NEW Latitudes on the way!

From the past few generations, I'd say that Thinkpads are less well built than their competing HP and Dell models. If the new Thinkpads are equal (or we hope not, less than) current models, then they'd still be less than their competitors, which are improving build quality.

Unfortunately, your desires aren't realistic since typically better build models are heavier (ie. current HP Elitebooks are noticeably heavier than Dell and Lenovo, in reviews, they tend to consistently score higher in build quality) and of course battery life is much more determined by the hardware (ie. switchable graphics with good drivers) and not so much from the ODM (ie. Dell, Lenovo, HP). As for price, that varies very much depending on your location (I've found in Canada, Lenovo is much cheaper than Dell which is much cheaper than HP, while in the US, Dell tends to be cheaper than Lenovo which is cheaper than HP).

 

Check the system pic here. It shows the E6220 running an Intel Core i3-2310M 2.1GHz entry-level Sandy Bridge CPU. And Vista.

Here's some hi-res pics of the E6520 and E6420. They look built! And they look sharp in matte black and matte silver. They deserve an SSD under the hood.

Looks like they added a second lid latch to the E6520. Whoa, that's radical... Dell is really bucking tradition!

GK

 

I prefer the 6220 to the new E6420/E6520...Dell completely moved away from a traditional notebook design/style with the E6420/E6520.

 

I wish the E6410 had a second lid latch, esp since the one latch is so far off to the right...

 

Yeah, that or a stiffer lid with a stronger latch, which may be coming on the E6420. The E6400 and E6410 beg deliberate, careful handling. The new E6x20s appear to be more durable, except maybe not those tiny rubber feet again.

GK

 

Not that you should treat your notebook like crap...

I am for the most part very careful with my notebooks, barring a few incidents. The E6410 I found when it closed, sometimes the LCD latch didn't catch. I never had a hinge issue with my E6410 when it was in my possession.

 

Most of us take good care of our stuff, especially computers once we're emotionally invested in them. But being delicate all of the time because you have to or else, is not the same as being delicate most of the time because you want to. It's nice to relax a bit and not have your notebook lid crack because you didn't open it gingerly like a bomb squad.

GK

 

Just found some extremely large images of the new Latitudes on Dell Latitude Images | Dell

Latitude E6520 - 1 2

Latitude E6420 - 1 2

If you look closely at the display bezels, it looks like there is a rounded strip that goes all the way around the outside where the black meets the silver. Maybe they have replaced the rubber tabs with one that runs all the way around?

 

It's T410, not 410T. And you're likely comparing a Latitude with a 4-cell with a 6 or 9-cell Thinkpad. If you bump the E6420 up to a 9-cell, it's probably goign to be of a similar weight.

 

Crap, I'm getting the models confused...I meant E6420

Correct, the round rubber ring that goes around the display replaces the tabs.