Dell Latitude D510 or D610???

Hi all,

First time posting. I need a notebook and I've narrowed things down to the Dell Latitude line. I've looked at other lines but I need a durable notebook that won't fall apart - some of Dell's Inspirion lines looked kind of cheap. Moreover, by the time I got done spec'ing them out, I was able to configure a Latitude cpu to be more or less the same as an Inspirior cpu, which was rather odd.

Here's the specs I'm looking at:

Pentium M 1.6 to 1.73ghz
1 GB RAM, 60 GB HD, 14 or 15 inch XGA display (not a widescreen), all the wireless goodies, plus a bunch of other things.

Total price of both my spec'ed out Latitudes come in at right around 2K, by the time you're done adding in MS Office, XP Pro, 3 year warranty, shipping, backpack case, wireless keyboard, notebook stand, extra adapters, etc...

The problem is, I can't figure out at all whether to get the D510 or the D610. As things are now, the 510d I've spec'ed out is 50 bucks less than the d610, has a 15 inch monitor and a slightly faster processor. All other things are exactly the same between these two systems.

I've read many reviews about the 610 - most positive - but have seen virtually nothing about the d510. Thus, several questions:

First, anyone here have a d510? And if so, what do you like/not like about it - particularly the monitor??

Secondly, one attraction of the d510 is the larger monitor option - to get a 15 inch instead of a 14 inch. Now, is the size noticeably bigger between these two monitors? Or is it marginal in reality?? And does the 15 inch monitor (xga) produce nice, sharp text in comparison to the 14 inch (xga) monitor that comes with the d610??

And lastly, is there any difference in build quality, reliability or anything else that seperates a d510 from a d610?? Since I'm able to get a d510 that is identical to a d610 for $50 less, and which also has a larger monitor and slightly faster processor, I'm leaning towards the d510 for obvioius reasons. However, I wanted to make sure that there wasn't a good reason you get a bit more extra by getting a d510 instead of a d610.

Anyways, any feedback is appreciated.

Jim

 

The D510 is lower-end version of the D610--it offers a Celeron processor as an option and only the lower-end (1.73 GHz) Pentium M, it doesn't offer the ATI graphics card (integrated graphics only). It doesn't offer the SXGA screen, although as you pointed out, you can get a 15 inch XGA. The ports are the same, except the D510 has firewire (don't understand why the D610 doesn't). The D510 also weighs about a half pound more.

I ended up choosing the D610--got it thru the outlet, so it was a bit cheaper, with the same 3-yr next business day warranty as "new" ones--actually most of them are new also, just returned by people who changed their mind about features.

About the screens--the XGA on both is the same. The text will look the same, you just have a larger viewing area with the 15-inch. I have to say that I got the D610 with the XGA because I didn't think it would make that much of a difference to me (I'm not a graphics geek), but I am disappointed with it. I wish I had gotten the SXGA.

Hope this helps some.

 

I would definitely go D610, as lgandg says, the D510 is the budget version of the D610. I believe that the D610 comes with a Smart Card reader for security while the D510 does not, although that's likely not of much interest. SXGA is the way to go IMHO, but it really is to each his own in terms of screen preference.

I wrote a short blurb in this article about the D510 when it was released, Dell provided the info to me so it should be correct!

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2333

 

I'd definitely go with the D610 - it has a smaller profile, better CPU options, and most of all, a dedicated graphics card option. So, get the D610.

 

I'm interested in the D610 as well (in the short list with the T43 and Asus W3V) but I recall couple of the reviews here complaining about the hiss through the microphone jack and some other electrical noises.

Is that still an issue or did Dell address that with some sort of bios update?

 

I Finally decided on the D610 myself.

Also, i have NO issues with headphone static at all out of the box.

I also would like to say to the OP, DO NOT GET THE XGA. The SXGA+ screen is far far far superior to the XGA. My friend bought a D610 after seeing mine but got his with the XGA and was very dissapointed and is currently trying to return it and get one with the upgraded screen.

I plan on writing up a minireview with pics this weekend

 

I echo the others here...D610 is the better choice, especially if there is only a $50 difference.

I own one myself, but unfortunately must sell mine now because I need cash, not because I don't like it

If anyone lives in the Toronto area and is interested (Monkeypants I send you a PM) please let me know!

 

How recently did you buy it? I got a D610 in the beginning of August and I have the headphone static. Does anyone know if there's word (or ever will be) on this rumored BIOS update?

Not to say it's a bad machine. I am happy with mine, although I probably should have gotten the SXGA screen. I got the Latitude because everyone says they're well-built so I suppose time will tell.