Which Latitude to Buy ? E6220, E6320 or E6420

Hello !!

I'm writing from France, so my english is not perfect.

I have to buy a Dell computer.
I am teacher in University, so i need a PC

1- lightest possible, because I've to use it in University, at home and in my research lab

2- screen 12-13 inches (I've an additional screen Iiyama 24")

3- I will use it at 80% for simple Office 2010 and Internet, and rarely with software of modeling in 3D. Sometimes, in Powerpoint, I have charged slides with higher resolution photo and graphic

4- very good autonomy

5- from 1000 to 1300 euros

I have to choice between :


Config 1 : Dell E6220 - basic price 780 euros

CPU : i3-2310 (2,1ghz, 3M cache, double core)
Screen : 12,5" HD (1366x768) anti reflet
RAM : 2G DDR3 800Mhz
HDD : 128 SSD
Battery : 6 cells
Wifi : a b g n and Bluetooth

Options available for E6220

CPU : i5-2520 (2,5ghz, 3M cache, double core) +86 euros or i7-2620 (2,7Ghz) +228 euros
Webcam : +12euros
RAM : 4G 1333Mhz +47 or 6Go +88
HDD : 256 SSD +181 euros
Battery : 9 cellules +105 euros
Wifi : get Intel 6300 a b g n Triple antenna interne +20 euros
Win 7 : 64bits +82 euros

Config 2 : Dell E6320 - basic price 714

CPU : i5-2520 (2,5ghz, 3M cache, double core)
Screen : 13,3" FULL HD (1366x768)
RAM : 2G DDR3 1333Mhz
HDD : 250Go- 5400 tr/mn
Battery : 6 cells
Wifi: a b g n and Bluetooth

Options available for E6320

CPU : i5-2520 (2,5ghz, 3M cache, double core) +71 euros or i7-2620 (2,7Ghz) +124 euros
Webcam : +12euros
Screen : 13,3" FULL HD (1366x768)
RAM : 4G 1333Mhz +47 or 6Go +88
HDD : 128 SSD +189 euros ou 256 SSD +370 euros
Battery : 9 cellules +110 euros
Wifi : Intel 6300 a b g n Triple antenne interne +20 euros
Win 7 : 64bits +82 euros

Config 3 : Dell E6420- basic price 574 euros

CPU : i5-2410 (2,3ghz, 3M cache, double core)
Ecran : 14" HD (1600x900) LED
RAM : 2G DDR3 1333Mhz
HDD : 250 Go at 5400tr/mn
Battery : 6 cells
Wifi: a b g n and Bluetooth

Options available for E6420

CPU : Intel Core i7-2620M 2,7 GHz - 4 Mo cache - Turbo Boost 3,4 GHz +185 euro
or
CPU : I7-2720QM (2,2Ghz, 6Mo cache, 4 core) +238 euros
Webcam : +12euros
RAM : 4G 1333Mhz +31
HDD : 256 SSD +370 euros - 128 SSD +199 euros - HDD 500Go 7200tr/mn for +30 euros
Battery : 9 cells +18 euros
Wifi : Intel 6300 a b g n Triple antenne interne +20 euros
Win 7 : 64bits +82 euros


I hesitate between these potential configuration :

Config 1 : Dell E6220 - basic price 780 euros

CPU :i7-2620 (2,7Ghz) +288
Screen : 12,5" HD (1366x768) anti reflet
RAM : 4G 1333Mhz +47
HDD : 128 SSD
Battery : 6 cells
Wifi : get Intel 6300 a b g n Triple antenna interne +20 euros
Win 7 : 64bits +82 euros
Webcam : +12euros
Weight : 1,44kg

TOTAL : 1229 euros

Config 2 : Dell E6320 - basic price 714

CPU : i7-2620 (2,7Ghz) +124 euros
Screen : 13,3" FULL HD (1366x768)
RAM : 4G 1333Mhz +47
HDD : 250Go- 5400 tr/mn
Battery : 6 cells
Wifi : Intel 6300 a b g n Triple antenne interne +20 euros
Win 7 : 64bits +82 euros
Webcam : +12euros
Weight : 1,66kg

TOTAL : 999 euros

Config 3 : Dell E6420- basic price 574 euros

CPU : I7-2720QM (2,2Ghz, 6Mo cache, 4 core) +238 euros
Ecran : 14" HD (1600x900) LED
RAM : 4G 1333Mhz +31
HDD : 500Go 7200tr/mn for +30 euros
Battery : 9 cells +18 euros
Wifi : Intel 6300 a b g n Triple antenne interne +20 euros
Win 7 : 64bits +82 euros
Webcam : +12euros
Weight : 2,05kg

TOTAL : 1005 euros

What di you think about SSD ?

Thank you for helping to choice the best one, or if you have suggestion about configuration if i've ti change compnents in option

Thanks

A+

 

If I were you I'd go for the E6420. However, the changes I would make to your final configuration is dropping the i7 to the i5 because your usage doesn't require an i7 processor. I don't really seeing you having the need for an ssd, unless you require your applications to opening up quickly. Like you said you are only doing basic stuff on that laptop, so needing applications to open instantly or a quicker boot time doesn't seem to be a requirement. The E6420 also has the 1600x900 screen which is a lot better than the 1366x768 (also slightly bigger at 14''). Also the 9 cell battery upgrade is optional, as that laptop would be fairly good on battery life. However, that upgrade is your choice.

Long winded reply but I think I gave some good suggestions in there.

 

Thank you for your reply.

I choosed i7, because if I will have my Dell for 5-6 years, I suppose that new versions of software will need more ressources, and may be i5 will be not sufficient ?!!

