Received Dell Latitude D620

[pcmodem]

Folks,
Received my Latitude D620 in the mail on Monday.

Ordered with a gig of RAM, dual core 1.83 Ghz CPUs, nVidia Quadro 110, widescreen XGA+ (1140 x 900), etc.

Forgot to order bluetooth, but from what I've been reading, there's a significant problem with lost connections every few minutes when using bluetooth devices (mouse, headphone) with most laptops.

The GPU can run games in non-widescreen mode, so you have those black bars on the left and right side and no distortion.

Laptop runs Diablo 2 (LOD) without a hitch, even on battery power, which is great for when I need a break.

Very lightweight for a laptop it's size, I'll weight it later to confirm exact weight.



Cheers,
PCM

 

[Voodoorabbit]

Hey, just wondering if your machine could last about 4 or 5 years time. Please reply. I might just get the same one since i am going on my undergrad studies with it, and there will be tons of hks to do.

 

[pcmodem]

Howdy,
No laptop will last 4 - 5 years.

Take it from someone that has deployed over upwards of 1000 laptops over the last 10 years, all laptops break down. Expect 1 major kablooie each year.

After 2 years, when you arrive for your Junior fall semester, you'll see other folks around with new laptops featuring cutting edge technology and will want a new laptop.

Also, if you're going to be truding to class, weight is an issue. While folks go ga-ga over 17" gaming laptops, those typically weigh 10 - 12 pounds. After lugging one of those to class for a week, you'll hate yourself.

This D620, with a 6 cell battery, I'd estimate it weights around 4.8 lbs. With the A/C adapter, I'd say 5.2 to 5.5 lbs. For a notebook for college, aim for ~6.5 lbs or less, including A/C, or else get used to sore shoulders.

But hey, if you have a GF that's good with shoulder massages, no problemo! :-D



Cheers,
PCM

 

[pkme2]

You could consider a E1505 and if you use the $750 Dell Discount coupon on a $2000 Inspiron, you got a $1250 laptop that's loaded with everything you need for the next 5 years.
These discounts renew often, so don't worry if you miss the deadline. http://www.meanbargains.com/dell/

I just spec-out one for another AT member for viewing purposes, if you want to see, pm me.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: pkme2
You could consider a E1505 and if you use the $750 Dell Discount coupon on a $2000 Inspiron, you got a $1250 laptop that's loaded with everything you need for the next 5 years.
These discounts renew often, so don't worry if you miss the deadline. http://www.meanbargains.com/dell/

I just spec-out one for another AT member for viewing purposes, if you want to see, pm me.

Nice referral link

The E1505 is a 15.4" Inspiron. A fair amount larger than the D620 and not built as well.

 

[pkme2]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: pkme2
You could consider a E1505 and if you use the $750 Dell Discount coupon on a $2000 Inspiron, you got a $1250 laptop that's loaded with everything you need for the next 5 years.
These discounts renew often, so don't worry if you miss the deadline. http://www.meanbargains.com/dell/

I just spec-out one for another AT member for viewing purposes, if you want to see, pm me.

Nice referral link

The E1505 is a 15.4" Inspiron. A fair amount larger than the D620 and not built as well.

The D620 is the upgrade version of the D600, which is the business version of the 600M.
The E1505 is an similar 6000 but nonetheless still the same lightweight.

Since I have a 600M and have ordered a few 6000s for my clients and now E1505s, I beg to differ. The Dells are quite similar in construction. Though they are not 'toughbooks', I can say that both laptops have fared well with my students and clients.

So far in the 2 1/2 years, I haven't had a single complaint that the Dells have 'fallen' apart or ceased working. I've recommended Dells for the past 11 years and unless the Dell is dropped, I might agree with you. Luckily, with the bumps and occasional bangs, mine survived.

 

[AmigaMan]

Originally posted by: pcmodem
Howdy,
No laptop will last 4 - 5 years.

Take it from someone that has deployed over upwards of 1000 laptops over the last 10 years, all laptops break down. Expect 1 major kablooie each year.

