Question:
Dell Latitude X1 review
Tonight, I finally ordered my laptop. I had been considering the IBM X41 and the Apple Powerbook 15 inch (yes, I know, two completely different categories, but I was willing to haul around the extra size with the Apple for the operating system and screen). However, being a college student, I am very price conscious. So, I delayed the purchase for quite a while. The Dell Latitude X1 had always been in the back of my mind, but the price was similar to the X41, and in my opinion, the X41 was better, for that price. Yesterday evening, however, I looked on Dell's Outlet site, and found that Latitudes were between $400 and $500 off. That brought the X1 into my sweet spot price range, and eliminated the IBM and the Apple from the competition, because both were around $1800 with 3 year warranties. I ordered the X1 for $1,311.22,after tax and shipping, and it included:
Windows XP Pro
1.1GHz ULV Pentium M 733
12.1 inch WXGA display
512MB RAM
60GB hard drive
USB floppy drive
USB CD-RW/DVD drive
Intel 2200 802.11b/g wireless
Bluetooth
3 cell battery
6 cell second battery
Nylon Carrying Case
3-year next-day on-site warranty
3-year CompleteCare accidental damage protection
Although it is refurbished, everything that is included really makes this computer a great value. There is also a good chance that this computer isn't used at all, or barely, because someone may have ordered it and cancelled the order at the last minute, or returned it within Dell's 21-day return period. I will post a full review once the notebook arrives and I get to put it through its paces for a few days.
Answer:
Re: Dell Latitude X1 review
Good luck! Will be waiting for your review! Here in Germany the price for this unit also dropped suddenly from 1800 to 1200 Euro making it an attractive purchase.
At the same time the clone Samsung Q30 costs more than 4000 euro! Crazy!
There are several good reviews of x1 on this site.
I also found those ones:
http://reviews.cnet.com/Dell_Latitud...tml?tag=glance
http://laptopmag.com/Review/Dell-Latitude-X1.htm
http://www.cnet.com.au/mobilecomputi...0054522,00.htm
Some interesting benchmarks with X1 (in Norwegian)
http://www.hardware.no/artikkel/14525/4
A Carrying Case for Dell Latitude X1 Notebook :cool:
http://www.thepouch.com/latitude-x1.html
Answer:
Re: Dell Latitude X1 review
I received an X1 from the Dell Outlet on Friday. The configuration was essentially the same as livestrong211's minus a battery, for about $1200. It appeared to be in perfect condition, with no signs of use other than a "refurbished" sticker on the bottom. I've had no problems with it. I upgraded the memory to the full 1.25GB with a 1GB chip from Newegg for just over $100. Swapping the memory was quick and easy.
I'm still getting used to it, but it seems like a very good machine so far. It's not perfect - the screen is a step back from the really bright ones I've been getting used to - but for a machine of its size it seems pretty good. It was a complete impulse buy, but I'm not regretting it.
Answer:
Re: Dell Latitude X1 review
grandall,
you had to remove the keyboard in order to install more RAM, right?
Is it easy to replace the keyboard if I want to do so?
If installing more RAM doesn't void the warranty, then I can also replace the keyboard without voiding the warranty, right?
Answer:
Re: Dell Latitude X1 review
you had to remove the keyboard in order to install more RAM, right?
Is it easy to replace the keyboard if I want to do so?
If installing more RAM doesn't void the warranty, then I can also replace the keyboard without voiding the warranty, right?
Yes, the keyboard has to come off, but it's trivially simple. There are seven small screws on the bottom of the machine with the letter "K" next to them. Remove the screws, open the screen, and the keyboard is free and lifts off. It doesn't have to be detached from its cable to get at the memory slot, it just folds over. There's one more screw on a lid covering the memory, and then you're in. Put everything back, attach screws, and it boots up. It should take less than five minutes.
I'm expecting that this all doesn't void the warranty, although I didn't see anything that explicitly states that. The instructions for the memory replacement didn't come with the computer, I just followed along on the online service manual on the Internet. I can't see why there would be any warranty problems (assuming you don't do anything silly like somehow put in the wrong type of memory or snap something in half).
Answer:
Re: Dell Latitude X1 review
Thank you very much for this comment which, I guess, every potential buyer of x1 will appreciate.
What is the case of X1 made of? It is magnesium like Samsung Q30 or a cheaper plastic?
Do you plan to try undervolting programs like RMClock or Centrino HArdware Control
on it to make it heating less and saving some battery power?
Do you plan to install mobilemeter to see how hot it really gets at heavy load (like prime95 test)?
Answer:
Re: Dell Latitude X1 review
What is the case of X1 made of? It is magnesium like Samsung Q30 or a cheaper plastic?
Do you plan to try undervolting programs like RMClock or Centrino HArdware Control
on it to make it heating less and saving some battery power?
Do you plan to install mobilemeter to see how hot it really gets at heavy load (like prime95 test)?
I'm not sure exactly what it's made out of. I've read elsewhere that it's supposed to be magnesium. Whatever it is, it feels fairly sturdy, and it's obviously very light-weight. I really don't have any problems with the construction.
I was thinking about playing around with one of the undervolting programs, but it's not at the top of my list. The bottom of the machine does get rather warm, particularly since there's no fan. I'm not sure how well the ULV processors undervolt, since they start out at low voltage to begin with. If I get a chance I'll give it a try and/or test mobilemeter, but it probably won't be before the weekend.
Anyway, I'm not sure I could give it a fair test for heat this week, since my apartment doesn't want to cool down below 80 degrees. I'm starting out hot even without the computer in my lap.
Answer:
Re: Dell Latitude X1 review
The case is plastic and the screen isn't the same as the one used in the Samsung Q30, which explains why the x1 is much cheaper.
Answer:
Re: Dell Latitude X1 review
I really really like the X1, I would have probably gotten if it had an integrated optical drive , a feature I just wasn't willing to sacrifice.
Answer:
Re: Dell Latitude X1 review
I really really like the X1, I would have probably gotten if it had an integrated optical drive , a feature I just wasn't willing to sacrifice.
hehe, this is exactly the reason I like x1. I don't need the drive often and in many respects it is more comfortable to use lighter laptop. :p
After I learned that the case is plastic, I'd actually prefer 1.4kg Acer Travelmate 3000 (3002)
which I'd underclock to 1.2GHz when I don't need a power (then it should work fanless).
Unfortunately, it is unreasonable expensive here (1600 euro) vs. the US (1300$) while
Dell X1 is reasonably priced at the moment (at least in Germany - 1250 euro).