Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Dell Latitude E6420 XFR 14.0-inch Review

Dell, one of the American multinational information technology corporation has unleashed a new rugged laptop named as Dell Latitude E6420 XFR. This notebook is accorded with the high-end specifications and is built with a 14.0-inch” HD wide-view LED display with DirectVue technology and have a screen resolution of 1366×768 pixels. The device runs on Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64-Bit Operating System and is powered by Intel Core i7/i5/i3 Processor. In an addition the device offers an easy process to procure new technology, Provides mission-specific imaging services, has the highest IP65 ingress rating, equipped with NVIDIA NVS 4200M (DDR3 512M) Discrete Graphics with Optimus, provided with an Impact resistant protective front glass and lots more. To have the entire details get a read ahead.
Dell Latitude E6420 XFR Specifications:
  • 14.0” HD wide-view LED display with DirectVue technology
  • 1366×768 pixels display resolution
  • Runs on Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64-Bit OS
  • Powered by Intel Core i7/i5/i3 Processor
  • Up to 8GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1333Mhz
  • Mobile Intel QM67 Express Chipset
  • Intel HD Graphics 3000
  • NVIDIA NVS 4200M (DDR3 512M) Discrete Graphics with Optimus
  • Impact resistant protective front glass
  • Up to 256GB Solid State hard drive
  • Up to 250GB SATA hard drive (7200RPM)
  • DVD-ROM, DVD+/-RW Optical Drive
  • 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
  • Wireless LAN and WiMAX
  • Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity
  • SmartCard Reader and a Fingerprint Reader
  • Memory Card Reader with 54 mm ExpressCard
  • High Quality Speakers
  • Stereo headphone/Microphone combo jack
  • Integrated, noise reducing array microphones
  • Optional Integrated FHD video webcam
  • Dell Webcam Central software
  • Includes Three USB 2.0
In terms of video performance, the laptop comes with a 14 inch HD display, which comes with Direct Vue technology. If you need more, you have the option of selecting a similar display, but with touchscreen capabilities. Both of them come with impact resistant protective front glass. As for the graphics card, the basic option is the integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000, but if you want to make it more potent, you can choose the dedicated NVIDIA®NVS™4200M (DDR3 512M) Discrete Graphics with Optimus.

The Latitude E6420 XFR fully rugged laptop is remote manageable and provides Intel® vPro™ Technology advanced management features with Intel WiFi® Link WLAN option for easy monitoring and out-of-band system management. Easy product migrations with Latitude’s long lifecycles, transitions, and advance looks at upcoming software and hardware changes.

Probably due to its inherently heavy material, the Dell Latitude E6420 XFR isn’t a very portable device – it weighs a pretty meaty 6lbs with the 9-cell Dell LATITUDE E6420 XFR battery option. Its direct rivals, the Lenovo ThinkPad T410 and T420 are both equally solidly built but weigh considerably less. For such a modern, almost futuristic laptop, the omission of a fittingly superfast USB 3.0 port is surprising to say the least, and the basic hard drive configuration of 320Gb isn’t top of the range, either.

The Dell Latitude E6420 XFR is the fully rugged solution from Dell which includes greater protection and ruggedness, competing with the high end fully rugged Panasonic Toughbooks. The Dell Latitude E6420 ATG isn’t as rugged, but still delivers a rugged notebook that mobile professionals are looking for.

Tablet PC buyers guide learn about the various types of tablets, including slate tablets, convertible tablet Latitude E6420 XFR and ultra portable tablets. Read about the pros and cons of each style of device, as well as what accessories are important from batteries to privacy screens.

Dell is also offering a fully-ruggedized tablet, the XT2 XFR. The XT2 XFR still runs using Intel's aging Core 2 Duo SU9600 (and corresponding GMA 4500MHD), but if you need a tablet that's built for punishment, the XT2 XFR is the one. In our conversation with Dell they did mention that an update to an XT3 XFR was already planned for next year. The XT2 XFR starts at $3,069.

