Sunday, August 22, 2010

Dell Studio 14z

This slim 14-inch notebook offers strong performance and long battery life, but you'll sacrifice an optical drive.

 Are DVD drives obsolete? That's the case Dell seems to be making with its Studio 14z, a 14-inch notebook that lacks an optical drive. Catering to students and other consumers who are more likely to download software and entertainment than use a disc, this thin and light system ($749 at Best Buy, starting at $649 on Dell.com) is ideal for streaming content and playing digital files. Add in above average graphics performance, courtesy of Nvidia, powerful speakers, and over five hours of battery life, and you have a compelling value. Best Buy even sweetens the deal by throwing in 15 months of free antivirus protection and a copy of Office 2007 Home and Student Edition.

Design

Although you can purchase the Studio 14z on Dell's site, the 1440-022B configuration we reviewed is a Best Buy exclusive—one of four notebooks to make the big box retailer's Next Class line, all of which boast long battery life, light weight, and sub-$800 price tags.
Like other laptops in this price range, the 14z has the plastic build of a budget notebook but subtle design flourishes that lend it a higher-end feel. The lid feels soft to the touch, and is largely fingerprint-resistant. As with other consumer Dell notebooks, black comes standard, but colors cost $40 extra (our unit was Ruby Red; other colors include Midnight Blue, Spring Green, Plum Purple, and Promise Pink).
Inside, the chassis mixes a matte silver palm rest with a glossy black strip above the keyboard, which is also black. You won't find any dedicated multimedia controls on this machine, although the playback and volume controls on the function keys can be used without having to press the Fn button. The power button, which glows white and is built into the hinge—a la Sony VAIO—is a nice touch.
The most distinctive element of the 14z's design, however, is that, despite its fairly large screen size, it has no optical drive. For some shoppers, this will be an instant turnoff. But other users, such as students, who are accustomed to downloading software, consuming digital media, and streaming clips on sites such as Hulu and YouTube, won't miss having an optical drive.
In absolute terms, a 14-inch notebook that weighs 4.4 pounds is fairly light. Certainly, the 14z is easy to carry. And yet, the 13.2 x 9.0 x 0.8-inch 14z felt surprisingly heavy when we first picked it up. The Lenovo IdeaPad Y450, a 14-inch notebook with an optical drive, weighs just a bit more at 4.6 pounds.

Keyboard and Trackpad

Thanks to the ample keys, we were able to type quickly and accurately right away: when we took the Ten Thumbs Typing test, we scored 77 words per minute the first time (we usually score somewhere in the eighties), but that rose to 86 words per minute after some additional hands-on time. Part of the reason typing took some getting used to is that the keys don't provide the best tactile feedback; we felt that we had to press harder than we normally would.

The 3.3 x 1.8-inch touchpad is a decent size, as are the large mouse buttons, but they were somewhat mushy. When we tried to select on-screen objects, our clicks didn't always register the first time.

Display and Sound

The 14-inch (1366 x 768) was sharp enough for us to watch a Saturday Night Live clip on Hulu. Although bright head on, the colors and brightness quickly faded as we shifted the screen to watch from the sides and with the lid pushed down. If you buy the 14z through Dell.com, you can configure it with a higher resolution 1600 x 900 screen, which gives you a lot more screen real estate.
For a budget notebook, the 4-watt stereo speakers were impressively loud, albeit somewhat tinny at max volume. Our speakers were powered by standard Intel Hi-Defintion 2.0 audio, but if you buy the 14z online (this unit happens to be a pre-configured Best Buy exclusive) you can get Soundblaster X-Fi Hi-Def Audio technology for $25, which promises even better sound.
 
Ports  
The 14z's port selection makes it high-def monitor-ready: it's got HDMI and DisplayPort output (but no VGA, an older standard). It also has three USB ports, one of which doubles as an eSATA port (which can recharge gadgets even when the system is turned off). On the multimedia front, it has two headphone ports, a mic port, and an ExpressCard/34 slot rounds out the selection.



Unfortunately, although the 14z can accommodate a memory card reader, it's not built in. You have to purchase a separate adapter from Dell’s site for $20 that fits into the ExpressCard slot. If you do that,  you can't use that slot for a mobile broadband card, for example, while transferring photos via an SD card.
On the other hand, you could always purchase a third-party USB memory card reader for less than $10 from an online retailer like Newegg. Or you could buy the ExpressCard reader from dell and use a USB modem or spring for integrated mobile broadband ($125 option).

