Latitude E4300 first impressions

I did not get the WWAN option on mine.

 

[post removed]
andrei edited his post, so this one makes no sense.

 

Hi Andrei,

How would you compare the build quality to your thinkpad? as good as or worse? Is the screen a deal breaker? Is there any noticeable flex in the LCD cover? More photos would certainly be helpful in deciding. I'm on the wall between this and a Lenovo x200!

Thank you.

 

Hi Fhirzall,

To be completely honest (and I will have some opposition here I'm sure) I think the build quality of the thinkpads is slightly better. Now, I've heard of the T400s and T500s having keyboard flex which is unheard of in a thinkpad so things *may* be going downhill over there in the Lenovo camp; I can't say for sure.

For me, coming from an excellent set of screens in my most recent laptops, it is almost a deal breaker for me. Others would call me crazy. I guess its a matter of how nit picky you are and what your expectations are. As far as screen flex, its very minimal; the magnesium screen casing is sturdy.

I'm still at work this evening so I may not have time to snap some photos. I will try my best, however!!!

Please feel free to ask more questions. I know how frustrating it is to buy a product without being able to try it first.

Andrei

 

Thanks andrei. I'm coming from a VAIO SZ340 and I have to admit it has been good to me. I busted my LCD once bumping the laptop and now the hinges aren't doing too well after a fall so I'm very close to getting the thinkpad x200. I just can't justify 300-500 dollars more for the dell (that's even after getting a dock + cd drive for the x200). I figure I can get a nice 22" lcd and that should make up for the smaller x200 screen.

Looking forward to the pics!

 

It seem to be a nice laptop, especially when you see Spec_Sheet from Dell, but what is the reality?
- memory has to be DDR3 1066 MHz - in configurator I see 800 MHz only
- no SSD in configurator
- no broadband, no GPS
- why webcam or wwlan? maybe I need both
- the only version of display: Black No Camera and No Latutde ON Reader , No WWAN
- no Latitude ON function (a reader only)
- 1,5 kg ???
...
Where is this "premium" notebook? I don´t understand really.

 

-The performance difference between DDR3 1066 MHz over DDR2 800 MHZ is to small to justify the cost. (It is even worse in some cases). I think this was a good decision. If they then have used that cut in costs to price it more competitive is another question...

-The configurator (and the prices in it) are as I said earlier terrible. There are no reason for them to offer so different options when choosing different ways in to the homepage (like small/large business). Only solution is to call and ask for a written offer instead.

-The screen of the E4300 doesn't have room for both the webcam and the antenna for the wwan. This could be a design flaw or a decision to keep the size down, only Dell can tell.

-broadband/gps can be added to a wwan prepared laptop in some countries, call!

- no Latitude ON function (a reader only), Grrr, can only agree!

 

I believe it's 1,5kg with 4 cell battery and SSD.

With HDD and 6 cell it's 1,8kg.

 

Yes, it seems to me, that Asus U6V will be a better solution: 1,6 kg, powerfull enough, big HDD, 4 GB, including all options (except wwan), "Latitude ON", 1.000 USD less. The only problem is 13" x 12".

 

the U6 was something I considered but it's a 12" with a big bezel.

we are forgetting though that dell offers a 3-years warranty. Although the basic system configuration is ridiculous with just 1GB of RAM.