Buy Latitude E5530?

I posted this on the general laptop buying area and didn't get much of a reply, so I am posting this here. In the process of researching for a new laptop, I have come down to the Dell Latitude E5530 and the HP ProBook 4540s and would like any comments or reactions. One of my challenges in researching is that I have seen very few user reviews of the E5530. So I am hoping to get some responses about peoples' experiences with that machine.

This would be used at home for the usual - email, surfing, some video streaming, not games. It would also be used for genealogy research. This would be traveling often between two houses and within rooms in the houses - so sturdiness is an issue. It would be plugged in most of the time. It is pretty much the desktop replacement. Besides overall quality, I care about things that have to do with everyday comfort - the keyboard, placement of wires, the screen, noise, temperature. I want it to have an optical drive. I am willing to pay for upgrades - planning for the future, e.g., 6 or 8 MB, i5 processor, better screen resolution. I would prefer to use Windows 7 but could adapt to Windows 8. I would like to be able to connect to an HD TV. Any thoughts on these two or suggestions of another?

 

Go for the E5530 with the FHD 1920x1080 LED Display ($69.30). I also suggest the Backlit, Dual-Pointing Keyboard ($34.30) and upgrading from an i3 to i5 processor for $66.50. Here's the link to configure the E5530- LINK

 

You are right El5436, it seems not many users own this machine or share their thoughts about it so I'll try to help you as much as I can having purchased one last March.

Clearly, what allfiredup said is spot-on, make sure to go for the FULL HD version of the machine, it's not that expensive and of course makes your machine future proof.

Some general thoughts:

1. Display
It's amazing, I always sit in front of it so I cannot say how it looks if you're looking from a side but indeed, the picture is very nice and I always keep brightness to close-to-middle, so good the brightness level is. For YouTube videos I use Firefox's native video player but this sees the CPU reaching 35% and the fan kicking in(see point 3/noise) so I recommend to add Flash, keeping it updated and using it for YouTube videos.

2. Keyboard
This is a funny one, I simply cannot get used to it. Reviews will praise it, will praise it very much, but I find myself much more comfortable with a smaller keyboard like the one on the old D520 and the one of the E6410. Each to his own, as they say, so if you can check the keyboard out before ordering it, do it.

3. Noise
Another funny one. Some say it's noisy and when the fan kicks in(usually because of high CPU usage) it is a bit noisy but it doesn't bother me at all. Speaking about noise, mine is sitting on a Coolermaster NotePal U3 and when I surf the fan never kicks in so for what you will do, "email, surfing, some video streaming", I believe you should have the same behaviour. Of course it depends on the room temperature, mine is always below 30C.

4. Connections
Maybe this is what you mean by "placement of wires". For me, they are perfect. USB-wise, I plugged the mouse in the back USB 2.0 port, the NotePal in the right USB 2.0 port and I use the USB 3.0 ports on the left for the external drive / memory sticks. The HDMI port is on the left so if you decide to use an external monitor as you said and it will sit to the left of the laptop, then you're looking at pure perfection.

5. Optical Drive
Yes, it of course comes with an optical drive. I removed mine after installing Windows, Office, etc. to add a 2nd hard disk drive. Contrary to laptops such as the E6410 where you simply take off the optical drive, you will have to remove the bottom part of the laptop to add a 2nd hard drive on the E5530. A 10-minute job.

6. OS
Windows 7 or 8 is more a personal preference, not laptop-related. I opted for Windows 7 as support for it ends in 2020 so I saw no need to go for Windows 8.

7. Heat
The E5530 has no dedicated GPU and again, with the NotePal U3 mine runs incredible cold. I mean, if I switch on the E6410 to update the anti-virus in a room temperature of 27C and I feel the left-hand side ventilation holes, it's hot. On the E5530, even when the room temperature is 30C, it's still cold.

8. Build Quality
Apparently, the buiid quality of the 6xxx series is better than that of the 5xxx series but to be honest we're not looking at a machine that will fall apart after opening/closing the lid 20 times. I treat my E5530 like a baby and believe me, if you treat the machine right, it will last for long.

9. Where I cannot help
I never went anywhere with it, so I cannot say how durable it is on the move and I never used it outside so I cannot say how good the display is if you're in direct sunlight. I also do no gaming whatsoever.

To conclude, check Review Dell Latitude E5530 Notebook - NotebookCheck.net Reviews for a full review which surely adds more to what I said above.

Hope this helps

 

Dell Business Outlet is having a fantastic Labor Day Sale currently! All Latitude laptops in the Outlet are 25% off using Coupon Code- GST6?QLMQZXX3?

Here's the inventory search page for Latitude models- LINK

Take a look at the potential E5530 configurations you have to choose from and the price after the 25% off coupons-

Certified Refurbished
DELL Latitude E5530 - $546.75 ($729 – 25% discount)
Windows 7 Pro
Intel Core i5-3360M (2.8GHz)
15.6” FHD (1920x1080) Wide View Anti-Glare LED
500GB 7200rpm HD
8x DVD-RW
8GB DDR3 RAM
Intel HD 4000 Graphics
Intel Advanced 6205-N WiFi
Bluetooth 4.0 module
Webcam
6-cell Battery
1-year Basic Warranty w/ Main-In Service

Upgrade to 2-year Warranty w/ Next Business Day On-Site Service- $35
or 3-year Warranty w/ Next Business Day On-Site Service- $70
(TOTALLY worth the $70 for 3-year Warranty!)

OR

Certified Refurbished (TWO IDENTICAL units like this)
DELL Latitude E5530 - $494.25 ($659 – 25% discount)
Windows 7 Pro
Intel Core i5-3380M (2.9GHz)
15.6” FHD (1920x1080) Wide View Anti-Glare LED
320GB 7200rpm HD
8x DVD-RW
8GB DDR3 RAM
Intel HD 4000 Graphics
Dell 1504-g/n WiFi card*
Webcam
6-cell Battery
1-year Basic Warranty w/ Main-In Service
*Dell 1504 WiFi can be upgraded very easily to Intel 6205 or 6300 card from Ebay
Bluetooth module also very simple to install if desired

Dell Outlet Certified Refurbished computers have the SAME exact Warranty and Support as NEW ones! They also offer a 21-day Return Policy if you aren't satisfied.

Certified Refurbs are NOT systems that have been regularly used or have any signs of wear & tear. Many of them have never even been booted up before. So they are a very good deal and I feel totally confident in purchasing them for myself and recommending to other follks! These systems will look, feel and performm just like a brand new one...

FYI, the E5530 has a standard 1-year Basic Warranty w/ Main-In Service. Upgrading to a 2-year with Next Business Day On-site Repair is only $35 or 3-years w/ On-site is only $70! That makes the 3-year upgrade a steal!

Both of the example configurations I listed above have a conventional hard disk drive (HDD) running at a quick 7200rpm. Even though 7200rpm is noticeably quicker than 5400rpm drives, I highly recommend upgrading to a SSD as soon as possible! The increase in performance is amazing!

Good luck, hope you find the perfect one and if you have any other questions, let me knnow!!!