Webcam on the Studio 14z

The webcam's 1.3-MP still photos showed good color brightness, as did the VGA video, which also looked pretty fluid. We especially enjoyed the audio: save for a slight echo, our voice sounded loud and accurate. The Intuitive Dell Webcam Central console has lots of drop-down menus and a sleek black skin. The stills and videos you've just shot appear at the bottom of the console as thumbnails, making them easy to review.
The webcam also couples with third-party facial recognition software, allowing users to log into the computer simply by looking into the camera (and not typing a password). Setting up this feature is easy: just open FastAccess software, and choose your user account. You'll briefly be taken to the login screen, where the camera will read your face. And presto! You're registered. When we set it up and logged in for the first time, the technology worked like a charm.

Performance
The 2.1-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6500 CPU, 3GB of DDR3 RAM, and Nvidia 9400M graphics card combined to produce a PCMark Vantage score of 3,544. That's a full 500 points above the category average. The $599 Gateway NV5087u, which has the same processor and 4GB of RAM, but Intel's integrated graphics, scored just 3,262.


In our hands-on testing, the 14z felt zippy. At one point, we had eight windows open on the desktop, including Microsoft Word, and still were able to switch between programs with ease. Ditto with Web surfing: we had a seamless experience in Internet Explorer, with several tabs open, including Hulu and Slacker.
While the 14z's boot time of 56 seconds is a few seconds faster than average for a Vista machine, the 320GB, 5,400-rpm hard drive transferred a 4.97GB mixed media folder at a rate of 18.5 MBps, which falls slightly short of the category average (19.3 MBps).




Graphics
 
The 14z has but one graphics option: the excellent integrated Nvidia GeForce 9400M card. Its score of 2,101 on 3DMark06 is 600 points above the category average.


As for real-world gaming, it delivered playable frame rates on Far Cry 2, so long as we stayed at 1024 x 768 resolution. On that setting, it averaged 26 frames per second. But when we cranked the resolution to its max—1366 x 768—it dropped to a sluggish 11 frames per second; both of these scores are in line with the category average.
The notebook completed our standard video transcoding test, in which we use HandBrake to transcode a short MP4 clip to AVI, in seven minutes and thirty seconds, which is respectable, but still about forty-five seconds slower than the category average. Because the Dell Studio 14z features an Nvidia graphics chip, we also tried transcoding the video using vReveal, a program that takes advantage of Nvidia's CUDA technology to improve transcode speeds. The Studio 14z completed the latter test in a speedy 3:20, a 55-percent improvement.
Meanwhile, the 14z's Dell Wireless-N radio managed throughput of 19.9 Mbps and 18.1 Mbps at 15 and 50 feet, respectively, which rises above the category averages for both tests (19.5 Mbps and 15.2 Mbps).




Battery Life
The 14z's 8-cell battery lasted 5 hours and 25 minutes on the LAPTOP battery test, which is 1:10 longer than the typical thin-and-light. Moreover, it beat out similarly sized systems with integrated graphics: the HP Pavilion dv4t (a variation of which is also being sold as part of Best Buy's Next Class line) lasted just 3:08 in our tests.


Greenness
The 14z isn't the most energy efficient notebook. It has a low EPEAT rating of 6 (out of 28), whereas most other notebooks we've tested, across various screen sizes, have a rating between 17 and 22. It took close to three hours to fully recharge, and uses an average of 51.4 watts while charging, whereas the Lenovo ThinkPad T400, another 14-incher, uses 42.6 watts. The LAPTOP battery efficiency rating (the total amount of watts it takes to charge divided by the battery life) of 26.4 is middle-of-the-road: the T400 has a rating of 18 (lower numbers are better) while Dell's Studio XPS 13 has a rating of 56.8.

Heat

At rest, the keyboard measured 90 degrees Fahrenheit between the G and H keys (anything under 95 degrees is fine while under 90 is excellent).  While streaming over Hulu, however, the keyboard temperature rose to 92 degrees, and the left side of the notebook (the location of the fan) became very warm, measuring as high as 105 degrees. However, the fan wasn't very loud.
  
Configuration Options


The $749 configuration of the 14z we reviewed is a Best Buy exclusive, which also includes the full version of Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 and a 15-month trial of Norton Internet Security.

 

Choosing CPU, RAM, and Storage

On Dell's site, configurable versions of the 14z starts at $649. Processors run the gamut from a 2.0-GHz Pentium Dual Core CPU to a 2.66-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU ($350). The system comes standard with 3GB of DDR3 RAM; the max, 5GB (an unusual amount) costs $275. Hard drive options range from a 250GB 5,400 rpm drive (standard) to a 500GB 7,200 rpm drive ($175). The only graphics option is the integrated Nvidia 9400M chipset, which we're happy is standard.

