Product Notes: Dell Latitude E6500

August 12th, 2008

Dell announced the Latitude E6500 today, which is based on Intel's Montevina notebook platform. The E6500 supplants the Latitude D830.

Changes

The Latitude E6500 includes many of the newly available Montevina features as standard. Newly available optional features include Intel's Turbo Memory 2.0.

The Latitude E6500 enclosure is approximately the same size as the Latitude D830 it replaces. However, it (along with all of Dell's E-series Latitudes) has a completely new brushed black and aluminum look and feel and include new ports such as DisplayPort, eSATA, SmartCard, and SecureDigital card reader. It also adds the option of both a backlit keyboard and webcam.

Ordering Notes

Several notes when ordering a Latitude E6500:

1. All Latitude E6500s include Penryn versions of Intel's flagship Core 2 Duo processor.
2. Having at least 2.0 GB RAM is essential for the optimal functionality of any modern notebook.
3. The Latitude E6500 includes Dell's Wi-Fi Catcher wireless network locater.
4. With any mid-weight notebook, ISC continues to strongly suggest a discrete video card instead of integrated video.
5. As with any mid-weight notebook, ISC suggests that LSPs consider purchasing both a high-capacity (9 cell) and a mid-capacity (6 cell) battery along with an extra AC power adapter for the Latitude E6500. Providers may also wish to consider Dell's range of port replicators and docking solutions, which include a port replicator and a mini dock.
6. The E6500's connectivity options include 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth 2.0. The 802.11n standard has still not been finalized as of August 2008, and so currently shipping 802.11n products may not work correctly in the future without a firmware update. ISC no longer discourages their purchase and use, but advises that the buyer beware. ISC believes that Bluetooth is a good choice for most E6500 users.
7. Though Dell has made it part of the default configuration for the Latitude E6500, ISC does not believe that ProSupport (a replacement for Gold Technical Support introduced earlier in February 2008) is the correct choice for all Schools and Centers.

See ISC's Notebook Purchasing Guide for more configuration hints. As of August 2008, configuring a Latitude E6500 to the mid-weight notebook specification can be done for approximately $1,350.

ISC sees the Latitude E6500 as being a competitive choice among mid-weight notebooks available in late 2008. The University's Computer Connection will have at least one E6500 configuration available shortly.

--John Mulhern III, Lead for Client Technologies, ISC Technology Support Services (August 12, 2008)