E6420 Owner's Thread

[stu00a]

I just ordered E6420 refurb from Dell outlet. I was going to wait for coupon code but gotta need this in hurry.

Is there anything to check when I receive it? Like particular problems with this laptop?

[booboo12]

I just ordered E6420 refurb from Dell outlet. I was going to wait for coupon code but gotta need this in hurry.

Is there anything to check when I receive it? Like particular problems with this laptop?

I'd check to make sure that the bottom of the machine is properly latched, especially in the front corners. (you shouldn't see any huge gaps or be able to pull it away much from the chassis)

Beyond that, if you're a real stickler for details, make sure the keyboard deck (the soft-touch rubber coated piece surrounding the keyboard, power button, volume keys, and touchpad) is flush with the surrounding metal "ring" that wraps around the computer's exterior.

Mine is perfect in the upper left but is every so slightly lifted near the right hinge, ditto around the SD slot (if you take your thumb and finger and "pinch" together at/near this area as if they were calipers, you'll notice immediately if your's isn't as tight as it could around the sd slot) -you'd never know it unless you felt that area with your finger. It's no biggie for me, the only true build flaw I've found so far.

[stu00a]

I'd check to make sure that the bottom of the machine is properly latched, especially in the front corners. (you shouldn't see any huge gaps or be able to pull it away much from the chassis)

Beyond that, if you're a real stickler for details, make sure the keyboard deck (the soft-touch rubber coated piece surrounding the keyboard, power button, volume keys, and touchpad) is flush with the surrounding metal "ring" that wraps around the computer's exterior.

Mine is perfect in the upper left but is every so slightly lifted near the right hinge, ditto around the SD slot (if you take your thumb and finger and "pinch" together at/near this area as if they were calipers, you'll notice immediately if your's isn't as tight as it could around the sd slot) -you'd never know it unless you felt that area with your finger. It's no biggie for me, the only true build flaw I've found so far.

Cool! Thanks for your comment.

By the way, I ordered I5-2410, 4GB DDR3 Ram, 1600*900 Res., Intel 3000 Graphic for $650

I don't know if I got a good deal or not, I could get HP DV6T with little bit of higher spec for $750 but I didn't need that much of spec and reliability was my number one thing.

I'll let you guys know when I receive it this Friday.

[TheMadHatter76]

Hello,

I've just been handed a Dell E6420 as my work laptop. I can't find the information anywhere, but I was wondering if it's possible to connect two monitors to it - one to the VGA output and one to the HDMI output - or would I need a docking station? I'm happy to forgo the laptop display as I just need the display over two monitors.

Thanks in advance of any help.

Matt

[booboo12]

Cool! Thanks for your comment.

By the way, I ordered I5-2410, 4GB DDR3 Ram, 1600*900 Res., Intel 3000 Graphic for $650

I don't know if I got a good deal or not, I could get HP DV6T with little bit of higher spec for $750 but I didn't need that much of spec and reliability was my number one thing.

I'll let you guys know when I receive it this Friday.

No prob. You did pretty good since you didn't have a coupon to use. The E6420's better than a Pavilion any day IMO: Better battery life, stronger chassis/higher quality materials, and a better warranty. It's worth paying more even if it seems like you're "getting less" in terms of raw specs.

Can't wait to hear what you have to say.

Hello,

I've just been handed a Dell E6420 as my work laptop. I can't find the information anywhere, but I was wondering if it's possible to connect two monitors to it - one to the VGA output and one to the HDMI output - or would I need a docking station? I'm happy to forgo the laptop display as I just need the display over two monitors.

Thanks in advance of any help.

Matt

That's a very good question, I honestly don't know since I don't have anything with HDMI that I could try. I'm 70% sure that it should work sans docking station. If you do try it, hopefully you'll let us know here.

[AlAraf]

Hi All,

as all of you already know, new A07 BIOS firmware is released, unfortunately i7-2720QM CPU performance issue (Turbo Boost) issue is still not resolved.

