Comparable replacement for a Dell Latitude E6410 (mini-rant)

[that1nerd]

I'm currently looking to purchase a comparable replacement for my daily driver, a Dell Latitude E6410.

It was an off-lease unit I purchased off of "fleabay" about a year ago, and within that time span, I've grown to detest this thing.

The overall feel of the laptop wasn't that great, especially considering that I still can't get a feel for the keyboard, but between having to replace the motherboard, the touchpad becoming flaky, and the laptop deciding to throw the infamous "The AC power adapter type cannot be determined" error, I've considered moving on to a ThinkPad.

I'm familiar with the "older" ThinkPads, (I.E., the T43/T60 line), but have little to no experience with the more current stuff. If there is anything that comes somewhat close to the feel of a T43, but has a more modern Core-i series CPU in it, I'd be all-ears.

[pianowizard]

It was an off-lease unit

On eBay I have come across many off-lease laptops, or laptops that were "used in corporate environments". AVOID ALL THESE, regardless of brand, because they have been abused like hell. People tend to not take care of things that don't belong to them, including laptops that they rent, and work-issued laptops.

I'm familiar with the "older" ThinkPads, (I.E., the T43/T60 line), but have little to no experience with the more current stuff. If there is anything that comes somewhat close to the feel of a T43, but has a more modern Core-i series CPU in it, I'd be all-ears.

There aren't that many options. If you want something close to the 14.1" T43, then get one of these: T/W410, T/W420, T/W430. If you want something close to the 15.0" T43, then get one of these: T/W510, T/W520, T/W530.

The T Series is equivalent to the T43, whereas the W Series is equivalent to the T43p, i.e. with stronger graphics.

[that1nerd]

I'll probably look into getting a W510/520, depending on what kind of graphics they come with. I'm mainly looking for a laptop for surfing the web, and maybe able to do some light gaming, but also serve as a decent laptop for typing.

On eBay I have come across many off-lease laptops, or laptops that were "used in corporate environments". AVOID ALL THESE, regardless of brand, because they have been abused like hell. People tend to not take care of things that don't belong to them, including laptops that they rent, and work-issued laptops.

Yeah, I learned that one the hard way...

[brchan]

I wouldn't dismiss all work-issues laptops. Some are in very rough shape, but other times you will find a gem. The original T61 I received was from a corporate environment, but was almost spotless.

[ajkula66]

The "feel of T43" is not going to happen, or even close to it.

I'd argue that the least repulsive 14" ThinkPad with a Core CPU is T410, while its 15.6" counterparts such as T/W 510/520 are somewhat nauseating due to the 16:9 aspect ratio...they are still decent machines, though.

My $0.02 only...

[pianowizard]

I wouldn't dismiss all work-issues laptops. Some are in very rough shape, but other times you will find a gem.

But it's a major risk. If you get one in a terrible shape and complain to the eBay seller, s/he could say "I already warned you about that in the item description -- everyone knows corporate users abuse their employer-issued computers."

I was burned three out of three times that I bought "corporate environment" laptops off eBay, one of them close to $700 if I remember correctly.

[brchan]

But it's a major risk. If you get one in a terrible shape and complain to the eBay seller, s/he could say "I already warned you about that in the item description -- everyone knows corporate users abuse their employer-issued computers."

I was burned three out of three times that I bought "corporate environment" laptops off eBay, one of them close to $700 if I remember correctly.

Are you referring to ebay sellers who have a bulk of corporate laptops, and are selling one random one to you? If so, then yes, I would avoid buying since the condition of a laptop you get is completely random and risky. I am referring to corporate laptops that are sold individually. So the pictures you see of the laptop are of the actual laptop.

[that1nerd]

The "feel of T43" is not going to happen, or even close to it.

That's why I asked for something that "comes somewhat close". My expectations are pretty low, considering the quality of laptops these days, but I still want a decent beater laptop for my everyday use.

After looking at the what the W510/520 has to offer, I'll probably stick with a T-series with Intel graphics. Surprisingly, I've yet to see a ThinkPad of this generation that had a discrete AMD GPU, alongside an Intel CPU, in it. They all come with nVidia instead. (I can get into a personal rant about nVidia as well, but I'll stop right here.)

[pianowizard]

Are you referring to ebay sellers who have a bulk of corporate laptops, and are selling one random one to you?

Nope. I never buy those.

I am referring to corporate laptops that are sold individually.

Me too.

So the pictures you see of the laptop are of the actual laptop.

The problem is two-fold. First, photos can rarely capture all the fine details. The almost-$700 laptop that I mentioned, a Toshiba Portege R100 (that was back in 2006), looked so much nicer in the sellers' photos than in person. Even the deep dents on the display lid didn't show in those photos. Second, an abused laptop with serious internal problems could still look nice on the outside.

But we are getting off topic...

They all come with nVidia instead. (I can get into a personal rant about nVidia as well, but I'll stop right here.)

Are you referring to the defective GPUs that Nvidia made back in 2007 - 2010? I wouldn't worry about the more recent ones.

[600X]

If you want a current ThinkPad with AMD graphics then take a look at the S-Series.

