Dell Latitude D830 Review

Your situation is very similar to mine. In the end, I felt that WXGA was too low a resolution. I would rather use WSXGA+ with large fonts, and position my external LCD a bit further away from me. This is the same as my current setup and it is satisfactory.

It's too bad that the Latitude doesn't offer the same screens at the Vortex (or whatever it is called). It has a screen between those two that has good specs and which would be ideal.

The final and deciding factor for me (though it probably doesn't affect you) is that Latitudes are very expensive in Canada - quite a rip-off actually. So, after many great Dell computers, I've had to switch to the Thinkpad.

 

You know, in my many years of using non-native resolutions on various machines, I've never found this to be a problem. It's only really noticeable right after you switch from the native resolution. If anything it smooths out the text a bit like primitive anti-aliasing. Of course that's just personal preference, but I figured I'd mention it nonetheless.

 

Yeah, looks like the WSXGA+ screen would probably be better. I will go with that. I should be able to just change the DPI or font size, and my eyes are really good so the small size shouldn't be an issue anyway.

 

How does the screen look outside? Is it usable?

I hated my glossy HP zd8000 because if there was any light the glare was so bad I could not see a thing and my d820 (it died don't buy scratch and dent from Dell outlet) was too dark and could barley see a thing in the sunlight.

I was also curious why people freak out that something is 5 or 6 lbs? If you have a hard time carrying a 6lb laptop around then you may want to hit the gym I carried my 12lb (13 or 14 with the brick) HP around for a few years without any real issues. Around campus or the office 6lbs is not that big of deal. I think you have to worry about the 50lbs of books more than you laptop

 

Hi,

i use the WUXGA on the D830 without changed DPI.
It is the best display i had until now on a laptop including:

IBm X21
Acer Travelmate 661
IBM X40
Acer Travelmate 8000
Dell D620
Dell D630

 

Thanks for the review. I purchased a Latitude D830 from Dell a few days ago for college also. Can't wait for it to arrive!

-Tzale

 

I agree. I'm a stubborn high school graduate, I never used a locker throughout high school, and I carried all of my books (had a couple college level books) in my backpack with me every day. 6lbs is nothing for me, I just carry it around in a book bag with the rest of my books.

 

How would you compare your experience of D830 with both Vista and XP?
Freefisheater wrote in his long review that he had a problem with long booting time.

 

Hallo,

I have bought d830 couple days ago. I think it is very good machine, but I have an issue with fan noise. The noise caused by fan is not very high but what I really dont like is that it is running ALL THE TIME! I am working in very queit environment and it is annoying.

I have read here about running i8kfangui to cool d830 passively. Could you please give me more info how to do that.

I have read on page d830 is not supported yet. Anyway I have installed the program but it can't display any data except CPU temp and system load. I don't see any other temperatures, fan speed, nothing. When I try to change to control fan manually nothing happens. It reacts when setting to HIGH but it keeps running when set to OFF.

Could you please give me your setting and some explanation how it works. And your version you are using.

Thanks a lot.
Martin

 

I finally got mine. It is great. I see the light bleed but it is only noticeable when the screen is completely black (so only when starting up and shutting down). The screen is far, far brighter than my d800 screen, so I am very pleased. Nearly everything I have tested works well. I have linux mostly set up, a few bugs to work out (having trouble getting my PCMCIA sound card working, but I think that is a linux problem rather than a problem with this particular laptop).

 

I get a message that my driver is up-to-date or my OS isnt Vista 32bit when I try and upgrade to nVIDIA ForceWare 162. I have downloaded the correct version and I do have Vista 32bit and my my version that is installed is the standard Dell D8300 101 version.

Any tricks to installing the updated ForceWare?

