Quick Review of the Dell Latitude 610

Hello,

A while back I utilized this forum looking for buying tips for my first laptop. As I just recently purchased my first (A Dell Latitude 610) and have had it a week now and have used it pretty extensively, I thought I would provide a short review and my thoughts about it. Hopefully this will help someone like other peoples post helped me out. No pictures, though - there are already plenty of photos of the 610 on this site.

What I ordered:

• Latitude 610, XGA Resolution, 14.1 inch display, Intel Integrated Graphics Card with 128MB shared RAM, Pentium 1.86 Ghz
• 1 GB RAM
• 80 GB HD
• Dell Latitude Backpack (to carry it)
• Microsoft Office Basic
• Came with 3 year mail-in warranty
• CDRW/DVD Player (no dvd burner)
• Intel a/b/g network card
• 90 Watt Power Supply as main power source
• Dell Air/Auto/Ac Travel Power Adapter (these things are expensive!)
• Windows XP Pro

Total cost, including 2 day shipping, was $1639, after applying the $500 instant-rebate Dell was running back in late October.

Why I ordered the Latitude

Before going on, figured I would state why I ordered the Latitude. The Latitude's are Dell business class machines, meaning they are durable. Additionally, the Latitude line comes stripped down - without all the junky software - found on their other lines. Third, hadn't read a bad word about the durability of the Latitude line of computers - or really anything else bad about this computer anywhere. As this computer will travel often - and not always to nice places - I needed a reliable and durable traveling computer above all else. And fourth, I wanted a laptop that could easily be expanded on - the Latitude line of components are all guaranteed to work with each other, both now and in the future.

I also did not want a desktop replacement notebook. While the larger screen would be nice of such a notebook, I would rather have greater portability with a smaller notebook and then hookup a flat-panel monitor when at home.

And finally, I've been VERY happy with other Dell products as well as their support (I'll post more about my support experience later). My Dell Desktop, also ordered through their Small Business Division, has been a bullet-proof computer the past 2.5 years. I'm not a believer that things are always greener on the other side of the fence, so I stuck with Dell since they hadn't sold me anything bad yet.

And lastly, the price. Dell had, by far, the best prices per specifications of the computer I was able to find after applying the $500 off coupon. Every HP/Toshiba notebook I configured ended up costing more and offering less - often times significantly less. Even some other Dell notebooks cost more once speced out similarily to the Latitude during this coupon sale.

The Box and What's Inside

When the computer first arrived, I really thought Dell made a mistake. A huge box was waiting for me, and a second box was with it (which ended up holding the backpack I ordered).

Inside this huge box wasn't much. Half of it was completely empty. And inside that box were three additional smaller boxes, two of which were basically empty too (held some software and my power adapters). Lastly, at the very bottom, was a tiny, well-made box that held the actual laptop.

As I travel frequently and don't have space to store a huge box, I threw away all boxes except for the actual box the laptop was packaged in (just in case I someday need to send it back to Dell).

First Impressions

The notebook worked from the very moment I turned it on. The wireless card immediately picked up 5 different WiFi sources where I was staying at (in a hotel the day the computer arrived).

The notebook, as it was stripped down of all the junky software, loaded incredibly quickly - took less than 20 seconds to fully boot-up.

I love the looks of this computer. The gray/black really looks sharp.

The case of this notebook is wonderful. Not a cheap, flexible plastic like so many other laptops are made of. No flex in the case or in the keyboard.

I HATE touchpads, so I don't use this one. The Latitude comes with a joystick pointer too, though, one reason I liked this computer. This works well. But still, to me at least, nothing beats a mouse. I bought a cheap, MS wireless mouse and it works perfectly with the computer. Except for in emergencys, I really don't plan on using either the joystick or the touchpad.

The display was EXACTLY what I wanted. Many people in this forum seem to like SXGA+ or higher displays. Those displays, while great for photos and perhaps games, are absolutely terrible if like me you spend lots of time looking at text and writing. For me at least, too small of text is a great way to get a headache. The XGA on my monitor is just the perfect size for everyday use - with no squinting required to see the text.

