Outlet E6400

I'm in the process of finding a Latitude E6400 from the Dell outlet. I'm going to be sticking with previously purchased new, and maybe refurbished.

The computer will be for school, mainly engineering programs (MATLAB, Allegro pSpice, etc), and also for some rendering of short graphics clips for my church.

Here are the specs I'm planning on:

Processor: 2.4 Ghz + (not sure on 6MB vs. 3MB cache)
RAM: 4 GB
HD: at least 120 GB (not sure on 7200 or 5400 rpm)
Graphics: probably non-integrated because of the graphics rendering
Optical drive: I don't really care too much, but DVD burning might be nice
Screen: Debating between WXGA and WXGA+, I'll probably go with the +
Wifi - I'll go with a/g/n so I'm ready for the "future". I think we use b at school, but it's backwards compatible so I should have no problem.
OS: We have an XP site license at school, but I'm going to go with XP + Vista so I can switch if I need to. Some engineering programs are a bit finnicky.

That's about it. The goal is long battery life, low heat, and the ability to last a while. I typically have a lot of programs open and run a second monitor as well.

Also, I've not be able to successfully determine this, but the systems needs a PCMCIA slot or Express PCI slot, because I'm military and need to be able to connect a card reader. Can someone definitively say whether the E6400 has one of these?

Do the business warranties apply equally to consumers? I'm thinking I'll do 3 year limited warranty and 3 year NBD on-site service. I've heard that 3-year warranties are necessary to receive overseas help, but I'll need to check again.

Please let me know what you think of the build above. As you can see, I'm unsure about a lot of things. There seem to be differing opinions on 7200 vs. 5400 rpm HDs, and integrated vs. non-integrated raphics.

Thanks for any help.

 

1) It can be configured with either. Units in the Outlet should be labeled as ExpressCard or PCMCIA units.

2) Every Latitude from the Outlet gets a three-year warranty, regardless of who buys it. Not sure about the overseas aspect, though.

You should be fine with the P8400 and 4GB of memory. Compared to an SSD, I don't think there's much difference between a 5400RPM drive and a 7200RPM; if you're looking for battery life, go with the former. The Nvidia GPU cuts off a significant chunk of battery life, but if you need it, there's no reason not to get it. Also, I'd say WXGA+ > WXGA at 14", though I'm sure there are those who'd beg to differ.

 

Well if the GPU really kills battery life, I'll just go integrated. I use integrated now on a rather old machine, and it works just fine. I don't do much of that anyway, and would prefer a longer battery life.

So I see under the Graphics Card area they say with Express Card or with PC Card. I take it that means whether it has Express PCI (Express Card) or PCMCIA (PC Card).

And since I can use either at school, which would be preferable for future needs, or is there really not a huge difference?

Also, there aren't very many units with 5400 rpm HDs, so is 7200 a bad idea? I'm not averse to SSD, however.

 

1) It's about an hour, hour and a half less with the Nvidia card. Though best case scenarios are about 6hrs and 4.5hrs, so you're still getting a reasonably long run time with the discrete GPU.

2) http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=4705408#post4705408
The PCMCIA and ExpressCard mess is listed under the Video Card column.

3) N is significantly faster than G, but unless you're constantly transferring big files over your wireless network, it shouldn't make much a difference. N should also have better range.

 

I seem to be having some difficulty finding a WXGA+ screen. Is WXGA much worse in terms of brightness in the daylight (I heard perhaps a 30% difference)?

 

A few options I'm looking at:

Option 1 ($659 - Refurbished):

P8400 processor
3 GB DDR2 800 MHz
160 GB, 5400 RPM HD
Mobile graphics with Express Card
6 cell battery
8X DVD +/- RW
Intel 5100 wireless card
WXGA LED Screen (1280x800)

Option 2 ($729 - Refurbished):
Same as above except:

P8600 processor
4 GB of DDR2 800 MHz
160 GB, 7200 RPM HD
24X CD RW/DVD drive
9 cell battery
Dell bluetooth module

A couple of things:

1. I need to make sure whatever I buy fits this description (I think these do, I just want to confirm):

"It needs a CAC-reader. If the computer has an Express PCI slot, then you also need an Express CAC-reader which costs about $50. If you get a full-sized PCMCIA slot (e.g the E5400), I can give you a CAC-reader."

2. Is it possible to add the bluetooth module, or is it better to have it come with that? I've not used bluetooth before, but may in the future.

3. Is it possible to upgrade the wireless card?

I'm not really set on 4 GB of RAM because I'll probably only run a 32-bit system and thus 3 GB is just as good.

 

2. Is it possible to add the bluetooth module, or is it better to have it come with that? I've not used bluetooth before, but may in the future.

3. Is it possible to upgrade the wireless card?

I think both can be upgraded. I know for sure the wireless can and I'm pretty sure the BT can also.

 

This morning there are 731 E6400's in the Outlet store. I suspect that you just have not looked hard enough...

When I sort by increasing price, the very first system has WXGA+, selling for a whopping $559!

The key is to understand what components are easily and cheaply replaceable by you. The bluetooth module, Intel WiFi card, hard disc and memory are very easy to add or exchange, and they are cheap. So I wouldn't worry much about those. I would focus on the following in my search:

(1) Nvidia graphics or Intel graphics. If you don't game, go with Intel. it handles all your 2D applications fine. I have no trouble playing Blu-Ray ripped high bit-rate videos with it. It should work well with all your CAD applications, unless you need to render a huge amount of 3D polygons in real-time.

(2) WXGA+ or WXGA. I think most people on this forum prefer WXGA+. Great for spreadsheets, photo-editing, video watching, etc. If you do CAD work, it should be better than WXGA.

(3) DVD-RW drive. Do you want a DVD burner? It is very easy to replace, but expensive.

(4) Processor. If you do really intensive number crunching, or do video encoding, a faster processor would help. Otherwise stay with the cheaper ones like the P8400 or P8600. The P series has better power consumption specs than the T series.

(5) If you want a 9-cell battery, get a system with it. This battery is expensive to buy later. Dell Outlet places a very small premium for this battery.

(6) Backlit keyboard. Get it if you want it. Again, the Dell Outlet premium for this is not big.

(7) Webcam and microphone. If you need it, get it at the Outlet. Messy and expensive to add later. Same with Fingerprint reader.

(8) PC Card or Express Card. Difficult to replace this later, so get the one you want.

(9) Color.

You should have no trouble finding the system you want.

 

Well after some more research and searching, I think I found the system I want.

It's actually an E4300. I decided the smaller size would be better.

4 GB DDR3 RAM
160 GB, 5400 RPM HD (no free-fall sensor, is that a problem?)
Integrated Intel graphics
13.3" WXGA LED screen
Intel Core Du SP9400
8X DVD +/- RW
Back-lit Keyboard
Bluetooth
Dell 5100 network card

The total price is around $950, but I'll find a 20% off coupon.

Does that sound like a decent system? With the exception of the free-fall sensor HD, it has everything I could possibly want.

 

Will a 13.3'' screen be enough for you?