Latitude E6510 Owner's Lounge

By the time you have updated all the drivers, you might as well just re-image the system and not have any old stuff lingering around.

I would use the factory image for a week or so. This gives you time to discover the system, debug any hardware issues, and decide if the system is stable for continued use (complicated computers require commissioning). Work with Dell to resolve any hardware issues. Finally, decide to keep the factory image or re-image the system with current software before installing user applications.

GK

 

Uninstall 1 or 2 programs and updating 1 or 2 drivers, is takes less time than format and install Win7, download and install every drivers, and do all the Windows updates.

The only time you can come on par, is if you have a fast HDD, and you have a a high speed USB memory key (25-30MB/s+ read and write), with WIn7 already on it and set to boot, so that you can install it in 7-8min, and not the normal 25min or 30min from a laptop DVD Rom driver which spins slower.

 

Yes, but you said:

"Once you get your system, I suggest to uninstall all the crap (if any - varies from where you live), and update all the drivers."

Updating all the drivers is not advisable, imo, unless you are re-imaging.

Win7 Updates are not too bad, yet.

GK

 

Wow, thanks for the quick replies everyone!

So you think integrated graphics will be fine for movie playback (even when hooking up to a big screen)? As for the processor, on the configuration page it says the i3-380m has Turbo Boost. I'm assuming this is incorrect and that only the i5 and i7 have TB? If I were to upgrade to an i5, which would be the best option?

i3-380m (2.53ghz) +$0
i5-460m (2.53ghz w/ TB) +$25
i5-560m (2.66ghz w/ TB) +$100
i5-580m (2.66ghz w/ TB) +$150

To clarify, the video game emulators I was referring to are for older systems (N64, PS1, SNES). I don't plan on doing any 3D intensive gaming.

It's good to know that they don't install too much junk. I would really like to just use the laptop right out of the box without having to fiddle with it too much. I would likely stick with the factory install and wait to do a clean install when I upgrade to a SSD down the road.

As for size, I don't think I want to sacrifice the screen space, especially since I would be getting the FHD screen. Although I will take it with me when I travel, this will probably be on my desk 95% of the time.

Thanks again for the responses!

 

The Intel GPU includes an H.264 decoder and should have no difficultly with movies.

I've just checked the Intel website. The 380m does not have TurboBoost, the 460m has TurboBoost up to 2.8GHz while the 560m may go up to 3.2GHz. As an indication of actual behaviour, when under load my 540m (nominally 2.53MHz) spends a lot of time at 2.8GHz.

I think that the 460M would definitely be worth the extra $25 for effectively a notch or two of extra CPU speed. The case for the 560m is less compelling while the 580m isn't worth the extra money.

John

 

That's what I was leaning toward. The others seem too expensive.

One more question: is it worth it to upgrade the wireless card from the default Dell 1501 to perhaps the Intel 6200 for $20 more? I don't need a super fast card, but Intel claims low power consumption, so I was wondering if it would be worth it for that reason?

 

I would opt for the Intel wireless more on the grounds of better compatibility with routers than claimed power consumption. However, I haven't read of recent connection problems with the Dell wireless cards.

John

 

So I got my new E6510 in the mail today.

I'm quite disappointed.

i7-740qm
2gig of memory
320g 7200rpm hdd
blue tooth, wifi + wimax
1920x1080 full HD screen
fingerprint reader
backlit keyboard, webcam,
etc, etc

I was going to upgrade the memory to 8 gigs and that would be pretty much it, if I could get that far.



Upon opening the box and getting it started up I noticed the touchpad was not working. Only the point stick in the center of the keyboard. I tried to uninstall and reinstall the drivers, I also attempted to install the E6410 drivers as suggested earlier in this thread. No luck. I was only able to get it to work with a jittery mouse across the screen, with it moving on it's own at times.

For a 20 minute old computer I'm pretty pi$$ed off, especially for what they charge for these machines. It's absolutely unacceptable.

I called dell and they pretty much told me to uninstall/install the drivers; when that didn't work they wanted to send it in for warranty work. A NIB computer going BACK for warranty work? Wow.

I was then transferred to customer service and explained the situation, they sent a return label to send it back for a refund with no restock fee.

Now I'm going to order another one (with a i7-640m instead of the i7-740m) and see what happens. I hope the new one works.

The quad core runs rather warm and truthfully isn't as fast as I expected it to be, my 2.5ghz D830 boots nearly 10 seconds faster and it's loaded with startup junk.


The build quality is excellent and the screen, my God the screen is beautiful. I was REALLY spooked that the 1920x1080 would be way too small on a 15.6". Not so. I'm nearly blind as it is and the text is fine for me.....

Keeping my fingers crossed and eagerly awaiting the new machine.................

 

Out-of-box can be disappointing but it sounds like a minor issue... a device not working... and you now get to refine your build spec. I'd have been tempted to re-image it before sending it back... might have cleared the issue and yielded a solid machine.

Heads up outlet buyers!

GK

 

It will be a good machine for someone looking for a Quad Core. Truthfully I'm not too impressed. I had high hopes for it. Maybe I was expecting too much...