By Alex Serpo, ZDNet.com.au on 12 November 2008 04:44 PM
Tags: dell, latitude, 4300, centrino 2, intel, laptop, review, battery
Track pad very poor - worst ever in fact no. amount of adjustment gets it to run smoothly. Speakers and audio including audio out are apallingly bad - did anyone test these before release? I am glad I didnt pay for it, I am stuck with it as provided by my employer.
The good: Nothing special.
The bad: Track pad, Audio, Pixels lit already!
Im stunned - how could you give the advantage to the DELL. The purpose of a lightweight is to be lightweight AND small. The DELL is neither when compared with the Toshiba. Check your scales please. The battery that sticks out will eventually snap the machine - seen it many times.
To the reviewer: the e4300 has 2 usb ports. The eSATA port pulls double duty as a usb/eSATA port.
The good: Very good build quality, Screen is bright, processor is fast and backlit keyboard is nice to have.
The bad: Keyboard key response and tactile feel could be improved along with trackpad response.
I have dell d420 and e4300 latitudes.
Although both the laptops have tiny speakers but E4300 sound sucks. Reason: Pethatic/shitty sound card. Shame on dell
The good: dell service. Thats it !
The bad: tiny speakers, but main problem is that E4300 soundcard is shit ! Connect the outout ot external speakers, you get lame sound. From d420, i get good output on the same external speakers.
Double click the little speaker on bottom right, click advanced and put a check on PC Spke Mute, this makes a world of difference. I am happy now.
I've had this laptop for about a month now, and the battery sticking out really bothers me. Further it provides regular oppurtunity for it to get snagged on furniture, clothes baggage etc.. Terrible design ..what was dell thinking ?
The good: I like the metal finish,
The bad: Protruding battery
1. The entire chassi is slightly twisted so when the computer is placed on a flat table surface it wiggles when the keyboard is used. This also causes the DVD-tray to pop out quite often.
2. The audio is horrible. No bass was so ever when connected to external speakers/amplifier and it just sounds plain lousy. The SRS Premium Sound application is a total joke and makes it sounds even worse.
The good: Small, light, good screen
The bad: Cheap lousy quality... a huge disappointment
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I was intending to upgrade from my current D620 ( it would have become my 4th Latitude), but what a disappointment!
The good: light weight , crisp screen-
The bad: track pad sucks, mouse buttons inconsitant responsiveness, speakers suck. I have returned the E4300 for a refund. I must say Dells response maintains my faith in them as a company- no arguments, just apologies and a promise of a speedy refund. I hasten to add that I think I may have simply been unlucky with my particular unit. I plan to keep an eye out for other user reveiws to see if mine was an isloated experience. Another major disappointment was the fact that there is no backwards compatability- I love my angle adjustable docking station, but no- it will not fit the E4300, nor will the angle adjustable stand accept tyhe E4300 dock- bugger!