Dell Latitude E6400 User Review

A couple of points:

(i) My E6400 stays cool in high temperatures (35C and very uncomfortable to work in).

(ii) The LED backlit WXGA+ display is usable outside in sunlight. Inside, I normally have the display on about half brightness. The only rival, in my experience, for outside use is the Toshiba R500 transflective display.

John

 

You do understand that you're comparing a 13.3" system to a 14.1" system?

 

I do, but my main point was to see how thick the two display lids are, that isn't directly affected by their screen size, or is it?

 

The bigger the display dimension then the thicker it will need to be to give the same rigidity. Also, since Dell has both LED and non-LED backlight options, the display will have probably been designed to hold either.

John

 

John,

Do you know if the E6400 supports dual monitors with either of the display adapter options?

 

I believe that if you get a docking station, it will have two ports for hooking in monitors.

 

Yes. Get the accessory brochure (link on this page) and you will see that the E-Port has VGA, Display Port, DVI-D, HDMI (via dongle) while the EPort Plus has VGA, 2 x Display Ports, 2 x DVI-D, 2 x HDMI (via dongle). You should be able to find the manuals for those units on the Dell download site and see exactly what connectors are provided.

I believe the DisplayPort port can also support more than one monitor via a dongle.

Otherwise, pay a visit to the E6400 Owners' Lounge and see if anyone has hands-on experience.

John

 

If you are asking about just using the laptop LCD along with an external LCD...yes, the E6400 supports that.

If you want to connect a VGA monitor and a DisplayPort monitor to the laptop, I'm almost positive it would be okay but I cannot test it myself. I see no reason why that would not work.

Both E/Docking stations support dual monitors as well (which is why I think the E6400 would be able to use VGA and DisplayPort at the same time) so you are okay there.

Finally, yes...both the Intel 4500MHD and nVidia 160M would be capable of supporting two monitors.

Bottomline: You should be able to use two monitors.

 

Hey John, can you confirm is your USB power share port is working? Mine is enabled in BIOS, but iphone won't get any power. I'll try another device tonight but I'm wondering. I found that feature pretty cool!

 

It worked OK for me once enabled in the BIOS. However, I discovered one undocumented feature. When I hibernated the computer while charging something the power went off. I pulled out the USB plug and put it back in and then it started charging.

Perhaps this is to ensure that users consciously want to charge something, by plugging it in while the computer is off, rather than let some other device attached to this port drain power unnecessarily. This makes sense, but deserves better documentation.

John

 

Someone was curious about thinknesses on here before and I have a couple of points, I can't compare to an XPS m1330, but I can compare to a Vaio SZ4. The E6400 is thinner than the rear of the SZ (the SZ is of course sloped) by about 1/4 to 1/3 inch, and thicker in the front just less than 1/4 inch.

I was pretty impressed myself, compared to my old XPS m140, it is like taking the screen off of that completely.

Greg

 

It is very close to three CD cases thick, as shown here. and that includes the small rubber feet on the bottom (which most manufacturers ignore when measuring the thickness).

John

 

Although really, compared to most other laptops, the rubber feet on this barely elevate the laptop at all.

Greg

 

The enlarge image function don't work on page 2 (clicking on the picture or the text below to get a normal size image)

 

This has been fixed. The images in part 2 are now big and readable.

John

 

An update after almost 3 months of use and travel:

1. BIOS version A09 has fixed the problem of the CPU being throttled when running off the 65W PSU. Charging is also OK. This makes the small 65W PSU a very attractive option, at least for the P series CPU + Intel graphics.

2. One issue that has arisen during longer term usage is that the display bezel can mark the palm rest during transport: The small rubber bumpers each side of the keyboard are not enough to stop the top part of the display bezel touching the palm rest when the computer is closed.

3. The optical drive problems have largely disappeared, but I recently had problems burning some DVDs with the TYG02 dye. Surprising since TY is usually one of the best.