After 2 years, when you arrive for your Junior fall semester, you'll see other folks around with new laptops featuring cutting edge technology and will want a new laptop.

Also, if you're going to be truding to class, weight is an issue. While folks go ga-ga over 17" gaming laptops, those typically weigh 10 - 12 pounds. After lugging one of those to class for a week, you'll hate yourself.

This D620, with a 6 cell battery, I'd estimate it weights around 4.8 lbs. With the A/C adapter, I'd say 5.2 to 5.5 lbs. For a notebook for college, aim for ~6.5 lbs or less, including A/C, or else get used to sore shoulders.

But hey, if you have a GF that's good with shoulder massages, no problemo! :-D



Cheers,
PCM

Some laptops last that long, some don't. My Latitude CSx 500 I bought REFURBISHED in 2001 is still running strong. However my Inspiron 9200 I bought NEW in 2005 already has a busted LCD (just happened by itself one day as I was using it). It's interesting that my Latitude was pampered by me until I lent it to my sister-in-law who pretty much carried it everywhere she went in NYC. It wasn't treated with the same care I usually give my laptops. My Inspiron 9200 I also pampered and just over a year it breaks...

 

[Voodoorabbit]

Thanks guys

 

[lazybum131]

Originally posted by: pkme2
The D620 is the upgrade version of the D600, which is the business version of the 600M.
The E1505 is an similar 6000 but nonetheless still the same lightweight.

Since I have a 600M and have ordered a few 6000s for my clients and now E1505s, I beg to differ. The Dells are quite similar in construction. Though they are not 'toughbooks', I can say that both laptops have fared well with my students and clients.

The 600m/D600 is not a good representation of the current Latitude notebooks. The D610 was the upgrade version of the D600 that was better built and didn't have an exact Inspiron clone like with the D600 vs 600m. The D620 is a whole new design (14" standard -> 14" widescreen) and is suppose to be even stronger and better quality than the D610.

It's a personal opinion, but I find 6+ lb 15.4" notebooks to feel quite a bit more bulky and hefty than 14 inchers.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: lazybum131

Originally posted by: pkme2
The D620 is the upgrade version of the D600, which is the business version of the 600M.
The E1505 is an similar 6000 but nonetheless still the same lightweight.

Since I have a 600M and have ordered a few 6000s for my clients and now E1505s, I beg to differ. The Dells are quite similar in construction. Though they are not 'toughbooks', I can say that both laptops have fared well with my students and clients.

The 600m/D600 is not a good representation of the current Latitude notebooks. The D610 was the upgrade version of the D600 that was better built and didn't have an exact Inspiron clone like with the D600 vs 600m. The D620 is a whole new design (14" standard -> 14" widescreen) and is suppose to be even stronger and better quality than the D610.

It's a personal opinion, but I find 6+ lb 15.4" notebooks to feel quite a bit more bulky and hefty than 14 inchers.

Exactly. The D620 is a whole new model. I've used numerous D600's & D610's, all of them really poor quality for a business noteboo IMO. And don't get me started on the 600M, that thing felt like a plastic toy. Keyboards, display flex, fitment, everything was poor.

The D620, if carried to the rest of the Latitudes, could really turn them around, compared to the competition. Good design, good build quality, good pointing stick, screen seemed decent, stylish; the previous Latitudes just didn't have any of that. The D810 seemed okay quality wise, and a couple D510's I played with were okay, but the 600's just never impressed me in the least.

 

[govtcheez75]

I've had mine for about 10 days now. It's been pretty solid. I haven't had too much time to play with it but overall first impressions are very good. Only a few things to complain about here and there. I dare say that Dell Latitude line is catching up to IBM/Lenovo Thinkpads in terms of build quality.


oh, and for those that are wondering, the video card in this is essentially the same as a "binned" 7300. They use the same chipset, but the quadro line is designed for business use and nVidia takes measures to make sure that they are more reliable than the consumer cards. I don't know if this translates to anything though.

