Dell Latitude E6500: Aftermarket Parts.

Dear all,

I just ordered an E6500 and would like to make an upgrade on the following parts down the road if it is possible:

1. DVD burner. The one I ordered only comes with a CD/DVD combo. So, I was wondering if I would like to upgrade it would be possible to do so. Does Dell use a proprietary DVD drive or faceplate, which make it impossible for users to upgrade by themselves.

2. Wifi card. The one I ordered comes with Intel Wifi 5100. Would it be possible if I upgrade to a 5300, a 5350, or a 4965. How many antennas come on the E6500 as I think the 5100 only uses less antennas than the abovementioned. Also, what size of the card would it be, full size or half size?

3. Modem. If I want to add an internal modem, would it be possible to add it by myself? And if so, would one available on the market work?

Thank you very much.

Regards,
fld.

 

1) I'm not 100% on this, but the Dell faceplate is angled and probably custom. I'm not sure if you can take it off of your old drive, though. A standard 9.5mm drive will fit in the slot though.

2) The Intel 5100 has two antennas and is half size.
The Intel 5300 I've seen as half and full height on ebay, so it's your pick, I guess. It has 3 antennas.
The 5350 is full height. 3 antennas.
The 4965 is last generation, I don't recommend it.
The E6400 has 3 mini-PCI slots. 1 that is full height and has 3 (correction: 2) antenna cables, 1 that is full height and has 1 antenna cable (for bluetooth), and 1 that is half height and has 2 (correction: 3)antenna cables. The 5350 and 5300 would work in the full height 3 antenna slot, while the 5100 you have now is in the half height slot.

3. You can add it on. I don't know about this, but my guess would be that Dell uses a custom port, so you'll need a Dell part. I couldn't find the part number though, so you'll have to call Dell Spare Parts.

 

1) all disc drives are standard.
2) important to know the hight of the card since some laptops may not have a retention stativ for half lengh or full lengh cards.
3) if laptop has modem connection that it should be equipped with actual modem card - these are cheap as chips. But yes - it's possible to add one. Again connection should be standard, just need to verify the physical dimensions compatability.

 

Hi weirdo81622 and cooperxs,

1. It's good to know that the drived on on the E6500 has standard dimensions. What I am a little worried about is the faceplate or bezel and the thingy that we push to eject the drive (sorry I don't know what it's called). This thing sticks out when we push it and is used to eject the cd or dvd module.

2. Would that mean the E6500 I ordered will come preinstalled with 3 antennas although the card it has only uses 2? By the way, mine is a refurb.

3. About the modem, would one available on the market fit in and work on the E6500? My another solution would be to just buy an external USB modem for like $20. However, an internal one is more preferable.

Thank you very much, you guys.

Regards,
fld.

 

1) Faceplate is easily removed. Retention brackets are screwed onto the drive using standard srew-holes.
2) No clue about the amount of antennas, but yeah it can have three, but used only two.
3) You should be able to get a modem ceparately, but installing it may require full disassemble of the laptop.

 

The Dell E series come pre-wired for all the hardware options. Go to the Dell support site and browse the E6500 service manual.

The optical drive is 9.5mm thick with SATA connector. Dell uses drives from at least three sources, so the parts are easily interchangeable.

The release mechanism is held on by a screw or two and is easily swapped. The fascia is also swappable and the fixings are standard. This thread, which relates to 12.5mm optical drives, shows how the fascias are clipped on.

John

 

In regards to DVD burners, which brand would be the best?

For desktops, I used to like BenQ but their drives don't last as long. I also like Pioneer dvd burners. I heard that for laptop drives Optiarc is good but that was a couple years back and I have not followed the notebook stuff as much.

John, did you happen to know who the 3 sources Dell OEMs from are?

Thank you very much.

Regards,
fld.

 

What I can say about the OEMs are that mine is made by Samsung/TSST.

Regarding the antennas, my E6400 was refurb too and I also got it with the Intel 5100. The antennas are all installed. If you want to take a look, just unscrew the 1 screw holding the bottom panel on and you'll see the WLAN half height and WWAN full height slots in the bottom left corner, and the WPAN/Bluetooth full height slot in the top right.

As for the modem, I think you will have to get a Dell specific one. I have an XLS of the parts, but it's all very cryptic and doesn't describe anything too well. Here is one phone number you can call (1-800-357-3355). I'm not sure if it's just a general number or specifically for small business, but give it a try. They'll transfer you if it's the wrong place.

 

Thanks very much you guys.