Dell Latitude D620, D820 get specs

Dell's latest Latitude models must be the worst-kept secrets in the computer biz, what with early, blurry pics and even an actual hands-on review that was posted and later vanished from Laptop mag's web site. And now that the boxes are apparently about to launch, we've been gifted with what look to be the actual spec sheets for two new models, the D620 and D820 (left to right, above). According to these docs, the 620 will weigh 4.41 pounds, will be available in Core Solo and Duo configs, will have a 14-inch display running at either 1280x800 or 1440x900, and will include WiFi and Bluetooth, with optional internal HSDPA or EV-DO cards available. The 820 has a 15-inch display, weighs in at about 6 pounds, and has similar config options, including a choice of Core Solo or Duo processors. Both models will include an instant-on external WiFi finder, so you can find a working network without having to open and boot up your laptop. What's missing from the spec sheets? Pricing, of course, though we expect to find out about that soon enough.

Update: The D620 base configuration will drop for $1,149 whereas the D820 will go for $1,289 -- both are spec'd with a Core Duo T2300, 512MB RAM, 40GB disk and 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi capability

[Thanks, Bobby]

[MacroEQ @ Mar 28th 2006 5:03PM]

I'm seeing ugly, tacky, dated and tired design - in double. The specs of new laptops will usually mirror those of their competitors and be in keeping with the needs of the market and the technology available at the time.

What we need are sleeker, thinner, more attractive and robust pieces hardware that are more fitting for the 21st century.

[Glancing Aft @ Mar 28th 2006 5:04PM]

Will they ever come out with a good looking laptop...

[king @ Mar 28th 2006 5:07PM]

here is spec of D620 in german

http://www.dell.com/downloads/emea/products/Latitude_D620_06-03.pdf

[MasterCKO @ Mar 28th 2006 5:14PM]

This is interesting...Dell going for a Thinkpad look. haha. Of course, Lenovo's still look better, but it's interesting nonetheless.

[Gr1zz @ Mar 28th 2006 5:19PM]

Im writing this from a D810 and i clearly see the latch mechanisum went back to the ond standerd slide. And what looks like they moved the speakers from the face, to both sides of the keyboard where the vents used to be...

So long as it continues to use a non workstation GPU, ill upgrade to it for the dual core boost.

[Gr1zz @ Mar 28th 2006 5:22PM]

#3 I totally agree, with changing the curved long edges back to straight ones, and going from grey-silver back to black. Their style is migrating to thinkpad looks.

[jm @ Mar 28th 2006 5:26PM]

These are targeted at businesses so flashy/ultramodern designs would probaly hurt sales more than help. Nice looking for a conservative laptop.

[TC @ Mar 28th 2006 5:29PM]

MacroEQ: You may be seeing/needing nice design but Dell is not aiming these laptops at you. These are for corporations and businesses who order laptops by the hundreds and regard support continuity, low bulk pricing and tight Windows integration above all else.
The 410/420 were never intended as Dell's answer to sleek, thin attractive laptops (They are robust though, far more so than the plasticky D400/600 etc) That responsibility falls to the Latitude X1 (Admittedly due for an update). However, you lose power the prettier and thinner your laptop gets, and in my experience the D420 is a superb combination of lightness and power. The spec list is great and it raises the base spec bar for corporate laptops. Kudos for the Wi-Fi finder too.

[murray @ Mar 28th 2006 5:35PM]

any news on the M90? looking to get my hands on them asa they roll out.

[Sam @ Mar 28th 2006 5:45PM]

Funny how Apple makes ALL of it's laptops sleek, thin and attractive, hum...

[DJ @ Mar 28th 2006 6:15PM]

It wasn't long ago when Dell actually offered cool looking laptops with different case colors, rounded edges and excellent keyboards. Now the only one that's decent looking is the XPS M170.

[Di @ Mar 28th 2006 6:25PM]

They also come with optional fingerprint scanner between the left and right click buttons. They are pushing security and TPM chips so that you store passwords and password protect the hard drive itself. I don't think the rep liked it when I told him that if someone really wanted the data, they would crack it.

[king @ Mar 28th 2006 6:35PM]

A Dell representative declined to comment on unannounced products. The D620 will start at $1,149, while the D820 starts at $1,289, sources said.