Getting a Higher Resolution Screen

Although a 14-inch LED display comes standard, users can choose between standard 720p resolution (1366 x 768) and 1600 x 900 (Dell calls it 900p on the site) resolution for an additional $50. We  recommend the higher resolution because it should greatly improve the surfing experience by allowing you to see more Web content above the fold in your browser. 

Wi-Fi and battery option

Both wireless radios—a Wireless-G and Wireless-N option—are made by Dell. The wireless-N option costs $25 extra. Bluetooth 2.1 is a $20 upgrade. An AT&T mobile broadband module costs $125.
A six-cell battery is standard; an extended eight-cell battery costs $40. Other options include a backlit keyboard ($25). External optical drive options include a DVD burner ($120) and a DVD burner with Blu-ray playback ($280).

Software and Warranty

In addition to the webcam and FastAccess software, Best Buy's Class Note version of the 14z comes bundled with Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007, a 15-month trial of Norton Internet Security, and Windows Live Essentials. Not bad for a consumer machine.
The 14z has a one-year warranty, including 24/7, toll-free phone support.

Verdict


If you can live without an optical drive (and we suspect many of you can) and a dedicated memory card reader, the Dell Studio 14z has lots to offer: an attractive design, powerful speakers, good endurance, and strong performance, including Nvidia 9400M graphics. If you do need an optical drive, you might prefer the HP dv4t or the Lenovo IdeaPad Y450, both of which start at $579. Otherwise, the Studio 14z is a unique and compelling notebook.

Technical Specifications
Dell Studio 14z

CPU
2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6500
Operating SystemMS Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit with SP1)
RAM
3GB
RAM Upgradable to
5GB
Hard Drive Size
320GB
Hard Drive Speed
5,400rpm
Hard Drive Type
SATA Hard Drive
Display Size
14.1
Native Resolution
1366x768
Optical Drive

Optical Drive Speed

Graphics Card
Nvidia GeForce 9400M G
Video Memory
256MB
Wi-Fi
802.11b/g/n
Bluetooth

Mobile Broadband

Ports (excluding USB)
DisplayPort; Dual Headphone; Ethernet; HDMI; Microphone; USB/eSATA
USB Ports
2
Card Slots
8-1 card reader; ExpressCard/34
Warranty/SupportOne-year limited/24/7 toll-free phone
Size13.2 x 9.0 x 0.8 inches
Weight4.4 pounds

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Dell Inspiron Mini 10 (TV Tuner)

This netbook offers a high-def display and TV to go, but you’ll pay a steep price.

 

When it comes to netbooks, most manufacturers compete ruthlessly with each other over pricing. A netbook costing $25 less than another, for example, will be more attractive to consumers looking to maximize their dollar. However, many netbooks offer a variety of amenities for those willing to splurge a little, and nowhere is that more evident than with the Dell Inspiron Mini 10. While pricing for the Mini 10 starts at $299, the configuration we tested has more bells and whistles. Costing $574, it’s outfitted with a high-resolution display, an integrated TV tuner, and a six-cell battery. These features may be worth the investment for those who value entertainment options, but we wish that the Mini 10 had a less awkward touchpad design.

Design

The Mini 10 shares the same design genes as the Mini 9 and Mini 12; the edges are rounded, and the black keyboard is offset with a smooth silver palm rest and touchpad. The base model of the Dell Mini 10 comes with a glossy, fingerprint-prone lid; our model came adorned with a graffiti-esque pattern called “Stickers 2 in Blue,” and most of the iconography reminded us of corporate logos and characters from the 1980s. This design, as well as four others and five solid colors, can be had for an additional $40.
The Mini 10 is one of the most compact 10-inch netbooks on the market. Measuring 10.3 x 7.2 x 1.3 inches, it’s both thinner and shorter than the Samsung NC10 and the ASUS Eee PC 1000HE. It isn’t as thin or light as the 1-inch, 2.4-pound HP Mini 1000, but the 3-pound Mini 10 fit into a small messenger bag and with plenty of room to spare. Its 0.4-pound AC adapter is also more compact than most of its ilk. However, its six-cell battery angles downwards, tilting the netbook towards the user. This is a somewhat helpful ergonomic decision, but we prefer the nearly-flush battery of the ASUS Eee PC 1005HA.

