Why did you decide on your Dell E6400? What don't you like

I am torn between the Lenovo T400 and the Dell E6400.
I simply don't like the bland look of the Lenovo.
However I read so many recommendations on comparing the two, to go with the T400. So for E6400 owners, what helped you make your decision? What dont you like about your E6400

 

Lenovo has been historically more expensive in Europe, which pointed me towards the E6400.

John

 

I must admit, I went for the looks. I also like the idea of having a metal casing instead of that carbon fiber thing. There isn't anything major that I dislike about the E6400. I just don't really like the one screw bottom panel because then the panel does not fit as snugly as possible. I also don't like how the cover scratches easily (I carry it around in a stay on sleeve now). But if I have to pick again, I would still choose the dell. It is simply a sleek and beautiful machine, and it works well in every way except for those two minor flaws that I mentioned.

 

I don't mind the bottom cover design at all. In fact, I like it.

The DVD burner issue seems to have been silently fixed, as has the trackpoint and keyboard problems.

The touchpad is really quite good once some basic settings are adjusted.

Build quality is definitely up there, and while the Samsung screen isn't the best, even Greg has noted that it really isn't that bad.

I don't see any reason not to get the E6400 anymore, while there was before, these issues seem to be fading away.

Greg

 

I've just rechecked my burner. It seems to be behaving very well at the moment. I wonder whether it has loosened up.

Does the T400 have an eSATA port? This was one of the features I wanted which the E6400 has.

John

 

The T400 does not have eSATA or DisplayPort. I went with the E6400, despite the T400 being considerably cheaper through my college, for several reasons:

- eSATA
- DisplayPort
- LED-backlit screen (available on the T400, but I would not have bought the E6400 without it)
- Backlit keyboard
- Dock with dual digital outputs (this totally sealed the deal)
- Better looks

Once I got it, I had additional reasons why that hadn't occurred to me or I hadn't known beforehand:

- Keyboard is even better than my T43p
- Better port layout
- WiFi and battery can be checked without powering on
- Software is less intrusive
- USB PowerShare
- Bottom cover design makes upgrading and repairs very easy

There are a couple of things that I regret or that I'd prefer to have changed:

- Crackling audio is really annoying
- Dell ControlPoint is a bit buggy
- I miss Lenovo Presentation Director (although I've replaced it with UltraMon) and the big battery meter on the taskbar
- Switchable graphics would have been nice
- No 2.5" modular bay hard drive option (although eSATA somewhat makes up for that)
- SD card slot should be a multi-card reader
- Port layout on E-Port Plus isn't as good as my old ThinkPad Advanced Port Replicator

As you can tell, the positives still far outweigh the negatives for me, and I ended up getting a much better deal on the E6400 than I was going to at the outset, so it ended up being only ~$200 more expensive than an equivalent T400, rather than ~$600. Even at $600 more, I would still prefer the E6400. It's really a lot better IMO.

 

I have a T43 right beside me, and am hating my E4300 (which obviously has a different keyboard).

In what respect would you say is the E6400 keyboard superior to the T43 keyboard in terms of:

1) Sound - How noisy is the keyboard?
2) Flex - How independent are each of the keys?
3) Tactile Response - How quickly to the keys jump back at you ready to be pressed again?

Thanks.

 

Keyboard is the quietest I have ever seen. Near-silent.

There is very little flex, it isn't at all noticable when typing, but if you go pressing to see if there is any flex, don't be surprised to find some.

Keys jump back very quickly. Also, one thing that doesn't seem to get any mention as far as keyboards go, is that there is very little wiggle to the keys. It seems very solid.

Greg