Latitude E6400 Owner's Lounge, Part 2

I've just noticed my AC adapter is making a crackling / buzzing noise when the computer was on standby. Has anyone else noticed this with theirs? Is this normal?

 

I have the same thing... Not to worry, it's just transistor vibration. Every electronic device that has a adapter does that.. you usually don't hear it. As this is a slim adapter, low power take (laptop is sleeping), smaller components where use therefor a possible sound comes out. If it bugs you, contact Dell for replacement. There is 1 year warranty on the power adapter.

 

It's poor design. My first E6400 AC adapter made that noise (loud); and could be heard a few feet away from the unit. Dell replaced it, and my new AC adapter can only be heard if you hold you're ear directly on the unit.

I would get it replaced. There's no reason anyone should deal with poor-made products with a laptop that costs this much.

 

Mine is not loud. You have to stick you ear (more or less) next to it in a quiet environment to hear it.

 

How is the touchpad on this laptop (and the trackpoint for that matter)?

 

I don't use the trackpoint. I find the touchpad responsive (despite some people complaining it lags, I find it very good). I also think it is just a bit small, but after about one day of getting used to it I use it just fine.

 

I have a 59x44mm touchpad now, the e6400's should suffice then (I've read it's 66x39)? This is the only thing keeping me from buying it, opting for the elitebook 6930p instead (not that it seems much bigger)..

 

I don't think you should keep from buying the E6400 just because of that. The touchpad is quite usable. And the circular scrolling is very useful.

The only gesture missing is the two-finger zoom like in Macs

 

Seeing as my old laptop's touchpad is almost identical in size, I think I will purchase the E6400.

Another question, though. Should I opt for vista 32bit or 64bit -- will I be able to upgrade to 64bit windows 7 only with vista 64bit?

EDIT: And do you easily come in contact with the trackpoint if you hit keys close ot it?

 

I would go for 64-bit. It will allow you to use the full memory of the laptop, assuming you will get 4 GB or more.

CD-keys are identical for 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Vista, and I assume the same happens with Win7, so you're not losing anything.

I don't hit the trackpoint by accident, although I remember it took a couple of days to get used to it (my previous laptop didn't have a trackpoint).