Heat - what heat?? I've read the Latitude was not prone to excessive heat, and my own computer seems to bear this out. It gets a bit warm on the front left of the computer (both on bottom and top), but it is by no means hot or even very warm. In any event, no worries about over-heating.

Video - The quality of the display is excellent. Nothing superb like some of those glossy monitors. Then again, you don't catch all the reflections on this display like you do with those fancy glossy monitors. But the display is perfect for my needs. No dead pixels that I noticed, but I'm not out looking for them either (some things are better left unknown).

Audio - Notice I got the intel integrated video? The reason for that was to avoid the "hiss" from the headphone jack. I'm not sure if Dell fixed this issue, but I read somewhere (perhaps here?) that the hiss was caused by the ATI video card. And, this seems to be the case. I hear no hiss or anything else out of the headphone jack in my computer. True, the speakers in the laptop are, well, just there. Then again, what do you expect out of a business class noteook machine? In any event, I hooked up my external speakers/subwoofer to this unit and music sounds superb - and with NO HISS!!!!

Keyboard - As mentioned,no flex in the keyboard. Additionally, the keys are very quiet. However, and I knew this would be a problem with ANY laptop I ordered, I have problems doing my typical speed typing on it (although I'm getting better). The combination of the angle of the keyboard and the slightly smaller keys muck up my typing a bit. I knew this would occur (not the laptops fault) so I plan on using an external keyboard for most of my heavy duty typing needs in the future.

Other Things

Here's some other random thoughts about this computer.

First, if you get the Latitude line of computer, GET THE DELL LATITUDE BACKPACK that is available for it. This is one terrific backpack. A bit pricey at $79 - and I most certainly don't like the Dell Logo that is on it (can we say "please steal me"!), but the case fits the Latitude notebook perfectly and has all the right size pockets in all the right places. There is also a ton of padding around the computer. I had looked at other backpacks at my nearby office supply store and never liked any of them. The Dell Latitude backpack, though, really is great. So if you get this notebook, splurge and get the backpack. You'll be happy you did.

Secondly, the Latitude line is REALLY stripped down. I love that. But, some people who want more software on their machine may not like it for some odd reason. In any event, just be prepared for it if you order a Latitude.

Third, I read someplace here that the latitude could be underpowered and cause problems, although I'm not sure if this was true or not. As I'm always a believer in having too much power instead of too little power, I opted to spend the extra $20 for the 90 watt power supply. This way, all my USB devices I attach to it should be amply powered now and in the future.

Fourth, I hate Dell's website. I can't begin to tell you how many times and in different ways I priced out their computers, both the Latitude and Inspirion lines, only to get different prices on the exact same computers at the same time. It's frustrating at times! On the other hand, if you're patient and committed, and wait for the coupon deals arrive, you can get quite the nice computer for a very nice price sooner or later. In short, patience is a virtue and required when ordering from Dells website - at least if you want the best deal.

Fifth, the Latitude line has a nice selection of ports. One thing it doesn't have,though, is PS2 ports! I had planned on using my desktop mouse and keyboard with this notebook. But there was no port to plug them into. I had an adapter for my mouse, but will have to get another one for my keyboard. In any event, just something to keep in mind.

Conclusion

Overall, I'm exceptionally happy with this notebook. It's everything I hoped it would be and is much more, happily. This is especially important since if the notebook didn't work I was in trouble - I had already shipped my desktop back to my mom's house for safe storage!

About the only thing I wished the laptop offered was a flash card reader. But, I have a seperate flash card reader I can plug in with, so not a big deal really.

Anyways, I highly recommend this computer for anyone in search of a solid, durable, reliable notebook.
:dell:

 

Nice job. I have the SXGA on my 15". I can't see using it on a 14" but others love it.

 

Thanks for the great review Jim, the D610 is quite a popular notebook and definitely the most popular Latitude.

Btw, you complained about not having PS2 ports but I can't remember the last time I saw a PC that actually had that port, USB took over that port a long time ago. You can get a decent optical mouse for $20 with rebate these days, so not too big a deal to upgrade the old mouse I don't think!

