The thin-and-light Latitude D600 series, based on the new Pentium M processor, marks the start of an ambitious new corporate look for Dell. Not only has the company redesigned all of its popular Latitude laptops, it has also reworked its docking stations, port replicators, and media modules. The notebooks carry the very latest components, including Pentium M processors and Intel's new 855 chipset. The D600 series isn't always a true-blue Centrino, but it can be. The company offers either the Centrino-completing Intel PRO/Wireless 2100 Mini-PCI card, known as Calexico, or Dell Computer's own TrueMobile Wi-Fi Mini-PCI cards, supporting 802.11b/g or a/b/g. If your corporate budget includes money for a new notebook line, the Latitude D series is a wise way to spend it.

Specifications

Processor
Processor manufacturer Intel
Processor type Pentium M
Processor number 725
Clock speed 1.6 GHz
Processor features Enhanced SpeedStep technology, Power-optimized processor system bus

Mainboard
Chipset type Intel 855PM
Data bus speed 400 MHz

RAM
RAM installed size 128 MB
Max supported RAM 2 GB
RAM Technology DDR SDRAM-266 MHz
Memory specification compliance DDR266/PC2100

Display (Projector)
Display (projector) diagonal size 14.1 in
Display (projector) technology TFT active matrix
Color support 24-bit (16.7 million colors)
Max resolution 1024 x 768

Video Output
Graphics processor ATI Mobility Radeon 9000
Max resolution (external) 1600 x 1200
Color max resolution (external) 24-bit (16.7 million colors)
Video output interface type AGP 4x

Video Memory
Video RAM installed 32 MB
Video memory technology DDR SDRAM

Storage Hard Drive
Hard drive 30 GB IDE

Optical Storage
CD / DVD type 8X DVD
CD / DVD read speed 24x
Optical storage enclosure type Plug-in module
Optical Storage (2nd)2nd optical storage type None

Interface Provided
Interface type Serial, Parallel, Display / video, Infrared, Microphone, Audio, Hi-Speed USB, Docking / port replicator, Modem, Network
Interface provided RS-232, IEEE 1284 (EPP/ECP), VGA, S-video output, Input, Line-out/headphones, Phone line, Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T
Interface qty 1, 2
Connector type 9 pin D-Sub (DB-9), 25 pin D-Sub (DB-25), 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15), IrDA, Mini-phone 3.5 mm, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, 4 pin USB Type A, 280 pin docking, RJ-11, RJ-45

Modem
Modem type Fax / modem
Max transfer rate 56 Kbps
Modem protocols & specifications ITU V.92

OS Provided
OS provided Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

Battery
Battery capacity 32 Wh
Battery technology Lithium ion
Installed battery qty 1
Max supported batteries 2

General
Built-in devices Stereo speakers
Mobile technology Intel Centrino
System type Notebook

Cache Memory
Cache Memory Type L2 cache
Cache size 2 MB

Networking
Data link protocol Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet
Networking standards IrDA 1.0, IrDA 1.1, IEEE 802.11b
Networking type Network adapter

Dimensions & Weight
Depth 10.1 in
Height 1.2 in
Weight 4.6 lbs
Width 12.4 in

Review

Pros
Good performance
dual-band wireless antennae fitted as standard
integrated Bluetooth option
common docking stations and media modules work in all D-series notebooks.
Cons
Older Latitude C-series docking stations or media modules are not supported.
Verdict
Dell has done a marvellous job redesigning its corporate thin-and-light notebooks, making the new Latitude D600 a wise choice for companies looking to upgrade their laptop fleets.

Source:
http://reviews.zdnet.co.uk