Latitude E5420 owners here? Opinions?

E5420 is one my options as I look into getting a 14" portable laptop with a decent resolution for work purposes (no gaming).

I didn't see an official owners thread, so wondering if people here have it or know others who have it? Opinions on the laptop?

 

So did you decide on anything yet? I have the 5520 which so far is very solid and conservatively functional. There is definitely some competition out there and if your needs aren't immediate, waiting never hurts.

It also looks like notebook check came out with a decent review:

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Dell-Latitude-E5420-Essential-Notebook.51970.0.html

 

If you decide to go with the E5420 (or the E6420), I highly recommend the 1600x900 HD+ display upgrade. It is superior to the standard 1366x768 display in every way!

 

I am just about to hit the buy button on thils E5420 with i3 and 1600x900 screen. Going to swap the hdd with a SSD.

(I did consider the Vostro 3350 also)

I want a silent laptop, i use it a lot in bed reading and listening to podcasts so i need a computer with a fan that can be 100% silent in periods when the cpu is running at lowest freq. and no serious load.


So. Is the screen good? Good brightness to use inside?
Is the fan silent at times?


I will applaud any feedback!

 

For "in bed reading" you really need a notebook that doesn't have air vents on the bottom. In short, you'd be better off looking at a Macbook Air/Pro or waiting for a Windows "Ultrabook" this fall.

Most screens are bright enough for indoor viewing, but don't expect good viewing angles with a low-end business notebook.

 

Reviews of this specific computer states that the fan turns off and spins up at times to cool down. I have the computer on my night-table close to our bed so thats why i hope it can (at times) be quiet.

Anyone with the actual machine can relay their experience with the cooling system on the E5420?

I dont regard the E5420 as a low end notebook, actually one of the few business notebooks in this price range to offer higher resolution than 1366x768

I need a DVD-reader or my GF will kill me when we are on the road.

 

I have had a E5420 for about 3 weeks.
i7 2620, 8GB RAM
Added a 128GB M4 and replaced the optical drive with a caddy.
The 1600*900 screen is pretty damn good.
Absolutely humms, ~10 hours battery life with 9cell

 

@JKleiss: Really nice to hear you like your E5420. Sounds like you got a really really fast version also.

How will you rate it noise wise? Do your fan ever stop with the powerful i7?

 

When running off battery in power saver mode the fans are hardly ever on, and barely audible when they are.

When running off AC stressing it, the fans are by no means jet engines

 

@JKleiss: Thanks a bunch, this is really really good info to get! I am 90% sure im going for this.