[rkawakami]

I'd argue that the least repulsive 14" ThinkPad with a Core CPU is T410, <snip>

I'd also have to vote for a T410 too. While the feel of the keyboard does not approach 600-series standards, it's not like you're typing on a set of chicklet keys .

Pursuing the slightly OT conversation....

On eBay I have come across many off-lease laptops, or laptops that were "used in corporate environments". AVOID ALL THESE <snip>

I would also strongly encourage people to avoid these corporate castoffs. The last two T410 systems that recently passed through my hands from eBay and are now on the way to their new "forever" (?) homes were all from the same seller who said they came from government/corporate surplus. A third one is on its way. The first two arrived in what I would rate as 8.5 out of 10 condition (10 being pristine or new). A few minor scuffs on the lid but nothing broken. Very slight shine on some of the keys. Batteries that only had 4 or 8 charge cycles on them after 2 1/2 years use. Decent screens (as much as can be expected from a T410) but there were no pressure marks or dead pixels. Everything checking out working with PC Doctor and my own port tests (except for not being able to test the eSATA and Firewire ports). This seller has sold over 60 T410 2.4Ghz 4GB systems in the last few months from $93 to almost $170 (shipped). Most were sold without hard drives and probably all without AC adapters. Were all of them like mine? Probably not, but with careful selection, patience and a sniping tool, I've been satisfied with what I got. We'll see with the third unit... So, again, please avoid buying these corporate surplus units it's less competition for me .

[precip9]

I'll probably look into getting a W510/520, depending on what kind of graphics they come with. I'm mainly looking for a laptop for surfing the web, and maybe able to do some light gaming, but also serve as a decent laptop for typing.

Depending upon your definition of "light gaming", W500 = 16 X 10 screen might be a fit. My favorite, but my only game is the classic version of Civilization.

[that1nerd]

Wow, I'm getting quite a lot of nice input here. Just what I was hoping for.

Depending upon your definition of "light gaming"...

My first thought when looking for a laptop wasn't "Will it run Crysis?" I have a dedicated gaming rig for that.

I'm just looking for something that can handle the more causal games that I play off-and-on, (like FTL, Starbound, Terraria, Minecraft, ect.) without having to boot up my heat pump of a gaming rig. Although gaming capability isn't paramount for my needs, it would be nice to at least see what's out there.

Are you referring to the defective GPUs that Nvidia made back in 2007 - 2010?

It's not just those specific ones, although that was the final straw for me.

I've had a terrible track record with nVidia products for years now. Almost every card, or laptop with an nVidia GPU, I've ever owned gave me nothing but stability and driver issues. That's why I have this stigma towards them, although everyone tells me the contrary. (It's the same deal with Western Digital hard drives for me, but that's getting off-topic.)

If you want a current ThinkPad with AMD graphics then take a look at the S-Series.

I thought the S-series was an Asia-only product. I guess not... Those are a bit out of my price range, though.

(I'm looking at stuff in the $250-$400 price range, but it actually has to have a decent build quality to it. I'm sick of the cheap, consumer-grade, stuff.)

This seller has sold over 60 T410 2.4Ghz 4GB systems in the last few months from $93 to almost $170 (shipped).

Could you kindly point me in the direction of this seller, please?

Based on what I've seen in this thread so far, I'm starting to get a feel for what's out there. I'm thinking a T520 with discrete graphics (despite my previous complaints about nVidia) and a 1600x900 display will suit my needs pretty well.

Are there any gotchas, regarding the T520 specifically, that I should know about, or are they rock-solid machines?

[ajkula66]

I'm thinking a T520 with discrete graphics (despite my previous complaints about nVidia) and a 1600x900 display will suit my needs pretty well.

Are there any gotchas, regarding the T520 specifically, that I should know about, or are they rock-solid machines?

1600x900 LCD found on these machines is pretty sub-par in quality, to be kind...in my opinion, if you're going with a 15.6" T/W series, FHD panel is the only one worth considering.

[that1nerd]

1600x900 LCD found on these machines is pretty sub-par in quality, to be kind...in my opinion, if you're going with a 15.6" T/W series, FHD panel is the only one worth considering.

Too late... I just bought one off of fleabay that had the 1600x900 display in it.

If it turns out to be absolutely horrendous, to the point to where I can't stand looking at it, then I might consider transplanting the FHD display into it. Otherwise, I'll just leave it alone.

[ajkula66]

If it turns out to be absolutely horrendous, to the point to where I can't stand looking at it, then I might consider transplanting the FHD display into it. Otherwise, I'll just leave it alone.

Fair enough. Different people have varying requirements and criteria.

I suspect that you'll enjoy the T520, though. They are fine machines - generally speaking - and should provide you with several years of service without major headaches.

Good luck.

[that1nerd]

I suspect that you'll enjoy the T520, though. They are fine machines - generally speaking - and should provide you with several years of service without major headaches.

Good luck.

Thanks.

The one I got was a little pricy, at $370 with free shipping, but it came with all the options I was looking for, and it looked to be in almost mint condition.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281473802709?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

It also helps that I'm about an hour's drive from Lakeland. Almost like it was meant to be...

[ajkula66]

Now get a nice mSATA SSD to install the OS on, and enjoy...