Precision M4400 Owner's Lounge

Thanks Fignuts.

I had been using a T61p - T7700, with the 1920x1200 LCD. The machine is very nice, but perhaps a bit slower than I expect the from the M4400. I had to give it back to my client though.

BTW, what type of memory modules does this take? Why should I pay Dell $148 for a 4GB upgrade when I can buy 2 2GB modules on NewEgg for $39?

 

If you want to get the best deal, purchase the least amount of RAM possible and then buy aftermarket. Dell marks up RAM and harddrives through the roof.

Edit: Sorry, I didn't see your most recent post. Specs on the ram are 200pin DDR2 800 SODIMM, but I used 667 RAM so I could get up to 8 GB (for virtual machines).

 

Also coming from a Thinkpad, other than the reliability problems and down clocking, those are my biggest design gripes--the touchpad and keyboard. The fact that the thinkpad is noticeably thinner, lighter and taught (lcd screen) are also things I miss.

Come to think of it, as much as I love the screen (and the speakers are much better), I actually can't wait till clarksfield comes out and I'll probably sell my m4400 and get the latest w500. Hopefully they'll go with a nvidia card this time around.

 

I have owned a Thinkpad X61t and a T60 (now sold to my father) and switched from T60 to M4400.
Regarding the Keyboard: My M4400 had the standard non-LED Keyboard. i hated it, so i ordered the LED Keyboard as sparepart, because of the missing Keyboard Lights ive been very pleased with.
Now that i changed the keyboards i must consider it was the best 90€ ive spend on my M4400. The feeling while typing is now very nice and the LED-Keyboard gives plesant feedback when typing.
Okay - the Design is different from the Thinkpad T60 keyboard, but both can be handled very smooth.

So dudes: if you wanna get a good keyboard go for the LED-backlit Keyboard!!!

 

That reminds me, I did weigh it. My T61p is 6 lbs 8 oz (2.95kg), my M4400 was slightly heavier at 6 lbs 12 oz (3.06 kg). For some reason, the M4400 did feel noticeably bulkier, though...probably just because it was a bit thicker.

I recently got a used R51 (with 15" Flexview screen). Though it's slower and only has 802.11g wifi, the combination of Thinkpad keyboard & touchpad with a great display has really quelled my desire for a new laptop. I'm happier with it than I was with the M4400, no doubt in part because the R51 was under $300, with shipping. I also find the 4:3 aspect ratio better for programming.

 

The touchpad on the M4400 is so so poor!! I used one from an old 8 year old laptop yesterday and it was far better

Anyway...I have the WUXVGA screen with the 2CCFL option. Is there any way i can send this off to dell to get the RGB LED screen fitted? I was happy with it till i sat it next to a friend's Latitude E6500 with LED backlight and saw how much whiter his whites were than mine. The whites on my screen almost looked cream in comparison! Or is there some good colour calibration software out there?

Mark

 

If your whites looked cream, that should be fixable by adjusting the color channels on the Nvidia Control Panel. It might have been different if you said blue instead. Still, displays that are equipped with normal, "white" LEDs are much different than those with RGB-LEDs.

 

Are the weights with 6 or 9 cell batteries each?

As for the bulkiness, it's not just the laptop itself, the 130w dell adapter is larger than the 90w thinkpad one too. It's quite a bit extra to lug around everyday.

 

Make sure you have installed all the latest drivers etc. from Dell's site. There was a specific update that made the touchpad a thousand times better.

Definitely calibrate your screen before resorting to getting it replaced - there's no reason whites shouldn't be looking white. You can just fiddle with the display driver controls (Nvidia control etc.) to see what is possible. But fwiw, I was unhappy with my white LED screen and had it replaced with the 2CCFL one! The Dell rep came to me and did it onsite in about 30 mins. There was a charge but it wasn't too expensive.

 

I've been very pleased with the m4400 (specs in sig) for work, and gaming. The only thing I haven't liked about, is quite frankly, this forum. You have to really know have some experience and knowledge to sort out the bull from actual m4400 issues, of which I haven't had any...maybe I'm lucky Other than that, there are some great contributors on this forum not included in the above opinion. You know who you are

back to the touchpad, I don't use a touchpad, ever, and can't opine on that. Maybe it sucks and I don't know it