Replacement for Dell Latitude D620

[SmokeytheBear]

I use my D620 as my main computer and my desktop more as a server. I use it for finances, web site work, research, excel, power point, iTunes, photo editing and cataloging and a little video editing. Starting to use it for Netflix. I'm using Win 7.
I'm probably on it 2 to 3 hours per day.

It is starting to have some issues with it so I am planning on a new laptop.

Now my questions.
1. Is the Latitude worth the extra money over an Inspiron?
2. Am I missing out on anything by choosing a business laptop for home use?
3. I always like to buy extra performance so I am planning on the following specs: 15" screen, i5 processor, 4 mega ram, 320 gig 7200 rpm HHS. Is this extreme overkill for my use?
4. Dell's standard wireless card or upgrade to Intel Centrino wireless card ($20)?
And finally
5. What are the often overlooked but really nice to have features on today's laptops?

Thanks

[glc]

1. Yes. It's a business-class laptop that's built with a road warrior in mind. It's a lot more rugged.

2. Absolutely not, unless you are into gaming. Most business grade laptops don't have powerful graphics chips.

3. Not at all.

4. The Dell wireless card is decent.

5. Today's laptops have more features than I'll ever use.

[SmokeytheBear]

GLC,
Thanks for those helpful answers.

Would you suggest I move up to the i7 and more ram or is that in the overkill range?

Will the Win 7 Prof play nice with my networked Win 7 Home pc?

Thanks

[glc]

The i7 may be overkill. You can always upgrade the ram later if you find you need it. They should play fine.

[SmokeytheBear]

Great! "Playing" with some custom configurations, based on the above specs, now. Then printing them out for comparison.

One last question, some configurations come with MS Office installed but you need to purchase the network key. Others let you choose no productivity software.
Since I already have MS Office I don't think it matters if I choose a config with it installed because I can always uninstall, right? Or is it better to choose no software so it is cleaner?

[Nuclear Krusader]

If they give you the option to choose no software, I'd do that.

[quartet-man]

Originally Posted by Nuclear Krusader If they give you the option to choose no software, I'd do that.

Agreed. It is better to have not be installed at all, than uninstall it. Besides, if you have to revert it back to as factory condition, you will have to uninstall it all over again each time you have to do so.

[SmokeytheBear]

Very good points. I will go with the no software options.

[allfiredup]

I've had great luck with my Latitude E6400 and it's 2.5yrs old and going strong. It even took a nasty fall (6ft onto a concrete floor, landing on the front edge) with only some minor cosmetic damage.

Since you have a D620, I'm guessing that you want another 14" model, right? If so, the current 14.0" models are the E5420 and E6420. The E5000-series are the 'Essential' (basic) and E6000-series are the top-end products. The E5420 is heavy-duty plastic over a metal frame while the E6420 is made from magnesium alloy. The result is that the E5420 is 1.5" thick while the E6420 is 1.0-1.2" thick and the E5420 weighs over one pound more. The E6420 also comes with a standard 3-year Limited Warranty vs. 1-year on the E5420.

I am a big fan of the Dell Business Outlet, especially if you can find a 'Previously Ordered New' model with the specs you want! They are literally NEW units that result from canceled orders or, at most, ones that were returned unopened for any reason. You get the same 3-year Warranty on an E6420 from the Outlet as you do if you configure and order it from the regular site.

One feature that I highly recommend is the optional 14.0" HD+ (1600x900) Anti-Glare LED Display over the standard 14.0" HD (1366x768) LED. The higher-res screen is much brighter, has a better contrast ratio and is just better quality in general.

I found one PON E6420 with the following specs currently showing in inventory-

Windows 7 Pro
Intel Core i5-2520M (2.5GHz)
14.0" HD+ (1600x900) Anti-Glare LED w/ Premium Panel Guarantee
4GB DDR3 RAM
250GB 7200rpm hard drive
DVD-RW
Intel HD 3000 Graphics
Intel WiFi Link 6205 & Bluetooth 375 Module
9-cell Battery

It's priced at $949 and it would cost $1327 if you configured it on the regular site. I'll also send you a coupon code for 15% off any Dell Business Outlet laptop that is good for a few more days. It would bring the price down to $806.65, which is a steal!

Here's the link to get you to the Outlet site and a list of all PON units available, you'll just have to scroll thru and find the one I mentioned. A direct link won't work for some reason...

Dell Factory Outlet

Hope this helps. I sent a Private Message with that coupon code, hopefully you can use it! =)

Take care,

Jason