John

 

Hi John, I assume the display port on the back is only for output right?

 

AFAIK it is output only, but I haven't tried using it.

Google should be able to find you the general DisplayPort specs.

John

 

Do you know if it's possible to use an external monitor as the main monitor and the e6400 monitor as the second one, using a dual view mode?

 

Loving the look of this laptop for college next year. Only concern is that some have noticed gaps thanks to the single screw on the bottom. Should I forget about that?

Price-wise, it's pushing the limits for me right now. Can I reasonably expect it to be more affordable come summer when I'd actually purchase? From what I can tell, it's near impossible to get coupons for latitudes, so the price will pretty much be what it is. I hope it'll fall a little in 5-6 months.

 

There seem to be fewer build quality issues now. You might get further info in the E6400 owner's lounge.

As for pricing, the E6400 is starting to show up in Dell Outlet so there's a good chance you could get 30% off if you watch carefully and grab one that is close to your requirements.

John

 

Does anyone knows Dell Latitude E6400 can handle bigger hard disk than 250GB??

 

There are no restrictions on size for current HDDs. It can support pretty much every size available now.

 

My E6400 works fine with the 500GB HDDs. I have used the WD5000BEVT, the Seagate 5400.6 and I'm now using the Hitachi 5K500.B, which is the coolest (=lowest power consumption) of the three. However, don't try any of the older 12.5mm thick 500GB HDDs such as the 5K500 (without the 'B') - they won't fit.

John

PS: And it is 8 months and 1 day since I got my E6400 and it is still going strong.

 

Sorry for reviving a conversation from page 6 but I am keen for some clarification on dual monitors as I am not sure if the quote I have here, is referring to just the docking station or the capability of the laptop as well when it comes to dual external monitors.

My Latitude E6400 has a VGA port and a multimode DisplayPort. Do you know if I can run dual external displays from the laptop using these ports? Even better would I in effect get three montors ie two external and the laptop's screen as well. I am aware that I can acheive this using a USB video card but if I can find a DisplayPort to DVI adapter then this is a far cheaper solution.

Finally has anyone been able to test such a scenario?

Thanks,

Mipps.

 

As far as I know, the E6400 (and most graphics cards for that matter) can only support up to two monitors. It might support three monitors, but I have no way to really test that without a DisplayPort to 2-DVI cable.

I've tested dual monitors (1 DVI, 1 Display Port) on the docking station, and I have very good reason to believe that the E6400 can support two monitors. I'll will try to see if I can find a DS/DVI cable and test it, but I can't promise anything.

 

Hi Greg,
Thanks for the response.

If the docking station does not do any video processing (ie does it have a video card(s)) then certainly it would seem logical that the laptop on it's own can support multiple monitors. If you are able to try out a ds/dvi cable then I would love to hear how you go.
Searching the net suggests its all relatively new and my best bet is to buy a cable and try it for myself. Dell.com sells a dvi adaptor but delivers to US only .... Dell Australia doesn't make mention of adapters which is weird. I would need to go for a generic one eg www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.20320 .

M

 

Mipps, were you ever able to use 3 displays with the E6400? If so, can you please tell me how you did it. Thanks!

 

I found articles which implied that the Dell E6400 would not support two external monitors at once using the displayport and vga. Aparently the graphics card isn't capable of it. To get the two external monitors happening with the laptop's monitor as well I purchased a usb video adaptor. I ended up purchasing http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4838 which works perfectly for my needs (softare development). It plugged in and the windows xp o/s downloaded the driver.

M

 

Thanks for responding, Mipps! Follow-up question for you...

Currently here at work I'm using a Dell Latitude D620 with a Dell PD01X D/Dock which has a PCI slot into which I have placed an NVIDIA Quadro NVS 55/280 PCI video card. This allows me to use three displays at once - the laptop display (at 1440x900) , and two external ViewSonic VA703b monitors (at 1280x1024).

