A+ Workhorse Laptop! (Check Each Seller Profile Before Buying)
Initial Review: The Latitude series has always been known to be Dell's Workhorse series of laptop computers. The E6420 is no exception! This review will consist of separate ratings for both the seller, and the product itself. First we will talk about why I bought the computer, then we will dive into the product itself. Why? This laptop functions for me as a work laptop. My job consists of frequent use of the Microsoft suite, especially Excel, and use of mid-range photo editing software (Adobe Photoshop). The laptop won't be used for high end editing, and I'm not 100% sure it is up to the task of high end rendering. Luckily, the laptop is extremely up-gradable, with HDD and RAM being the first two things to think of. So if you really wanted to boost that available memory; its possible. Now lets get into the product itself, Product rating: 9/10 (as of 3/22/2016) First, the E6420 is a laptop line that was initially manufactured starting in 2011 as a continuation of the Latitude workhorse laptop series that Dell was running. My specific laptop comes equipped with an Intel i5-2520M CPU @ 2.50GHz, 4GB RAM, Intel HD Graphics 3000 video card, and a 128GB SSD* The keyboard is not backlit, but my specific laptop does have a webcam equipped. Additionally, I have a finger scanner for access. One thing about the E6420 that you should be aware of is the extreme variations in the configurations out there on the market. The one you're looking at may have a webcam, or it may not... it may have the standard 320GB HDD, or like mine, that may have been swapped by the previous owner for a different sized memory drive... you may have 4 or 8 GB or RAM... and this is something that you should look into before making your purchase. Always message the seller and ask specific questions about the Laptop. If you're looking for a backlit keyboard, you may have to ask many sellers whether or not that is equipped on the computer they're selling... But regardless, back to the review. I will bulletpoint pro's and con's: PROS - - The laptop is sturdy (outer shell is metal, inner is rubberized plastic) - The keyboard is very ergonomic, and typing is easy - The screen is well lit and colored - Trackpad (aka Mouse nipple) on the laptop - Easily modifiable RAM and Memory drive - A STEAL! (Laptop still sells for $1,000+ new... mine was $230) - Great workhorse computer - Insane battery life (thanks to 9 cell battery, I get about 7-8 hours at max usage) - Docking station for easy conversion into desktop environment CONS - - Heavy (approx 6lbs) - Not really made for high performance rendering - Massive variations in configurations make selecting the laptop a chore The laptop itself is great for anything that a basic business could ask from an employee! Unless you're in a specialized field that requires high performance rendering or editing software, this laptop should do you just fine! SELLER REVIEW - 10/10 Quick note: As mentioned earlier, these laptops come in a variety of configurations. Because of this fact, it is up to you as the buyer to make sure that you are purchasing the laptop that you want. SPEND SOME TIME shopping around the marketplace sellers, and ask questions about what their product includes. Mine came with windows 10, the Office 16 suite, and a different hard drive than the factory stock (which is what I was looking for). If you don't do your research with each listing, you may end up with a laptop that you didn't actually want, or that was missing features that you did want. I've come to find that many of the negative reviews here are from people who didn't properly research their seller, and bought the cheapest laptop (and hence, received the cheapest product). Take your time and find the laptop that you will like! I bought my laptop from seller "AffordableQualityTech". Because the laptop had a non-standard hard drive, the seller offered to cut me a deal and take off a portion of the price, which was a pleasant surprise! I contacted the seller about the hard drive, and was offered the price drop. I took it, and ordered the laptop. The laptop itself shipped within the next hour, and arrived at my residence on the first day of the shipping window. The seller's description of the laptop underscored what it should have been. It was listed in excellent condition, but arrived in "Like new". There are no visual marks on the laptop itself that could be rubbed off with a finger. All pieces of the laptop were included (SD Card slot covers, buttons, keys, charger, etc.) and in perfect working condition. The boot-up was perfect, and the laptop included what the seller listed. Windows 10 Enterprise, Office 2016, and many more business oriented applications were pre-installed onto the laptop, which made my life a lot easier! The setup was simple, as an admin account already existed, and I am the only one using this computer. Overall, I give the seller an A++ for such super service! They were with me from the very beginning, and have let me know if I have any questions they're open-ears. AffordableQualityTech was my seller, FYI. -------- Final recommendations: If you're looking for a laptop for college, work, or just a sturdy laptop, this is it. Research your sellers, and I'm sure you'll have an experience like mine. Read more