Dell Latitude D400

[J0e Musashi]

Any good as a machine that'll only be surfing, word processing and storing tunes? I can't actually get onto the Dell website so I can't see it. Any info would be appreciated.

[kernow]

Any modern laptop could do those tasks you require.

[J0e Musashi]

Thanks, but is it a decent machine etc? I'm after a bit more detail like.

[kernow]

Not really, I cannot stand Dell, and its based around a P4M processor, not a core 2 duo.

Better off looking elsewhere.

Max screen res 1024x768, 11mbit wireless, 40GB drive, no , its a dog.

I'm positive they don't even sell it anymore its so out-of-date.

[J0e Musashi]

Ta Shane.

[JohnMcL7]

Not really, I cannot stand Dell, and its based around a P4M processor, not a core 2 duo.

Better off looking elsewhere.

Max screen res 1024x768, 11mbit wireless, 40GB drive, no , its a dog.

I'm positive they don't even sell it anymore its so out-of-date.

It's not a P4M, it's a Pentium-m - significant difference.

For surfing, word processing and music it will be more than adequate even the basic versions. It is an older model now and as you'd expect the specifications are quite a bit behind although as a small laptop it is reasonably small and light while keeping a usable keyboard.

The main problems with them I would say are:
- no onboard optical drive, it will take a standard D-series external optical drive which it can power itself but it's not a standard connector
- keyboard can leave marks on the screen
- battery is low capacity meaning low batterylife.

After three years of use the most common fault I've seen with them is dead hard drives although I don't think this is any specific fault of the laptop. I work for a company that only uses Dell equipment so you tend to see what common faults there are in machines, the C400 predecessor rarely made it much past three years without problems with the single USB port on the motherboard.

If you can get it very cheap I think it's a reasonable machine but I wouldn't pay much for it.

John

[kernow]

Cripes, its not even p4 based, my mistake, that means my laptop is also Pentium Mobile based, I thought it was p4 mobile.

The things you learn eh.

[JohnMcL7]

Pentium-m is a much better processor than a P4M - the P4 should have never been near a laptop, it was completely unsuitable.

John

[kernow]

I remember some laptops using P4 based cpu's, I really didn't know the Pentium-M was p3 based though, I guess it does have some P4 bus extensions (read from wikipedia). Meh, laptops fast enough for me I guess.

[NeilMcRae]

Dell laptops are excellent. I've got a D620 for work and a XPS m1330 for home stuff, service is superb.

[kernow]

I wouldn't touch Dell home stuff with a bargepole, but everyone has their opinions.

I hate the optiplex desktop series with a passion.