Dell M4400 Case Design question

I don't think that it is possible - at least I've never heard of it. If you want , you can order the M4400 and then call Dell spare parts and order a E6500 lid - they're fully interchangeable as long as you have the right lid for the right type of display. Here are the part numbers that you need to ask for - I'm not sure exactly what they are, but they're what I found on a Dell datasheet. You can ask Dell more specifically.

G433D LED Back Cover, BLACK, E6500
Y457H LED Back Cover, BLACK (Used with WXGA LED panels)
XX187 CCFL Back Cover, BLACK, E6500
XX279 DUAL CCFL Back Cover, BLACK, E6500

 

Oh, I can remember that I thought the same right after I got my confirmation. Turned out that the "black" actually referred to something else (I think it was the frame around the screen), sorry. But to me, the "rippleback" doesn't look as ugly in real life as it did on the photos. Actually, some people around me called it "pretty cool".

 

The rippleback may also make the lid more rugged. A mechanical engineer will know more..

 

The ripple back also leaves a hollow interior and much of the lid unsupported. Try pressing down in the centre of the lid and it gives a fair amount.

 

What do you mean a hollow interior ?

I'm thinking that since its rippleback, there is more metal as compared to if there were no ripples. Also, the deformation transmission is less. That is, for a plain lid, if you press down on center, the entire lid caves in around the push point.
Like if you were pusing a streched cloth. With the ripple design, it gets an effect of disconnected "slats". So the slat which is taking the pressure will first bend, but then the other slats will come into the picture. Its like "\/" vs "--_--".
So it may be that it is more rugged than a plain design.

 

Yes the ripple's will add more stiffness,compared to a flat cross section of the same thickness.
It follow's the same rippled profile on the inside [see pic]

I agree with chupacabras though,as you already know.

 

At work we have a bunch of E6500s. So far, I'm the only person with an M4400.

Everyone that has seen my M4400 has asked why my laptop looks different. It's definately a lid that gets noticed, and right now, makes it easy for me to spot my Dell sitting on a boardroom table. I find it does a better job of hidding finger prints and scratches.

The E6500 has a beautiful lid, but within a few careless minutes, a brand new one was scratched. The scratches aren't much, but with a black lid, it shows quickly.

 

I agree with b17, my cover has quite few scratches now, but none of them are visible because the color.