[slow news day @ Mar 28th 2006 6:42PM]

The Latitude line is for businesses looking for standardization and minimal changes between refreshes. If you're looking for cutting edge models, Dell has a separate line for that too.

[MDJ @ Mar 28th 2006 6:44PM]

What is the official release date!!?

[glacia00 @ Mar 28th 2006 6:48PM]

Everyone including Engadget must be in a hate Dell mood. The people posting here are really starting to drone. These were not released in some huge super-secret invitation only bash. And Engadget what is your deal? Seriously what is your problem with anything not Apple? Any product release from any company other than Apple you treat as though they're claiming they've cured cancer and you then procede to trash them as though they have.

IT'S JUST WHAT IT SEEMS TO BE, OK???? JUST THEIR MOST RECENT MODEL, OK??? NO CONSPIRACY, OK?? THINK YOU CAN MANAGE TO GET OVER IT NOW? JESUS.

[Eric @ Mar 28th 2006 7:07PM]

The D620 and D820 will be released on the 29th. While the D520 will be the 1st of next month. Also the X1 is will be replaced by the D420.

[foobles @ Mar 28th 2006 7:10PM]

#10 is smoking something. Dell's multi-color excursion was mainly with ugly clip-on case covers. If anything their laptops have gotten sleaker and more solid than they were 5 years ago. And they still use the same keyboard they used on the venerable C-Series and my first Dell.. an i3700.

I'm sure the Inspiron version of the D620 will have a little more flair but this looks good as is, as long as it contues to be a long living sturdy value like the D600/D610/600m.

What I care about is that they continue to offer real GPUs, if the D620 is onboard video only I will scream. They already ruined the inspiron line that way

[Kanate @ Mar 28th 2006 10:16PM]

Wow, 1440x900 on 14" widescreen? That's great. I've never seen one before. I like the size of 14" widescreen notebook and have been waiting to get one with higher resolutions screen.

[Virtuous @ Mar 28th 2006 10:16PM]

Dell ought to farm out all of its PC designs to Alienware. Even in faceless corporations appearance still counts for something. Between the ugly designs and worsening service and support there's no reason to buy Dell anymore.

[Gurty @ Mar 28th 2006 10:51PM]

Dell Australia are already taking orders.
I've just placed an order for a couple of D620's for our office.

[Silver @ Mar 28th 2006 11:02PM]

"And Engadget what is your deal? Seriously what is your problem with anything not Apple?" - glacia00

Chill out man, and wipe the spittle from your screen. You're going to give yourself a heart attack. I don't know what you're reading, but I didn't see anything derogatory about these Dell laptops in the Engadget write-up. You're delusional. This anti-Apple paranoia is really getting out of control.

As for the rest of us, Dells are boring, always have been, always will be. So if you're into boring but cheap, buy a Dell. Otherwise...

And why can't PC laptop manufacturers spring for a slot-load optical drive? Seriously, it's not like Apple has an exclusive license to those things. Would you want a pop out CD tray in your car stereo? Neither would I. And they're equally archaic in computer laptops.

[Gurty @ Mar 28th 2006 11:10PM]

The Latitude range is for business.
Business cares more about function than beauty.

And how are use meant to use a mini CD/DVD in a slot loaded DVD?

[Kevin @ Mar 29th 2006 12:54AM]

Found this on dells site search...

http://search.dell.com/searchcom_redirect.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&k=d820&cat=all&tdc=0&tcn=1&curcatni=1&curcatna=all&tdcp=0&lbcp=1&ubcp=0&ty=content&cd=1&sfp=res&redp=http%3a%2f%2fwww1.us.dell.com%2fcontent%2ftopics%2ftopic.aspx%2fus%2fsegments%2fbsd%2fproducts%2fneedhelp%2fen%2fcompare_notebooks%3fc%3dus%26cs%3d04%26l%3den%26s%3dbsd&redpe=2368689a-adf0-068d-1b4c-966ee4ada4a8

Some info for the new laptops but with old photos (D810, not 820) ?!

[gristle @ Mar 29th 2006 2:36AM]

Boring and cheap huh?? At least they make a half decent 3d workstation laptop. And my guess is the new one will not be cheap.

