New Latitude Series? Current models just don't cut it...

Apparently I'm an exception then, because I rather like the new design and abhor the Thinkpad design. Elitebooks do look nice, but they didn't quite do what I needed. Of course, I secretly still liked my old Vaio SR's design - simple, almost no pointless gimmicks, and a sharp black exterior with chrome accents.

 

The initial launch of new Latitude series showed some manufacturing defects (non flush corners). Also the look is just dreadful. Orange trim on a business laptop? Since when did Dell consumer get mixed with business? Last generation of Latitude was very very good.

ThinkPads have always had that same look, and it has stood the test of time. I've switched camps due to new Latitude line. I doubt the next Ivy Bridge will bring any new design, Dell's plan is to keep the same parts for at least 2 generations. Perhaps they will learn with the launch of the EXX40 series.

 

Well, it's not so bad when one forgets it's a Business Laptop Perhaps that's why I seem to have a different opinion from everyone else - I wanted the features, and could care less that it's a business notebook. And I've heard that argument about ThinkPad design standing the test of time - while true, I still think it's ugly, but I'm 20 and like shiny modern things

On a related note... the Orange stripe would match your avatar picture perfectly

 

the Vostro's are the 'NEW' latitudes lol... in fact, i love the look of the new Vostro so much that I traded my E6510 for a Vostro 3350 recently. I'm now deciding to go to the V131 because of the wonderful light weight & battery life

 

Yeah, it's sort of strange when the Vostros look more "businessy" and professional than the Latitude line. Precisions still look good, I would agree.

Fortunately I'm going to keep my E6410 for a long time at this rate. E6410 is among the best looking laptops out there IMO. If Dell doesn't change I will definitely jump ship to Thinkpads.

 

Ya funny the new metallic Vostros look pretty good, the only major thing is the chicklet keyboard (cannot stand chicklet, the only decent one is the x120e/Edge style keyboard). Precision didn't really change, but always way above my price range for a notebook, and I don't really need a big/heavy mobile workstation DTR. Funny how the E6410 is so darn cheap these days (400-500 dollars, still in warranty), but E6400 is found for way more expensive for far worse specs.

 

I must chime in that I don't get all the hate for the 6x20 series. People need to get past the chrome logo and orange trim and realize these are darn good machines. Since when did the look of a machine become more important than the function?

I am not someone who thinks whatever I buy is great. I am usually one who nitpicks whatever I buy to death. I have nothing but good things to say about the 6520. It's the best machine I ever owned BY FAR in terms of features and performance for the buck especially at outlet price point.

To me the 6x00/6x10 seemed like toys compared to this, not the other way around as people seem to be saying. My buddy who runs the repair shop at his company who uses Dells said they only give out the 6400's they bought as a last resort, they have so many problems with all kinds of hardware. The 6400 had all kind of flex in the lid/LCD and keyboard. When I typed with any force there would be a sympathetic pressing of the Ctrl key constantly causing Ctrl+S or Ctrl+O or other system dialog boxes to come up. After 1.5 years I wanted to throw it in the toilet.

The 6520 is SOLID. I am routinely getting 8 -10 hours battery life on 9-cell for productivity tasks with brightness on less than 25% which is sufficient on this superbright panel. The 6400 LCD I could barely see on full brightness it was so dim and washed out. The keyboard area stays cool unlike the 6400 which got fry-an-egg hot. The sound is also way better, the 6400 sound was among the worst ever. I had my doubts about 16x9 at first, but 1080 on a 15.6" is plenty of viewable area.

Objectively speaking I just don't get how people can trash the 6x20 series it is an across the board improvement to the older models in every functional area that matters to me. The cosmetic concerns are a trifle in comparison.

 

I have an e6520 and boy is it heavy and sturdy.

It's heavier than an MSI 17" and has NO flex, ANYWHERE.

It's study as hell, and the numpad is such an asset

 

Yes, it is VERY sturdy, robust, nearly rugged.
Unfortunately i tested that unwillingly. Recently i carried my E6520 in my backpack. Its only a trekking backpack and has no special protection for the notebook. It was raining and i ran towards a roof, and than got under it, but there was a very slippery steel-grid floor and i slipped and fell. Fell towards my back, so i landed on my butt and hands. And my E6520 hit the floor with a left near to hinge display corner. So it was like if you drop it with the corner from a 1m height.
The backpack got a hole, cut between notebook and metal grid.
The laptop...has a 1mm deep scratch and some metal grinded off from the corner. And the display shifted 2 mm from the ideal position. I think, due to the little bending of the hinges.

Gladly, everything works!!!

Clearly, some plastic notebook would suffer greater damage. So already after one month since purchasing the E6520 it payed back

It can be seen on the grinded part, that the frame is of solid metal, covered with a thick 0,2-0,5mm covering layer of paint or something like that.

I blamed myself for not using my Samsonite Protec notebook bag, but it was a long day and running around with this bag in the hand and on the shoulder is not very comfortable. Of course, now i ordered and am using a Targus notebook backpack everyday and the Protec notebook bag for the work, to prevent such incidents in the future.

P.S.: does anyone have experience with bringing Dell notebook for a warranty repair of a defect, that appeared not due to falling of the notebook, but the notebook has some sings of falling?

P.S.S.: ah, about design. If you use it really for work, for business, it should not be significant for you how the notebook looks like. In reasonable borders, of course. You can like it or not, but the performance and the sturdiness should be the №1 for you.
If you are going to switch from Dell to Lenovo ONLY because of the design...you are not better than some maclover

 

My needs haven't warranted Sandy Bridge yet, so I was looking between an E6410 or a T410 ThinkPad. Looks/design was a factor. Dell AFAIK do not have a fan control program to the effectiveness of tpfancontrol. I was not in the market for a bulkier laptop, and I got a good deal on my T410s. I am looking for another E6410. Also the new 12" and 13" Latitudes IMO are a huge disappointment, hopefully Dell will go back to the old design for Haswell and launch of Exx40 series.