Latitude E6400 Owner's Lounge

Well, the 9100 is a heck of a beast. The E6400 has quite a lot to offer over the 9100, but it is a matter of if you really need all the new stuff.

Someone in the family has a 9100 as well. No offense to them, but I'd take the E6400 any day compared to that beast .

 

It means you need to go to windows update and download XP Service Pack 3. strange though as the XP disc that shipped with the e6400 should have included SP3 since its been out for a little while now.

 

Thanks for that, Nikon. I just assumed, like you mentioned, that the XP-SP3 disc already had the most recent version, but when I get home I will give it a try.

 

hello,

i'm a new owner of an E6400. may i have a few questions please :

1. I've got 4GB RAM. That's how i ordered it from Dell. But my RAM is only working in 6-6-6 timings at 400Mhz (DDR 800). Not an big issue. But is this normal??

2. The Touchpad is really annoying. I don't know how to describe it - but it's different from my previous notebooks. Not so "snappy" maybe?
Is there a solution for that - i tried every setting now.....

3. The bottom cover of the notebook doesn't feel good in the corners at the front. there are little gaps between the cover and the base of the notebook in the corners (front). So it doesn't feel so solid at this points.

4. The Ambient Light sensor. Where the sensor is sitting the frame cover at the front of the display has a little gap and is not flat. Because the sensor need's space. shouldn't there be a notch where the light sensor goes? The D630 also has this sensor and there the frame cover is totally flat.

5. Is this ControlPoint software really that buggy? or am i to stupid to use it?

6. I gave it a try and tried to install Xp from the scratch. oh my god - that was one bad installation. Is there something i should know about installing XP from a CD on an E6400? System Software first - and then?
P.S.: i know how to install OSs on Systems. Part of my job.


Thanks a lot for your replies,

 

If you read my thread about scratches, the E6400 scratches really easily. I carry my replacement in a stay-on sleeve all the time now. Unless you're ready to buy the invisibleshield or do what I do, you should probably just deal with it since it's going to get scratched sooner or later. I asked for a replacement and my replacement came with a few minor scratches... but I got a better monitor so I am not going to deal with the hassle of getting another replacement.

 

1. I got 5-6-6 Nanya RAM with my E6400. What is the make of your modules? The difference in performance is minimal, but hindsight suggests you might have been prudent to get Dell to supply 1GB of RAM and then buy 4GB of your own choice.

2. I'm very happy with the touchpad, partly because the action of the buttons is very good. It would have been nice to have a size bigger, but those trackpoint buttons get in the way.

3. I have a small gap in the bottom cover under the SD card slot. Otherwise it fits well. However, there is the big risk with these covers of getting distorted if not slotted on properly before the screw is tightened.

4. My ALS sensor sits flush with the display bezel with no gaps.

5. The ControlPoint software needs improving. My main complaint is that it doesn't always restore all the power saving settings which it applies when on battery when the computer returns to mains power.

John

 

I deleted the IDT audio drivers, then installed the vista audio driver, a little louder and I guess acceptable.I really like this laptop , even nicer than my 4 year old Precision M20.I have the Samsung screen and the colors are washed out, would Dell send me a LG)Philipps screen if I call them , or should I return it and go with another brand .I was in CC tonight and saw some Sonys and Tioshibas with real nice bright display with great colors.
thanks

 

Got my (new) E6400 today! Getting ready to power it up and image the XP installation ASAP.

 

Well, I've been playing with the new E6400 and have a few comments to make.

1) The keyboard brightness between the two E6400's I currently have is drastically different. I'm swapping the keyboards so that the worst of the two is returned to Dell when I ship back my first E6400.

2) Battery life between Vista and XP are DRASTICALLY different, with XP being much more power efficient from what I can see.

3) The old E6400 has the LG screen, my new E6400 has the SEC screen. Serious disappointment, as it isn't as bright nor and it seems that most colors are duller than they should be. I'll have to calibrate the SEC screen and see if it makes a difference.

4) The SEC screen on the new one flickers at the lowest brightness setting, which is bad as I prefer to use that setting under most connections. The 2nd to minimum brightness setting does not have this issue.

5) I have yet to see a DVD burner issue with either laptop.

6) I ordered the Dell E/Travel-Lite module on both laptops. Both times, Dell shipped me a part that does not fit as it is almost twice as thick as the optical drive it is supposed to replace. At first, I was going to just ask Dell for a $15 refund. Now, I'm going to tell them they screwed up twice and some compensation is merited for Dell's not being able to give me what I ordered.

Overall, I have a lot of positive impressions with the E6400, but I have serious doubts about my keeping this new E6400 with the SEC screen.

Let me be clear on this one: I've ordered two E6400's. I do not intend to order a 3rd.

 

Yup.... I am tired of playing the screen-game with Dell.

I have been so loyal with Dell but after buying my Sony Z, I am very impressed with sony Vaio laptops. You don't need to ever worry when getting a Sony because the screens are always flawless.

Dell, wake up and fix your **** screen supply problems!

I am still waiting for the M4400 RGB LED screen - it's my last hope with Dell. IF the screen sucks than I think that's it for me