[Chris Coleman @ Mar 29th 2006 8:42AM]

My only question... How well will a copy of OS X run on these ugly abominations?

Actually, screw that. I'll just Wait for rev. 2 of the MacBook Pro.

Also, 40 gig drives? What's even the point?

[Samiam @ Mar 29th 2006 8:46AM]

For you wonderfully intelligent posters who have nothing better to do than whine about the looks of the new Latitudes, I offer this link to your cool, new portable machine:
http://www.etch-a-sketch.com/assets/images/zooper1.gif
It might be useful for redoing your resume (in your customary block printing). If by some strange quirk of fate you actually have a job at the moment, I suspect you will need that capability in the near future. On behalf of the 350 portable computer users I support, I'll take the reliability, performance, and economy of Dell's offerings, thank you very much.

[yasth @ Mar 29th 2006 9:14AM]

Ummm, you guys are smoking somehing nasty, really they look better in the non porn spreadeagled view.

And if more people (including Apple, who does steal anyways) stole from Thinkpads, the world would be a better place. They (at least the highend) are wonderful machines.

As far as the 40gb drive goes, ummm please. That is probably what most of them are going to be ordered with, what exactly is the point for someone whose largest file is a 24mb powerpoint preso to have a 100gb drive (of course they could get nuts and carry their Outlook archives, but those are generally only 2-4 gb).

It is a nice laptop that is eagerly awaited, and will sell well. The industrial design is much better then the units they replace that is for certain.

[neill birchenall @ Mar 29th 2006 9:15AM]

the HSDPA option looks great but it does not appear to be available in the UK. anyone have any insight as to why that is? it is listed on the spec, just not as an option to order.

[czo79 @ Mar 29th 2006 11:27AM]

I'm assuming the 15" on the D820 is a widescreen, correct? I've found it odd that some business laptops like latitudes and thinkpads have been slow to migrate to widescreen formats. I find widescreen to really enhance my productivity.

[glacia00 @ Mar 29th 2006 12:16PM]

Silver

We could exchange email and take your personal attack offline if you like.

You're reading things into my post that aren't there. There is no "Anti-Apple paranoia". The belief by Apple fans that there is some anti-apple movement is the delusion. I've given Apple its due when it deserved it so I'm far far from anti-apple. But Engadget is also far far from unbiased. And when they are I point it out.

The fact is as many have pointed out these are business machines that people are for some reason wanting Dell to make with sparkles and rhinestones. The fact is that in a business, like it or not, you want to project professionalism. Sorry but that is why very few people in business positions buy Macs for work. Apple does not make a business machine that looks professional. I've worked in high tech for over 20 years and I've never seen a customer subcontractor or vendor show up with a Mac. It just doesn't say business.

[glacia00 @ Mar 29th 2006 12:29PM]

And now I'll give Engadget their due. They just moments ago posted another blurb about the D620 and in the first sentence they point out that it's a 'business' machine. Maybe they do read their own forum...

[Chris Coleman @ Mar 29th 2006 2:44PM]

#30... How the hell does this ugly thing look more professional than a MacBook Pro?

Or does "business" mean lots of extraneous crappy plastic, as many buttons as you can cram on the thing, and Intel Inside and Designed for Windows XP stickers?

[Silver @ Mar 30th 2006 1:17AM]

Well glacia00, my friend, perhaps you should look at your original post, then compare it to the original story, and see if the two have any connection whatsoever. In fact, read the story, then read the very first sentence of your post. I see nothing anti-Dell or pro-Apple in the original story at all. Nada. You're creating conflict when in fact there is none.

There's something about Apple that sends some people into a foamy-mouthed fury, even when Apple isn't mentioned at all. Or if Apple is mentioned but once (which it is, not in the story, but in one single, solitary post before yours). And that managed to set you off on an all-caps tirade?

There have been plenty of warm, fuzzy Dell-related stories here on Engadget recently, so that should soothe your frazzled nerves.

Oh, and news flash, people don't buy Apple laptops for business for all sorts of reasons (Umm, Windows compatibility perhaps? Price?). Not likely among those reasons is they "don't look professional." You live on a strange planet...