In a few weeks my D620 is being replaced with an E6400, yet I don't see a dock option for the E6400 that has a PCI slot. So, are you saying that the device you just linked me, the "USB 2.0 to VGA+DVI External Video Card", will allow me to continue to have three displays? If so, will it be 3 distinct desktops as I have now, or does it do some sort of "stretching" across monitors. Also, will it allow me to use the resolutions I'm currently using?

Also, Mipps, would you mind providing me with a method for contacting you directly (via PM or email) in case I have follow-ups on this? This may be my only option!

Thanks!

 

Hi Patrick,

To clarify I am not using a docking station. I don't know what a docking station for the E6400 would offer although I have found links via google which suggests you could run dual monitors from a docking station.

I use 3 displays where one of those displays is the laptop's monitor itself. One of the external monitors runs directly from the vga port, while the other external monitor runs through the usb. The usb connection is handled by the usb video adaptor I linked. I extend my desktop over the three monitors.

I can't determine how to supply my email details via my profile and I don't want to supply an email address publicly on a forum. I have set this thread up to email me if further replies are made.

Mipps

 

I don't understand why this laptop, along with the T400, is recommended so much in the "What laptop should I buy for college?" thread. This and the T400 looks and seems like it's suited for businessman.
Seriously, I don't think a student is gonna pay whatever price it is now for only 1 GB ram and 6-cell battery, which majority of college students would want.
Except for the covering or build of the laptop, can anyone tell me what's worth the money for this machine?

 

Thanks, Mipps. Do you know of any products similar to the "USB 2.0 to VGA+DVI External Video Card" you linked? Perhaps one that's a step up in price and features? I'd just like to compare 2 or 3 different devices. Thanks!

 

First, the build quality should mean that you can use it for several years of being carried around without it falling apart (and should you get problems then there's a 3 year warranty).

Second, with a 9 cell battery and Intel graphics you can get through a college day without needing to look for a power socket (some netbooks can do that as well).

And third, there are some good deals on the E6400 in Dell Outlet.

John

 

Does the 6-cell battery stick out in the back OR only 4-cell battery introduces no bump. I only saw 4-cell and 9-cell configurations in the review...

 

The photos in the review are for the 6 cell battery. This lies flush with the hinges, which stick out at back by about 1/4". The 9 cell sticks about 3/4" beyond the hinges.

John

 

I actually have this configuration right now and it doesn't work. I have a Dell 19" LCD connected to the VGA port on the E6400 and a Dell 19" LCD connected to the displayPort port on the E6400 via a VGA-to-DisplayPort adapter. It seems as though priority is given to the VGA port and the other display is not even recognized. I made sure I had the appropriate Intel Graphics driver (downloaded from support.dell.com today). One thing I have yet to try is a DVI-to-DisplayPort adapter to connect the second monitor via DVI instead of VGA, but skeptical this should make a difference. The other interesting thing is that when I ONLY use the displayPort and NOT the VGA port on the E6400, the monitor only behaves as a "clone". When I go into display settings on windows XP and click "Extend desktop" checkbox & click apply, the checkbox is automatically removed. Any help you can provide would be much appreciated! I can't convince my company to purchase a port replicator. Are there any settings that could be made in the BIOS? Does Fn+F8 make any difference? Is there non-windows software control panels that would address this?

 

At work, I have an E6400 running Windows XP. Using the docking station, I run two Philips 23-inch LCDs (1920x1200), each run in portrait mode through a DVI port. I've tried connecting a third Philips 23, using the dock's VGA port, but only two eternal monitors can be recognized at a time. If I open the lid when the E6400 it's docked, the "two portrait Philips" profile goes haywire and the laptop's display replaces one or both of the Philipses. Try as I might, I can't get the Nvidia control panel to let me see, much less use, three displays.

 

anyone know if you can swap the IGP Mobo with an Nividia mobo and use the same heatsink??

 

You can use the Nvidia heatsink with the Intel mobo. No mods needed.