Precision M2400 Owner's Lounge

Quick question: does Dell require any type of verification when you order through the Small Business website? The discounts are awesome, and I might just cancel my T500 for a 4400

 

The only "verification" was providing a business name. I just entered my name, since I do a lot of contract-based computer programming. Also, I think they're a little more forgiving about shipping to a non-billing address, as this is more common with businesses.

NOTE: The webcam upgrade is still appearing as a $0 upgrade on the Precision 2400...

 

@Chevy, why didn't you go for the WXGA+ LED screen?

 

Ordered M2400 yesterday 08/19. Still waiting for a ship date other than the one that showed up on the order which was 09/09/.

I think the uniqueness of the LCD lid makes it a better option than the E6400, especially when you consider all the components are the same and it has a better discrete video card. I'm still a little concerned about the battery life - which is important to me - but if the reviews are bad before it ships, I'll just cancel and wait for something else.

The last time this happened - new refresh of the Lattitudes - I purchased a D610 and was woefully disappointed. Hopefully, that won't be the case this time.

 

Short version: bad eyes (yes, I'm only in my early 20s.)

Long version: I found out over the summer, after extended use of my Dell Insprion 8600 w/ WSXGA+ screen, I get headaches from looking at such a small screen. Vista is pretty good at scaling, but most things end up blurred, which aggravates my eyes more. I bought a 1280x800 panel off eBay to replace the 1680x1050 panel I had, and my eye problems went away. Newer panels may have resolved the issue, but mine always seemed muddy, even compared to the new 1280x800 panel. So, because the 1440x900 panel in the M2400 has the same DPI as the 1680x800 had in my 8600, I decided to go with the 1280x800 panel. I wish it were LED, but I will settle for CCFL and no headaches.

Mine still shows up as this...I don't think they really have a clue when it will ship.

I expect battery life to be slightly worse, although it shouldn't be too bad. Nvidia listed the max draw from the card as 20W, with a powermizer rating of 8--what does that mean? Anyway, I guess it shaves an hour-ish off of a 9-cell...hopefully.

 

Dell is consistently getting better. If the Inspiron 1420 has a great build for a consumer laptop, we could expect much, much more from Latitudes and Precisions. Judging from the reviews of D630, D830, M2300, M4300 and M6300, it's safe to say we won't be disappointed with the latest Latitudes and Precisions.

well, I sure hope so 'cause I'm now inclined to get either this M2400 or E6400, hoping the price will drop by September.

 

Have you personally seen a (WXGA+) 1440x900? I agree 1680x1050 is quite small for a laptop, even with 17" screens. But, personally, I think 1440x900 is perfect for a 14.1" notebook screen. Now, more so that it's available with LED backlight.

It's only a suggestion, though. It's your laptop.

 

I've seen the 1440x900 on a 15.4" laptop (Mac), and thought it was alright, but the shrinking down to 14.1" concerns me. Seeing an actual 1440x900 14.1" may be difficult as the students where I go to school love 15.4" and 17" laptops. They'll learn otherwise when they are seniors having to carry their cinderblocks to school everyday with a power supply and sit near an outlet . I have seen a 13" Mac, but I don't know the resolution. It looked a little small for my tastes, though.

 

Well...I am very disappointed with the E-series. Having owned three D-series laptops, I probably will get a fourth (D630 or M2300) before they discontinue the D-series. The E-series does not have the professional good looks of the D-series and looks too consumer-ish. Plus, all of my docking stations, media bay drives, media bay batteries, and spare parts wll not work anymore.

I'm sure that the situation with large businesses is the same and they will hesitate to buy the E-series.

 

That's exactly why I opted for the M2400 Precision. I think the E Series has gotten too "consumer" looking. I think the M2400 looks more professional if for no other reason than it has a very unusual LCD lid.

Having had some Lattitudes and Precisions in the past, I'm inclined to think that Dell does a little better QC on the Precisions. If not, they are headed for problems with their enterprise customers.