Buying decision: E7450, E7470, E5450, E5470, can't decide, opinions welcome!

Ah, I hadn't realised the difference in warranties between the E5xxx and E7xxx series.

 

Yeah, that's a $136 upgrade to match the warranty on the E5450.

Personally, I think I'm sending the E5450 back. I'll wait for another nice E5450 without dGPU or just go for the E7450.

Also, after looking at the hardware info, it is indeed an LG display even though the dell parts list mentions an AUO.

- It's brighter than the AUO.
- It's warmer in color temperature than the AUO.
- Lack of a heavy Anti-Glare coating is easily noticeable. Comes to down to personal preference I guess.
- Both LG and AUO look awesome anyway. And both look similar outdoors, so don't know if the AG coating makes a 'make or break' difference in outdoor use.

 

I just realized that the E5450 also had two 8GB RAM DIMMs while the E7450 had only one.

I'm not a 100% sure but I think that adds about 2W power draw.

 

Maybe 2W under maximum RAM usage but much less (0.1W?) under normal conditions where the RAM is just being refreshed.

It's difficult to compare light power usage until a computer has been on for long enough that Windows has done all its housekeeping. Indexing, for example, is set to happen when the computer is on idle.

John

 

That makes much more sense.

But then again, aren't Windows 8 onwards supposed to "use" the RAM to fill it up so it reduces disk access? I don't know how that affects power consumption though.

Either way, not something to worry about too much I suppose. The Dual Channel mode gains from the RAM might be worth whatever power consumption comes with the second DIMM.

 

Does anybody know any port covers for the dell dock port? It seems very susceptible to dirt/liquids.

Any help appreciated!

 

haven't seen any issues with my dell dock port.... I don't put it on a wet table though

Acer does offer a cover for their dock, hmm
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Acer-TravelMate-P653-Notebook.79645.0.html
http://www.notebookcheck.net/fileadmin/_processed_/csm_DSC02707_69600c0577.jpg

I'll suggest their rugged series if you're truly concerned?
http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/latitude-7202-tablet/pd?oc=cal12rw8pc&ref=PD_OC

 

No, I don't plan on using it rough enough to require a rugged/toughbook level of protection, but it would just be nice to be able to plug the ports, especially the docking port, to prevent dirt and possibly any liquid from spoiling it.

Easiest scenario where the docking port can get wet, sweaty laps! Sounds gross, but if you use your notebook on the lap in summer, this is commonplace.

 

If you aren't using the docking port then how about covering it with a piece of black electrical tape?

John

 

I thought about that, but I'm going to have to look for a non gunky tape. Any suggestions?