I encourage all of you who have Latitude 6420 or 6520 with i7-2720QM CPU to confirm this issue on separate thread: Latitude E6420 with Intel i7-2720QM - CPU PERFORMANCE ISSUE.

Mentioned above thread may be a reference and basis for Dell support to fix the issue promptly. I also encourage you to submit this issue to Dell support directly. The more users will report it, the faster Dell solution is possible.

Best regards,
Adam

[stu00a]

No prob. You did pretty good since you didn't have a coupon to use. The E6420's better than a Pavilion any day IMO: Better battery life, stronger chassis/higher quality materials, and a better warranty. It's worth paying more even if it seems like you're "getting less" in terms of raw specs.

Can't wait to hear what you have to say.

So, I just checked Techbargains, and found out Dell Outlets had 25% OFF Coupon Code. I was going to ask for them credit, but I decided to order E6520 with 1080P display.

I don't know about their return policy, but I won't open the package upon delivery, so they don't charge me any restocking fee or anything like that.

I wonder if they provide return shipping label?

[booboo12]

So, I just checked Techbargains, and found out Dell Outlets had 25% OFF Coupon Code. I was going to ask for them credit, but I decided to order E6520 with 1080P display.

I don't know about their return policy, but I won't open the package upon delivery, so they don't charge me any restocking fee or anything like that.

I wonder if they provide return shipping label?

Let Dell know as soon as possible to get instructions. I'm sure they'll send you a return shipping label though.

[mtm8692]

My e6420 arrived just yesterday and so far I adore the build quality, and it is much quicker than my old Core 2 Duo T5200.

I quickly put Windows 7 64 bit on instead of the 32 bit professional that came preinstalled. But a very detrimental problem has popped up:

When using the function keys with the up and down arrows to adjust brightness, as well as the brightness control under power management in W7, the screen will turn off completely when the brightness goes too low. Closing the lid will sometimes turn it back on - otherwise I have had to hold down the power and start it up again. Everything is still running, I can hear it fine, inputs work - the screen is just off. It's annoying to say the least, but I'm worried it could be something wrong with the screen - although it only occurred after I reinstalled windows. Anyone heard of this before, or might know of a solution.

Regards

EDIT: Just solved this problem by re-installing and installing the drivers in the proper order using this post: e6520/e6420 Driver Install List

I wasn't aware SB had a specific order with drivers! Oh well.

[booboo12]

My e6420 arrived just yesterday and so far I adore the build quality, and it is much quicker than my old Core 2 Duo T5200.

I quickly put Windows 7 64 bit on instead of the 32 bit professional that came preinstalled. But a very detrimental problem has popped up:

When using the function keys with the up and down arrows to adjust brightness, as well as the brightness control under power management in W7, the screen will turn off completely when the brightness goes too low. Closing the lid will sometimes turn it back on - otherwise I have had to hold down the power and start it up again. Everything is still running, I can hear it fine, inputs work - the screen is just off. It's annoying to say the least, but I'm worried it could be something wrong with the screen - although it only occurred after I reinstalled windows. Anyone heard of this before, or might know of a solution.

Regards

EDIT: Just solved this problem by re-installing and installing the drivers in the proper order using this post: e6520/e6420 Driver Install List

I wasn't aware SB had a specific order with drivers! Oh well.

Oh totally, the driver's order thing is critical on these new Latitudes. I suffer the same issue with my screen actually, freaked me out the first time that happened, and I guess I installed something wrong. I was able to fix it without restarting though, as the screen's not actually completely off in that state btw, just the LED backlight is disabled completely. You can still see the screen if you put a light very close to it like a flashlight.

To fix that if it ever happens, without restarting your computer, do the following:

While holding down the Windows flag key, tap X and let go of both keys. This should open Windows Mobility Center.

Using the flashlight to see on screen, find your pointer on screen and mouse over to the screen brightness slider. Slide the slider from the left up and the brightness should increase.

If anyone else is wondering if they have the same issue, another sign is that the on screen brightness indicator isn't in "sync" with the brightness you see when you press the brightness up/down keys.