Entered CNET Catalog: 01/10/2004
SKU: d505sb
Manufacturer: Dell, Inc.
CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 01/13/2004
Upside: Dell continues to drop notebook prices while packing in the features, and the Latitude D505 is no exception. This 5-pound business notebook can be purchased in dozens of configurations, including the aforementioned Celeron M, or you can opt for the speedier Pentium M. Display choices are 14.1 or 15 inches, hard drives range from 20GB to 60GB, and memory tops out at 2GB. Three wireless choices round out the package: Intel Pro Wireless (802.11b) or one of two Dell TrueMobile solutions, 802.11a/b/g or 802.11b/g.
Downside: As with the Pentium M, the Celeron M will incorporate features designed to cut down on energy consumption, but it won't have as many. The Celeron M, for example, doesn't include Intel's SpeedStep technology, which allows the processor to slow down and conserve energy when a laptop is running on batteries. It remains to be seen how those changes will affect performance and battery life.
Outlook: At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, some computer makers were quietly questioning whether the Celeron M is a good move for Intel. Some vendors say that consumers are confused by the Pentium M's gigahertz number, which is lower than that of other Pentium processors. In other words, a desktop Pentium 4 might run at 2.8GHz, for example, while a typical Pentium M runs at 1.6GHz, even though it's a newer chip designed for notebooks. Some vendors think the addition of Celeron M might confuse computer buyers even more. (Consumers tend to focus on the megahertz number when choosing a notebook.) Will the new Latitude D505 help consumers get the picture? Check back for a full review.
User opinions
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User Rating: 
8/10
Great computer!
Pros: Great battery life (if you use both at once), reliable, quiet, durable
Cons: Runs very hot, wi/fi failed
My wi/fi quit working a few months ago and I had to buy a new wireless NIC. Though significant, that is the only issue I've ever had with this computer. Also, though less significant, this computer gets very hot and can be downright uncomfortable on my lap, at times.
User Rating: 8/10
Solid, with a few faults
Pros: Good value, very reliable, runs cool, fast
Cons: Mediocre battery life, poor intergrity, and poor screen
Reccommended for the mobile businessman.
User Rating: 
9/10
Excellent notebook for weight and battery life
Pros: I have the 1.7 ghz Pentimu M processor w/ 60 gb drive and 1 gb ram so my model is a little more souped up. I had a Vaio before and I really like the lower weight on the D505. I am impressed also by the battery life. I travel a lot internationally and t
Cons: Other reviewers have complained that it runs a little hot on the left side of the tourch pad. This is true. The warmth however is tolerable. The good performance and benefits of the machine outweigh this drawback.
User Rating: 
7/10
Good but I don't like the display
Pros: Very fast application speed with 512MB ram. Light enough to carry around. I like it mostly. This is my first laptop anyway.
Cons: I don't like the LCD that much. You have to look at it exactly perpendicular to see crisp display. I looked at my friend's Inspiron 8600 and the display is very crisp. Also I noticed some dark spots at the edges of the screen. Support is ok but they put m
User Rating: 7/10
Nice laptop, but useless without an external keyword
Pros: Nice set of features and a good price.
Cons: The panel on the left of the touch pad gets as hot as the power suply, impossible to type more than 5 minutes
User Rating: 7/10
Fast, runs cool, light... a great value
Pros: I've had full desktop replacements for years. As processor speed has grown, so has power consumption (=less battery life) and heat output has increased dramatically (heat=laptop death). This little guy, with its Pentium M runs barely warm to the touch
Cons: No frills. Not necessarily a con, but if you like multimedia keys, a screen resolution of more than 1024x768 and larger than 15", side USB ports, built in SD readers, or high quality audio... you'll want to look elsewhere.
User Rating: 8/10
Great thin & light for < $1k
Pros: Light weight but solid feel and features. Excellent battery life, full size keyboard, vivid display and splenty of speed. Excellent wi-fi reception.
Cons: $999 config with 1.4 Ghz Centrino, 15in XGA (+$50), 256MB, 30GB needed more RAM to get speedy, but cost only $54 for second 256MB shipped from Crucial.
User Rating: 8/10
Great system for the $$$!
Pros: Affordable system, you get wireless capabilities for the money.
Cons: Please add memory to this Notebook. Tends to get hot, make sure it's well ventilated and that nothing is covering the fan.
User Rating: 8/10
Good inexpensive option
Pros: Relatively light, good features for the money, excellent support (first one shipped had a scratched screen; had a new one within 5 days, and kept my first until I received a replacement); make sure you get 512mb RAM or >
Cons: integrated video not for people with graphics intensive needs; need to check website for a few weeks to get the best price (deals change very frequently).
User Rating: 8/10
Great value, Can't be beat
Pros: When I said great value, I realized I should have put in some figures. The one I got was on Dell's outrageous deals. 1.4M Pent 15" screen 512 RAM 30GB HD DVD/CDRW combo and the Intel 2200 b/g card. It came w/ the 1350 for free, but decided to get the b
Cons: Once again, with this price, who can argue?? Oh, there's no volume buttons, but holding down the FN key, the Pg up and down become the volume buttons
User Rating: 
6/10
excellent choice overall
Pros: -good selection of options -nice blend of features -nice looks Overall, the choice of processors, memory, the Latitude modular bay, and ports make this a good machine. I have had it running for 6 hours and do not notice a heat problem as others have menti
Cons: -somewhat pricey (when configured the way you want) -no pointing stick -no on/off button for wireless -so so sound
User Rating: 6/10
great computer for traveling
Pros: Solid computer for business, travel, and internet. Get a secondary battery, and gets 10-11 hours of battery life, which is wonderful.
Cons: While light at about 5-6 pounds, it is a wide machine.
User Rating: 8/10
Great Wireless Machine!
Pros: I got the machine with the Pentium M1.5 and upgraded 15" screen and I am very happy with it. I got a Lynksys wireless G router and was surfing the net in minutes wireless. The battery life is great, have got over 4 hours on the machine. I got the machine
Cons:
User Rating: 
2/10
Horrible Tech Supp and Deceptive Advertising
Pros: This is my second Dell purchase, and both had been great prices, after haggling w/ sales for a while. I got a much cheaper price than advertised on Dell.com. Great value for the price (14.1 VGA, 1.4 PM, 30GB, 512MB, 3yrs Tech Supp, Tax= $1300). Speed is r
Cons: Horrible tech support. I had problems with the graphics driver and was hung up on several times; further, every tech person was incompetent and could barely speak English! Also, watch out for deceptive advertising. If you get the 14 inch screen, they put
User Rating: 8/10
Reasonable value for wireless capabilities
Pros: - Service & Support is best - wireless capabilities
Cons: - noisy - the panel where I put my lefthand over it is hot - there is a noticable response time delay
User Rating: 7/10
Affordable system but add memory
Pros: Affordable Pentium 4-M at 1.4GHz with on-board cache of 1GB makes this Latitude quite attractive but...
Cons: Beware of default configs with 256MB RAM and limited screen resolutions. If you are going to carry 15", you need a decent video card.