They also propose in option for E6420 these two i5 :

I5-2520M (2,5Ghz, 3Mo Cache, double core) +33 euros

I5-2540 (2,6Ghz, 3Mo cache, double core) + 86 euros

What do you think ?about these two optinal CPU I5 ?


I will also take option for Graphic Card Nvidia Quadro NVS 4200- 512Mo for +36 euros.

For +18 euros, I think to choose upgrade to battery 9 cells. What is the difference of weight betwwen 6 and 9 cells battery ?

For SSD in E6220, I can change it for HDD of 250 Go (-100 euros) or 320Go (-87 euro). SSD is not very important for me, is spite of the difference in weight with a HDD.....

 

I'd say that the upgrade to dual-core i7 is not worth it (you only get extra cache), but the quad-core definitely seems like a good investment if you plan to use the laptop for 5-6 years.

I'd also upgrade the screen to 1600x900, otherwise what's the point in going for the 14" (the 14" enables you to have the NVS 4200M, but performance of that card is barely above the intel integrated GPU unless you use it for some professional aplications which can take advantage of such a thing) - you could get the 13" or even 12" and save on weight considerably.

Not sure if the CPU is soldered on the mainboard - I'd say probably not so theoretically, you could upgrade the CPU of the 12" or 13" Latitude yourself with a quad core in the future (depending on the cooling systems limits, of course, but there's another thread with an upgraded E6310 so..).

 

hi !

In fact, the possiblity to upgrade the 12" or 13" in the future with i7 quad core is very interesting. Where can I find the exact information if CPU is soldered on the mainboard ?

Do you have link for the thread about upgrade E6310, please ?!

If I select 12" or 13", I cannot have screen with 1600x900. I just have 1336x768 resolution. But this is not problem, because at home, at job I have IIyama 24". So I will never use the screen of Latitude.
However, is HD3000 suffiscient to use it with 24" external screen in 1900x1080 resolution ?

If Nvidia Quadra is not more performant than the HD3000, and if I can in the future install I7, I will choose E6220.

in this case, I choose one with SSD or I change for HDD ?

Thanks for your reply.

A+

 

Well, I'd expect that these models don't have soldered CPUs; I tnk it's mostly done for very slim laptops to save on weight, I think.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/del...48126-dell-latitude-e6410-i7-720qm-works.html

I don't see why not. It's major limit is 8-bit color but I suppose that's not relevant for your monitor.

Yes, you lose the resolution upgrade, but that depends on your needs - higher portability or the higher resolution. Personally, I have two laptops - a 17" for work and a small 11,6" for portability and battery life. But, if you have a monitor at home and at work, I guess you don't really need the bigger resolution.

Depends on the purpose. If you look at e.g. 3dMark 2006 score, they're close enough, but Intel card is not really useful for accelerating professional applications though I'm not sure how useful that puny Nvidia 4200 anyway is.

Never really had an SSD. I guess you get some minor power consumption gains and some performance improvement (but exactly how noticeable I can't say because it depends on the use and the rest of the configuration). But, definitely you can consider to upgrade it yourself later on if the Dell upgrade cost is too high.

 

CPU is soldered on in the E6320 and E6220, not sure about the E6420. Also the quad and dual core CPUs probably use different heatsinks (rated at 45W vs 35W)

 

If you don't want a soldered CPU, but want the smallest possible package then look at a 12.5" HP 2560P. It can even accept a i7 quad CPU. Not sure about pricing in your locale though.

If you're seriously looking at the 12.5" E6220 then I'd suggest also look at a 12.5" Lenovo X220. The X220 has the better features: lighter weight, can do a mSATA SSD + 2.5" HDD and has a gorgeous IPS LCD with great viewing angles.

 

@ ijozic

Thank you for your information and advice.

At work, we can buy only Dell laptop, so I cannot buy HP or other laptop.

Thank you for this information. So it is impossible to upgrade CPU in the future.

Considering that :

- even no greater difference between i5-2520 and i7-2620 (only 1Mo of cache)
- no greater difference betwen HD3000 and nVidia Quadro NVS
- I want the lightest laptop possible (I've to take the laptop everyday in my bag

The E6220 seem to be the good compromise, isn't ?

What do you think about these two config of E6220 :

Config 4 : Dell E6220 - basic price 780 euros

CPU :i5-2520 (2,5ghz, 3M cache, double core) +86 euros
Screen : 12,5" HD (1366x768) anti reflet
RAM : 4G 1333Mhz +47
HDD : 256 SSD +181 euros
Battery : 6 cells
Wifi : a b g n and Bluetooth
Win 7 : 64bits +82 euros
Webcam : +12euros
Weight : 1,44kg

TOTAL : 1142 euros


Config 5 : Dell E6220 - basic price 780 euros

CPU :i7-2620 (2,7ghz, 4M cache, double core) +228 euros
Screen : 12,5" HD (1366x768) anti reflet
RAM : 4G 1333Mhz +47
HDD : 128 SSD
Battery : 6 cells
Wifi : a b g n and Bluetooth
Win 7 : 64bits +82 euros
Webcam : +12euros
Weight : 1,44kg

TOTAL : 1149 euros

in this case, is i7 CPU will heat more than the i5 CPU ?

thanks for your reply.

 

One thing I would say about the E6220 is that text size will be pretty small. If that doesn't bother you and you don't use the DVD drive often, the E6220 is a good choice.

The i5 and i7 are 35W maximum. However, it's likely that the i7 will use a little more power on average. Based on your listed usage, I would say go with the i5 for better battery life. Note that both the E6220 and E6320 will be significantly lighter with a 3-cell battery.