[glacia00 @ Mar 30th 2006 12:09PM]

Personal attacks could be taken elsewhere as I said before. The belief that there are lurking groups of Apple haters is a reaction by some who are rabid Apple fans who believe there must be a counterpart for them to fight with.

The fact is the companyX-fan counterpart just doesn't exist and is a fantasy.

Engadget takes the same action every time they are accused of bias in a post. They immediately counter it with pro posts about whatever company or product the post first appeared in. Just so that someone will say "See there are warm and fuzzy posts about X. They can't be biased."

As I have mentioned before. The game the media (and blogs) plays with Apple fans is an easy one for them. They have all of the kneejerk reactions dialed in.

[glacia00 @ Mar 30th 2006 12:13PM]

Silver

Just for your personal attacks.

[e-mail]

[glacia00 @ Mar 30th 2006 12:25PM]

And since I tipped my hand in my last post and it looks like Engadget has quit posting about the D620 & D820 I suppose I have to concede to a friend that I lost the bet.

I fully expected and bet on at least 4 counter-posts from engadget after accusing them of bias.

[Silver @ Mar 30th 2006 8:21PM]

Glacia00, if you're going to post inane comments in a public forum, be prepared to be savaged publicly. I'm not attacking you personally (i.e. "you look like a monkey," etc.), I'm attacking your idiotic commentary. Again, if you'll read the original story, then read your post that I criticized (#16, FYI), perhaps you can make some sense of it all. But likely not. Whatever.

It's been Dell & Gateway week here at Engadget, so you can calm down already.

Why do I even keep coming back to this thread? Just to see what new nonsense you're spouting, I suppose.

[johnnybroken @ Apr 6th 2006 10:37AM]

Yeah, they're not pretty. On top of that, they can't fill the orders. I had a quote for the core duo D620 with the 256mb nVidia chip. When I tried to place the order, I was told that it wouldn't be honored because the video chips weren't available. Shortly after, they pulled the nVidia chip off the build options. My contact tells me it will be a month before they can add that option back. Good thinkin'Dell.

[no-blue-screen @ Jun 20th 2006 10:14AM]

Just ordered a D820 yesterday. The appearance of this laptop serves it's purpose. It is, as others have stated, a business laptop. We use both Lenovo and Dell here and I can't say I really like the Lenovos that much. The only thing I can think of that this laptop is lacking is a media card reader. The 40GB drive reduces the cost of the laptop, and in a business environment, important data is (or should be) stored on a network drive so that it is backed up on a regular basis and more secure. When the laptop user is away he/she would check-out the files they need to work on, or access them via a VPN connection. This is why a 40GB drive should be offered. 100GB drives increase the cost of the notebook by $249 at last check. I ordered a 40GB in mine, because I can get a 100GB 7200rpm Hitachi drive from newegg for about $100 less than Dell charges for the 100GB upgrade. I also ordered only 512MB RAM, because again, I can get 2GB DDR2 667 notebook memory from newegg for $160. There are many reasons you don't make business laptops "look flashy". Here are a couple I can think of off the top of my head:

1) The IT director/manager has to keep equipment in service for a specific period of time (usually 2 or 3 years). If you get a newer flashy laptop in, then older models start breaking mysteriously so that employees can get upgraded to a newer model.

2) Flashy laptops send the wrong signal to the customer. A flashy laptop may give the customer the impression that the company is not making good financial decisions....or wasting money.

3) The less attention to draw to the laptop, the less likely it is to be stolen. Flashy laptops are going to get everyone's attention...including people with "sticky fingers".

On the MAC issue, I think compatibility and cost are the two main reasons companies don't use them an awful lot. MACs are nice, but they are quite a bit more expensive. At most companies, there is an IT budget and you can only spend so much and you need X number of units. This is usually the first place where the mac option is filtered out. Unless there is a specific need for a MAC, you usually don't see them in the corporate environment.

You guys should stop attacking each other. It is okay to like a MAC and it is okay to like a PC. You have to use what works best for YOU and not try to force your opinions on others. :-()

[Jack Smith @ Dec 28th 2008 10:20PM]

IMO latitude D630 is the update to latitude D620.
Also the D820 has many similar feature with the D620.
I found the latitude D630 battery can work with D620 as following
http://www.laptops-battery.co.uk/dell-latitude-d630-battery.htm