E6xxx Series & Nvidia Graphics Chip

Hello everyone,

I'm new here. Actually came across this site after doing a lot of Googling and searching Dell's forums.

My Latitude D620 (with the Nvidia graphics chip) just died on me.......video has gone bad. I've spent the last couple weeks doing more research and have found that was a common problem with the Latitude D series (and I'm sure numerous others).

In looking for a replacement, I'd like to move up from the D620's 14" to at least a 15". I've been checking out Dell's outlet and watching the E6500s.

2 video choices are either the:

• 256MB Nvidia Quado NVS 160M
• Mobile Intel Graphics Accelerator 4500 MHD

1st question is....Do the Exxxx series Latitudes (specifically the E65xx or E55xx) have the same Nvidia issues as the previous D series had?

2nd question is....Does the Intel chip have any dedicated memory or is it ALL shared from system RAM?

3rd question is.... In general...is the E6500 a good step up from a Latitude D620? Any personal opinions, gripes over lost functionality, features, etc, or any praise over the previous D series?

Any advice would is welcome.

Thanks.

 

1) NVS160M isn't affected by the Nvidia BGA issue.
2) Yes it should have 256 MB of dedicated video RAM, I'm not sure if it'll leech additional RAM like other Nvidia cards.
3) It's a good step up, you get Penryn chips, still 16:10. You will need E series docks if you don't have them already, though they removed the battery bay option and the keyboards are mushy vs the firm and tactile D series keyboards.

 

Thanks for the input.

Regarding item # 2 and the dedicated video ram. I realize the Nvidia has 256 megs, but I was curious about the Intel graphics. Does that have any dedicated memory or is that one strictly shared with system Ram?

Again, thanks for the info on the Penryn, aspect ratio and the docking differences.

 

X4500 is strictly shared memory.

 

I preferred my E6400 to my D620 by a long shot as far as the keyboard goes. I keep a D630 in my shop as a loaner, but I recently turned in my E6400 for a 6420, and I'm REALLY not happy with the keyboard, super mushy.

The E6400's can be found on ebay with the nvidia card for about 300 dollars US, shipping included, which makes them an amazing deal

 

I had a D630 from work, and wanted to get one for myself as well.

But when I went to the shop, I saw the E6400 and fell in love.

I find that the backlit keyboard and its touchpad is much better than the D630, and the battery time is superb.

So IMO, your E6500 would be a good choice to replace the D620.