Keyboard and Touchpad

The Mini 10 has a keyboard that maximizes the available real estate on the chassis, and it’s 92 percent of full size. We also appreciate the relatively large right Shift key. Typing on the Mini 10’s flat keyboard was fairly comfortable, and the keys themselves offered good, springy feedback.
To save space, Dell integrated the right and left mouse buttons into the touchpad itself. The good news is that you’re not stuck with a single bar (like some netbooks) and that the left and right buttons are distinct. Unfortunately, the buttons are quite small, and not as usable as a traditional setup. In addition, the cursor would sometimes move before we clicked down, which was annoying.
Since the touchpad features Elantech’s multitouch gestures (including rotating, two-finger scrolling, and pinching to zoom), it has a bit of a learning curve. When we tried to left-click on the pad while inadvertently dragging another finger on it, we unintentionally zoomed in on a window. Disabling the pinch-and-zoom gesture in the settings helped solve the problem; it was then easier to scroll using two fingers. Nevertheless, we prefer larger touchpads with discrete touchpad buttons, which is what you’ll find on the Toshiba mini NB205.

Ports and Slots

The left side of the Mini 10 has (from back to front) a Kensington lock slot, one USB port, and a 3-in-1 memory card reader. The right side houses an Ethernet jack, two more USB ports, an HDMI port, and mic and headphone jacks. Though some may bemoan the lack of a VGA port for connecting the Mini 10 to projectors, the HDMI port helps future-proof this netbook somewhat.

Glossy Display

While most netbooks have a resolution of 1024 x 600, this configuration has a a high-def glass display with a resolution of 1366 x 768. We especially like that the LCD goes from edge to edge, so the bezel looks flush with the screen. The 16:9 aspect ratio let us watch high-def TV channels and videos from Hulu without the black bars along the top and bottom of the screen. Despite its glossiness, the Mini 10’s screen didn’t exhibit too much glare; both vertical and horizontal viewing angles were very good, and the colors were excellent.

Webcam and Audio

Above the display is a 1.3-megapixel webcam, which provided clear images in a Skype video chat. A caller saw little motion blur when we waved, and said he could even make out our new haircut. The built-in stereo speakers, hidden below the front edge of the Mini 10, were not as loud or full as we would have liked. Nevertheless, we were easily able to hear music from across a small room.


TV Tuner

Our Dell Mini 10 came with an integrated digital TV tuner, which allowed us to watch TV both over the air and through our cable connection. A small port on the left side allows you to connect either a coaxial cable or a set of miniature rabbit ears to boost the signal, which are either quaintly retro or garishly awkward, depending on your point of view.
Once launched, the Dell Digital TV app takes a few minutes to scan for local stations. We took the netbook outside (a few blocks south of Times Square) and, without the aid of the antenna, were able to easily receive 22 stations; in addition to the major networks (NBC, ABC, CBS, and Fox), we also received some more more obscure channels, such as USports and Ion.
For the most part, image quality was very good. Channels broadcasting in high-definition automatically filled to fit the screen, and audio was usually in sync with video, which was only slightly choppy. Thanks to the recent transition to digital signals, there was no fuzziness or snow with any of the channels. However, getting good reception further than ten feet away from a window usually required plugging in the bulky external antenna, which you can attach to the the top of the screen.
There is a brief one- or two-second pause when you switch between stations, and the audio takes another few seconds to mesh with the video. While the app was very easy to use, it could benefit from a better on-screen remote control, along with a way to pause or record content.

  
Performance

While most netbooks to date have used the 1.6-GHz Intel Atom N270 processor, Dell opted for the same 1.6-GHz Intel Atom Z530 Silverthorne-class processor it put in its Mini 12, which was designed for devices with smaller form factors. That, coupled with 1GB of RAM and Windows XP Home, provided acceptable but below-average performance.


We couldn’t run our usual PCMark05 test on the system, but on Geekbench (which measures CPU and RAM performance) the Mini 10 notched a score of 725, which is 88 points below the earlier Mini 10 we reviewed, and about 179 points below the 1.6-GHz Intel Atom-equipped Toshiba mini NB205.



In our hands-on experience, though, the Mini 10 was pretty snappy. Firefox and Windows Media Player opened quickly, and we saw no performance hit when we conducted video calls over Skype, surfed the Web, and wrote this review in Microsoft Works simultaneously. Application open times were a bit slow, with Firefox and Microsoft Works launching in 7 and 3 seconds, respectively.