 

Posted this on another thread:

Looks like Dell finally updated their Vista 32-bit drivers for the nVidia 135M and 140M, which just got released today (no WinXP drivers yet!). It's Dell's second Vista nVidia driver release (A01), and seems based on the nVidia 156.55. Haven't tried benchmarking yet to compare to the original driver (Dell A00, nVidia 101.19)--but thought you guys might be interested in this information. However, I would imagine that their WinXP release should follow soon.

http://support.dell.com

 

I have read each single post here, but some doubt remain. Something tells me that i better post here than opening a new thread, please tell me if I am wrong, as effectively i need a somewhat quick help (few days better).
I am deciding between a Latitude D830 and a Precision M4300. I cannot understand in which do they REALLY differ apart for the video card and the possibility of True life. So, at first i would really appreciate if someone can help me with a sort of comparison of the two models, to understan what I win and/or loose with each one in temrs of performance, estetic, comfort for hands and eyes, life expextance/expandibility (to not become prehistoric too soon).
I configured them both with a T7500 processor, a 160giga 7200rpm HD, 2x1024ram, and WSXGA+ display. But they differ in other things. Resuming, options are:
1) Precision with Nvidia Quadro FX360M, and True Life (glossy) display, for 1139 euro.
2) Latitude with Nvidia Quadro 140M, and not glossy display, for about 1085 euro
3) Latitude with 135M video Card but with 1x2048+1x1024 of Ram. Anyway i am still trying to understand if the lack of dual channel (it works only with 2x same dimension modules as far as i know) is compensated enough by the more ram to worth the extra money and the sacrifice of 140m over 135m.
4) Latitude low budget, with video from intel 3100 to quadro 140M depending on what you all will suggest me, and screen from wxga to wsxga+ (as before, depending on your suggestions), and just 2x1024 of ram. With this one I could save a good few money, but i really need to be sure that it will not become a problem in a couple of years (obsolete machine) or that i would be too limited now if i start doing some simple graphic or editing.

I do not play games. Anyway I am totally unable to determine the difference in performance between the 135m, the 140M, and the FX360M, or if even the intel 3100 would be great enough for me both now and in the future. From the first one to the last one there is something like 100 euro of difference, even more if I take the intel, so, I want to be sure of what to do. 100 euro or more is not peanuts, but if needed may be a good investment.
Also I have much much thought up about the "WXGA or WSXGA+" and the "glossy or not glossy" hamletic questions.
I will tell you what I think, you can tell me what I am missing:
WXGA has got probably the right native for me, but it is available only in Latitude, and I have read just here some bad comments about the quality of this option in this precise notebook.
WSXGA+ has got more pixels, so I guess better image quality, and wider angle (even if this may not be so important, especially with non reflective screen. Or I am wrong?). But it is probable that I will have to decide if to loose a bit of smoothness by lowering down the resolution, or increase dpi. I could ask my agent if it is possible to put a WXGA+, which could be a good solution for me (does it loose something of the wsxga+ in angle of vision or other things?).
True life (glossy) gives more image quality. I do not know if it is also a bit brighter than not glossy in the indoor. I can have problems in outdoor or with not favorable light, but 90% of times I would use it in indoor favorable light. Anyway someone told me that True life display tire eyes more quickly, and are somehow darker than not glossy ones. True or false?

So, resuming, for just 50-60 euro less than option 1 I am not at all sure that option 2 is a good choice. Do you agree?
In the option 3 I have no idea if what I gain with that extra ram i am not loosing it with the inferior video card and the lack of dual channel.
But we still have to determine which video card I need, which is something that (option 4) could send me in a low budget latitude.
What i want is this: a notebook which responds quickly to my commands, turning on and off and opening programs and windows quickly, running a few things at same time, GIVING ME AS LESS PROBLEMS OF ANY KIND AS POSSIBLE (hardware, softare, any issue), which can give me a good visive experience (wsxga+? True Life?), which is not strictly adjusted to what i need NOW but can give me a bit of breath if I decide to do a bit more complicated things, and which can stay useful for 3-4 years without becoming obsolete too soon.
I can afford the option 1, and even something more than that. But if what I get is not so much respect to option 3 or 4, why to do it?
Help...
What do I need???

 

Some person here described the Precision like better than I could: "it's built like a tank", so that should give you an idea.
However, I am sure that they are much more expensive. I wouldn't buy RAM + HDD from Dell and would get them separately. For a 15.4" model I'd say WSXGA+ is the best choice (for a business model).
True Life is glossy and it will reflect light all the time when you're 10% of the time outside. Anyway, I would chose matte.
Where have you configured your laptops and have you taken into account that you have to add the VAT?

