Latitude E6400 Owner's Lounge

I just joined the club with a E6400 from the outlet.

Specs:
C2D P8600 (2.40GHz, 3M L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
8X DVD +/- RW
Quadro NVS 160M
Back-lit Keyboard
2 GB DDR2
14.1 inch WXGA+ LED
9 Cell Battery
Fingerprint Reader
160 GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
Windows XP Pro with Vista Business License

Not bad for $763USD?

I've got a few questions:

1) I missed the fact that it stated "No Wireless Option." Oops. The Intel Link 5300 A/G/N card should be an easy install, correct?

2) Do I get DVD/CDs of both XP and Vista in case I decide to format? Can I run have both Vista and XP installed?

3) What kind of battery life could I get out of this?...more specifically with power save mode, half brightness, wi-fi on, performing basic office/internet tasks.

 

Did you also check for an update to the router's firmware. Any known problems with the intel cards is likely to get fixed quickly.

That's about half of what I paid.

Yes. Go to the Dell support site and look through the service manual. One screw is all that lies between you and all the E6400's slots (see photo in my review).

Mine came with XP pre-installed and only a Vista disc, but US models may be different. You might need to use another installation disc if you want to set up dual boot. I haven't tried.

You are getting the nVidia GPU so I would forecast 3 to 3.5 hours with the possibility of stretching to 4.5 to 5 hours at minimum brightness and wireless etc turned off. Half brightness is quite bright.

John

 

That's not bad at all~! I just purchased one myself last night for a little more but with a T9600 CPU, BT, a/g/n wifi and webcam, but no XP and no fingerprint reader. I'm very excited with my new purchase

 

Thanks for the reply John. I just ordered that wireless card separately.

Congrats on your purchase David!

 

Just make sure it's a mini version.

 

Do you mean the half size mini-pcie?

 

Something that looks like this:



[From the service manual]

John

 

I'm guessing this one wouldn't work?

 

I fear it might not fit unless you cut a hole in the side of the computer.

John

 

Ah, thanks John! that's the half size form

Nope, that one is the full size. The 5300 doesn't seem to be very common in the half size form