Graphics and Video

While we could not get our standard graphics benchmarks to run on the Mini 10, transcoding a 5:05 114MB MPEG-4 clip to AVI using Handbrake took an agonizing 40:08, about 11 minutes longer than the netbook average.
The Intel GMA 500 chipset managed to handle streaming clips from Hulu.com without a problem, but playing back a 720p WMV video gave the Mini 10 some trouble. A video of Indy cars (“Super Speedway” from the Windows HD Content Showcase) stuttered along; while the audio played smoothly, video would stop every few frames. Outputting the video via HDMI to a 32-inch Samsung HDTV rendered it unplayable. Likewise, when we tried to use the Dell Digital TV app to watch shows on the Samsung monitor, the app would not load at all. However, this notebook is meant for on-the-go entertainment, and not as a media hub.

Hard Drive Performance

The Mini 10’s spacious 160GB, 5,400-rpm hard drive booted Windows XP in a standard 50 seconds, which is 5 seconds quicker than the netbook average. The LAPTOP Transfer Test (copying a 4.97GB folder of mixed media) took 6 minutes and 33 seconds, or a rate of 12.9 MBps, which is 2.0 MBps slower than the netbook average, and almost half that of the HP Mini 5101. For additional storage (or for backup), the Mini 10 comes with Box.net online storage.



Ambient Heat



During our transcode test, the Dell Inspiron Mini 10 got uncomfortably hot; the underside of the system heated up to 114 degrees Fahrenheit, and the keyboard and touchpad warmed to about 95 degrees. While idle, the temperature between the G and H keys dropped to 88 degrees, but the bottom still remained a toasty 95 degrees.

Battery Life

Our configuration of the Dell Mini 10 came with a six-cell battery, which lasted 5 hours and 17 minutes on our LAPTOP Battery Test (Web surfing via Wi-Fi). While this is a decent runtime, it’s about 50 minutes short of the netbook average for six-cell batteries, and more than 4 hours less than the Toshiba mini NB205-N210, which notched an epic 9:41.

Wireless

The 802.11g Wi-Fi card provided a rock-solid connection for working in the cloud. Delivering a strong 18.1 Mbps and 18.3 Mbps from 15 and 50 feet, respectively, we were able to maintain a strong signal far from our access point. Streaming video clips on YouTube and music over Slacker.com were void of any pauses. Although our unit did not come so equipped, customers can also opt for built-in mobile broadband ($125) and GPS ($70).

Software and Warranty

Dell bundles the Mini 10 with Microsoft Works Suite and Dell’s Video Chat (powered by SightSpeed). The system also comes with a 90-day trial of McAfee Anti-Virus. Dell backs this netbook with a standard one-year warranty and 24/7, toll-free phone support.


Configurations

 For those who think spending nearly $600 on a netbook might seem excessive, Dell sells a $299 low-cost version (the Mini 10v) that has a 1.6-GHz Intel Atom N270 CPU, 120GB hard drive, 1GB of RAM, 1024 x 600-pixel display, and three-cell battery.
When you select the $349 base model, configuration options include a 1.33-GHz Intel Atom Z520 CPU, or the Z530 for $50 more. Opting for 802.11g/n is an additional $25; integrated mobile broadband from AT&T or Verizon Wireless is a $125 option, and built-in GPS (which requires an HD display) costs $70. Dell warns on its site that choosing GPS may delay shipment. A three-cell battery is included in the base price; the six-cell option costs an extra $35.

Green Testing

When it comes to conserving energy, the Dell Mini 10 isn’t very efficient; it took 4 hours and 20 minutes to recharge its battery, and used an average of 29.1 watts during that time. The LAPTOP Battery Efficiency Rating (the total amount of watts it takes to charge divided by the battery life) of 23.9 is well above most other netbooks we’ve tested; the HP Mini 5101, for example, had a rating of 11.8. In fact, the Mini 10’s rating is high even for ultraportables, whose average is 20.8.
The Inspiron 1010 (Dell’s official name for the Mini 10) has an EPEAT Rating of just 4 (out of 28); considering the Dell Latitude 2100 notched a rating of 20, the Mini 10’s is abysmal.

Verdict

At a time when some of the best netbooks cost between $349 and $399, paying $574 for the Dell Mini 10—almost the same price as the Gateway NV—seems too high. However, there is plenty of entertainment value in having a built-in TV tuner, especially if it means a backseat of quiet children on a long car ride. While we’re still nonplused with its finicky touchpad, we’re more than pleased with its excellent screen and keyboard. Factor in its lengthy battery life, and this Dell Mini 10 is a decent choice for those who want their TV on the go.

