e6520 config options

My parents are in the process or purchasing a Dell Latitude E6520 with the following specs and have asked for me to look over them:

I7-2720QM (2.20GHz, 6MB cache, Quad Core)
NVIDIA NVS 4200M 512MB (45W) Discrete Graphics
15.6in UltraSharp FHD (1920x1080) Wide View LED-backlit with Premium Panel Guarantee
8GB(2x4GB)1333MHz DDR3 Dual Channel
256GB Mobility Solid State Drive
Windows 7 Professional (64Bit OS)
Microsoft Office 2010 Home and Business
Fingerprint Reader and Contactless Smartcard Reader
Integrated Full HD Camera with Microphone
EMEA Dell Wireless 1501 (802.11 b/g/n 1x1) Mini PCI Card
Dell 375 Bluetooth Card
Backlit Dual pointing Keyboard (number pad, antimicrobial)
90W AC Adapter
Primary 6-cell 60W/HR
No Out-of-Band Systems Management

However I would appreciate your expertise and opinions on a couple of issues:

1) I have recommended changing the wireless card from Dell 1501 to Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 (802.11 a/b/g/n) Half Mini Card. Is that a good idea?

2) What exactly is an Internal Dell Wireless 5550 MiniCard and is it advisable to add it to the system?

3) I am very confused about the difference between the Fingerprint Reader and Contactless Smartcard Reader and the FIPS Fingerprint Reader and Contactless Smartcard Reader. What is the difference and are there are still issues with the FIPS and eSata?

4) Would you recommend any other changes or additions to the above?

5) Do you recommend the StopTrack Anti-Theft Asset Tag or the XPM ID Security Plate?

6) Is the above machine likely to be a lot or a little faster at HD rendering video etc than the XPS listed in my signature? My understanding is it should be considerably quicker because a) the Nvidia works with CUDA and b) the i7 is Sandy Bridge, or will that not make a lot of difference?

Many thanks.

 

Have you considered ordering the laptop without the SSD and buying your own SSD to install?

 

Yes, and the RAM too, but to be honest it just isn't worth it in this case.

I really need to know about the wireless card, fingerprint scanner, Asset Tag and MiniCard etc.

They want the best specs, and I read in my full days research into this, that the intel wireless card is an important option for some reason I now forget!!

 

Also, just to add to my configuration questions above, is the 90 Watt adapter sufficient?

The XPS 1645 needs the 130 Watt Adapter to work properly, but Dell do not seem to offer this for the E6520 or can I use the 130 Watt that is with the XPS 1645?

 

Hi,

Regarding your questions:

1) Yes, I would recommend doing that. The intel cards are great, 6200 is dual antenna (up to 300mbps) the 6300 up to 450 (3 antenna's).

2) That's a wireless internet card (mobile broadband 3g/hsdpa). Using a sim card for access to the internet. There are a lot of other options which provide the same (portable hotspots for example). If you are on the way very much, it's handy.

3) I have the one without FIPS, no problems. Don't know if there are issues with esata. Do you really need it? FIPS is a coding standard by the American government. Not necessary for home users ;-)

4) Yes, configure with 4gb and buy 8gb aftermarket. It saves a lot of money
Don't configure with a SSD, buy one afterwards. (crucial M4 or something)
Consider the 9cells battery. I think it's worth it ;-)

5) It's up to you, i use the laptop mostly at home and not at public places.

6) Yes, correct. In synthetic benchmarks the 2720qm is almost 50% faster then the first generation quad cores.

At final, consider the replacement of your optical drive for a second harddrive. Dell has an option but also newmodeus. Check the E6520/E6420 owners threads for more info.

90 watt is sufficient. No problems here while charging the battery and full load of the system. If the voltage is the same, you can use the 130watt adapter. A system only requests the power necessary from an adapter. So if your adapter delivers more, it's not a problem.

 

^ Thank you very much lennartb you have helped put my mind to rest as my parents need to make a decision today, and so I was just hoping I had advised them correctly.

With the MiniCard can you use any 3G sim from any country or do you have to sign up with a provider where you buy the laptop from?

I have read most of the E6520/6420 threads and you are right, swapping out the DVD for USB 3.0 or another HD seems like a good idea.

Thanks again.

 

As far as I know the minicard is simlock free.

Well, this are the specs



Mobile Broadband : Internal Dell Wireless 5550 Card 3G/HSDPA without SIM include (556-11120)


Features & Benefits




•Service provider : Country-dependent. Generally, service providers that offer 3G network services.
•Form factor : Mini-Card™
•Technology : HSPA+, HSUPA, HSDPA, WCDMA, EDGE, GPRS/GSM
•Client Utility : Dell Mobile Broadband Manager
•GPS : Supports standalone and assisted GPS functionality
•Flash Upgradable : Supports Firmware Flash in supported Operating Systems
•Wireless on/off switch : Supported
•Wireless catcher : Not Supported
•SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) : Required
•RoHS compliant : Yes













Mobile Broadband : Internal Dell Wireless 5550 Card 3G/HSDPA without SIM include

Overview




The mobile broadband technology used on the Dell™ Wireless 5550 HSPA Mobile Broadband Mini-Card are High Speed Data Packet Access (HSDPA), Wideband Code-Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), and Global System for Mobile (GSM). Both HSDPA and WCDMA are considered third-generation (3G) technologies. EDGE uses a faster GSM technology but is still not considered a 3G technology. GPRS is an older mobile broadband service that is still the only mobile broadband service available in some areas.

Data rates throughput:
•HSPA+ data rates - 550 Kbps - 8 Mbps
•HSUPA data rates — 500-1000 Kbps
•HSDPA data rates — 1000-1500 Kbps
•WCDMA data rates — 200-300 Kbps
•EDGE data rates — 80-120 Kbps
•GPRS data rates — 30-35 Kbps

Operating System:
•Windows® XP Service Pack 2 or higher
•Windows Vista (32-bit and 64-bit)
•Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit)
•Ubuntu

Compatible with:
•Latitude E6320 / E5420 / 2120 / E6420 / E6520 / E6220 / E6420 ATG / E5520

 

Thanks. Does anyone know what type of HD the 256 SSD Mobility is in the E6250 and does this laptop support SATA III at 6gb? I am looking at the Kingston HyperX 240GB SSD III.

 

The SSD is a samsung and yes, the system supports Sata 3. The optical drive bay and "main" disk for sure. The esata i have not checked.

 

Thanks lennartb. I just heard back from Dell Tech Support a few minutes ago and they tell me that the E6520 primary HD has a SATA II connector and the media bay is only SATA I.