Latitude E6400 Owner's Lounge, Part 2

Quick question for E6400/6500 users:

When you buy a Thinkpad T series, it comes with three different types of trackpoint: classic dome, soft dome and soft rim:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/VLAR-443LTU.html

Does the same happen with Latitudes E series? Do they ship with three different types of trackpoint?

 

My E6400 only came with one, which is similar to the soft rim type (i.e. it is concave). I've never seen any mention of other trackpoint cap options.

John

 

Hi guys

Could someone tell me the part nr. for the WXGA+ WLED lcd back cover?
I already have my new screen but it doesn't fit the old cover (forgot about that) Now i'm trying to figure out which exact part i need. The rep already sent me pics but that quite hard to tell from small images.
Soooo....part nr. would be VERY helpfull,

Thanx

 

I was checking for updates to drivers and i was wondering would the be any benefit for me to upgrade my bios from A12-A20 the newer version?

Thanks

 

There's been a lot of tweaks in those various updates. For example, fans and temperatures are better behaved. I would go for the latest. Unlike some computer manufacturers, Dell makes it easy to reinstall an older BIOS if you don't like the latest version.

John

 

New E6400 owner checking in.

Picked up the E6400 last night on the 27% off code (via fatwallet) to replace my stolen M1330 (Insurance replacement value covering it all! Yay).

P9700 2.8GHz 6MB
4GB DDR2-800
WXGA+ 1440x900 LED screen
250GB 7200 FF HDD
8XDVDRW
Intel 5300N
Bluetooth 370
2MP Cam
Finger Print Reader
Win7 Ult 64

Also picked up a replacement 1720 (with slightly better specs than the orginal) for my wife's 1720 which was also stolen.

Look forward to undervolting both, though I know I'm going to lose a bit on the P9700 due to the half multi.

 

Non-Geek here, hoping for advice (begging for help) on configuration for a new E6400.

I've spent 2 days on various forums looking for answers to my questions, but I'm just more confused than ever. I was planning to replace my 3yr old D620 with the E6400 but I'm a bit freaked out by the references to CPU "throttling" (which, if I understand correctly, means the computer gets too hot and the CPU runs slow....a problem I've had with my D620) and I don't know which CPU to order.

My current system: D620, T2400 1.83GHz, 2GB RAM, 60GB HDD, Nvidia Quadro NVS 110M, Intel PRO/Wireless card, XP SP3. All internet/printing/etc is done WiFi 802.11g using Comcast Cable HSI. Occasional travel, but mostly I'm just working from my home office.

This is how I use my D620:
10-12 continous hours per day, half of this time as a laptop (battery and/or AC Adaptor) and half as a docked desktop replacement with a Port Replicator (one external monitor, printer, external HDD). When not docked, I keep the unit on an Antec cooling pad to reduce heat buildup; this option not available while docked.
Applications: Business software (QuickBooks, MS Office, Excel, etc, usually 3-4 applications open simultaneously), FireFox Browser accessing 3-6 sites, usually java applications like stock market applications (Schwab StreetSmart, etc). Occasional personal stuff like photos and I want to do some small-scale video editing of camcorder footage. No gaming, no fancy stuff.

My proposed E6400 System:
P8800 with VT (2.66GHz, 3M L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
4.0 GB SDRAM
NVIDIA Quadro NVS 160M with PC-Card
250GB 7200 RPM HDD
WXGA+ LED Display (1440x900)
8X DVD+/-RW
Intel Wifi Link 5300 802.11a/g/n
9 cell Battery
Windows 7 with XP Professional Downgrade (I'm not ready!!!)
3-yr PRO support
2-yr Extended Battery
E-Port dock (e-series doesn't work with my old D-Dock, dammit!)
Dell E190S 19" Monitor, VGA only
No fingerprint reader/no vPro Secure Advanced Hardware Mgt
Disable Laptop Tracking BIOS Tracking Agent

My biggest question is which CPU to order...especially given all the forum references to overheating and docking problems with the E6400. I originally was going to get the T9600 (2.8GHz, 6M MERT96 L2 Cache) but was worried that it might make the system run hotter and cause more docking problems (?? is this correct??). I need to get a system that will remain useable for the next 3 years (most bang for the buck).

Anyway, any insights/advice would be greatly appreciated. My D620's HDD is starting to click, my battery is dead, and it's time to get a new system.

Thanks much,
Beancounter in Colorado

 

I'd get the highest Pxxxx series CPU you can, i think the P9700 is compatible and it would give you the same 2,8ghz at lower heat and power consumption

 

Thanks for quick reply. Yes, the P9700 is available, per the options shown below, it was just more expensive. But it sounds like you're saying that the Pxxx family CPU's run cooler?
-----------------------------------------------
Latitude’s E-Family Mainstream and Essential systems offer the choice of 25 watt and 35 watt Intel Core 2 Duo dual core processors. The PXX00 processors have 25watts for battery optimization, while the T9X00 processors have 35 watts for improved performance.
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8700 with VT (2.53GHz, 3M L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB) [Included in Price]
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8800 with VT (2.66GHz, 3M L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB) [add $50]
Dell Recommends
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P9700 with VT (2.80GHz, 6M L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB) [add $180]
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9600 with VT (2.80GHz, 6M L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB) [add $120]
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9900 with VT (3.06GHz, 6M L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB) [add $350]

 

If you aren't gaming, none of your other applications need the extra 3D processing power of the nVidia GPU. I suggest you consider the Intel GPU which runs cooler and is at least as good as the nVidia GPU for 2D graphics.

Yes, the P series CPUs have a maximum power rating of 25W instead of the T series 35W. The idle power consumption of the P series is also lower. The P8800 is more than enough for your proposed usage.

John