Latitude 6430u owners thread

I love the build quality of the XPS, it's second to none. What I don't like:

The rubbery palmrest which shows finger prints (the 6430u does not, it's a different material).

The shallow keyboard with its large, over-spaced keys, very difficult to type fast.

The glossy screen and lack of a bezel meaning its virtually impossible to open the lid without getting fingerprints on the screen. I have LCD OCD - another reason I dislike touch screens!

Other than that, it's fine. Not sure whether to sell for a 30% loss or keep as a second machine, which I'd hardly ever use. I suspect I'll sell.

 

Hi, my Latitude D620 (1440x900) died at the weekend, so I've ordered a 6430u (1600x900, i5, 128GB SSD, 4GB RAM) from the Dell Outlet website which arrives next week. This comes with Win 7 Pro 32-bit installed (and no media) - would I be able to install 64-bit Win 7 Pro (with a Dell re-install DVD), without it requiring activation - preactivate like I've used on previous Latitudes (XP, Vista, Windows 7). I believe the COAs are for both 32 bit and 64 bit (but mine has only just shipped so can't check) - if this is the case I can buy a Dell Windows 7 Pro 64-bit DVD from ebay.

I also have a Latitude E4300 that came with a Vista COA but that takes Win 7 Pro (from a Dell re-install DVD) without activation (or entering COA) - so I assume the string in the BIOS is suitable for both versions of Windows, and both 32-bit and 64-bit.

1. is that model still applicable to the current range of Latitudes - particularly for installing 64-bit with a 32-bit COA (which presumably we still don't need to enter - BIOS check)?

2. since the later 6430u have the option of Windows 8, will the 'older' 6430u (like mine - i5-3427u) work with a Windows 8 Dell re-install DVD without requiring new COA / activation (as per Vista to Windows 7 on my Latitude E4300)?

Cheers

 

Licensing for Windows covers both 32 and 64 BIT. The E4300 will take 7 from the Dell DVD because those older machines only checked the manufacturer matched.

Newer machines have the COA etched on the system board. The 6430u will take 7 Pro from your DVD and will self-activate.

Any probs, pm me.

 

BIOS version A05 was released on the 18th July I've just noticed. Now installing, will be interesting to see if it quietens the fan...

 

Hey buddy,

I updated the BIOS on the day it was released....no improvement in fan noise (unfortunately)....

 

No improvement seen here either.

 

Anyone else seeing Bluetooth issues coming out of sleep? I am using a BT K/B & mouse and about 1 in 20 times, the K/B and mouse are dead. I have to restart to get it working again. The BT manager says the devices are connected and functioning.... This is with the 1601 WIFI/BT/Gige card.
I'm really not seeing the value of the Wireless dock, I've had a 620, 630, 4310, 4310 and 6400 all with D and E docks and they just worked, 100% of the time. The wireless dock has lots of issues IMHO, including not always able to type on USB K/B on startup (hence the BT K/B), Weird artifacts on HDMI connected displays (unable to set native display res and refresh rate resulting in weird underscaned looking images) and high latency on USB and wired network connections.
I'm convinced the wireless dock is a case of form over function, in that a traditional dock connection (F-dock?) would have increased the size of the laptop....

 

I've not had that issue but then I never use Bluetooth so perhaps wouldn't even notice. I used to get constant WIFI issues with the XPS resuming from sleep though. Would quite often have to do a full reboot to get it working again. No such issues with the Latitude.

 

Hey guys,

Dell posted an updated BIOS- A06 today. One of the 'enhancements' listed is "improves system fan noise." I updated my system a few hours ago and it seems quieter so far.....

 

Indeed...now the fan starts at 3900RPM (used to be 4600RPM or 4300RPM for quiet profile)