Dell Latitude D400 - Purchase Advice Please

Tesla · 12 Oct 2007 at 09:29

I have spotted this laptop for sell. Obviously second hand but it comes with 12months Dell warranty and also an external optical drive (CDRW/DVD-ROM).

Now, all I need the laptop for is work. Very basic functions and nothing taxing. The small size is an attractive factor on this too.

The price is £250 which also includes a carry case.

Do you think this is a good price and the laptop would suit my needs?

Sped:
Dell Latitude D400 Laptop Centrino 1.6Ghz
CPU Intel Centrino 1.6 Ghz
HDD 30 Gb Min
RAM 512 Mb
Devices CDRW/DVDROM (external),16 bit Sound, 56k Modem, 10/100 NIC, Wireless WiFi
2 x USB, Ac Adaptor, Battery, UK Keyboard, Ultra slim design, FREE CARRY CASE
Condition Used
Warranty NOW WITH 1 YEAR DELL WARRANTY FOR TOTAL PEACE OF MIND. DOA Warranty on Battery
Operating System Win XP Pro License, Operating System is preloaded but No OS Discs are supplied
12.5 Inch TFT Screen

Secondly, I have a friend starting uni so do you think this would be ideal for them too?

Tesla · 12 Oct 2007 at 13:05

Well I have gone ahead and ordered one anyway.

Tesla · 12 Oct 2007 at 14:07

MARK! I can't really blame you though

It will only cost me £20 to up the memory and buying from a shop gives me the added bonus of a receipt so can file as an expense.

Tesla · 13 Oct 2007 at 12:15

Thanks guys. Will report back Monday.

I figured that if it's poor then I can either send it back or ebay it for around the same figure.

Hopefully it will have 1 x 512mb DDR so I can add another for £20.

Tesla · 17 Oct 2007 at 08:00

Well got the laptop and am very pleased with it. It looks unused and is in mint condition.

The battery is behaving a bit weird. I think it just needs conditioning as it's never really been used and probably ran off of mains when it has. Takes about an hour to drop to 70%, then instantly drops to around 10% and then takes ages to go down. I am currently running it to find out how long. I think it needs a few fully charge-fully flat cycles then will report back.

Anyway, main question is under the laptop there is a small cover next to the battery, under here is a white plug. What's this for?

Tesla · 17 Oct 2007 at 09:45

I have found out that it's for connection of a bluetooth module. They seem cheap on ebay so I will probably pick one up.

The battery meter just sat at 0% for over an hour and the battery died after 2.5hours use. So going to give it a few more full-empty cycles but 2.5hours isnt bad for a second hand laptop imo.