Budget-savvy users searching for an enterprise-class notebook at an attractive price can opt for Dell’s D531.
Dell Latitude D531 is the most affordable of all the Latitude D Series notebooks, and it’s the only Latitude D to come with an AMD processor as the rest run on Intel platforms.
As an enterprise-class notebook, it offers features such as security and a tough build. The chassis and liquid crystal display back are designed with reinforced magnesium alloy steel.
For security, Dell Latitude D531 comes with a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) security chip and Wave Embassy Trust Suite to manage the TPM and control the security policies.
As the D531 is catered to budget-savvy enterprise users, expect some compromise on certain features. For instance, Dell Latitude D531 does not come with an integrated card reader, not even a SecureDigital card reader. However, on the plus side, it does come with integrated Bluetooth connectivity.
The review unit also does not come with a lot of pre-installed software, but you can choose to add in Microsoft Office 2007, Norton Internet Security or McAfee Security Center when you make your order.
However, Dell includes the Dell System Customisation Wizard that explains to users how to connect to the Internet, learn about gadgets and sidebars, find product support and documentation and transfer data.
Dell keeps the D531 to a minimalist design. Besides the power button, there’s only one other button, which is the switch for the wireless network and Bluetooth connection.
Besides that, you’ll only see the hard drive, caps lock and numerical lock light indicators next to the buttons and the speakers on either side of the keyboard.
A bulk of the ports and connectors are located at the back of the notebook. The sides only have two of the four universal serial bus (USB) ports, the microphone and microphone jacks, the IEEE 1394 port and the PC Card slot.
There were no problems when it came to using the D531. Applications opened up without any sluggishness and a 22-megabyte TIFF image opened up almost immediately in the Windows Photo Gallery.
Using Windows Movie Maker while the anti-virus software was checking the hard drive in the background was also a smooth experience, without any jerkiness in the video or lags when it came to adding effects and transitions.
The display was nice and clear and colours came out nicely.
Dell Latitude D531 also comes with an ambient light sensor but I preferred to use my own settings. Generally, the screen is bright enough for any regular office environment. However, the speakers weren’t that loud. You need to crank the volume all the way up, and even then it is just loud enough for your personal space.
On average, the battery lasts slightly over three hours, using the Balance Power Plan. Users can select between Power Saver plan and a High Performance plan.
The wired internal network card is deactivated when the network cable is unplugged, and this helps to save the notebook’s battery power.
The review unit, however, isn’t the basic configuration that Dell offers. This unit come with AMD Turion 64 X2 TK-55, Windows Vista Business, one-gigabyte memory, 80GB hard drive, DVD-ROM and CD-RW combo drive, Dell Wireless 1390 (802.11g) Wi-Fi and a 14.1-inch display.
Also, there’s an option to go with a 15.4-inch screen with TrueLife Technology which includes the 802.11a/g/n wireless network specifications.
Dell Latitude D531 may be a large notebook to lug around, but it certainly fits the criteria if you’re looking for a basic business notebook with security features and solid build at an affordable price.
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