluminum. I had this feeling it scratched very easily. The ThinkPads has this rubberized paint on the top cover.

 

Looks like brushed aluminum, but it's really a magnesium casting. So far, not a single scratch, and quite frankly, I'm not sure I'd see a scratch due to the faux brushed finish.

I've seen devices where the rubberized finish comes off quite easily. Not sure about ThinkPads. I always treated a ThinkPad with tremendous care due to the threatening and unapproachable demeanor of the IT department.

 

I'm actually a little annoyed that I have to get the thumbstick system imposed on me in order to get a backlit keyboard.

Strange that they would make backlighting--an increasingly popular option-- inseparable from an option that is often joke fodder in professional reviews ("As modern computer users, we're not quite sure what this thing is doing here..").

 

Does anybody know if the E6520 comes pre-wired with antennas for 4G LTE (700Mhz) ? Any predictions on when internal mobile broadband cards that support Verizon's 4G LTE will be available?

 

Hrm I always baby my laptops but it just seems like those metallic finishes seem to be scratch heaven.

ThinkPads can get worn off, all depends on the user.

 

Deleted my rant about Lenovo...

 

Just pulled the trigger on a E6520 (configured Dell's highest-tier offering "performance", which seemed to offer the best overall savings).

The promotion gives $517 off, or around a 29.5% discount from the list price (which is no doubt bloated). Still, considering that new non-outlet 6510s are not being discounted more than this, the new 6520s do seem like a decent deal (particularly considering they were just released).

Only thing that sucks about configuring the "performance" tier option is that they make you take W7 pro (could save $75 just going with home ver.), only offer 1-channel 1x4GB as the lowest memory option (no 2x2GB option, or even 1x2GB in case you just want to buy ram separately and cheaper), and offer no HDD lower that the 320GB (in case you want to scrap the HDD altogether at some point and go SSD).

On the plus side, this tier offers an excellent price on a 4-yr warranty, which I did get. My build came out to $1,231 pre-tax (i5-2410M/4GB/320GB/DVDrw/Intel wireless/BT/cam/backlit/basic HD screen/Intel graphics). Will be interesting to see if it lives up to all I hope. (note, not a gamer & didn't want NVIDIA - already involved in that current class settlement! Also stuck w/basic screen because hi-res screens make things too small for me...hope I don't regret this choice).

 

I see no regrets. You've got a 4GB Win7 Pro system with efficient gpu, Intel WiFi, BT, cam, backlit KB, and big screen in a good looking chassis with two latches on the hood. It will do the job. What's the screen resolution? And what-cell battery?

And it's good to have the Dell warranty on the whole package. You can still have fun doing the SSD upgrade at your own pace, holding the 320GB HDD as spare.
GK

 

Anyone have advice regarding the wi-fi card upgrades? I did a search for previous discussions but the wifi cards have changed a bit since then. fyi the options are Dell 1501 half-mini, 1530 draft-mini, Centrino 6205..

Are the current prices really a part of a temporary promotion (i.e. do they often do this, then go up in price a bit after the initial offering), or just the usual "instant savings!" approach?

 

Why would you not upgrade the screen to HD+ at minimum? [email protected]" is a disgrace to these business-class laptops. Why would you spend $1200 on a laptop with a crappy screen?
Trust me, you'll regret having a screen with the same pixel density as a $379 Staples laptop. The higher-res screens are also a lot better in terms of quality. I've seen multiple Dell business class laptops in my university's bookstore... one with 1366x768 (Vostro 3500) and one with 1600x900 (Precision M4500). The 1600x900 won hands down in terms of color, non-graininess, and just plain usability. The Vostro's HD screen was at least better than other laptops' 1366x768 displays, but I would still never buy it and never recommend anyone to buy it. You want that HD+ upgrade. Dell Business is usually pretty good at cancelling orders (way better than Dell Home&Office is from what I've heard about all these XPS 15 stories)