 

WEll, yes, but also for the Latitude they say the same, tank...
See what they say in the fourth and second reviews here: http://reviews-cdn.dell.com/2341/663/reviews.htm
"Case and finish do not feel like they will resist damage as well as the Latitudes -- or at least no better. What's with the PLASTIC hinges?"
I feel confused.
And also, just now that I was decided for the WSXGA+, sure that in a 15.4" the native resolution was not too much, or that anyway I could have set the dpi in 100 or 120, this guy say "WSXGA+ too small for viewing; cranking down the res results in terrible distortion."
About matte or glossy, do you know in what exactly do they differ? I read that matte has got less details, more black space between pixels, less viewing angle. And if one can organize the work arera to not have reflections, isn't the glossy a better choice? I feel like if in all what I read I am missing something to decide. And in the shops I can't anymore find a matte screen to see it near a glossy and decide...

The Precision (option 1) is just a bit more expensive than the latitude (at least configured as in option 2). Prices are given by phone from my Dell Agent, with discount.
They do not include Vat: originally I was not able to choose precision, for my 1200-1300 euro budget (final). But then the agent told my that a commercial can have VAT back. So I asked to my unce, who has got a shop. He will buy it for me. I will give him just the money without vat, as now at the end of the years he will receive it back. Or something like that.
Cool.
Well, i wait for other suggestions!

 

1) The Latitude as metal hinges just like almost every other laptop out there these days. You can't see them like on a ThinkPad because the plastic cover, but they're there.

2) The "terrible distortion" is honestly a matter of opinion. Yes, the screen IS slightly less crisp at anything other than native resolution, but I'm using WUXGA at 1280 x 800 and I think it's great.

3) If you've got two laptop screens, turned off, the glossy screen with reflect light and the matte screen will not. I think it's just a matter of the finish of the screen.

 

Commander! I want to thank you for the thread. And, it may sound ingenuous, but I am happy to receive an answer from you...
Well, sorry, but what is a hinges???
And it is better in plastic or in metal? In other words, which notebook is in advantage respect to this, the latitude or the precision?
And generally speaking, have you got any idea of the advantages and disadvantages of these two notebooks?
I know your opinion about lowing down the native resolution. I agree in my little experience. For this reason and for your post i was decided for a WSXGA+. But, as probably I will never need it on a 15.4" (just probably), if I can save 100 euro by choosing the latitude with the wxga, I could do it. The fact is that I can't find out which advantages would give me the WSXGA+ screen vs the wxga. And the most importan thing which made me choose the precision with wsxga+ was that there i was able to choose glossy, while in latitude not. But now I feel very confused because I read everywhere bad comments on the glossy, and if i decide for the matte i can't buy the Precision... It seem that any time I decide for a notebook it happen something which forces me to start again.
So, I would ask you if you can give me your opinion on the differences between two same identical notebooks, one glossy and one matte, in favorable light. Wich advantages and disadvantages give one and the other?
I am confused as in Dell site they say that graphic professional choose glossy for the better details and less black space between pixels. And in favorable light there are not reflections.
But someone told me that even in favorable light the glossy tires eyes soon.
Then, i'll really thank you if you can give me an opinion about the 4 options I wrote two posts above.
I still can't choose.
Thanks!

 

Just to let you no, for your needs the FX360m is exactly the same as the NVS135m. They are both based on the same card, just with different branding. The NVS140m is slightly better, but since you don't game it doesn't matter. For your needs even the x3100 would be fine, but for future proofing you probably want to stick with a dedicated card. I'd say:

All these options are fine. For RAM, dual channel will still work even with uneven sticks. I don't know what the pricing is like where you are, but often it's much cheaper to buy a 2GB stick and upgrade yourself after you buy the laptop, as Dell often overcharges for RAM. However, for your needs just 2GB would be fine for now, you can always upgrade later if you need to.

I'd get whichever configuration is cheapest, either with the 135M or 360M. Since you're looking into doing some graphics work and video editing, a high resolution screen (WSXGA+) would probably be useful.

 

please define "branding" As you "may" have noticed, my english is not perfewct, ops, it was not by will...
And, are you sure? 135m is 128mb dedicated, 140M and FX360M are 256. i think, well, no, I have read that FX is the 140M with different bios and driver to give it OpenGL capabilities.
About that, what is OpenGL for? When would I use it? Only in professional 3d or cad? Or maybe the OS (at least Vista) runs better with an OpenGl capable video card? Or the 64bit os...

