Product Notes: Dell Latitude D830

May 9th, 2007

Dell announced the Latitude D830 today, which is based on Intel's Santa Rosa laptop platform. Note that the Latitude D830 is not currently available with a discrete video card and thus does not meet Information System's & Computing's (ISC's) full-size laptop specification.

Changes

The Latitude D830 includes many of the newly available Santa Rosa features. Specifically, FireWire is now standard. Newly available optional features include Intel 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi and Intel's Turbo Memory.

Ordering Notes

Several notes when ordering a Latitude D830:

1. The Latitude D830 enclosure is generally similar to the D820 it replaces, though it does include a few new ports and capabilities.
2. All Latitude D830s include the latest versions of Intel's flagship Core 2 Duo processor.
3. Having at least 1.0 GB RAM is essential for the optimal functionality of any modern laptop.
4. The Latitude D830 includes Dell's Wi-Fi Catcher wireless network locater.
5. With any full-size laptop, ISC continues to strongly suggest a discrete video card instead of integrated video. Dell expects discrete video cards to be available for the D830 in late June.
6. As with full-size laptop, ISC suggests that LSPs consider purchasing an extra AC power adapter for the Latitude D830. Providers may also wish to consider Dell's range of port replicators and docking solutions, which include a port replicator and a mini dock.
7. The D830's connectivity options including 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth 2.0. The 802.11n standard has not been finalized as of May 2007, and so currently shipping 802.11n products may not work correctly in the future without a firmware update. ISC is no longer actively discouraging their purchase and use, but advises that the buyer beware. ISC believes that Bluetooth is a good choice for most D830 users.
8. Though Dell has made it part of the default configuration for the Latitude D830, ISC does not believe that Gold Technical Support is the correct choice for all Schools and Centers. ISC intends to follow up on this particular issue in a more detailed communication.

See ISC's Laptop Computer Purchasing Guide for more configuration hints.

ISC sees the Latitude D830 as being an extremely competitive choice among full-size laptops available in mid-2007, when it becomes available with a discrete graphics card.

--John Mulhern III, Senior Project Leader, ISC Technology Support Services (May 9th, 2007)