 

The mouse wasn't the problem as both my mice were usb (wireless mice are really nice!). It was the keyboard I use. I've looked everywhere in town - from Best Buy to PC Plus to CompUSA - for a simple little ps2 to usb adapter with no luck. Just wanted a simple adapter. But was not to be. In the end, had to shell out $10 for this fancy mouse/keyboard adapter cable.

 

Hmm strange. Do they make a such adapter? I'd think they do, but probably not a hot seller (unless many use their laptops in one location most of time).

Ya the wireless mice are nice. I especially like the petite ones made for laptops on the go.

 

question about your D610. i know you said you got the integrated video to eliminate the hiss from the headphone jack. but can you try it w/ just using a regular cheap headphone and not w/ your speaker/sub unit? i've read somewhere about impeadance matching issue with this.

also w/o anything plug into the headphone and microphone jack, do you get some static or hiss when there is something plugged into the usb port? i just noticed this on mine last night when i was at the library.

 

Hi,

To see what happens I tried listening to music this morning using only my cheap pair of headphones and unplugged my external speakers. I did notice a very, very faint hiss. However, this hiss is only noticeable if ALL music is off. As soon as you turn the music on, even at an ultra low level, the hiss either disappears or gets drowned out. The "hiss" sort of reminds me of what it is like to listen to a old-fashioned tape on a tape deck before the onset of that technology that removed the "tape hiss" sound (forget what it is called).

As for the USB, I have several things plugged into various USB ports. Haven't tried listening to music yet without having something plugged into the USB ports.

Yes, they do, but apparently a simple ps2 to usb adapter is very difficult to find. Amazon does carry them although they are buried within their site.

 

no i mean have something plugged into the usb and nothing on the microphone/headphone jack and just listen to it in silence. dont play music or anything. is there a hiss or something coming from somewhere?

heres the thing w/ mine (i have the x300 on mine)
w/o anything plugged into the usb or the head/micro phone jack, everything is okay. if i plug something into the usb, i get this faint static noise. however, when i plug in something into the headphone jack, that noise seem to go away, except that it is now replaced by the more annoying static sound from the headphone jack. but this hiss or static from the headphone jack cannot be heard if my turn the volume on my speaker to low or off and cant be heard if im playing music or anything.

reason it took me awhile to notice this usb noise is because at home my laptop is usually connected to my speakers. the headphone noise ive always heard/noticed but i just keep the volume on low so as to not hear it

 

I have a D610 with the ATI X300 video option that was purchased in early December 2005. I knew about the audio hiss issue but that didn't change my mind in deciding to purchase the D610. I use my D610 for karaoke so I planned on getting an external audio device for when I need to hookup to my mixer.

I do get the hum from the audio jack on the side of the D610. I purchased a Sound Blaster Live USB and I still get the hum. I think that would be the case with any USB audio device.

I don't know if a PC Card audio device would have the same problem as I don't have access to a PC Card device to try at the moment.

I did find out that if I unplug the AC adapter I do not get any hum at all from either the internal audio or the SB Live USB. That allows me to work around the hum at this point. Since I have a second batter in the modular bay I get 5-6 hours of use.

I don't know if it is a grounding issue but I am going to try a 3 prong to 2 prong adapter to test that theory.

 

Hey can you please tell me if that solves the problem because I am also getting the hiss from the audio jack. This occurs even though I'm not using headphones.

 

Using a 2 prong adapter solves the problem with hum when using the laptop headphone jack. It also eliminates the hum when using the external Soundblaster Live USB on AC power.

I had both hooked up to my Fender Passport PD-250 over the weekend at a karoke gig and had no problems with hum. I'll still use the Soundblaster USB as I have VGA, S-Video, Mouse, Audio plugged into the D610 and all the ports come out the back.

I don't know if using an ungrounded AC connection causes problems or if it is something in the COA (Cover Your Ass) lawyer print where it is mentioned as something to avoid.