Technical Specifications
Dell Inspiron Mini 10 (TV Tuner)

CPU
1.6-GHz Intel Atom Z530
Operating SystemMS Windows XP (SP3)
RAM
1GB
RAM Upgradable to
1 GB
Hard Drive Size
160GB
Hard Drive Speed
5,400rpm
Hard Drive Type
SATA Hard Drive
Display Size
10.1
Native Resolution
1366x768
Optical Drive

Optical Drive Speed

Graphics Card
Intel GMA 500
Video Memory
64MB
Wi-Fi
802.11g
Bluetooth

Mobile Broadband

Ports (excluding USB)
Ethernet; HDMI; Headphone; Microphone; TV tuner/coaxial
USB Ports
3
Card Slots
3-1 card reader
Warranty/Supportone-year, 24/7, toll-free phone support
Size10.3 x 7.2 x 1.3 inches
Weight3 pounds (with six-cell battery)

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Dell Latitude E6400 XFR

This fully rugged notebook combines top-notch performance with impressive durability.

 

When it comes to building a notebook that can withstand abuse, companies used to simply sacrifice general aesthetics in favor of overall ruggedness. But the Dell Latitude E6400 XFR—a bulked-up version of that company’s business-class E6400—has all the amenities and performance a field worker could need, and is durable enough to handle much more extreme environments than the boardroom. In fact, Dell’s exclusive Ballistic Armor Protection System is designed to meet or exceed military standards (MIL-STD-810F). At $5,137, it’s hardly inexpensive, but for those who work in harsh conditions—EMTs, firefighters, and the military, for example—will appreciate the XFR’s durability.

Design
Road warriors who carry around the E6400 XFR will actually look the part; its gray and black exterior, with large, raised “XFR” letters on either side of the lid, has a don’t-mess-with-me quality. The entire chassis is made from PR-481—a proprietary composite material that Dell claims has twice the impact strength of traditional magnesium alloy. Dell combines this with PrimoSeal (to keep water and dust from entering the ports), DirectVue (for screen protection), and QuadCool (to prevent overheating) for a total package that it calls Ballistic Armor.

Each corner of the notebook has a black rubber bumper, further protecting it in the event of a drop. All of the screws holding the bumpers are exposed, and the zinc hinges are a silver color, making the XFR look all the more tough. Inside, the bezel and sides of the notebook are the same gritty, gray plastic. Finally, the lid of the XFR is held shut by a spring-loaded aluminum latch.

While the XFR looks like it could survive any post-apocalyptic future imagined by Hollywood screenwriters, that doesn’t mean it abandons all aesthetics. On the contrary, the system has a level of elegance and design sophistication that is somewhat lacking in the General Dynamics Itronix GD8000, and the most rugged of Panasonic Toughbooks.

Measuring 13.9 x 11.5 x 2.2 inches, the XFR is larger than the GD Itronix GD8000. Checking in at 9.0 pounds, the XFR’s weight is mitigated by the large, comfortable carrying handle on the front, but you’d definitely notice this machine if it were stowed in a backpack.

Keyboard and Touchpad

Like the consumer-grade E6400, the XFR’s black, full-size keyboard is very comfortable to type on. In contrast to the rest of the chassis, the keys are smooth, but we didn’t find our fingers slipping. There is no flex whatsoever in the keyboard, and the keys themselves offer responsive feedback. Additionally, the keyboard is backlit, and can be automatically or manually activated and adjusted; we found this quite helpful when typing in darkened rooms. While the GD Itronix GD8000 goes a different route with glow-in-the-dark keys, the result—a white keyboard on a gray deck—doesn’t look nearly as classy.

In between the G, H, and B keys is a concave trackpoint; while consumers used to the convex trackpoints found on systems such as Lenovo’s ThinkPads may find it unfamiliar, it was easy to use.

Below the keyboard is a 2.6 x 1.5-inch touchpad, which seems a bit small considering the space on the chassis. However, it had little to no friction, and was easy to use. The buttons below are covered in a soft rubber membrane that repels water, but they didn’t feel overly mushy.

Display and Audio

Befitting a notebook that will see a lot of outdoor use, the E6400 XFR’s 14.1-inch, 1280 x 800-pixel resolution screen was incredibly bright. With 730 nits at our disposal, we were able to comfortably keep the display at 40 percent brightness while working indoors; outdoors, the matte screen was also easy to view. On an overcast day, we were even able to turn the brightness to its lowest level.

The display also had excellent viewing angles. We could easily see the picture on the screen from nearly 90 degrees horizontally, and the images didn’t reverse themselves until the display was almost parallel to the chassis.

An ambient light sensor automatically adjusts the display and keyboard depending on the surrounding brightness; at times, we found it to be a little hypersensitive, but you can easily disable this feature. As mentioned previously, you can also manually adjust the brightness of the keyboard backlight to your liking.

