Review Dell Inspiron 6400
This time we examined and tested the Dell Inspiron 6400. As a low-priced, durable office notebook it is particularly interesting for business men but also for private users.
Case
The Dell Inspiron 6400 seems to be very compact and durable. A substantial reason is the Design of the Dell Inspiron 6400. Our test sample was colored in the standard of silver, further the Inspiron 6400 is available in the color designs "Natural Leather, Cherry Burlwood, Carbon Fiber and Mediterranean Blue". All common is the white verge of the case, which suggests special compactness.
Regarding to materials exclusively plastic is used. Except one error in the material processing the workmanship is good.
The chassis is very stiff against torsions, imprinting is hardly possible and crunching noises could not be determined. When we examined exactly we detected somewhat careless, different gap dimensions. Interesting feature at the bottom of the notebook: LED for the charging condition of the Li-Ion battery.
All connections are at the back or within the rear range of the right side. At the front edge there are well placed more or less useful media keys.
The hinges can be adjusted well with appropriate force, but a light is to be noticed. Caution with adjusting the display: Already a moderate movement forward activates the standby-mode.
Due to the double hook catch system the display cover does not keep closed completely. So a wobbling of the display is possible.
- connections front
- connections right side
- connections left side
- connections back
Input Devices
The keyboard can be used pleasantly. It sits absolutely durably in the chassis and does not at all wobble or flex.
In addition it is characterised by clarity due to a good layout.
The keys exhibit a clear but pleasant pressure point and remain silent even with fast writing.
The Touchpad possesses a somewhat rough surface, but nevertheles responds well. The pertinent keys shine particularly with a clear pressure and a soft tapping feeling á la IBM.
- touchpad
- keyboard
Display
- colour diagram of the Dell Inspiron 6400
Fortunately the Dell Inspiron is equipped with a not reflecting 15.4 inch WXGA display. The colours and the contrast seem subjectively well.
Also the measurements confirmed the positive impression of the display with an maximum illuminating of good 159.5 cd/m² and a brightness of 83.5%.
The color representation diagram shows like so often a clear deviation of the blue curve and therefore a warm colour representation of the image.
With achieved level 5 in the Pixperan readability test no particular susceptibility for the creation of streaks could be determined.
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Informations
Maximum: 159.5 cd/m² Average: 141.3 cd/m² |
The stability of the viewing angles is good in the horizontal range, in the vertical range from above occurs a somewhat strong clarification and with a view position from below a darkening takes place.
Performance
The T2300 core duo processor with 1.6 Ghz supplies quite acceptable values. So there is sufficient power for average office applications.
- benchmark comparison 3DMark06
- benchmark comparison PCMark05
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Emissions
Warmth
Even after some time under load and at summer temperatures, the Dell Inspiron 6400 remains without considerable heating up with a maximum of 40°C.
- temperatures at the top
- temperatures at the bottom
Volume
The fan practically never runs during normal operation, and the laptop was hardly perceptible with normal ambient noise in an office. We could not accomplish detailed noise measurements, because we tested the notebook in a foreign office.
Battery Runtime
Due to the short time within we could test the Dell Inspiron 6400, we can't deliver precise data about different battery runtimes. If we calculate with the observed battery load conditions, then the runtime sums up to 2h under load and more than 4h during minimum load.
current consumption
minimum (all off or at minimum): 15.2 Watts
idle (max. brightness): 22.5 Watts
maximum (full load inkl. WLAN): 40.4 Watts
Verdict
- Dell Inspiron 6400
The Dell Inspiron 6400 has everything that a good office notebook needs: a durable case, outstanding input devices, a good display, silent noise and low heat emissions and a good battery runtime, too.
Negative aspects are a few imperfections of workmanship and a mediocre performance of processor and video card.
Nothing the despite the Dell Inspiron 6400 is particularly recommended as a fine notebook destinated for working for mobile users in the private and in the business range. Due to the antireflection coated display and the good brightness working in the nature should not be a problem.
