Dell Latitude E4200 Info

Hello,

i've a question:

is the keyboard more quiet after upgrade to backlight?

thanks

 

yes it is quieter.

 

Trusted Reviews have looked at the E4200.

John

 

I heard from Dell Sweden today that the E4200 will not receive a Backlight Option, ever.
This is because the market in Sweden is to small.. The E4300 have a backlight option however.
I will now order a E4200 without Backlight, sadly.

 

hey, aminoff:

if you order a E4200 without backlight, you have the problem that the keyboard will be very loud!

 

What happened to Latitude ON? Is it still coming?

 

Latitude ON is a fake, I think Dell has buried this project. It is dead, no function at all.

 

I recently reported in this forum on two issues: 1) a 5300 wireless problem and 2) the mainboard connector for the backlit keyboard for those (like me) who got the 4200 with no backlit keyboard and no option for it at the time.

Issue 1: In my E4200, the 5300 wireless never lost connection in that it always 'sees' the wireless router with excellent strength, yet dropped internet connections irregularly, reported 'local only' although internet is still there, etc. Installation of the newest driver under Vista proved impossible. So I went on Dell online chat, got hold of a competent maintenance person - we installed a new software Dell uses that gives the maintenance person full remote control over the computer over broadband - from here on it's like watching a movie - you see somebody operating the machine remotely on your screen. Except in my case the attempt failed just as much as it had when I did it myself and he could not install the new driver. Two days later an on-site service technician showed up to replace my wireless card. Not sure this was it - it is working - and maybe a bit better - but it still often reports loss of internet, etc. From other blogs and info from the service technician I suspect it may in the end just be a Vista 32 problem.

Issue 2: There is 4-pin backlit keyboard connection on the board, even though my 4200 came without the option. Following the post #250 from CorporateTraveller, I tried to order the backlit keyboard from Dell - turns out you cannot find or order it online, but you can on the phone. Part number T989G, $140 incl. shipping. I ordered it yesterday - this morning it is on my desk. The plastic cover above the keyboard is finicky - lots of little plastic latches that can only be removed with force and could easily break. The keyboard is fixed with only two screws. Putting the backlit keyboard in takes just 5 minutes. A small disappointment: screwed in with its two screws, the new keyboard doesn't touch the chassis of the laptop flat - on the left side (ASDF) keys are fine, on the right side (JKL the whole keyboard flexes up and down. This was avoided with the normal keyboard by making it convex - it is bend and then sits better in - the new one doesn't and that makes the feeling of typing a bit cheap and uneven. I could partly fix this by applying two drops of superglue on top of the F8 and F11 keys - but it is still partly there - when I press the L key the whole right side of the keyboard moves down and back up. Other than that: YES, this keyboard is a very worthwhile update. The keys feel better and are more quite. AND: Even though my 4200 came allegedly without the option the keyboard is immediately recognized and backlit can easily be turned on and off by pressing Fn-Right.

So much from the 4200 front - except maybe one more comment: Somebody must have paid the folks at Trusted Reviews for their very positive review of the 4200. Especially their assessment of 'solid built' and 'ergonomic' and 'great design'. All of these are in reality minus points of the 4200.

 

I think your issue with the new keyboard could be the reason why it's not sold anymore. Either Dell gave up, or is looking for a different partner or work with the current partner to salve this issue.

 

I noticed my Regular keyboard was curved as well. I thought it was just mine but apparently this is by design. In comparison, the backlit keyboard is standard flat style. My backlit did install without any play and I am very happy about it.

In Canada it was $199 + tax for shipped. Only orderable by phone.

I also have 5300 no connectivity issue. It loses connection to internet but I still have link. I turned off "enhance throughput" option in the device manager and it seems better. In order to get satisfactory results, I have to run wireless only on 802.11G mode. 802.11n with 40Mhz channel is not very reliable and I use D-link DIR 655.

It's annoying but I also have desktop so I usually just don't care. Sometimes I use mobile broadband (EV-DO) to connect to internet from home if I can't get Wi-Fi to work.