Recommending a Dell Latitude E7x40/ E7x50 laptop. The "x" is either a 2 (12.5" screen) or a 4 (14" screen). Other decisions to be made are outlined on this page.
Decision table
Jack's choice E7250 (vs. E7240) | Roald's choice E7240, as travel laptop
| Lenetsky's laptop (Hint spec'ed) E7440, as primary work computer
| Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Order details | ~$1,350 w/ draft specs. | $1,704 (incl. $100 dock), via Cornell contract | $1,075 (already has dock), via NYS contract | |
| Screen size: 12.5" or 14.0" screen | 12.5" (lighter) | 12.5" | 14" | 0.6 pound difference. 3#'s (1,340g) vs 3.6#'s (1,630g). |
| Processor: i5 or i7 (~$150) | i7 (more powerful; may use more battery) | i7 | i5 | For primary machine, lean towards i7. BUT uses more power (lower battery life) |
| RAM: 8GB or 16GB | 16GB (Order 8GB*1, and buy $70 3rd party RAM, another 8GB*1) | 8GB (as ordered) (Ordered 8GB*1. May later buy $70 3rd party RAM) | 16GB (Ordered with 4GB, to be tossed. Replcing with 16GB 3rd party RAM) | ChemIT will get as cheap as possible, using 3rd party RAM and spec'ing to reuse Dell's RAM if cost-effective |
| Hard drive: Size and type | 180GB SSD (Oliver reduced from 256GB SSD) Currently Jack has a 180GB HDD. (Only option previously: 256GB SSD. That was bigger than necessary, and is $97.50 more.) | 256GB SSD | ||
| Webcam ($20) | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Screen resolution: HD (1366 x 768) or Highest (1920 x 1080) (~$120) NOTE: HD only available in 12.5" if with touch, for $300 total. | HD (1366 x 768) if fine. And the only option available on the 12.5" if get without a touch screen. | High | HD | |
Touch screen See Screen resolution, above. | No | Yes (with Win 8) | No | |
| ChemIT installs operating system (OS) | Windows 7 | Windows 8 (and looking like 8, for touch screen) | Windows 8 (but made to look like 7, since no touch screen) | Use CU's site licensed MS OS license, thus buy the cheapest. |
Extended battery warranty (beyond 1 yr)
| No | Yes, to 3rd year | No | Also: Consider buying a spare battery and/ or external battery pack AFTER some experience with actual batter life and needs.
|
| Extended warranty beyond 3 years? If so, what years? | No | No | No | Oliver reviewed price sheet with Jack. |
| Add Complete Care to insure against accidental damage? If so, what years? | No | No | No | Oliver reviewed price sheet with Jack. |
| Mini-display port to VGA adapter ($26.24) | Definitely needs. Don't order yet. If get as a "gift" from Dell, fine. If not, then order one for $15-26. | No (Got as a free gift from Dell, though!) | No |
Notes
Dock "spacer" (no added cost)
- How does this work?
- Need a second one for Jack's home dock?