I will get around to doing a full review if I have some spare time.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: govtcheez75
oh, and for those that are wondering, the video card in this is essentially the same as a "binned" 7300. They use the same chipset, but the quadro line is designed for business use and nVidia takes measures to make sure that they are more reliable than the consumer cards. I don't know if this translates to anything though.

I will get around to doing a full review if I have some spare time.

Referring to the Quadro NVS? Yeah basically the physical specs are equivalent to its comparable GeForce brother, but drivers that are certified & overall much more stable than gaming cards. I'm still getting the full skinny from NV on the differences, as they also just launched the NVS 300M:
http://www.laptoplogic.com/news/detail.php?id=931

 

[govtcheez75]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: govtcheez75
oh, and for those that are wondering, the video card in this is essentially the same as a "binned" 7300. They use the same chipset, but the quadro line is designed for business use and nVidia takes measures to make sure that they are more reliable than the consumer cards. I don't know if this translates to anything though.

I will get around to doing a full review if I have some spare time.

Referring to the Quadro NVS? Yeah basically the physical specs are equivalent to its comparable GeForce brother, but drivers that are certified & overall much more stable than gaming cards. I'm still getting the full skinny from NV on the differences, as they also just launched the NVS 300M:
http://www.laptoplogic.com/news/detail.php?id=931

that looks nice...but it looks like they will put those in >15" laptops where the NVS 110m can be squeezed into the real "thin and light" systems.

 

[govtcheez75]

here is a brief review so far:

Pros:
Light for its size.
Very solid construction (lots of magnesium alloy, less plastic)
Good LCD (I got the WXGA+)
Very quiet (even when the fan is blasting)
Trackpad + "pointing stick"
OK for light gaming (Quadro 110m = 7300) 1500 in 3Dmark05
good battery life (3-3.5 hours on 6 cell, 4.5-5 hours on 9 cell)
Very little Dell bloatware (small business vs. dell home)

Cons:
Mono Speaker! (only ONE speaker)
Keyboards are a little "clicky" (although they feel very solid)
No Firewire ports (or any other "consumer" addons like card readers)

 

[Voodoorabbit]

Howdy,
Is Dell Latitude series more of commercial laptops? You know there are two kinds of laptops, business and commercial. I wonder if it's better for commercial use.

 

[Ranulf]

I've always thought the lattitudes were business/commerical (not sure what you mean between those two terms). They also have their Precision line.

 

[pcmodem]

Originally posted by: Voodoorabbit
Howdy,
Is Dell Latitude series more of commercial laptops? You know there are two kinds of laptops, business and commercial. I wonder if it's better for commercial use.

Dell markets their Latitude line at business customers.

The Inspiron line is meant for students and household users.

The Precision line is very limited, usually very heavy laptops that have maximum graphic capabilities for CAD users.

According to the Dell technicians I've talked with over the years, the Latitude line is generally a little more expensive and a little more reliable.

So far the laptop is okay for basic gaming. For better sound, plug in headphones. Am a little tempted to purchase the Audigy 2ZS PCMIA.

Also, a couple of cool features. First, the nVidia video scaling option that allows you to play games in non-widescreen mode, giving you support for any game that isn't widescreen. Second, the image adjustment, allowing you to alter the contrast, color, brightness, sharpness, et cetera; adjusting the sharpness 33% made my picture backdrop look a LOT better.



Cheers,
PCM

 

[govtcheez75]

Originally posted by: pcmodem

Originally posted by: Voodoorabbit
Howdy,
Is Dell Latitude series more of commercial laptops? You know there are two kinds of laptops, business and commercial. I wonder if it's better for commercial use.

Dell markets their Latitude line at business customers.

The Inspiron line is meant for students and household users.

The Precision line is very limited, usually very heavy laptops that have maximum graphic capabilities for CAD users.

According to the Dell technicians I've talked with over the years, the Latitude line is generally a little more expensive and a little more reliable.

So far the laptop is okay for basic gaming. For better sound, plug in headphones. Am a little tempted to purchase the Audigy 2ZS PCMIA.

