Please help me choose a (Latitude) Dell laptop

Hi,

I need to select a new laptop for work. My company allows Dell only.

Currently, I have a Dell Latitude D610. (yes time to upgrade).

I travel often. Therefore, weight is a factor. I'm not sure if I should go with the 14" or 15" screen. My current 14" seems OK. I need a laptop where I can use a port replicator. I believe that this limits my choices. Some of the models I like from a design standpoint don't seem to offer this.

So, I ended up with:
Latitude E6400
Latitude E6500
Latitude E5500
Latitude E5400

I couldn't really figure out what the difference is between the E5x and E6x.

Any help is appreciated...

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=327615

This might help you, also see middle of the thread.
More in search e6400-e6500 difference.

 

Great. Thanks. BTW: what is the difference to Dell Precision M4400?

 

It looks like the M____ machines have GPU's more suited to graphics applications like CAD. I was comparing E6500 and M4400 in similar configurations, except for the GPU of course, and the M4400 was about $300 more.

 

Personal preference between the 6400 and 6500 in my opinion. Innards are both the same other than screen options. From a hands on between the two, I would pick the 6400. To me, the 6500 seems like a very large 15.4 laptop.

The difference between the 6xxx and 5xxx series is primarily in build materials. The 6xxx series uses a magnesium alloy frame and skin. The 5xxx series uses a polycarbonate skin, but I believe the frame inside is mag alloy. The optical drive is modulare and can be removed and swapped on the 6xxx series while the 5xxx series has a fixed optical drive. Might be nice if some day they come out with a blu-ray drive or whatever is next

If you are mobile, care about weight and are fine with an integrated GPU, I would pick the e4300. Much lighter than the e6400, but still can do 8GB memory and full speed CPUs. I have a d630 today and instead of replacing it with the e6400, I went with the 4300 since i use it for work that doesnt require heavy graphics.

 

So, it seems in summary:
- the E6x has a better frame than E5x
- otherwise the E5x and E6x are identical
- the E6x offers better CPU choices (however could be configured otherwise exactly the same
- the E6x and 4400 have the same chassis
- the 4400 offers a better graphics card choice
- the 4400 offers additional (better) CPU choices
- 4400 has a blueray option
- otherwise the 4400 and E6x are identical

Is that it?

 

The E6xxx may have more features / options. If any of the following features of the E6400 are of interest to you, check if they are available on the E5xxx:

(i) LED backlit displays (brighter / lower power consumption = longer battery time)

(ii) eSATA port

(iii) backlit keyboard option

(iv) USB sleep and charge (charges devices connected to one USB port when the computer is off).

John

 

BTW. Has anyone see the blue version of the E series? Is there somewhere a good picture? Is it metalic ase well or rather like they used to do?

 

I would suggest to you to get the M2400 instead. It's a 14" wide (compared to your old D610 standard) and you will have to get used to the 1440x900 resolution.

A 15" might be a little too heavy for your traveling. And you might not need a 15" as with the 14" 1440x900, you actually get more screen space.

 

I have not seen a photo but I'm guessing it is a metallic blue.
I bought my E6500 with the red exterior. It is a dark red, almost a burgundy. It looks more like an anodizing than a paint, which means it looks a bit metallic. I'm guessing the blue would be a similar finish.