E6400 from Dell Outlet Purchase Help

I am considering purchasing a Lattitude E6400 from the dell outlet store after considering the Lenovo and a couple of others due to the decreased cost, better warranty and return policy. Anyway, the model I found that seems to best suit my need is listed below.

Is there something not in this model I should have? Things that really aren't important that could drop the cost? I am first year grad student and will be primarily using this laptop for school and then for fieldwork and internships the next 2-3 years. There will also be some personal use as well.

System Price : $869.00

Operating System
Genuine Windows Vista Business
Memory 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM 800MHz (2 DIMMs)
Hard Disk Drive 160 GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)Video
NVIDIA Quadro NVS 160M With PC-Card
Modem Internal 56K ModemWeb Camera
Integrated Webcam with digital microphone
Network Interface Card
Dell 1397 Wireless-G Card
Latitude E6400 Laptop: Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 (2.26GHz, 3M L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)Hardware Upgrade
Fingerprint Reader Internal
9 Cell Primary Battery
90W AC Adapter
Back-lit Keyboard
Laptop Screen
14.1 inch WXGA+ LED Laptop Screen
Media Bay 8X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capabilitySystem Color

I didn't really need the fingerprint reader or the modem, but couldn't find a system that better fit the needs I wanted for sure while keeping the price down. This comes out to about $730 with coupon and is about the most I would be able to spend.

All help is appreciated.

 

That looks to be a very nice package for the price. WXGA+ display and backlit keyboard are two good features. The 9 cell battery should give you up to 6 hours run time in spite of having the nVidia GPU. Unless you need the 3D graphics capability, getting the Intel GPU would give even longer battery time. But maybe there isn't one with that and the right other hardware.

John

 

Thanks! I found this one also which seems like it might be better for my needs though it's about $50 more expensive. It has a faster processor 2.53--2.26, a faster hard drive, a better wireless card. It has the downgrade to the integrated graphics, but that might fit my needs better. It also has no modem, or fingerprint reader, but I don't care about those. It also has the e-modular bay listed, is this something additional as well or did the other one just not have it listed?

Operating System
Genuine Windows Vista Business
Memory 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM 800MHz (2 DIMMs)Hard Disk Drive
160 GB Free Fall Sensor Hard Drive (7200RPM)
Video Mobile Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD With Express Card
Latitude E6400 Laptop: Intel Core 2 Duo T9400 (2.53GHz, 6M L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)Media Bay
8X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability
Network Interface Card Intel WiFi Link 5100 802.11a/g/n Draft Mini Card
Webcam with digital microphoneHardware Upgrade
E-Modular Bay
9 Cell Primary Battery
90W AC Adapter
Back-lit Keyboard
No Fingerprint Reader
14.1 inch UltraSharp WXGA+ (1440x900) LED Display - Brush Metal Black

 

I think I'm going to order the last one I listed. I know the faster processor will use more battery then the slower one, but I imagine the GPU will make a bigger difference.

 

Nvm, looks like someone else got it. I will have to look through some more now.

 

Ok, I found one that just about perfect and ordered it. Only difference from the last one I posted is the smaller hard drive and no e-modular bay included. It also had the 9500 processor instead of the 9400 and cost $80 less, so I am happy. Total cost was $721 with coupon.

Latitude E6400 Laptop: Intel Core 2 Duo P9500 (2.53GHz, 6M L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)

-- 8X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability

-- Intel WiFi Link 5100 802.11a/g/n Draft Mini Card

-- No Fingerprint Reader

-- Back-lit Keyboard

-- 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM 800MHz (2 DIMMs)

-- 14.1 inch WXGA+ LED Laptop Screen

-- 9 Cell Battery, Primary

-- Genuine Windows Vista Business

-- 80 GB Free Fall Sensor Hard Drive (7200RPM)

-- Integrated Webcam with digital microphone

-- Mobile Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD With PC-Card

 

That last choice looks to be the best for battery time with both the P series CPU and Intel GPU.

It is easy to swap the HDD so I suggest you research what HDD best suits your needs (capacity / speed / power consumption / noise) then buy it plus external enclosure and then clone the original HDD. You can then keep the old HDD as a bootable backup for emergencies or future re-cloning.

John

 

Thanks! ...

 

Was the unit you ordered from Dell's Outlet a "scratch & dent" model, a "certified refurb" model or a "previously ordered new" model? Just curious. I've read that the "previously ordered new" units which are the most expensive in the outlet store are just as good as a brand new unit ordered from Dell yourself.

 

OT:

Does Dell include a system restore CD or DVD and other paperwork with every laptop they sell? I noticed on HP's website that option is available for an extra charge.