Dell Latitude D810 Review (pics, specs)

by Peter Whalen, Ohio USA

I am a college student and bought the Dell Latitude D810 mostly as a powerful desktop replacement, but also to be portable enough to carry it around campus when needed.

Dell Latitude D810 closed above view (view larger image)

A little background -- the big thing for a college student these days is to buy a nice computer after high school graduation and before college. Initially I knew I wanted roughly a 15" screen with a gratuitous amount of RAM, a good processor, gigabit Ethernet capability, wireless and Bluetooth enabled, and a nice screen. I had my eyes set on the Sony FS series, but that didn't have the 10/100/1000 Ethernet I needed (here at my college, we have the second fastest network in the world -- besides NASA). After discovering that very few notebooks on the market offered the gigabit Ethernet I turned towards Dell. The university has an agreementwith Dell that allows us to buyDell products online discounted, so I went for it. Although I have had problems with Dell desktops in the past, so far the D810 has been fantastic.

A business perspective -- the D810 is only available on Dell's website through the business section of the site. Dell claims it is excellent on large networks. It also has a very "business-y" feel due to the design simplicity.

Here is the configuration of the Dell D810 that I got (in August 2005, almost all of these options were the highest Dell offered)

• Intel Pentium M Processor 760 (2.00GHz)
• 2.0GB 533MHz, DDRII SDRAM, 2 DIMMS - Dual Channel
• 80GB Hard Drive, 9.5MM, 5400RPM
• 24X CD-RW/DVD w/ Sonic Digital Media and Cyberlink PowerDVD
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional, SP2, with media
• Internal 56K Modem
• Intel PRO/Wireless 2200 802.11b/g WLAN miniPCI Card
• 9-CELL PRIMARY BATTERY
• Dell Wireless 350 Bluetooth Module
• ATI RADEON X600 128MB
• 15.4 inch UltraSharp Wide Screen WUXGA LCD Panel

I also bought the A215 speakers, a port replicator (which is very convenient at my desk), the Dell optical mouse, and separate keyboard. I truly wanted it to feel like a desktop when I'm at my desk.

As far as price, after the discount, it ran me $2800 roughly. I know, it's obscenely expensive, but it needs to last. Don't be turned off and think all configurations are going to run expensive you can get a nicely configured one for over $1000 cheaper.

Build and Design

As you can see in the pictures, it is a very plane, unexciting notebook. Dell really didn't try that hard to make it flashy or particularly fashionable. The casing is very sturdy and is gunmetal gray. The keyboard is a typical notebook keyboard and is a very dark grey.Onething missing isthatthere are no external media buttons (pause, play, stop, etc.), remember, this is a business computer. As far as weight is concerned, the computer is meant to be a desktop replacement, but can still able to be carried around on occasion. I've never physically weighed the machine, but I'm guessing it's around 8-9 pounds. For a younger person with a backpack, weight really isn't an issue, but you may want to think twice before buying it with the intention of daily and/or long range portability. As far as durability goes, the case feels very sturdy -- there is very little give and the screen is well-protected. All-in-all, a sturdy notebook.

Dell Latitude D810 front side view (view larger image)

Dell D810 left side view(view larger image)

Dell Latitude D810 back side view (view larger image)

Dell Latitude D810right side view (view larger image)

Screen

Asmentioned earlier, I ordered the WUXGA screen whose native resolution is 1920x1200 --this is very highresolution and consequently very tiny text. It is incredibly clear, very sharp and bright. No dead pixels from what I can see and perfect backlighting.A few wordsof warning...I can only speak for the WUXGA computers, but there are only three widescreen resolution options (1920x1200, 1680x1050, 1280x800 and 1280x768 -- the last two I counted as the same). The rest are regular screen resolutions and consequently, if you try one of these, everything is stretched out. I also felt mislead by Dell. They recommended the WUXGA for gaming, DVD watching, and other graphic-demanding applications. I bought the WUXGA and it is tiny -- I have since gotten used to it, but it's hard on my 19-year-old eyes. If you drop the resolution to the next best wide-aspect resolution (1680x1050) it's a good size, but not as clear. Bottom line; think very hard before getting the WUXGA. I'd go with the WSXGA+.

