So how are the E5410s?

Hi,

I'm in the market for a well built 14" laptop with a matte screen and decent keyboard, and the E5410 fits the bill perfectly. As I'm trying to go under $600, the E6410 is currently out of the question (unless those awesome outlet deals show up again). There are very few reviews of the E5410 out there, so I have a few questions of those who own or have used one.

1.) How's the keyboard? There's some reports of flex, but how is the typing feel? Is it comparable to a Thinkpad?
2.) How would it compare to a D620/D630, which I some experience with?
3.) How's the build compared to, say, an R-series Thinkpad?

My other considerations right now are a refurbished Thinkpad R61(worse performance, but possibly superior build and keyboard), and the R500 (slightly too big). Both of those will have worse performance.

 

I dealt with one at my company and I guess can sort of compare it to my D630.

1-Keyboard felt fine to me, but I am not super picky about this. Just as long as the keyboard is not super cheap like the vostros it never bothers me.

2-I believe it is a little bigger then the D630 but you might want to check tech specs. I think the D630 is a bit more rugged then the E5410 but my time with the machine was sort.

3-Can not really compare it to a thinkpad since I really do not like them.

When are you looking to buy? Reason I ask is I will be replacing my work D630 with a E5410 so I would gladly do some comparison shots for you but this will not happen for a few more weeks.

 

Hopefully within 3 months. I'm still looking around at other options.

 

And thanks for the help.

 

I would recommend waiting on some Outlet coupons or other deals (such as the pretty hefty discount coupon came up a couple weeks ago) and getting an E6410. The E5410 is pretty much a lower-end model of the E6410, so there will be more plastics instead of the usual magnesium-alloy casing.

 

Here are some pretty good coupons that just arrived in my inbox this morning:

ML9TJNK27F0KF9 25% on E6410, E6510, E4310
WRB8FNLHDSG5L$ 20% on all other Latitude

Expires on 10/1 or after 2000 uses. Hopefully this will allow you to get an E6410 within your budget.

 

I do also agree comparing a E5410 to my E6400, the 6 series as I call it has some nicer material