Latitude E6400 Owner's Lounge

I would not be surprised if the cooling systems are the same in both - it will simplify the spare parts inventory. The same size of grill will appear smaller in the bigger chassis.

Go into Device Manager and select the Plug and Play Monitor in the Monitors category. Then right click and select properties and look on the Details tab. The Monitor code is in the Device instance ID or the Hardware ID string. Mine says LPL0140 (=LG-Philips). SEC means Samsung.

John

 

When using the E6400 mousepad, do you find that the palm area (where you rest your wrists) is big enough, or do you find that you are resting your wrists on the table in front of the laptop? Do you all typically use the bottom or top mouse buttons?

I noticed that the E6500 seems to have a bigger palm/wrist area, while the bottom mouse buttons on the E6400 are pushed all the way down to the edge of the palm area.

 

Thats an easy answer, go and look at any 14.1 inch laptop at your local computer store. Most 15.4 machines are like that as well, but the E6500 has a smaller than normal touchpad.

It's the kind of thing you will get used to.

Greg

 

yes, I have been having this problem. The only solution I can offer is to stop using the program until they come out with a newer version. You can get ALMOST the same functionality (with more control, too) with the combination of three programs (sorta 4). The only thing you cant do is disable the cd/dvd drive (if anyone knows of a solution to do this without the dell utility, please let us (me) know!)

Vista Battery Saver (www.codeplex.com/vistabattery) to shut off aero on battery (and windows sidebar, if you use it).

Power Mon (http://sourceforge.net/projects/windowspowereve/) to run batch scripts on power state change (i.e. going between battery and AC).

Ultramon (a GREAT program, especially for those with an external monitor) (www.realtimesoft.com) (i should note that this program is not free, but um, if you look around, you can find a serial to avoid that ... issue.)

also, in order to make the most use of power mon, you need to use the utility devcon offered by microsoft (it allows you to enable/disable devices in a command line). if you are NOT using vista x64, it is available easily (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/311272). If you ARE using vista x64 like many of us are, the only way I know to get the x64 (not ia64) compatible version is by downloading the microsoft windows driver kit (which is available with a microsoft connect account). Alternatively, if anyone wants devcon for vista x64, just send me a PM.

if you need any help with writing batch scripts, also send me a PM.

I have had great success with using this for my battery life.

hope this helps.

 

Ah cool thanks. Learn something new from this. Yeah mines an LG Philips panel.

 

People, I'm now a member of this lounge too

I ordered my E6400 last week on wednesday, payment cleared friday, and I got the packet this wednesday - seven days, very good I'd say.

I wiped Vista and installed Gentoo on it - up to now I'm 100% satisfied with this machine, it's definitely the best laptop I've ever had!

 

Count me in as a new owner, too I had ordered a P8400 from Dell and then ran across a killer deal on eBay with all the same features plus some and a T9600 for a couple hundred dollars less. Returned the one I ordered from Dell and all is well.

My dumb question is, what is the difference between the video cards if ordered either PC-Card or Express Card? I expected to have one of the two slots unusable to occupy the video card, but best I can tell both of my slots are available.

 

Welcome to both of you.

The PC Card / Express Card relates to the type of accessory slot under the right side of the palm rest. PC Card is better if you have some old accessories which use it and Express Card is newer and faster. If you don't know the difference then it's unlikely you will be worried by which option you have. This choice has nothing to do with the mini-PCIe slots inside the bottom of the computer.

John

 

I took Express Card as it's newer, and I know a laptop last about 3-4 years. A lot can happen in these years. To tell you the truth, the I never saw anyone use this slot (unless it's a person that got a desktop replacement and wants a better sound card which uses that system (they are also avail using USB, so it's doens't really mater). Or for old old laptops that doesn't have wireless G. In your case if you get wireless N, I see no reason to get these extra cards, and even then, lets say Wireless N gets completely different and doesn't follow the current draft... you can just get a new internal card and you are set.

 

So there's Smart Card, Express Card, and PC Card??? PC Card I'm familiar with as I used them in my older PCs. The other two I don't know anything about. Does the E6500 have all three?