Dell Latitude E4300 User Review

[Goren]

I thought the M1330's keyboard is pretty decent too.. but of course I'm coming from a Vaio SZ and well.. I think nearly anything is decent compared to it

In anycase the brushed aluminum lid is certainly sleek.. its one of the features I loved about the Asus W3 series which is now gone.

However is it true that its really scratch prone?

[Prince_Phoenix]

The Dell E4300 was almost always encased, in some form or another, even when I flipped it on, in a Zeroshock III case nearly 24/7, so I wouldn't know. I hardly ever touched, and nothing else touched the brushed aluminum metal lid.

[andrei]

I found this review to be extremely accurate and spot-on with my exact experiences with the e4300.

Good work. This should be extremely helpful for potential buyers.

Andrei

[cowgaR]

I'll ask you one question. Have you tried any Latitude/Thinkpad keyboards?

The XPS M1330 keyboard feels like the same one that they used back in the day... maybe they still do... on the really cheap Inspiron computers. Perhaps somebody else will agree with me that has used a business-level keyboard.

The Vostro keyboard is pretty good. Just a little below the Latitude keyboard in terms of responsiveness in feel.

I absolutely hated typing on the XPS M1330 keyboard (hence why I ought a Vostro to replace it) - I returned it for other reasons in addition to the keyboard.

For this review though, the appropriate point of comparison is the predecessor series of the Latitude - i.e. the D-series. And compared to the D series, in my opinion, it falls short.

I've only experience Thinkpad and Latitude keyboards for the past 5 years. I used a HP consumer notebook previously, which also wasn't too bad. Compared to all of those, the XPS M1330 was mushy, little responsive, felt cheap, etc.

That's all in my own opinion though. If you like the XPS M1330 keyboard that's great, because it really is a great notebook design-wise aside from the keyboard (in my opinion).

1. yes I have tried, can't live with outdated layout nowadays though, no matter what quality it brings

2. you must realize that Vostro and XPS keyboards ARE THE SAME! It is even the same part when you are ordering it through the internet, just the color will change. And somehow you like Vostro's (I love it) and XPS one is terrible...

a big jump in words for me

yes XPS one isn't so good because it sits on much more fragile ground (if you know what I mean) than Vostro's one sitting on a tank, but by no means it is a bad keyboard.

I admit Thinkpads are different ligue (and allwas have been) and Latitude D are fine (although by no means comparable to Thinkpad) but that are just 2 models, both have old design so I wouldn't choose them now...(I think Vaio Z crushes both of them)

After these 2 models I put Vostro/XPS as next...

Then probably another 12454 hundreds models I tried...I haven't tried all of them so XPS keyboard might not be 3rd, but is certainly not terrible...

btw, it was the reason why I bought XPS, I wanted Vostro quality keyboard in a good portable notebook...and there wasn't any other choice (Sony Vaio Z came out later

last but not least, nice review...but I couldn't resist, you touched my beloved XPS...you!!!

[SpeedyMods]

Actually, the Vostro and XPS keyboards are different. People who have replaced the m1330 keyboard with a black Vostro one have noticed more metal backing on the keyboard.

I don't understand what you mean by outdated layout re:the D series keyboards.

Oh, and the worst keyboard I have ever used is a Vaio SZ. Loud, spongey, and loose keys(if you know what I mean).

Greg

[lob]

do you even have the notebook, i seriously doubt it cos u dont even have ur own photos, just the official one, quick 75$ bux or however much notebookbookreview payed you for this.

[andrei]

Lob,

I communicated with the reviewer at length in several other threads when he first received his notebook. Due to the detailed knowledge he had with its features and issues, he absolutely has the notebook.

Don't want to ruffle any feathers...just wanted to provide my insight on this.

Have a good evening.

Andrei

do you even have the notebook, i seriously doubt it cos u dont even have ur own photos, just the official one, quick 75$ bux or however much notebookbookreview payed you for this.

[Phil]

excellent review but i would have loved to see real life pics

Same here.

[vuong05]

Any pictures of the actual notebook would be great. Thanks in advance.

[sonoritygenius]

Yes, real life pics are what's going to pursuade us to buy it online!..

And what about more benchmarks/temps/more in-depth battery life summary as is standard among all reviews..