Dell Latitude D830 Laptop Computer Review

Dell Latitude D830 is a premium unit with increased specifications separating it from the D530, but trailing the D430 model. This model is essentially the same as the D630, but with a slightly more powerful processer and a larger more graphics dedicated display. The Intel Core 2 Duo processor works with a 2.4 GHz CPU speed, and the graphics are supported by a standard Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 but displayed onto a 15.4” WUXGA UltraSharp. (Step up from the D630 14.1” WXGA) What separates the Dell Latitude D830 battery from lower Latitude models is its connectivity package. Found standard is Intel PRO/Wireless 802.11a/g/Draft-N and Wireless 360 Bluetooth, while Built-in WiFi Catcher increases the laptops network connecting capabilities. Additionally, this model is constructed for mobile abuse, with a magnesium-alloy construction and StrikeZone technology to protect it against bumps and drops. There is also still room for customizable options on the D830, from optical drive to security features like the UPEK finger print reader to help protect user privacy.

Give your business a new edge with the latest Dell Latitude D830 Notebook. Designed specially to cater a better mobility experience with a longer battery life and increased performance, Latitude D830 notebook has been recently launched to make a difference in the global business world by Dell. Featuring the next generation wireless technologies and based on latest Intel processors, Latitude D830 notebook delivers increased performance, reliability and durability.



Dell Latitude D830 Spicification:

Intel Core 2 Duo T7300, 2.00GHz
15.4 inch Wide Screen WUXGA LCD
2.0GB, DDR2-667 SDRAM, 2 DIMM
256MB NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M
80GB Hard Drive 9.5MM 7200RPM
90W AC Adapter
8X DVD+/-RW w/ Roxio Creator and Cyberlink
Intel 4965 WLAN (802.11a/g/n)
9-Cell/85 WHr Primary Battery
6-Cell/48-WHr Modular Battery
Vista Business, with media English
Dimensions are 1.39" x 14.2" x 10.34"
Weight is 6.5lbs with 9-cell battery and optical drive

As already used to, you can also choose between a variety of equipments for the Dell Latitude D830. At the time of writing, the whole range of processors of the Core 2 Duo series from T7100 to T7700 is offered.

The reviewed notebook was equipped with todays most powerful mobile CPU, the T7700 with 2.4GHz. Regarding mobile computational power there is, therefore, nothing left to be desired. This is also proved by the performed benchmark tests.

In the reviewed notebook an integrated GMA X3100 video card was responsible for graphics and 3D. This is the successor of the integrated GMA 950 GPU. The performance of this solution is alright and comparable to a X1300 or a Geforce 7300. Still gaming is not one of the intended tasks for this notebook.

The 15.4-inch screen is bright and sharp, but the use of a standard TFT panel rather than a glossy Super-TFT coating means colours aren't as vibrant as we'd like. It reduces reflections, however, so you can comfortably work outside or under bright lights.

Graphics performance using the integrated Intel GPU is low, but suits basic use. Multimedia presentations can be created with ease and you can edit photos, but anything more than basic gaming is out of the question.

The Latitude D830 battery is quite a monster machine since it is packed with a lot of features for a business laptop. It comes with a 15.4 inch LCD display which enables the programmers to look at more things without having to stress their eyes too much due to the extremely small icons, just like the case with the D630. This is actually an upgrade which costs a lot since the original LCD display can only support 1280 x 800 resolution as compared to the current version of 1920 x 1200. The laptop comes with the Santa Rosa platform which is said to be much better than the predecessor when it comes to the performance. However, I could not really see the significance of the new platform when comparing the D830 with D820 and the D620. Besides that, the laptop also comes with several good hardware specifications such as Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 (the version I tested is 2.2 GHz), 4 GB of RAM (upgraded from the default 1 GB), a 80 GB SATA hard disk drive with 5400 RPM, an integrated graphic card and an integrated sound card. We did not manage to upgrade the 80 GB hard disk drive as it has been overlooked by the technical team. 80 GB is not sufficient at all since most of the programmers are using virtual machines and each virtual machine could easily take up 30 to 40 GB of hard disk space, which is nearly half of the available space. We were also forced to upgrade the memory since 1 GB of RAM is definitely insufficient for the things that the laptop is designed to do. Perhaps Dell prepared the baseline specification knowing that all the customers will most probably upgrade the laptop upon purchase.

In the days after I placed my order I spent much time questioning whether or not I had made the right choice. I anxiously awaited the arrival of my new piece of hardware, checking my order status religiously and wondering when it would ship. When it finally arrived I was not disappointed. I've been using it for two weeks now with very few problems.

I think the Dell Latitude D830 laptop battery is an excellent machine. Those who believe Dell only makes cheap, low end computers haven't seen one of their newer Latitude notebooks. Though its stats might not be as good as those of an XPS M1710 and its case may not be as good as that of a Thinkpad, the D830 is a high quality system with a high quality build and by all means a high quality notebook.