To further increase the durability, my eval arrived with a solid state diskdrive(SSD) to reduce the chance of mechanical failure. Dell utilizes an alloy casing called Ballistic Armor Protection System featuring PR481 which they claim has twice the impact resistance of Dell Latitude E6420 XFR charger traditional magnesium alloy. (I’m assuming this Ballistic Armor is a marketing term made up by Augmentix.) I have performed some minor drop tests but can’t bring myself to really test the durability. Dell claims the XFR is first in class to achieve the military’s MIL-STD-810F specification for a four foot drop on plywood over concrete. My test was a two foot drop on carpet over padding as I prayed.

The Latitude E6420 XFR is designed to work in the toughest environments and meet high defense-grade standards. The Dell Latitude E6420 XFR powered by the second generation Intel Core i3/i5/i7 processor, a 512MB discrete graphics, a 14-inch display, a DVD burner, a 4GB DDR3 memory, a 320GB hard disk drive and the Microsoft Windows 7 operating system.

Latitude E6420 XFR - besides the strong case, will propose solid-state disk (up to 256 Gb), optional installation of 12- cell battery and the possibility of its hot replacement. The matrix of notebook is additionally protected by durable glass, and the memory volume reaches 8 Gb.

Dell recommends applying this update during your next scheduled update cycle. The update contains feature enhancements or changes that will help keep your system software current and compatible with other system modules (firmware, BIOS, drivers and software).

Among the various choices available include the powerful Intel Core i7 and generous family-2720QM Sandy Bridge with integrated graphics. The maximum amount of system memory to 8 GB DDR3 1333MHz, while storage is provided by a traditional hard drive with 500 GB capacity and 7,200 rpm. Alternatively you can opt for a solid-state drive (SSD Solid State Drive). Dell Latitude E6420 is bundled with the operating system Windows 7 available in different versions (Home Premium, Professional, …), and provides a DVD burner, four USB 2.0 ports for connecting many peripheral devices, a combined eSATA / USB, a multiformat card reader, ExpressCard/54 slot, and VGA and HDMI for external viewing images on TV.

When you want the next step in rugged laptops for your tough work environment, the Latitude™ E6420 XFR notebook offers strong performance and reliable data protection in a design that’s built to withstand the most challenging environments. Get protection from drops, spills, dust and related workplace hazards with the E6420 XFR laptop’s BallisticArmor™ protection and testing to high defense-grade standards.

Design-wise, it’s not business as usual with the Dell Latitude E6420 XFR. Actually, it’s more like a total revamp. The E6420 XFR combines a very robust, solid structure (it is made from magnesium alloy and covered in aluminium) with a smart yet aesthetic look.

One of the ways in which the E6420 XFR and ATG are able to deliver a fully rugged and semi rugged notebook experience is with the Dell BallisticArmor technology and components. Dell tells us that one of the key parts of this BallisticArmor is a composite polymer that offers high compression and allows these notebooks to spread the impact our across the device for added strength while keeping the weight manageable.

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There are NUMEROUS accessories available for the XFR. There is a shoulder strap that screws in brass screws near the built-in handle. There is a “battery slice” which is a flat extra large capacity battery that screws onto the bottom of the laptop. To solve the lack legacy ports, there are two legacy port extenders which attach onto the bottom of the unit with metal screws. There is a Dell Latitude E6420 XFR AC adapter with one serial (RS-232) and one parallel port, and the other comes with two serials. These serial adapters are big and rugged, but they secure to the bottom of the unit very tightly.

As an interesting tidbit brought up in our conference with Dell, they pointed out that these ruggedized notebooks are designed largely for military and law enforcement purposes. That means that in order to consistently be able to service units in theatres of war, Dell has multiple parts depots set up in the Middle East as well as technicians on hand. After all, if a computer is mission critical it's not like our troops can just wait while it gets shipped back to the States. We thought this was a cool bit of information worth sharing with the rest of you.

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