Inspiron and Latitude - What's the Difference

What are the differences between the Dell Inspirions and Dell Latitudes? Is one more reliable?

In particular, isn't the E1505 Inspirion and 6400 Latitude the same?

 

The Latitudes are a much better built machine(emphasis on MUCH).

 

The I6400 is the EXACT same machine as the E1505 - just rebaged. It should be noted the 6400 is part of the Inspiron line, so there's not much difference in build quality when compared with the regular Inspirons, except for the fact the I6400 gets business support. Dell's Latitude lineup, as Dellguy has stated, has better build quality than the regular Inspiron lineup.

 

If some machines are the same, how do I know which Latitudes are better quality?

 

You are talking about two different things.

Dell has two areas - home and small business. Under home, they sell all of the E Series which are Inspirons like E1505. Under small business, they sell the Insprions, but instead of using the E series for numbering, they use 6400, 9400, etc... The notebooks in these two sections are the exact same notebook - just different numbering.

The latitudes are a completely separate line from the Inspirons, and are only sold under Small Business. They do not have a corresponding notebook under the Home section, and they usually always start with a "D" like D620, D820, etc. To see the latitudes, click on the middle section on the following link.

http://www.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/notebooks?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd

 

Thanks SouthernGirl, it makes much more sense now. But, in what specific aspects are the Latitudes more durable than the Inspirons? Aren't they both RoadReady?

 

Yeah, but roadyready really doesn't mean much.

Latitudes have a better built quality - dell uses better material with them. They are more durable and last longer because of the material. The latitudes are designed to travel everyday if needed, etc. You also get better tech support with them.

The inspirons have a cheaper quality to them - cheaper materials. They are good if you want to take your laptop with you a few times a week, or want a laptop primarily at home. The tech support is outsourced out of India.

Basically that is what we are talking about with the difference between the two lines. Inspirons are cheaper and get the coupons because they are so cheap to make. The latitudes have the better material, and are better made for a traveling environment which is why they are marketed towards Business environments.

IMO, if you want a laptop that is going to last a long a time and be able to travel with, go with a latitude if you have the money.

 

I have an old Latitude C640 right now, and while it's old and made of plastic rather than magnesium alloy and steel hinges like the new ones, it has still held up pretty well considering it's nearly four years old now. In fact, it's lasted so long that I plan on purchasing either a Latitude or a Precision my next go round this winter. Personally, I wouldn't want an Inspiron. I don't like the way the look, feel or anything like that. Not to say that they're terrible computers; they're still Dell's and they're still good. But the Latitudes are def much better IMO.

 

so you're saying it would be better to go with the business line of inspirons?

 

the latitudes are not the business line of inspirons. Inspirons are offered in both Home and Business - just different numbering.

Latitudes are a completely separate line of notebooks offered by dell in the business section.

 

oh ok...i got it now

 

Check it out.. over the weekend I got to mess around with my friend's Latitude D620 that he bought through his school. Comparing it side by side with my E1705, here are a few impressions:

The Latitude is STURDY... it doesn't have a "hollow" feel like my Inspiron has.. the keyboard is more firm, the keys feel solid and are quiet when you type. Overall the Latitude feels like it would "hold together" longer.

The only drawback I can see, which to others probably isn't that important, is the GPU option. I wanted a decent gaming card, so I chose the E1705.. if I were to choose a notebook strictly for work/ travel, definately would be the Latitude.

 

I can confirm that the D620's keyboard is very sold. I just got mine today and I'm installing stuff on it.

If you want games though the Inspiron is a better choice. The nVidia Quadro on the higher end D620s is ok, but the 945GM chipset w' integrated graphics is rather lackluster in 3D.