Dell Latitude D810 front view screen open(view larger image)

Another issue -- almost every laptop I saw in stores from other companies (Gateway, Sony, etc.) had very shiny, very bright, almost glossy screens. Not so with my Dell. It's like comparing flat paint with glossy paint. Don't get me wrong, the screen is amazing, but not quite what I was expecting.

All-things said, think carefully about the native resolution you choose.

Speakers

Quite simply great speakers. They're about as good as laptop speakers can get. Obviously, they are small and have a slightly tinny sound, little bass, but good for watching DVD's or listening to music. My set up is at my desk with a port replicator and separate speakers. It's a matter of personal preference.

Performance/Benchmarks

I bought this laptop with performance in mind. With a 2.0GHz processor and 2.0GB of RAM, this laptop tears apart almost anything, no kidding. Boot-up is quick and opening basic programs (Word, Outlook, my IE, iTunes, etc. are practically instantaneous). The 80 gig hard drive writes at 5400 RPM whichwill suit most people's needs. A few issues -- my hard drive is only at 30% capacity, so that helps it move faster; I don't let things muck down my computer and I try to generally keep it as clean and stream-lined as possible. I can run games flawlessly at the highest graphical settings. When I exit demanding games, it takes only a few seconds and there is no lag thereafter.

The program Super Pi forces the processor to calculate Pi to a selected number of digits of accuracy. Below is a table comparing how long it takes various notebooks to calculate Pi to2 million digits of accuracy:

Comparison of notebooks using Super Pi to calculate Pi to 2 million digits (plugged in):

Notebook	Time
Dell Latitude D810 (2.0GHz Pentium M)	1m 33s
Fujitsu S6231 (1.6 GHz Pentium M)	2m 6s
Sony VAIO FS680 (1.86 GHz Pentium M)	1m 53s
IBM ThinkPad T43 (1.86 GHz Pentium M)	1m 45s
Asus Z70A (1.6GHz Pentium M)	1m 53s
Fujitsu LifeBook N3510 (1.73 GHz Pentium M)	1m 48s
Dell Inspiron 6000D (1.6 GHz Pentium M)	1m 52s
Dell Inspiron 600M (1.6 GHz Pentium M)	2m 10s
Sony VAIO S360 (1.7 GHz Pentium M)	1m 57s
HP DV4170us (Pentium M 1.73 GHz)	1m 53s
Sony VAIO S380 (1.86 GHz Pentium M)	1m 45s

HD Tune Results for Latitude D810 Hard Drive (80GB / 5400 RPM):

Measurement	Result
Min Transfer Rate	7.6 MB/s
Max Transfer Rate	35.6 MB/s
Average Transfer Rate	24.9 MB/s
Access Time	23.1 ms
Burst Rate	63.7 MB/sec
CPU Usage	26.7%

Bottom line, this super-high-end computer is powerful, but even a high-end one would be very respectable.

Keyboard and Touchpad

All in all, both the keyboard and the touchpadfunction well. First the keyboard. As you can see, it is a pretty standard, compact keyboard that you will find on most laptops. Because I do a lot of work at a desk (and it is a desktop replacement) I bought a separate keyboard. It is very functional and pretty easy to get used to it. A few issues. Before I bought the laptop, I noticed some users said their fingers catch the bottom of the keys while typing. This does happen to me (albeit rarely) and can be an annoyance, but nothing huge.

Dell Latitude D810 keyboard and touchpad view (view larger image)

Now to the touchpad and buttons. The touchpad is well-made and works well. Sometimes when I tap it to select something, it doesn't register even when it's set at the highest sensitivity, but other than that it is good. There are two sets of buttons -- one set of buttons on top of the touchpad and another set below it. The lower ones are larger and are low quality. They have a cheap sounding click and the left one (that I obviously use the most) is permanently slightly depressed compared to the right. I now try to use the upper buttons because they seem to be more durable. The laptop also has a pointer akin to what is seen in the ThinkPad notebooks. I guess it works well, but I hate using that type of input, so I never use it.

