Dell Latitude D420

The Dell Latitude D420 is a 12.1" ultra-portable notebook designed to succeed both the Latitude X1 and the Latitude D410. In an effort to simplify its ultramobile product line, Dell has merged several traits from each of these two retired models to create the new D420. Specifically, the D420 adopts the X1's wide-aspect screen and ultra-low voltage processor while maintaining the D410's aesthetic appeal and full-sized keyboard. In addition, the D420 continues Dell's trend of not including an internal optical drive, although external options are once again available.

Dell Latitude D420 (view large image)

In practice, the D420 has far more in common with the X1 than its direct predecessor, the D410. For instance, while the D410's starting weight was approximately 3.8 lbs, the 3.0 lbs D420 is positioned more closely to the X1's 2.5 lbs feather-light physique. Moreover, while the D410 offered standard Intel Pentium M processors operating at up to 2.00GHz, the D420 upgrades from the X1's ultra-low voltage Pentium M 1.1 GHz to an ultra-low voltage Core Solo 1.06GHz or Core Duo 1.2GHz CPU. Finally, rather than using a standard 2.5" notebook hard drive like the D410, the D420 uses the same 1.8" drive as the Latitude X1.

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Specifications of the D420 as Reviewed

• Processor: Intel Core Solo U1300 ULV (1.06GHz, 533MHz)
• Screen: 12.1" WXGA TFT LCD 1280 x 800 (Matte)
• Graphics: Intel GMA 950 (Integrated, up to 224MB shared)
• Memory: 1.5GB, DDR2-533 SDRAM, (512MB Integrated) 2 DIMMs
• Hard Drive: 60GB 4200RPM 1.8" Hard Drive
• Wireless: Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG
• Optical: D-Bay 24X CD-RW/DVD Combo (External)
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
• Input: Full size keyboard with touchpad and pointing stick
• Battery: 6-Cell Primary (with ExpressCharge) and 65W AC Adapter
• 65W AC Adapter: 0.8 lbs
• D-Bay with DVD/CDRW Combo: 1.05 lbs
• D420 Dimensions: 11.63"x8.27"x1.00"

Important Note

In this review the main author is David Dobolyi, comments by Andrew Baxter who owns the precisely same configured D420 are in blue.

Toshiba Satellite P105-S921

Toshiba Satellite P105-S921

Specs

• 17" Widescreen 1440 x 900 TrueBright
• Intel Core Duo T2400 1.83GHz
• 2x 512MB PC5300 DDR2 SDRAM
• Fujitsu 160GB 4200RPM SATA Hard Drive
• Intel A/B/G WiFi Intel Pro/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
• Conexant HD Audio Synaptics Touchpad
• nVidia Go 7900GS Graphics Card
• harmon/kardon Speakers
• LG DVDRAM SuperMulti Drive

Design

Never settling on a single design like Dell, Toshiba goes for another makeover. Following the round Vaio'esque look along with HP, the P105 goes for sleek, fluid styling. The front is thin and thickens towards the rear for the bulk of the components such has hard drive, CPU, GPU, and respective heatsink/fans. This gives it the illusion that it's thinner than it actually is. The top cover features a flat gunmetal like grey, opposite of the glossy frou frou look of the Qosmio series. I must say this is the best looking laptop I've ever had.

Performance

The processor included is a Core Duo T2400 running at 1.83GHz based on the Yonah core. The Core Duo Centrino has all the fixins of it's predecessor "Sonoma", such as PCI Express, Serial ATA, and dual channel DDR2, but adds dual core into the mix. This gives theoretically double the processing power, in the same package and power requirements. But in real life it translates to about 30-40% boost in multithreaded apps, and amazingly, about the same amount of power used. The RAM used are a pair of Hynix sticks with Hyundai PC5300 DDR2 SDRAM. This runs at a brute force frequency of 333MHz DDR with latency timings of 5-5-5. This is paired up with a FSB running at QuadDataRate 166MHz (666MHz). The memory bandwidth can provide up to 10.7GBps while the FSB can only provide 5.3GBps of bandwidth to access it. The main advantage of DDR2 for laptops is the 30% less power consumption than DDR1.

This translates to great increases for encoding, video editing, 3D rendering, compression, and multitasking. For those hoping for improvements in general internet, office, and gaming apps will find little. However if you do all three at once, dual core should help streamline the process a great deal. The general trend in multi-cores is growing rapidly as even video game consoles have gone multi-core. We will only be seeing more and more applications being multithread optimized.

The biggest bottleneck for this laptop is the hard drive. While weighing in at a huge 160GB, it is only offered at 4200RPM with peak transfer rates at 35MBps and averaging out at 28MBps. The performance is pretty decent for a drive with these specifications. A faster hard drive will generally help in situations where large amounts of data needs to be accessed.

Dell Inspiron 6400 Review (Canada)

The Dell Inspiron 6400 (also sold as the Inspiron e1505 via Dell Home) is a laptop that meets you in the middle'. It's pretty light and portable (like the Inspiron e1405) and offers high performance and great media options (like the Inspiron e1705). Basically, you get the best of both worlds, at a reasonable price. Before we begin reviewing anything, here are the specs of my system:

• Intel Core Duo T2400 / 5 Mb Cache / 1.83 GHz / 667 MHZ FSB
• 15.4" Wide-screen XGA Display with Truelife
• 120 Gb 5400 rpm Sata Hard Drive
• 1 Gb DDR2 SDRAM / 553 MHZ
• 256 Mb ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 Hyper memory
• Windows XP Media Center
• 9 - Cell Battery

Reasons for Buying

The Dell Inspiron 6400 really interested me because it had everything I needed for the price that I wanted. It's small and light enough to carry (even with the 9-cell) and is powerful enough for my needs. I chose Dell because of their quality, in my mind. I've only bought one Desktop, the Dell Dimension 8200. 6 years later, it's still running incredibly well with Windows XP (designed for Windows ME). Anyways, I was confident that the laptop I was about to purchase will last me a long time, and I have plenty reasons.

Where & How it Was Purchased

I ordered my laptop on Dell's Canadian website. I found that the site was fairly easy to navigate and didn't get lost too often. Dell's main advantage over their competitors is that laptops they sell are always highly configurable. Unfortunately, I had some credit card problems that were beyond my control, so my order was delayed. The sales representative was very polite and assisted me throughout the process. I got my laptop in 15 days. It would normally take about 10 days. Overall, I was pleased with the order process and order tracking is very helpful.

Build & Design

The Inspiron 6400 feels very sturdy. It doesn't feel flimsy, and doesn't look like things are going to get loose anytime soon. Opening and closing of the screen is not too loose or too tight. One hand is sufficient enough to move the screen, provided the notebook itself on a stable surface.

The notebook design itself is slightly above average. The silver paint looks very appealing, but not when combined with the white bumpers. I didn't really like the bumpers, but I guess it looks decent. Overall this laptop can't compare to the XPS series, but its design is good enough to catch some eyes.