New models with metal cases?

Looking at Precisions and Latitudes, I'm seeing a lot about great design and passing MIL-STD 810G, but not so much about specific materials used.

I prefer an all-metal body, since that's what I'm used to, having had a Latitude E6500 for so long.

Do any new or recent Latitudes and Precisions have metal cases?

If not, please explain to me how plastic can be an improvement!

 

magnesium seems to be what most structures are made of. The display case of the 2016 and 2017 precisions use pasltic shell and carbon fiber for outer layer of display assembly. I think it is likely magnesium for the rest of the case. The reason I think it is 'only' carbon fiber on display assembly is that, it is was they advertise and it is what is visible. Also, I over packed my precision 2016 7710 (same design as current 2017 7720) computer back pack and I'm calling Dell tomorrow to see about display assembly replacement or whatever they suggest [full accidental coverage] - my fault for damage. My display has .5" wide horizontal pixel problem where it shows blue instead of black. I think if laptop had aluminum outer shell or something more rigid than plastic and a carbon skin (Carbon seems to be there for looks more than strength as I can flex it more than my m6500), then the display would not have been flexed as much because, I often overpacked my m6500 with no problem. I blame me for over packing, then I blame dell for not using more sturdy display assembly to counter my overpacking

I'm going to follow this with: I like Dell. I love my Dell Laptops. We're purchase some Dell Rack and Tower servers. We like Dell. Just making suggestiions. Always purchase Dell Pro Support.

 

My Precision 5510 has what looks to be a metal display back and I assume that the same applies to the 5520. The greater local deflection of plastic under point loads is a vulnerability which should be addressed during design by leaving a suitable gap between display back and LCD panel but tends to be overlooked in the search for slimness. The only notebook where I have encountered display damage (bright spots) was a Lenovo T420s which claimed to have a very robust roll cage.

The main chassis of Latitudes / Precisions is metal but it's best described as a skeleton as it's mainly clad in a plastic skin. I'm not sure about the material used for components such as the base cover but, although flimsy, they tend to be very well supported once in place. Metal will result in hotter knees than plastic if you use the computer in laptop mode.

John

 

FWIW, carbon fiber is more rigid than aluminum and plastic, but rigidity is a function of thickness, and an aluminum shell would be thicker (resulting in greater rigidity at the cost of extra weight and thickness).