Dell Latitude D830 Review

[Sir Joe]

The amount of dedicated video memory is not very important, as none of these cards are powerful enough to use 256mb of video RAM.

In other words the 140M and the fx would be a waste of money while the 135M is the best price/quality choice?

For the dual channel issue, if you have 1GB and 2GB, then what you will have is 2GB running in dual channel, and the extra 1GB running in single channel.

Interesting...

For the screens, in my experience Dell's matte screens tend to have better viewing angles, if that's important to you.

Well, I guess is important to anybody, or not? Ok, let's say it this way: why should not be important to someone? With less viewing angle do not change the periferic aspect of the screen more easily with just a slight move of my heads? For example, in the old Satellite I am using I have to put the screen in a very precise position.

What size and resolution screen are you used to using now?

I only used a 14.1" wide glossy LG notebook with, i believe, 1280x800 res.
It was good for me, but, I do not know with a 15.4". Maybe the wxga+ would be better, but as I can choose between the wxga or the wsxga+...
Differences are (from dell site):
Wxga: 1.0megapixel, 110 ppi, 220 nits (not sure, they say "typical"), +/-40degrees horizontal viewing angle, +15/-30 degrees vertical angle, 300:1 contrast ratio.
Wsxga+: 1.8mpix., 129ppi, 200nits, +/-60horiz., +40-50vertical, 300:1 contrast.
It sounds much better, even if all is just names and numbers for me, without direct experience...
The only info I get for the wsxga+ of the precision is that has got 1.76mpixels, 300:1 contrast, "wider viewing angle", and 200 nits.
Someone told me that as it is a workstantion it should have better everything, so also better display. I should ask my dell agent to send me a detail of the configuration of each model with the manufacturer and part number of each piece.

[odin243]

The WXGA is brighter, and for some people that's more important than the viewing angle. However, in your case, I'd say you should go with the WSXGA+ screen.

And yes, for you, paying more for the FX360M or the NVS140M would almost certainly not be worth it.

[Sir Joe]

Well, I just read a post in Dell Linux site, they told me that Linux runs better with a OpenGL capable video Card...
I do not know Linux, and the posts there scare me, as they are very technical, as one should all the time write program lines to make all function well. Even if there is a vaste community and it should not be a problem.
So, in this case, the fx should be a must? Where did you get the info on those cards? I would like to understand if the 135M support OpenGL or can do it by flashing it (even if this would delete warranty)...

[odin243]

Will you be running Linux? If not, then it's not an issue. And yes, the 135m supports OpenGL, just not as well as the FX360M does.

[Sir Joe]

Well, I am curious. I am not fond of Microsoft, even if it is more simple.
Linux seems kinda complicated thing...
And no idea about free-dos or solaris.
I would like to install linux on a second partition and see...
But, if you say that 135 runs opengl... No problem...
I wait the answer of my dell agent about a few things (a lot few things), to decide...
I have to understand if one of the two models has got know issues...
I asked for detailed infos on HD, Display and ram manufacturer, and DVD too...
We'll see...
Now I will post something in the Nvidia forum...
It is strange and interesting that finally the real choice will depend on eyes, the most important sense. Display type, videocard type...

[odin243]

Just a heads up, usually they use several different manufacturers for the parts, and can't guarantee that you'll get a specific one.

[Sir Joe]

Well, I try... Anyway, they are supposed to ship it quite imediately, they should know what they have in stock right now...
Ok, ok...

[cApNhOwDy]

Still using my D830. Still loving it. Great laptop, love the long battery life.

[kateavalanche]

I have a Latitude D830, and I was wondering if you knew, at the bottom of the screen, just to the right of the left hinge, there's a small square of transparent plastic with what looks like a small white object inside.
What is that? Does it actually do anything?
My theory was that it might be a webcam, but it makes no sense to put it there...

[Hagbard Celine]

That's the Ambient Light Sensor. If you enable it, it controls the backlight brightness depending on how bright or dark it is around you.