|
|
Dell Latitude D500 ReviewLatitude D500 is the cheapest Centrino laptopI wanted to bring your special attention to the Latitude D500 because it is the only laptop with Intel Centrino technology that you can get for just under $1000... There's also a step-up version of the D500 - the Latitude D505 that is more expensive. Latitude D500 configuration
Though the D500 considered an entry level solution for business users, Dell packed in a rich set of features... you can be on a budget but have a very configurable Latitude. And with a weight of only 4.79 lbs and 1.25" thin this laptops can really travel... Replaceable Drives and Modular BayDesigned primarily with business travelers in mind, this Latitude comes with replaceable hard drive, optical drive and battery. So you can easily insert a longer life battery or a DVD-ROM instead of CD-ROM. In place of a floppy drive there is a Modular bay designed to install various devices - Modular bay supports CD-ROM drive, CD-RW drive, DVD-ROM drive, DVD/CD-RW combo drive, 2nd Lithium Ion battery, 2nd hard drive, floppy diskette drive and Dell Travelite travel module. Multiple PortsThe Dell Latitude D500 also equipped with a large inventory of ports, new and old ones: Serial, Parallel, Video (VGA and S-video out), Infrared (1 Fast IR and 1 Slow IR), Audio (microphone-in-jack, stereo headphones/speakers jack), 2 USB 2.0, Modem (RJ-11 port), Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 port) and 1 (Type I or Type II) PC card slot. Docking OptionYou can even get Latitude D500 with a Docking option... via built-in 280-pin connector for the D/Port-Family Advanced Port Replicator or for the D/View Notebook Stand from Dell. The HotSpot Internet/LAN accessOne of the main Intel's ideas behind Centrino was to enable wireless HotSpot connection for every laptop user... and so this what the Intel Pro/Wireless card is for - to connect to a corporate LAN via the 802.11b compliant wireless network at any HotSpot location. With this in mind, Dell offers one month free T-Mobile HotSpot connection with the purchase of D500.
I have to warn you though... the Pro/Wireless 802.11b chip connects to internet with the lowest transfer rate available today - 11 Mbps/sec. This is still an ok speed (much faster than a 56K modem)... but if you're not satisfied, you can always upgrade to Dell's TrueMobile 1300 chip that supports 802.11b and 802.11g (up to 54 Mpbs/sec) for free, and still be able to access a hotspot. The only drawback is that you cannot legally call your laptop a 'Centrino laptop' but don't worry I won't tell... Technical Specifications for a base Latitude D500 model:
I recommend Dell Latitude D500 to any business traveler who wants a light weighted, great performance laptop on a low budget. Back to Dell laptops. Contact Us: infogate@comcast.net |
Tip-1Build your own home mobile system with a laptop docking station Tip-2Enhance the cheapest laptop with USB port replicator Tip-3Upgrade your laptop to wireless internet laptop Tip-4Build your own laptop gaming system |
The
standard version of Latitude D500 has all three Centrino components
built-in, and therefore Dell has a right to market it as Centrino brand:
Pentium M processor, 855 chip set and Pro/Wireless 2100 card. Thanks to
the Centrino technology D500 is very light and thin, and delivers high
performance.
With ability to connect to internet at hotspots, a business user would gain the freedom to work wherever it's convenient, increasing his job satisfaction. Public hotspots can be found in airports, hotels, conference centers, and coffee shops, and their number grows... In a recent study, Intel found that employees who used wireless laptops with Intel Centrino mobile technology gained more than two hours per week of extra productivity.