Are you sure once again? I have always heard that it only function if the two modules are same dimension. And lately a Kingston technician told me that they must be also same brand... I.E.: kingston sells blisters with a pair of dimm especially tested and guarateed to function in duall channel. It seems that a slighty differenc in performances made them not function as a team. So that, even more dramatic, not only same brand, but also same stock, same all. if you buy one kingston now and one in two months, it is not guaranteed...

undoubtly the 135M is cheaper. I could even have the money to then put a T7700 processor. It will cost me 70 euro more. Do you think that it could give me a reasonable longest life, I mean, not to me, to the notebook, in terms of youthfulness in time? Is it reasonable for the price?

well, I will not do graphic. I will maybe edit some home video in the future, maybe do some 2d or 3d graphic. And a 1280x800 is good for me usually, but I fear that the wxga has got not the same image quality of a wsxga+ nor its wider viewing angle, especially in a matte screen...
Thanks for the answer!

 

Nvidia has three lines of mobile graphics cards, the Geforce line, the Quadro FX line, and the Quadro NVS line. The Quadro NVS 135m and the Quadro FX360m are both based off of the Geforce 8400M-GS. The Quadro NVS 140m is based off of the more powerful Geforce 8400M-GT. I'm quite sure about this. The amount of dedicated video memory is not very important, as none of these cards are powerful enough to use 256mb of video RAM.

For the dual channel issue, if you have 1GB and 2GB, then what you will have is 2GB running in dual channel, and the extra 1GB running in single channel. Whereas with 1GB and 1GB you would just have 2GB running in dual channel. So the 1GB and 2GB is definitely better.

For the screens, in my experience Dell's matte screens tend to have better viewing angles, if that's important to you. What size and resolution screen are you used to using now?

 

In other words the 140M and the fx would be a waste of money while the 135M is the best price/quality choice?

Interesting...

Well, I guess is important to anybody, or not? Ok, let's say it this way: why should not be important to someone? With less viewing angle do not change the periferic aspect of the screen more easily with just a slight move of my heads? For example, in the old Satellite I am using I have to put the screen in a very precise position.

I only used a 14.1" wide glossy LG notebook with, i believe, 1280x800 res.
It was good for me, but, I do not know with a 15.4". Maybe the wxga+ would be better, but as I can choose between the wxga or the wsxga+...
Differences are (from dell site):
Wxga: 1.0megapixel, 110 ppi, 220 nits (not sure, they say "typical"), +/-40degrees horizontal viewing angle, +15/-30 degrees vertical angle, 300:1 contrast ratio.
Wsxga+: 1.8mpix., 129ppi, 200nits, +/-60horiz., +40-50vertical, 300:1 contrast.
It sounds much better, even if all is just names and numbers for me, without direct experience...
The only info I get for the wsxga+ of the precision is that has got 1.76mpixels, 300:1 contrast, "wider viewing angle", and 200 nits.
Someone told me that as it is a workstantion it should have better everything, so also better display. I should ask my dell agent to send me a detail of the configuration of each model with the manufacturer and part number of each piece.

 

The WXGA is brighter, and for some people that's more important than the viewing angle. However, in your case, I'd say you should go with the WSXGA+ screen.

And yes, for you, paying more for the FX360M or the NVS140M would almost certainly not be worth it.

 

Well, I just read a post in Dell Linux site, they told me that Linux runs better with a OpenGL capable video Card...
I do not know Linux, and the posts there scare me, as they are very technical, as one should all the time write program lines to make all function well. Even if there is a vaste community and it should not be a problem.
So, in this case, the fx should be a must? Where did you get the info on those cards? I would like to understand if the 135M support OpenGL or can do it by flashing it (even if this would delete warranty)...

 

Will you be running Linux? If not, then it's not an issue. And yes, the 135m supports OpenGL, just not as well as the FX360M does.

 

Well, I am curious. I am not fond of Microsoft, even if it is more simple.
Linux seems kinda complicated thing...
And no idea about free-dos or solaris.
I would like to install linux on a second partition and see...
But, if you say that 135 runs opengl... No problem...
I wait the answer of my dell agent about a few things (a lot few things), to decide...
I have to understand if one of the two models has got know issues...
I asked for detailed infos on HD, Display and ram manufacturer, and DVD too...
We'll see...
Now I will post something in the Nvidia forum...
It is strange and interesting that finally the real choice will depend on eyes, the most important sense. Display type, videocard type...

