X-bit labs

A True American: Dell Latitude D620 Notebook Review (page 12)

Category: Mobile

by Alexander Britvin

[ 12/07/2007 | 10:40 AM ]

The notebook’s battery life was measured with Battery Eater Pro 2.60. For some reason, the program reported a fantastic max charge level of over 100%:

The test was performed at the maximum screen brightness in the following modes:

• Classic (the system bears the maximum and evenly distributed load)
• Reader’s test (the pages are scrolled through each 15 seconds)
• DVD mode (a DVD movie is launched in Battery Eater’s Idle test mode)

Two hours under full load is enough, but considering the notebook’s targeting at mobile applications, that’s not so much. The opponent from Sony is better in all the three tests.

Here are the battery discharge diagrams for the different operation modes.

• Classic mode (graph)
• Reader’s mode (graph)
• DVD mode (graph)

Conclusion

Appearances can be deceiving and the Dell Latitude D620 proved to be quite a deserving machine. The developer stays true to its policy of building high-performance notebooks for different user audiences. The Latitude D620 features good size/weight parameters, high performance and functionality, an abundance of wireless interfaces and a modular design that allows adjusting the notebook configuration depending on your current needs. Moreover, its Quadro NVS graphics card allows to connect an external monitor and use it together with the notebook’s own display. The notebook can also provide Internet access away from the city by means of a SIM card and cellular networks.

The notebook’s exterior is that of a business tool. This model is meant to be a companion of a frequently traveling businessman.

Highs:

• High performance for all applications
• Matte display coating and an ambient lighting sensor
• Cool and quiet
• Multiple wireless interfaces (including support for cellular 3G networks)
• Reasonable price
• Desktop can be stretched out to two displays
• Modular design of the bays
• TrackPoint
• Charge indicator on the battery body

Lows:

• Scanty accessories
• Functional keys are inconveniently in the far corner of the keyboard
• Unhandy touchpad
• Improper position of the USB ports