Great Notebook Dell Latitude E6420 Review

The Dell Latitude E6420 offers an impressive array of options from discrete graphics and backlit keyboard to multitouch display and a 256GB SSD.Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook ,Just be prepared to pay for all of the best options if you want a real powerhouse.

The Dell Latitude E6420 is a good-performing 14-inch business notebook with stellar build quality and a lot of neat options. Users can configure the notebook to have a multitouch display, a fast Intel quad-core processor, discrete-class (higher-end) graphics, Dell Vostro V131 laptop ,up to 4GB of memory, and a 256GB capacity solid state drive.

The Dell Latitude E6420 is encased in Dell's business-rugged, MIL-STD 810G-tested Tri-Metal casing just like the E6420's little sister, the Latitude E6320. The "tri-metal" comes from a anodized aluminum display lid, reinforced steel in the hinges, and magnesium alloy in the chassis and frame Dell Vostro V131 laptop , The notebook also has a zinc alloy latch, a spill resistant keyboard, and an LCD seal to help prevent scratches and bumps.

All of that extra metal and thought the designers put into its construction indeed makes it very durable.HP EliteBook 8770w laptop , When we pressed down on the chassis and around the palm rest, it didn't budge. When we bent the lid of the display around the thick screen bezel, it did budge just a bit - but it was barely noticeable, and wasn't noticeable enough to create any ripples across the display. Dell Vostro V131 laptop , The reinforced steel hinges are also very sturdy; we don't suppose they'll give users any problems whatsoever. The Dell Latitude E6420 is very durable for its class.

The notebook is a looker, too - it appears very professional and stylish. It has smooth matte surfaces brushed with what Dell calls a "360 bumper" for extra protection against scratches. Dell Vostro V131 laptop , When we tried to scratch the surface, it chipped away a little bit, but no scratch marks showed up. The lid looks pretty neat, too; with Dell's signature logo across the middle.

The E6420 can be upgraded slightly. After removing seven screws, you can remove the base cover and gain access to the hard drive, memory, Bluetooth card, and network cards. It can be upgraded with up to 8GB of memory. Dell Vostro V131 laptop ,We mentioned in our Latitude E6320 review that the screws were particularly hard to remove; they weren't as difficult to remove in the E6420.

The Latitude E6420 has a good port selection, and is really only notably lacking a USB 3.0 port on our unit. There is a USB 3.0 module option, but you'd have to pay a little extra to include it. Other than that, the notebook comes equipped with HDMI and VGA connectors, 5-in-1 card reader, a total of four USB 2.0 ports, ExpressCard, and a SmartCard Reader (optional). The notebook is equipped with an 8X DVD optical drive at no extra cost, but the 8X DVD+/-RW costs $50 more. Dell Vostro V13 1 laptop , There's also a dock connector at the bottom so users can have access to even more ports and features if they purchase a dock.

Our E6420 review unit has a 14-inch 720p (1366x768) glossy LED display with an added bonus of a two-finger multitouch touchscreen. The multitouch screen is optional and can be added for an extra $99. Dell Vostro V131 laptop ,It could be a handy option for users who need to do some light drawing on their displays or want the convenience of touching the screen to select items or drag them around. Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook ,We found that the multitouch works well and is quite responsive.

The display reaches a peak of 200 NIT brightness, which means it's about average - not too bright and not incredibly dark. We measured the contrast ratio and found that it's on the low side, at about 138:1. Since the multitouch option was enabled on our notebook, the display is glossy; which means that it will be harder to use while in bright-lit office conditions because of the screen being so reflective. HP EliteBook 8770w laptop ,When we moved the display, back images got blurred pretty quickly at around 5-10 degrees off center, and when we move it forward it inverts at about the same distance off center. When moved to the right or left, images invert about 40 degrees off center. HP EliteBook 8770w laptop ,Three or so people will be able to view the notebook fine if seated next to one another, but it'll be harder to see the display if you're standing up or bending it back at all.

The notebook has amazing audio...I am thoroughly impressed.Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook , While the audio on business notebooks usually gets overlooked, the IDT high-def sound on this notebook did not. It gets extremely loud at 100 percent and reaches great highs and lows without sounding distorted or muffled. Users will definitely be able to use the notebook for presentations in a decently sized presentation room. Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook ,The only reason you'd need to buy external speakers is if you need to broadcast the sound across a very large room.

The keyboard is a mix between a Chiclet and a traditional-styled keyboard. The keys are flatter but are raised a bit and curved for an easier typing experience. Personally, the keyboard on the E6420 is one of my favorites so far.HP EliteBook 8770w laptop , It's extremely comfortable to use, provides great feedback (typos should be at an all-time minimum), and the keys don't make much noise at all when pressed. Moreover, it looks really nice too - the soft black keys and orange outline around it add a nice touch. The only complaint we have is due to the surface,HP EliteBook 8770w laptop , if there's any oil on your hands you might end up leaving a trace of grease after using it. There is also a backlit keyboard option.

The multi-touch Alps Electric touchpad is also very nice. It's just the right size and has a responsive matte surface area. Even with moisture on your fingers, the touchpad works just fine. Moreover, the four physical click buttons make only a slight noise that isn't at all annoying.HP EliteBook 8770w laptop ,Dell also designed its own software to enable, disable or change multitouch gestures and button options.