Dell D810 power button and volume controls (view larger image)

Bottom line, solid in this category with a few minor annoyances.

Input and Output Ports

The main complaints I have seen about this laptop is the lack of input/output ports. Let me start with what it has: four USB 2.0 ports, a headphone, a microphone jack, Ethernet port, modem port, infrared port, S-video port, serial port (9-pin), port replicator jack (bottom) and a monitor port. Now, what it doesn't have. No firewire. No media-card reader. No parallel port.

I really wish it had a media card reader so I could plug in my digital camera's SD card. Besides that, I don't have many problems with the ports on the computer. Placement of the portsis good too.

Wireless

The D810 comes with a wireless card you can choose (Intel b/g card) and optional Bluetooth. I have never used the Bluetooth, but I use the wireless a lot around campus and I have found it works very well. The computer also has an infrared port, but again, I have not used it yet.

Battery

Dell gives you the option of a 6 or 9 cell battery. I chose the 9-cell and at 100% capacity it claims to last just over 4 hours. I have never, however, tested it from full to empty. But obviously, depending on tasks performed, it will be different. I am fairly confident doing light work such as word-processing or internet browsing, the battery would last close to 4 hours. Doing more intense graphical work, playing a game, etc. it will be significantly less. Playing the role of a businessman, I doubt the battery would last on a cross country or trans-ocean flight. A wise investment would be a spare battery.

Operating System and Software

The system came with Microsoft Windows XP Professional, SP2. I would highly recommend the professional over the home. All disks to properly restore the systemwere included -- the operating system disk, the drivers, the pre-installed programs, everything. I can't speak for pre-installed software, Ibought it through my college, so they pre-loaded it specially with what they thought I needed. Generally I find free pre-installed software somewhat useless. The Microsoft Office, Windows Media Player, DVD, that came loaded are all very solid.

Customer Service

I have not used the customer service yet because I have not had problems that I am not able to deal with on my own. In the past, however, I have used Dell's customer support and I seem to recall it being mediocre. Nothing to write home about.

Now for the warranty, I paid a hefty amount to have a very nice extended warranty. I have it for three years with a three year complete care (it idiot-proofs the thing in case I do something obscenely stupid). I don't think it was all necessary, but an investment like a computer deserves a little extra.

Complaints

A few problems. I was very disappointed in the resolution of the screen and the text being so tiny -- now I'm used to it, but at first, I felt very mislead by Dell. They said nothing of it being so small. It looks amazingly sharp (in fact the sharpest I've seen on a laptop), but still. So, my word of advice is don't listen to Dell, listen to me; if you get the highest screen option, the text is tiny. Remember, you can dumb down the resolution, but you only have a few wide-screen options and they're not sharp. Go for the middle option (SXGA)as far as screens. Another issue: the size. It surprised me how bulkythe D810was when I first saw it. Obviously Dell didn't make a huge effort to make it very slim. That goes along with the sort of boring design, you're not going to be winning "coolest looking notebook" competitions with this thing. The system runs hotter than most notebooks, but it's not a huge issue. The lack of external media buttons is a drag, but then again, this notebook is geared towards the business sector.

Praises

The pros far out-weight the cons here. It is an excellent laptop. Runs very fast and smooth, rarely if ever freezes, hasn't crashed, etc. The speakers are great (for a laptop), the monitor is amazing crisp and sharp, and the over all feel of the laptop is very high quality.

The Bottom Line

Bottom line is theD810 is agreat computer. A few annoyances (see above), but they can be forgiven. If you're a professional looking for an extremely potent, reliable desktop replacement for a good price then the D810 is it. Students, I recommend this to you too. It's a little heavy to be super-portable, but is fine in a backpack.

Pricing and Availability: Dell Latitude D810

 

The Latitude line isn't exactly sexy but they do tend to be better built and offer a better standard warranty than the Inspiron line. I used the D410 and reviewed it earlier in the year and was very pleased with it, review for that is here http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2405

picture of D410 here



I have to say, I loved the black look much more than what I see with the D810. But as the author says this is a business desktop replacement machine so looks are an afterthought for such a machine.

thanks for the review

 

Nice review, I enjoyed it!

