Dell Latitude D420, might buy need some advice....

[Triforceofcourage]

I am thinking about purchasing this laptop and have been searching for reviews everywhere and can't seem to find one anywhere. I know Ispiron laptops are not of the greatest quality but how are their latitudes? In particular is this laptop a quality product?

Thanks,

Tri

 

[Triforceofcourage]

bump

 

[mjrpes3]

I have a latitude D410, and it seems to have much better build quality than the inspiron line.. no bending plastic or creaking when you hold it in the air on one side.

The thing is very quiet and battery life is very good. After having it for almost a year now I pretty much have no regrets.

I notice that the D420 is now widescreen. I wonder if it is using the same sort of shiny screen that the inspirons have been using. That pretty much my only complaint with the D410... the screen wasn't as nice as the inspiron.

 

[Windogg]

For all intents and purposes, the Latitude is basically just a sturdier Inspiron. The other real difference the Latitude has over the Inspiron is the inclusion of a smartcard reader under the PC card slot. I believe the new Inspiron as include TPM so that is one other difference out the door. Policywise the Latitude is only sold through the business section of dell so they get warranty and support options not available through the home section.

Another secret Dell does not really want to let on about is that the Precisions are really just Latitides with a different BIOS. Dell fux0red up and sent me a mobo without the proper BIOS . After swapping out the board, the laptop booted as a Dell D610. The support guy quietly sent me the proper BIOS and a few things changed. The biggest one being the ATI Radeon X300 became a ATI Fire V-series.

I prefer the Latitudes because they are a bit sturdier and Dell's Gold Support (if you choose to get it) is a hell of a lot less annoying than Dell Home Support. When you call in a problem, Gold support does not play you for an idiot and they take your word that something is broken.

 

[Mday]

Originally posted by: Windogg
For all intents and purposes, the Latitude is basically just a sturdier Inspiron. The other real difference the Latitude has over the Inspiron is the inclusion of a smartcard reader under the PC card slot. I believe the new Inspiron as include TPM so that is one other difference out the door. Policywise the Latitude is only sold through the business section of dell so they get warranty and support options not available through the home section.

Another secret Dell does not really want to let on about is that the Precisions are really just Latitides with a different BIOS. Dell fux0red up and sent me a mobo without the proper BIOS . After swapping out the board, the laptop booted as a Dell D610. The support guy quietly sent me the proper BIOS and a few things changed. The biggest one being the ATI Radeon X300 became a ATI Fire V-series.

I prefer the Latitudes because they are a bit sturdier and Dell's Gold Support (if you choose to get it) is a hell of a lot less annoying than Dell Home Support. When you call in a problem, Gold support does not play you for an idiot and they take your word that something is broken.

what he said.

and the 420 is very new, like 2-3 weeks, so you wont get many real user experiences. dell business support is better than home. so latitude ftw.