 

Just a heads up, usually they use several different manufacturers for the parts, and can't guarantee that you'll get a specific one.

 

Well, I try... Anyway, they are supposed to ship it quite imediately, they should know what they have in stock right now...
Ok, ok...

 

Still using my D830. Still loving it. Great laptop, love the long battery life.

 

I have a Latitude D830, and I was wondering if you knew, at the bottom of the screen, just to the right of the left hinge, there's a small square of transparent plastic with what looks like a small white object inside.
What is that? Does it actually do anything?
My theory was that it might be a webcam, but it makes no sense to put it there...

 

That's the Ambient Light Sensor. If you enable it, it controls the backlight brightness depending on how bright or dark it is around you.

 

I wish my D830 had a brighter display. Is there anything to be done to make it less dim? The ambient sensor is not active, I just have it at max brightness, which is less bright than my old D600.

Specs are Mobile Intel 965 Express chipset, driver v6.14.10.4831

 

Hi there,

Nice review there!

No i have an issue with this laptop. I am using this laptop in a dual monitor setup. I have a docking station and a 19" monitor plugged to it. To manage both screens and resolutions, I use ultramon.

I have different wallpapers for both screens. This was working fine until recently. Now, even though i have setup different wallpapers for both screens, the one from the primary screen overlaps on the secundary. For instance. My primary screen is the 19" one (1280x1024) and the laptop screen is the 2ndary (1680x1050) . So, the wallpaper on the 19" screen will appear on the 2ndary with the resolution from the primary. When i drag a window from primary to 2ndary and maximize it, the window will not maximize the whole screen, it will use the resolution from the primary.

Could anyone of you help me out? It would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Francisco Moix

 

Hi Commander Wolf!

Thank you for sharing the problem regarding installing XP. I have nearly exactly the same issue. I can initially boot a Windows XP CD but it will exit with various irrelevant errors (such as lack of disk space etc.).

I attempted to "switch the HDD controller to ATA mode" as you suggested but cannot find where in the bios exactly how this can be done.

In my bios, the closest option I can find is in the section Onboard Devices -> SATA Operation:

Select ATA or AHCI

This field configures the operating mode of the intergrated SATA hardrive controller.

ATA = SATA is configured for ATA
AHCI = SATA is configured for AHCI

The factory default setting is ATA.

--

But maybe I have a different bios altogether. Can you perhaps be a bit more specific as to how your solved the problem?

Also, where can I find the SATA drivers you installed?

Many thanks for any suggestions.

Paul

 

Thank you for sharing the problem regarding installing XP. I have nearly exactly the same issue. I can initially boot a Windows XP CD but it will exit with various irrelevant errors (such as lack of disk space etc.).

I attempted to "switch the HDD controller to ATA mode" as you suggested but cannot find where in the bios exactly how this can be done.

In my bios, the closest option I can find is in the section Onboard Devices -> SATA Operation:

Select ATA or AHCI

This field configures the operating mode of the intergrated SATA hardrive controller.

ATA = SATA is configured for ATA
AHCI = SATA is configured for AHCI

The factory default setting is ATA.

But maybe I have a different bios altogether. Can you perhaps be a bit more specific as to how your solved the problem?

Also, where can I find the SATA drivers you installed?

Many thanks for any suggestions.

Paul

 

Wow you just necro'd a 5 month thread and hope for a response

 

Yup, excellent analogy. I've had my D830 for 2 years now, put it through absolute hell, >100 times through airport security, dropped on concrete, used 10 hours a day, 7 days a week. Aside from minor issues with the keyboard, and needing a new external PSU, its been rock-solid.

Can't imagine an Inspiron or an XPS surviving the sort of abuse I've subjected this laptop to.

 

hello,

I have a problem with my latitude D830. Everytime we switch it on, it just turns off =/. I tried to remove it from its docking, the same happens. I tried to remove the battery too, it just turns off =/. I also pressed F8 at the start of the machine, guess what ? Same happens =/

The computer switches off a few seconds after it's been truned on.

Thanks for help

 

I really miss these revisions of Dell laptops, the way the old D600, D610, D620, D830s, etc. looked. They were so basic, but they were sturdy as any other laptop on the market and they were made of matte plastic which didn't look terrible after three days of use.

 

Eh ? The E series is not as sturdy ?

 

Try the Dell forum. You might get more help there.