At our office, we are entirely a Dell Shop. We recieved a few new Latitudes recently, and they are very well built machines. A co-worker of mine has had his for over three and a half years, running 8 hours every day, with no problems. Dell really does make an excellent business machine.

That's a funny problem with the keyboard...I think it would probably depend on how the person types more than anything. Although, I've used some of the Latitude keyboards, and I liked them overall.

It is a business notebook, so I don't think looks are an issue like you said. Same goes for the media buttons.

Nice job!

Chaz

 

Hmm, i want to be nice to you....but i cant.

[content removed by admin for inappropriate language]

 

Well, that was uncalled for and rude.

The last point is a good one, if made in an abusive and arrogant way.
LCDs should not be changed from their native resolution. That is why changing that property on your Dell isn't as sharp for you. Increasing the font size on your desktop and your applications will serve you better.

 

Yikes, woah, thats pretty harsh dude. If you think he's wasted all that cash when he could've gotten a better computer, then thats his problem. Its his money, not yours. I wish my parents had that enormous budget you got.

How long will you be keeping the notebook?

 

You had some criticism, but it wasn't constructive and appropriately phrased, it was an attack, so I had to remove it.

And if you can't be nice, then ....

you know the rest.

 

Yea, your all right, i was a bit harsh now that i read it on the forum. But the points still hold, just not the direct attacks, heh.

***********
So I apologize for a few of my comments (just a few, heh), and if there was a way to go back and remove/modify a few lines, i would have done so by now.
***********
Anyway, when i saw that $2800 went into a system like that, it made my blood boil and i couldnt contain myself nicely, heh.

Actually i just realized i could have saved $20 on my system i just ordered with the 7800 GTX. And i was upset just for freaking $20. So imagine how i must have felt for $2800 - ($800 for the worth of that notebook) = $2000 wasted...heh

 

heh, guess i was not fast enough to make changes if i could...oh well

 

$2800 and no DVD-RW? And it's a Dell? wow...

I think that ASUS will give you more bang for your buck: for a lot less.

 

Holy crap, it doesn't even have a DVD burner!?!? Man, I do think you got ripped off dude.

 

He bought it in August with absolute max-specs and the 3-year accident/act-of-god/fire/floodproof warranty. The warranty alone probably added four hundred.

Twenty-four hundred for a maxed out machine isn't too bad. He paid a lot extra for piece of mind, but only the person whose head it is in can determine how much a mind is worth.

 

Note he also got a bunch of software included such as Microsoft Office Pro, that's $400 in and of itself.

 

I like the latitude line (when it's on sale). They're the only Dell line I'd buy. I really do think that the sweet spot between power/cost/size is the D610. I don't advocate getting pirated software but 400 bucks *barf!

 

Realize, that you pay extra for the durability of a business class notebook....so the extra $$ is justified if you travel lots and don't want your notebook to crack and crash and burn like so many of the other so called "desktop replacements" you see in Office Depot or Walmart. I agree that $2800 is high, but then ThinkPads are that way too, and they get kudos all the time. The Z60M that I want (with the maxbright and titanium lid) will probably cost over $3000 after all that i said and done....and that is 1200x800 res.

 

I don't understand your complaints about WUXGA -- in my opinion WUXGA should be a standard in 12" screen /no joke/. There is nothing wrong with the resolution /paper!, yes, has much bigger res and apparently everybody can read it without a problem/. The only faulty thing here can be lame OS -- shame on all OS's which don't use vector icons and cannot scale fonts and widgets.

The quasi solution is to change dpi -- try it.

Thank you for your review.

 

I agree with the above poster that resolution is a problem just as long as you use a broken window manager (with the latest KDE on Linux this doesn't happen).

Anyway, I don't think he got ripped off if he was looking for a hi-res screen, peace of mind (warranty and durability) and to stay on the good side of the law (buying MS software at their extortionary prices). The screen alone pushes the price up quite a bit, then you have 128mb of dedicated video RAM and the gigabit Ethernet.

