Latitude E7240 and E7440

For me the keybord does have some issues. I got it replaced once, but I still accidentally type double letters when I only press the key once. This seems to happen with some letters more often than with others. It's truly annoying and can't be connected to the way I type. Never had this issue with any other keyboard before.

 

Just discovered the USB port on the RHS is USB 2.0 speeds...what the eff??

 

I was able to move the mSata ssd that was plugged into interposer to mSata bay. Next I wanted to install a HDD into the free 2.5" bay. However I see there is a ribbon that runs under the 2.5 inch bay, and it is not running perfectly flat and has some flex as you see in this manual - page 13 ftp://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-prod...tude-e7440-ultrabook_Owner's Manual_en-us.pdf. I tried a 7 mm SSD and feel the ribbon's extra length (since it is not flat, the loop is protruding out) is causing it not to sit correctly. I wish this ribbon was not there to help a good fit. I think if I install it as it is, it may cause the ribbon to stress and cut. Any suggestion on this?

 

I also have similar problem, but would it change if I had the keyboard replaced?
The other annoying thing with the keyboard on 7440 is that '/' is not directly above RCtrl, but to the left from it.

 

I had the exact same feeling, but actually the ribbon in it's shape helps the HDD to sit real tight. So far I haven't had any isssues regarding this, and everything works great.

 

Does anyone know why all of a sudden the price for e7240 "configure yourself option" just increased? (at least here in eastern europe). Is that normal and any chance of it dropping back?
The setup that I had my eyes on would've cost me around 2000 euros, now it's 2 199,73 €.
Spec wise it's identical from what I can tell and all that what have changed is the upgrade to i5-4300u from 4200 was an extra 60, now it's extra 94, but the upgrade to FHD screen is now cheaper from 400 to 341 euros, weird.

I also have few questions regarding the e7240
- How bad is the keyboard flex? Does it affect both 7240 and 7440? (will primarily use it for coding so keyboard flex is a deal breaker)
- Is the FHD screen glossy? Say in a normal room light conditions does it reflect much?
- The different batterty options (31, 42, 45) only differ by weight and nothing will stick out?

How is the overall build quality say compared to e6330 or e3640? I know those are not ultrabooks, but that's what I have my hands on and there is no keyboard flex and the build quality is great apart from plastic lid.

Thanks in advance!

 

Apologies if questions are a bit basic – I am not a tech expert.

I can buy on the Dell UK website an e7440 with “256GB Solid State Drive Full Mini card”, which I understand to be mSATA.

1. Should I care which brand SSD is used? I have seen Samsung, Lite-on and Toshiba mentioned in various reviews of e7440.

2. Will all these SSDs support TRIM “out of the box”, which I understand is very important for longevity of SSDs? I cannot find out any info on this.

3. Should I care between having an mSATA or SATA SSD?

4. The system is sold with “Windows 7 Professional (64Bit Windows 8 License, Media)”. Is this Windows 8 Licence for “Windows 8” or “Windows 8 Pro”?

5. How difficult is it to change the “out of the box” Windows 7 Professional OS to be Windows 8? How do I do it (in summary)?

Thanks.

 

I'll try to respond as best as I can.

1. Generally no, unless some of them are reported to have issues.
2. They should, even if they don't (highly unlikely) they will still have some sort of garbage collector.
3. With msata you'll have an option of fitting another 2.5 drive unless you'll get one with 3g/4g thingy then the slot will be occupied. It depends if you plan on expanding it or not.
4. If it just says "windows 8" on the dell page then it's likely not the pro version, at least when I've ordered mine it specifically mentioned that and there was an option to upgrade to the pro version.
5. Well, you could upgrade from the microsoft site via their upgrade utility which I guess is the easiest option.
Hope that helps.


If anyone wondering,I've ordered one today and the delivery date for a custom configured e7240 with FHD screen is 3 weeks without any exact date :/

 

4) I've orderd an E7440 in Germany with this option. On the shipped Notebook is Windows 7 Professional installed and an Windows 8 DVD in bundeled. If you use the delivered Windows 8 DVD you get an Windows 8 Pro.

5) Before you upgrade the installed Windows 7 to Windows 8, you should create restore mediums (DVDs) from the restore Partition of the installed Windows 7 Pro to be able to return to Windows 7.

Then it is important to download the Broadcom Network Drivers for the E7440 from the Dell Support Webpage and store them on an USB stick. Otherwise you are not able to connect to the Internet after the upgrade.

The upgrade to Windows 8 is quite easy, if you have an external DVD drive. Otherwise you have to prepare an USB stick, copy alle files of the Windows 8 DVD to it and make it bootable.

 

I have not experienced any issues with the hard drive sitting on top of the ribbon cable.