Almost all E6400 configurations use Intel's integrated GMA 4500 HD graphics core, though an Nvidia Quadro is available on build-to-order if you feel you need more graphical welly.
E6400 3DMark06 Results
Longer bars are better
As the E6400's 3DMark06 scores show, it's no graphics powerhouse, but then this isn't the kind of machine someone who demands the peak of GPU performance is likely to buy in any case. It's no gamer's machine, then, but it does provide decent all-round graphical horsepower that's fine for 90 per cent of the tasks to which a laptop's likely to be put.
E6400 PCMark05 Results
eSata supported through a combo-USB port
Ditto the processor's performance, which yields results exactly what you'd expect from one of the lower-end of latest 'Penryn' 45nm mobile Core 2 Duo CPUs. Again, decent performance for office and internet apps, with plenty of extra to draw up if you need to fire up Photoshop or somesuch. If you think you'll need more, it's easy to spec up a faster CPU, up to the limits of your budget.
Plenty of ports
COMMENTS
no DVI
Why PC manufacturers are still afraid of DVI? if you choose the low res screen, you will need an external monitor. but using the analog VGA connector?
if it copied most of the features of the Macbook Pro (in black) they might as well steal the rest.
M2400 may be more robust
M2400 is basically the same setup with a higher-end mobile Quadro graphics unit and a third mouse button - but it also has a mag-alloy lid so should be more robust than the Lat'. The price is not too far from the E6400 either. I got the M2400 since it apparently is the only 14" which can drive a 30" external display... mind you - still needs a docking bay to do it!
@Joe
This laptop is, after all, aimed at the corporate market so you're unlikely to pay list and your support will be UK rather than Far East based...
No linux
Bought one of these at work for myself - but no Linux drivers for network, screen (didn't try hard on that one), wifi - so I gave it away and kept my D620.
Looks ugly too.
Keyboard backlight didn't work and after 2 motherboard changes, we told Dell to give us a new one. (not a fault of the laptop design - just a friday afternoon box).
Might give it another try in a few months time.
Wrong price
It actually starts at £579, not £549, and that's less VAT and delivery. Dell really take the piss with their £57.58 delivery charge. It would be OK if their products were reliable and backed up with competent after sales service, but any idiot (plenty buy Dell) can tell you that's sadly not the case.