Audio, too, was better than we expected, given the utilitarian nature of the XFR. While listening to music streamed via Pandora, the stereo speakers were able to fill a small room. However, we noticed a slight echo, undoubtedly caused by the cavernous interior of the notebook.

Ports and Webcam

On the left side of the E6400 XFR are two USB 2.0 ports, a VGA port, and a door that lets users replace the hard drive. On the right side, the first door opens to reveal a DVD drive, PC Card slot, SIM card slot, and a FireWire 400 port; the second door covers two more USB ports, along with headphone and mic jacks. On the rear of the system is a DisplayPort and Ethernet jack, both protected by sliding doors. An SD Card slot is concealed behind a door underneath the handle; getting at it was difficult.

The doors on the left and right side of the XFR are held shut by plastic, spring-loaded latches that bulge out slightly; while they give the appearance of being more secure than those on the GD Itronix GD8000, the latter’s fasteners are more streamlined, meaning you’re less likely to open one accidentally.

The VGA (0.3-megapixel) webcam produced accurate and clear images during a Skype call. Our caller said that our skin tones and the deep blues of our shirt were clear, and there was little blurring when we waved our hand in front of the camera.



Rugged Features

The E6400 XFR is rated to meet the MIL-STD-810F standards for ruggedness, which means (among other things) that it can be dropped from heights of up to 48 inches; withstand 5.8 inches of water blown at 70 miles per hour for 30 minutes; and operate in temperatures from -20 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

While the machine was on and the lid open to 90 degrees, we dropped it five times from a height of 3 feet onto a carpeted floor. After turning the machine off and closing the lid, we then dropped it ten times from a height of 4 feet. Each time, the XFR hit the floor with a satisfying, but slightly unnerving thump (after all, you’re not supposed to drop a notebook, intentional or otherwise). However, the XFR made it through both tests unscathed, and booted up normally afterwards.

With the machine turned on and the lid open, we then took an 8-ounce cup of water and poured it over the keyboard and deck. As advertised, the water sloughed off, and the XFR continued operating normally. However, water droplets remained in the grilles covering the speakers on either side of the keyboard. We then took the notebook outdoors and into a steady drizzle; the machine continued to function normally, but water beads on the screen proved distracting, and we had to press harder on the touchpad for it to register our movements.

The DirectVue screen is also built to withstand a 1.0-inch steel ball bearing dropped 20 times from 36 inches. Our non-touchscreen configuration is made out of a composite plastic, while the touchscreen version is made from chemically treated glass.

 Performance

The E6400 XFR comes with similar internal specs as the non-rugged version: Windows Vista Business (64-bit) powered by a 2.66-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P9600 processor and 4GB of RAM. This combination powered the XFR to an impressive PCMark Vantage score of 5,530, almost 2,400 points higher than the mainstream average of 3,175, and 250 points higher than even the souped-up Alienware M17x.


This impressive score may also be attributed to the XFR’s speedy 128GB Samsung RBX Series 1 solid state drive, which duplicated a 4.97GB folder of mixed media at a rate of 23.7 MBps on our LAPTOP Transfer Test, about 4.0 MBps faster than the category average. However, it booted to Windows Vista Business in a somewhat slow 65 seconds.

When we transcoded a 114MB MPEG-4 file to AVI using HandBrake, the XFR took 6 minutes and 46 seconds to complete the task; that’s just 15 seconds slower than the category average.


Graphics

The Nvidia Quadro NVS 160M graphics card notched a score of 1,854 in 3DMark06, which is more than 1,500 points below the mainstream category average. Playing graphics-intensive games is not recommended—not that you would on a rugged notebook. The E6400 XFR eked out 21 frames per second in Far Cry 2 with the resolution set to 1024 x 768. However, the system was suitable for less-intense graphics tasks; it played a 720p WMV video (Super Speedway) at full screen without a hitch.

Because the graphics card is CUDA-enabled, it can assume some of the processing that would normally fall to the CPU. Using vReveal, an app that takes advantage of this technology, we repeated our video transcoding test with HandBrake. This time, the XFR finished in 5:17, an improvement of about 1.5 minutes over using the processor alone.

Heat and Noise

Thanks to its QuadCool thermal management system, the E6400 XFR does a good job at expelling heat; the keyboard between the G and H keys and the palm rest never got above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and the underside of the chassis topped out at 95 degrees. However, the XFR was noisy; its fan seemed to turn on constantly. This undoubtedly kept the system cool, but proved distracting. Like the GD8000, the XFR has a Stealth mode--known as Lights Out--that turns off the keyboard backlight and all sounds and dims the LCD in order to make the system less conspicuous (good for police and military use).

