Any Dell Latitude D630 users ?

Hi,

After many days & hours of research on the NET, i narrowed down my choice to Dell Lat. D630 & Thinkpad as my choices for a Business laptop.

I'm a Securities Trader & i'm looking for Speed, Durability & Net Access.

Can somebody pls. comment on the prod. ?

Does the battery really give 5-6 hours ?
I've not read anything negative on this beauty ?!

Thanks - Mave

 

Hi,

Yes it's a beauty but 6-cell battery should last approx 3 hours.

Info for D630 is centralized at

D630 Owner's thread

something else might be found at:

Additional feedback on D630

Cheers

 

If you're buying for trading, I suggest Windows XP with 2gig+ or more memory.

I don't use graphics intensive workspaces, so I got the integrated graphics. But if you're going to have a lot of fast updating charts/symbol grids, you may prefer the seperate graphics card.

Connectivity is primary for trading, so I'd lean toward a tried & true wireless card instead of one of the newer versions. (If you're going wireless.)

I got the media bay backup battery---pull DVD, replace with battery. That gives me ~2 6-cells worth of battery life. If you don't mind battery sticking out of front---it's a good wrist rest---get the 9-cell. Better run time & gives it a better balance in the lap, imo.

Get the Gold technical support just in case: you don't want to be on hold very long if you need tech support.

 

Thanks - you've given me some very helpful info.
Which in your opinion is the best laptop for me, now that you know what i'm going to use it for ?

I'm decided NOT to go for Thinkpad, still deciding between 00/, DELL LAT. D630 ? How about Toshiba - any good ?

I need VERY GOOD connectivity for NET connection, acceptable battery life & of course perf,/durability/speed..

PLs. advise. Thanks -Mave

 

Maverick,
I think the D630 would be a great choice for you. i have had one for a couple months now and for me it is the perfect balance between performance and mobility. you can also get it with just about any connectivity option you want. The battery life is good, i have a 6 cell battery main a 9 cell main and a 6 cell mediabay secondary.

im not sure what toshiba has to offer, but i dont think you would be disappointed with the d630. I think i looked at just about every laptop on the market and for me nothing could beat the d630 on features, durability and price.

 

I have been using my D630 since it came out and it has been a very good computer with no real issues. I have the extended battery and the integrated graphics and have been able to get about 5hrs. I have had no problems with my wireless connections. I had a old Thinkpad R40 and originally ordered a new T61, but the 2 month delay gave me good enough reason to switch to the Dell and could not be happier.

 

Toshiba doesn't have any strong product line in its business range to compete with HP, Lenovo or Dell's excellent recent offering. The new Tecras are amazingly disappointing.

 

I've had my D630 for three months now, and I'm very impressed. It is very well put together and I haven't had any problems whatsoever.

I have the 9 cell battery--it does stick out in front, but I don't mind that at all. I get between 5-6 hours of battery life fairly easily.

As far as net connectivity--I have the default Dell wireless card, and it works great. Not sure if you're going to be using the wireless or not.

dordale

 

My D630 specs in signature. For the battery life you're looking for you may have to get the 9-cell, but it's no more a hassle than the standard 6-cell as the others have already pointed out.

You probably already get the idea, but I'll chime in anyway. Very satisfied with the D630. 5 months of trouble-free ownership and going strong.

Regards,
Paolo

 

I love my D630 SOLID business class machine. I got the built in graphics, not sure if the other card would make screen draws faster for trading. That could be debated. However, I do NOT like the extended battery. I find it does not extend the entire front of the laptop, and stops just SHORT of where a "wrist rest" would come in handy. i would not get that again. Either way, I like this machine very much.

Do get 2GB or more of RAM. That helps alot. Also, I wold do a FRESH install of Vista, or XP like the man said. Makes it faster and smoother.

Dave

 

I can't speak to Toshiba as I have no personal experience with them. I bought the D630.

I use a workstation to trade with lots of screen space, and the laptop as a backup ( and for wireless ) on an alternate internet feed.

14" is not much screen space for trading unless you hookup a bigger monitor or have other options. It really depends on what you're doing.

Dells (business latitudes) have easy access customer service & returnability, and IBMs have a history of quality/reliability. I chose to move to Dell from IBM because of my history with Dell, the deal I got, and the IBM-to-Lenovo change. And the screen comparisons favor the D630 now.

Edit--I wanted a "no-glare" screen, too.

 

Are these standard specs. for DELL LAT. D630 ?

• Processor: Intel T7300 Core 2 Duo (2.0GHz, 800MHz FSB, 4MB Cache)
• Graphics: Intel GMA X3100
• Operating System: Windows Vista Business 32-bit
• Display: WXGA+ 1440 x 900 (matte)
• Hard Drive: 80GB 540RPM
• Memory: 512MB (512MB x 1), up to 4GB max
• Ports:
o 4 - USB 2.0 (two in the back and two on the right)
o FireWire (left)
o Security lock (left)
o Headphone out & microphone in (left)
o VGA out (back)
o 56k modem (back)
o Gigabit Ethernet (back)
o Power (back)
o Serial (back)
• Slots:
o 1 PC Card Slot
o Smart Card Slot
o Docking station
• Optical Drive: DVD +/- RW
• Battery: 9-cell 85WHr
• Security: UPEK fingerprint reader
• Pointing device: Touchpad or Track Stick
• Intel 3945 WLAN (802.11a/g) mini Card
• Dell Wireless 360 Bluetooth Vista Module
• USA keyboard
• Dimensions: 13.3" x 9.37" x 1.09 - 1.27" (337mm x 238mm x 27.6 - 32.3mm)
• Weight: 5.1lbs with DVD drive and 6-cell, 5.8lbs with 9-cell, 6.6lbs with AC adaptor and 9-cell
• 3 Year warranty, In-Home Service, International

How do i check what i'm paying for ?
For e.g: How do i check the processor, RAM and hard drive ?

The reason for this is that the specs. on a D630 that i saw today from a local supplier is slightly diff. from what is posted on this website !
And, he's only giving 1 year WARRANTY.


Thanks - Mave

 

If you have the possibility please buy from Dell directly and then upgrade the RAM & HDD by yourself. It's better this way. It's not a standard configuration.

 

Agree.

I'd suggest 7200rpm HDD, factory or aftermarket.

 

Hello Folks,

Having disclosed what i need the laptop for, can somebody pls. recommend the 'ideal' specs. for D630. I believe it comes with a range of CPU proecessing speeds, RAM, HD. etc..

Is 2.0 Ghz, 120G & 2.0 RAM good enough for my purpose ?

Thanks - Mave