Also, a couple of cool features. First, the nVidia video scaling option that allows you to play games in non-widescreen mode, giving you support for any game that isn't widescreen. Second, the image adjustment, allowing you to alter the contrast, color, brightness, sharpness, et cetera; adjusting the sharpness 33% made my picture backdrop look a LOT better.



Cheers,
PCM

go get coolbits. I tested it out a bit yesterday and found that the video card has quite a bit of room for overclocking. Lots of notebook manufacturers underclock their card to make them run cool.

Just make sure you overclock when it's plugged in.

 

[pcmodem]

Originally posted by: govtcheez75

Originally posted by: pcmodem

Originally posted by: Voodoorabbit
Howdy,
Is Dell Latitude series more of commercial laptops? You know there are two kinds of laptops, business and commercial. I wonder if it's better for commercial use.

Dell markets their Latitude line at business customers.

The Inspiron line is meant for students and household users.

The Precision line is very limited, usually very heavy laptops that have maximum graphic capabilities for CAD users.

According to the Dell technicians I've talked with over the years, the Latitude line is generally a little more expensive and a little more reliable.

So far the laptop is okay for basic gaming. For better sound, plug in headphones. Am a little tempted to purchase the Audigy 2ZS PCMIA.

Also, a couple of cool features. First, the nVidia video scaling option that allows you to play games in non-widescreen mode, giving you support for any game that isn't widescreen. Second, the image adjustment, allowing you to alter the contrast, color, brightness, sharpness, et cetera; adjusting the sharpness 33% made my picture backdrop look a LOT better.



Cheers,
PCM

go get coolbits. I tested it out a bit yesterday and found that the video card has quite a bit of room for overclocking. Lots of notebook manufacturers underclock their card to make them run cool.

Just make sure you overclock when it's plugged in.

Thanks. S'okay, I want it to run cool.

Of course, if they come out with a D620 with a faster GPU and the next generation Meron CPU... wooohoo!

On a related note, two more cool features for the D620.
1. Wireless on/off/detect switch
2. Volume up/down/mute buttons



Cheers,
-PCM

 

[ND40oz]

Originally posted by: pcmodem

Originally posted by: govtcheez75

Originally posted by: pcmodem

Originally posted by: Voodoorabbit
Howdy,
Is Dell Latitude series more of commercial laptops? You know there are two kinds of laptops, business and commercial. I wonder if it's better for commercial use.

Dell markets their Latitude line at business customers.

The Inspiron line is meant for students and household users.

The Precision line is very limited, usually very heavy laptops that have maximum graphic capabilities for CAD users.

According to the Dell technicians I've talked with over the years, the Latitude line is generally a little more expensive and a little more reliable.

So far the laptop is okay for basic gaming. For better sound, plug in headphones. Am a little tempted to purchase the Audigy 2ZS PCMIA.

Also, a couple of cool features. First, the nVidia video scaling option that allows you to play games in non-widescreen mode, giving you support for any game that isn't widescreen. Second, the image adjustment, allowing you to alter the contrast, color, brightness, sharpness, et cetera; adjusting the sharpness 33% made my picture backdrop look a LOT better.



Cheers,
PCM

go get coolbits. I tested it out a bit yesterday and found that the video card has quite a bit of room for overclocking. Lots of notebook manufacturers underclock their card to make them run cool.

Just make sure you overclock when it's plugged in.

Thanks. S'okay, I want it to run cool.

Of course, if they come out with a D620 with a faster GPU and the next generation Meron CPU... wooohoo!

On a related note, two more cool features for the D620.
1. Wireless on/off/detect switch
2. Volume up/down/mute buttons



Cheers,
-PCM

D620 is now available with 110m quadro card for upgraded graphics. I talked to my rep last week, merom will be available in the D520, D620 and D820. It hasn't been certified in the D420 yet because of heat issues. They may have to stick with a single core in the D420 which would really be a blow to them since the Lenovo X60s are expected to carry over with the dual core meroms.

Oh, and the D610 has number 2 as well