 

Well, I'm glad you are happy with your D810.

That said, here is my three cents.

You could have spent less than half that amount and gotten a better laptop. The HP L2000 or Compaq V2000z come to mind, but I am sure there are others.

Gigabit ethernet? For regular Internet stuff, you won't be able to tell the difference between that and 100MB. If you really wanted it, a PC Card works fine.

Dell Latitudes are no more sturdy than other brand...in fact, they tend to be pretty flimsy. Good thing you got the 3 year warranty...you'l need it. (I've had dozens of Dells over the past 7 years, including the D800, which the D810 is based on.)

Other minuses:
- It's a heavy laptop to lug around
- No Firewire (IEEE 1394)
- No DVD-DL burner

And the nail in the coffin:

- 4 UNDERPOWERED USB 2.0 ports. So much for plugging in that portable external hard drive or other similar device. Get a big bag for those AC adapters you'll be lugging around.

But hey, if you're happy, that is what counts.

Oh, and yes, there are a couple pluses:

- Decent battery life for its size.
- The D-Bay is nice to swap extra batteries or hard disks into the D Series (although Dell screws you on the price).
- Good desktop replacement (basically if it sits on your desk,tethered to AC and your other peripherals.
- Nice to have the Trackpoint and touch pad option

 

I think you got a decent deal, and you bought it a while ago, so the extra $$ is understandable.

We just got in a new D810 at the office, it's a beautiful notebook. Great durability and performance. I think you made a great choice

 

Very nice review, - kinda looks almost like my Inspiron 8600.

 

Mikec,

I think you are proceeding under the false assumption that the D810 is just a rehash of the the D800 and that the D810 shares the problems of the D800.

I've used both and have the D810 now and the the D810 is FAR more sturdy that the D800. The D810 does not have the bad keyboard flex that the 800 had. The D810 is built very sturdily. Also, I use an external bus-powered USB2 hard drive on my D810 and have never had a problem. In fact I have never gotten a low-power warning with any USB device on my D810. So not sure what you base your comments on the USB ports on.

I do wish it had and SD Card but I have a very small USB (bus powered) card reader that works perfectly.

Overall, I agree with most of the reviewer's points. He did make two mistakes in his purchase. Buying the D810 configured with 2 GB of RAM cost some serious money. Should have gotten it with the minimum (1 GB) and upgraded yourself. I got mine with 1 GB, then bought a 2GB kit from Newegg for $149 and eBay'd the 1GB that came with it for $80.

Also, the reviewer should have returned the WUXGA model and re-ordered a WSXGA model. He could have done that in the first 21 days if he really didn't care for the size of the WUXGA text etc.

My D810 (bought in March of 2005) is a 2.13 Ghz with WSXGA+, 60GB 72k RPM Hard Drive, Dual Layer DVD-ROM, 2.0 GB RAM (added), Win XP Pro, Intel 2915 WiFi, ATI X600 128MB, Bluetooth 350. Paid $2500 for it (which included a 20% off coupon and 3yr. Dell Complete Care warranty - which I used to get a new palmrest when I scratched mine up).

 

The D810 is a rehash of the D800.

I base my opinion on actually using a D810.

- Sturdy? Maybe a wee bit better, but still lame. Typcial Dell - thin plastic.

- The USB 2.0 ports would not drive an external drive on their own. An AC source for the drive (or another USB hub) was required.

 

You are just dead wrong about the USB ports. I have an external bus-powered USB hard drive connected to my D810 every day and have never had a problem. Perhaps you have a bad external drive or you should have your D810 serviced.

 

I used the Dell 810 when it first came out. That experience told me to not buy it. Maybe they have changed something in later releases.

I think I will pass until Dell can make a decent computer. After owning 5 different models over 5 years, and having too many problems, I had my fill.

I didn't realize how bad Dell was until I started using other brands.

However, I still think Dell has the best next-day service, so when a problem hits, downtime is minimal. No other vendor matches it.


I'm going to pass on

 

I got my D810 less than a month after they were released and have had zero problems with it. Maybe you just got a lemon.