Wireless 

 The E6400 XFR’s Wi-Fi scores were just about average (21.0 and 15.6 Mbps from 15 and 50 feet, respectively). The notebook was able to smoothly stream video from Hulu; an episode of The Simpsons didn’t stutter, and audio remained in sync with video. The unit also comes with Bluetooth 2.1 for wirelessly connecting peripherals, such as a keyboard or mouse.

For times when hotspots are out of range, the XFR can be equipped with a 3G broadband module from AT&T ($125). Adding 3G to the GD Itronix GD8000 costs a whopping $600 to $800, depending on the carrier. While the GD8000 comes standard with a GPS chip, our XFR was not configured with one; users can add a SIRFstarIII GPS receiver for $449.

Battery Life

The one area where the E6400 XFR could use some improvement, especially for a system that’s going to see some time away from an outlet, is battery life. The notebook’s six-cell battery only managed 3 hours and 8 minutes on the LAPTOP Battery Test (Web surfing over Wi-Fi); that’s about 25 minutes below the mainstream average, an hour less than the thin-and-light average, and more than 2 hours less than the GD Itronix GD8000. A twelve-cell battery slice can be added as an option, but it costs $449.

Configurations

Although our configuration of the E6400 XFR costs $5,137, its starting price of $4,344 is more reasonable. The system is also highly configurable. Consumers can downgrade the processor to a 2.5-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 ($320 less). While our unit came with the top-of-the-line 128GB SSD, users can also pick a 64GB SSD for $249 less, or a 5,400-rpm, 120GB shock-mounted hard drive (complete with Free Fall Sensor) for $150 less. A second 5,400-rpm, 120GB drive can be added for $149. Up to 8GB of RAM can be added ($415), though it would be more cost-effective to upgrade yourself with third-party RAM.

While the keyboard on our unit was effective in repelling water, a rubber-sealed backlit keyboard—which offers a bit more protection—can be added for $199.

Consumers can also opt for a touchscreen display and webcam ($499), or just the touchscreen display by itself ($470).

Green Testing

The E6400 XFR took just 1 hour and 36 minutes to recharge its battery. During that time, it used an average of 75.9 watts, for a total of 7286.4 watts. We took that last figure and divided it by the battery life to calculate the LAPTOP Battery Efficiency Rating (lower is better), and the XFR’s score of 38.8 watts puts it just above the mainstream average of 34.5; however, this is over 13.0 watts higher than the GD Itronix GD8000. Still, the XFR’s EPEAT Rating of 21 (out of 27)—well above the GD8000’s score of 16—makes this a pretty green notebook.

Software, Warranty, and Support
As the E6400 XFR’s intended audience generally loads their systems with proprietary software, the unit itself doesn’t come with much in the way of preinstalled apps. Our configuration had CyberLink PowerDVD, a 30-day trial of Norton Internet Security, and Roxio Creator.

Although the XFR can handle a good deal of torture, Dell backs the system with a three-year basic limited warranty, and three years of NBD on-site service. Customers can also purchase a one-year extended battery service for the second year of the system ($79), or two-year extended battery service for the second and third years of system life ($89).

Verdict

Those in the market for a fully rugged notebook need something that can hold up to the elements, but it also needs to perform well as a notebook when Mother Nature isn’t abusing it. Dell’s Latitude E6400 XFR combines an already strong business laptop with one of the toughest exteriors we’ve seen. At $5,137, it’s about a grand more than the GD Itronix GD8000, but users can expect significantly better performance—albeit at the expense of battery life. Overall, the E6400 XFR is a very strong rugged notebook, especially for customers who want to purchase all their laptops from a single vendor.

Technical Specifications
Dell Latitude E6400 XFR

CPU
2.66-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P9600
Operating SystemMS Windows Vista Business (64-bit)
RAM
4GB
RAM Upgradable to
8GB
Hard Drive Size
128GB
Hard Drive Speed

Hard Drive Type
SSD Drive
Display Size
14.1
Native Resolution
1280x800
Optical Drive
DVD RW
Optical Drive Speed
8X
Graphics Card
Nvidia Quadro NVS 160M
Video Memory
256MB
Wi-Fi
802.11n
Bluetooth
Bluetooth 2.1
Mobile Broadband

Ports (excluding USB)
DisplayPort; eSATA; Ethernet; Firewire; Headphone; Microphone; VGA
USB Ports
3
Card Slots
ExpressCard/54; SD memory reader
Warranty/SupportThree-year basic limited, three-year NBD on-site service/24/7 toll-free phone
Size13.9 x 11.5 x 2.2 inches
Weight9 pound







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