Latitude E4200 first impressions w/ photos

I agree with all the above. That a new e4200 can cost upwards of $2700 depending on configuration is mind-boggling.

I was on the market for something I could take along with me in a bag crowded with books. That it be light was the prime requirement.

It was either a used d430, a HP mini netbook, a refurb Lenovo X200 or a refurb e4200.

Was able to score a refurb e4200 with the following specs for $791.20 after 20% coupon ($846.56 after tax)!!! A system that retails in the $2400 range new!

Latitude E4200 Laptop: Intel Core 2 Duo ULV SU9400(1.40GHz) Regal Red color, 64 GB SSD, 2GB RAM, Latitude On, WWAN, FP reader, Base Assembly, 8X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer, Backlit Keyboard, Mobile Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD, 125V Power Cord, E-Modular Bay, WiFi 5100 802.11a/g/n Draft Mini Card, 65W AC Adapter, Bluetooth Wireless Card 365, 6 Cell Primary Battery, XP Pro with Vista Business License, Latitude On Reader, 3Yr Basic Ltd Warranty

I'm so glad I waited and stalked the outlet for a deal (and that 20% coupon). Can't wait for it to get here. Thank you Dell!!!

I noticed they had a big inventory of them in the outlet and they weren't moving. Since the coupon though, abt 40 units were sold in a couple of days.

 

Yeah, I definitely understand making a purchase when you really need something. The disconnect for me lies in buying an E4200 at all when Lenovo's 12-inch ThinkPads (X200 and X200s) were much better values. The ThinkPad X200 loses big points for me because you can only get a CCFL screen (after three CCFL laptops and three LED laptops, I am never touching a CCFL-backlit screen again), but the X200s is packing LED, and at 1440x900, no less. Really, other than the backlit keyboard which I admittedly adore, and the super-cool Dell E-Port Plus option which is a better dock than Lenovo's X Series Ultrabase, the E4200 is a worse machine than the X200s in every single aspect.

It just seems rather telling that the price difference between new and refurbed E4200 systems is so dramatic -- both in dollars and percentage -- especially when compared to the difference between new and refurbed E6400 systems. The E4200 is a cool system, but it has always been a really bad buy relative to its 12" competitors at regular price.

 

Check out my post about your E4200 LED panel.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=373647

 

Dude, stop pimping your post all over. We got it. You should have posted in the original LED thread to begin with rather than starting a new thread. Sheesh.

 

Accident: I dropped my E4200 on concrete floor coming out of a building. It was in Dell leather folio and I ended up with crack on one of corners. Here is where story went interesting.

I went to FastTrack parts dispatch and dispatched parts myself. Next morning, parts showed up:
2 x left hinges
1 x right hinge
1 x monitor cable

How am I suppose to fix broken top plastic with these items? I called ProSupport and first tech made another dispatch. Next morning, parts arrived.

1 x left hinge
1 x right hinge
1 x monitor cable

WTH? I called again, talked to another tech who investigated for about half an hour and concluded parts dispatched were correct items. He made another dispatch. Next morning I recieved more parts.

1 x left hinge!
1 x right hinge!
1 x monitor cable!

Are you kidding me? I called again, ProSupport investigated issue for another half an hour over the phone and concluded it was because Red Top Plastic is NOT in stock and not available anywhere in US & Canada for dispatch. He promised he will let me know when it becomes available.

After about couple weeks, he emailed me, told me part is now available for dispatch and created dispatch for me. Next morning, parts showed up.

1 x left hinge
1 x right hinge
1 x monitor cable

I took picture of this shipment and emailed him back. He replied couple days later saying he will order parts to his office to see what is suppose to be in it. After few more days, he emailed me back saying problems have been fixed, and created new dispatch. I received parts next morning.

1 x complete set of Red Top Cover, WWAN with hinges and monitor cables attached.



Now I got my broken top fixed and have about 5 hinges as spare.

 

Does anyone have a E4200 without a crazy spinning fan? It is not loud but it is clearly audible in a quiet classroom which is a major annoyance. Any fix possible?

 

What are you gonna do with those spare hinges?

 

^ CorporateTraveller, what kind of warranty do you have that Dell would replace parts in case of accidental damage?

 

My guess would be ProSupport (for self-dispatch) + CompleteCare (for accidental damage).

 

That is correct.


I don't have any other use for hinges for now. E series hinges are definitely better than D series and a lot better than X series before. I think I needed new hinge every 3 month with X series.