Review: Dell Latitude E6220

August 22, 2011

In May 2011, Dell announced the Latitude E6220 12.5-inch notebook, which is based on Intel's Sandy Bridge notebook platform. The E6220 supplants the Latitude E4200 and is a major update. In the E6x20 series, it follows the larger Latitude E6320 13.3-inch, Latitude E6420 14.0-inch, and Latitude E6520 15.6-inch notebooks to market.

This major update occurs almost three years after the release of the Latitude E4200 in August 2008.

Design and Changes

The most prominent internal change for the Latitude E6220 is the move to Intel's Sandy Bridge notebook platform, which includes Intel's notably improved HD 3000 integrated graphics.

The Latitude E6220 is larger and heavier than the Latitude E4200 it replaces, with a weight of 2.9 to 3.3 pounds (depending on battery size) and a travel weight (which includes power adapter) of 3.6 to 4.0 pounds. As with the rest of the revised E-series, the E6320 has a substantially modified appearance, including a new keyboard and a more rounded look.

The only display available for the Latitude E6220 is a 16:9 12.5-inch 1366 x 768 "HD" display, with a resolution of 125 pixels per inch. All models in this generation of the Latitude E-series transition from DisplayPort to HDMI video output while continuing to include VGA. The new digital video output marks a notable change from the last two E-series generations.

The Latitude E6220 includes three USB 2.0 ports, one of which is also an eSATA port. Like the E4200 before it, there is no integrated optical drive. Unlike the E4200, there is the option of either hard disk drive or solid state drive storage (the E4200 was solid state only, which notably increased its cost).

The Latitude E6220 is EPEAT Silver-compliant and Energy Star 5.0-certified.

Configuration and Ordering Notes

Several notes when ordering a Latitude E6220 through Dell's Premier Page for the University:

1. Dell's E6220 configurator allows the selection of various models of Intel's current Core i3, Core i5, or Core i7 processors. Information Systems & Computing (ISC) believes that any Core i5 is appropriate for most users.
2. 4.0 GB RAM is essential for the optimal functionality of this or any modern lightweight notebook.
3. An integrated web camera is optional. ISC suggests adding the web camera unless there is a specific local policy or security reason to exclude one.
4. Though 128 GB and 256 GB solid state drives are available, ISC does not believe that they are currently an appropriate choice for many lightweight notebook users because of the steep cost trade-offs.
5. As with any lightweight notebook, ISC suggests that LSPs consider purchasing both a mid-capacity (6 cell) and a low-capacity (3 cell) battery along with an extra AC power adapter. Note that Dell is continuing to offer an extra cost 6 cell battery with a three year warranty instead of the normal one year warranty for batteries. Providers also may wish to consider Dell's range of port replicators.
6. Connectivity options include various 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi cards, Gobi multi-vendor WWAN connectivity, and Bluetooth 3.0. ISC believes that Bluetooth is a relevant protocol for most notebook users and that WWAN connectivity is useful for users who travel frequently.

See ISC's Notebook Purchasing Guide for more configuration hints. As of August 2011, configuring a Latitude E6220 to the Lightweight Notebook specification can be done for approximately $1,500 to $1,750. The University's Computer Connection has a E6220 configuration available for order.

Performance

ISC tested a Latitude E6220 with a 2.5 GHz Core i5, 1333 MHz 4.0 GB RAM, integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics, a 256 GB SSD drive, and Windows 7 Professional 64-bit. It received a Windows Experience Index base score of 5.7, with individual scores of:

• Processor: 7.1
• Memory (RAM): 5.9
• Graphics: 5.7
• Gaming graphics: 6.2
• Primary hard disk: 7.6

These scores suggest that Windows 7 performance will be excellent for most users on a Latitude E6220 configured in this manner.

Analysis

ISC sees the Latitude E6220 as being an attractive and capable choice among lightweight notebooks available in mid 2011. The E6220s is Dell's lightest Latitude and it is far more competitively priced and configured than its predecessor, the E4200.

When correctly configured to the lightweight notebook specification in the Notebook Purchasing Guide, the Latitude E6220 is approved for general use at the University.

Latitude E6220 graphic courtesy of Dell

--John Mulhern III and Andrew Romond, ISC Technology Support Services (August 22, 2011)