Latitude E4200 first impressions w/ photos

Guess what? Non-backlit E4200 are backlit keyboard upgradable! I've been told numerous times (even from Dell Gold Tech support) it will not work but it did. facts straightened.

Part# to order is T989G or 93894.

Taking it apart

Difference between backlit and non-backlit keyboard. Notice secondary wire

Backlit keyboard!

 

I don't use their supplied software but my guess is it is Alps. I carry Microsoft Bluetrack Explorer Mini with me. Touchpad just can't beat the mouse.

2.5" does not fit. the bay isn't wide enough. You may be able to fit 1.8", I just don't have 1.8" with me to try it. Please look at photo below. SSD is on left bottom corner.

I just upgraded to backit keyboard. It is quieter than standard keyboard as well.

I did order 6-cell after I got the laptop. 6 cell gives about 5.5 hours doing word, internet surfing. 6 cell more than doubles the time compared to 4 cell.

as far as 1440x900 goes, I'm already finding pixels to be too small on 1280x800. I don't think I will be able to handle it very well. At home, I have 3008WFP 2560x1600 and I dont use laptop.

 

I've seen some comments regarding the fan in this forum and would like to as those of you that have the computer if you all are seeing the same thing?

I have a colleague who has the E4200 and the fan goes on very often in his computer. Is this something that differs from different computers or is it a generic problem with the E4200?

I will soon order a E4200 but am hesitating because of the fan problems I read about...

 

The fan never goes off in mine, though it's only really annoying when I'm in a quiet room and would like it to stay that way. I don't even notice it when I'm at work with random background noise'

On a related note, I'm planning on getting rid of my E4200 when Adamo comes out. It's not any one thing, I just don't think that the machine is as nice as it should be for something listed north of $3K...

 

Fan does stay on a lot on mine as well. It is unnoticeable if you are in an office, school or in public. Only time I can really hear it is at night at home but then it is not remotely even as loud as Latitude E6400 fans. That thing was a lot louder.

Adamo - stunning design, premium material, great execution of fit and finish. I can see it stealing some sales from Voodoo and Apple. By the way, Voodoo's headquarter used to be my next door before they moved to an industrial area of town.

For my usage, I don't think I will switch for a few reasons.
1) docking ability
With docking station, I never seem to forget to charge every night. It just doesn't feel right if laptop isn't in the docking station.

2) extended battery
It looks like adamo has either built in battery or limited selections. I don't see anywhere you can put extended battery on that thing. When my flights get delayed, I am really glad I brought extended battery with me.

3) weight
I expect Adamo to clock in at around 3.5lbs. Since the X300, I had Lat D620, D630, XPS m1330 and I didn't enjoy carrying any of those laptops. My GF carries Studio 17 to school on a bus and I can't imagine doing that. Going to school and/or office shouldn't be like a backpacking expedition.

 

Hey CorporateTraveller, just wanted to say thanks for having the best E4200-specific resource I can find. This laptop is turning out to be a unique combination of nobody owning it and the few people who do own it not really posting about it.

In any case, there's been a pretty huge price break on the E4200 if you're willing to accept a refurb -- ample, ample stock of refurb units are showing up in the $900-1,000 ballpark, and I'm considering pulling the trigger.

The problem I'm hitting is that I want a combination of features I can't find in one refurb system: the backlit keyboard (#1 most important), the 128GB SSD, and the Intel 5300 Wi-Fi. In your opinion, which would be the easiest to deal with after the fact? Given that you said the backlit keyboard ran you $199 + tax (ouch!), it sounds like I'd probably want that upfront, and unfortunately it's the hardest thing to find on the refurbs.

Of the Wi-Fi chip and the SSD, which would be tougher to swap out on your own? Does Dell even sell the bare parts for the E4200's specialized 128GB SSD and its Intel 5300 WiFi? Or is the Intel 5300 a standard chip across all the laptops it's in?

Thanks for your help, you've been really great so far in this thread.

 

Looking at the photo above, the Intel 5300 WiFi card is the same as the one in the E6400: the half-height mini-PCI-E version that is available on eBay for about $40. The 5100 would be cheaper.

 

Hey OP, thanks for the pictures. Its a stunner and that pic next to the M1330 really brings it out.

I wish I could see one next to a 10" netbook.

 

Mark Larson, you are everywhere.

This is awesome news, thanks.

So the trouble I've run into now is the battery. The configs I'd be pleased with are missing the 6-cell battery -- hopefully there's a way to pick that up on the cheap. Maybe Dell's customer service would be willing to swap the 4-cell for the 6-cell and add some cash to the total, but it seems unlikely for a refurb.

Buying a 6-cell afterwards would suck.

 

So are you, Mr. Sybian Series 60!