Specifications

Back (view large image)

From left to right: Ethernet, modem, 2x USB, VGA-out, 1x USB (also used for DVD drive connection), IEEE

1394 Firewire 400 port, and the AC power jack.

The Intel 3945 802.11a/b/g WiFi card works perfectly fine. I have no issues connecting to the networks I

frequent, no disconnections, and few problems at all. The only problem is that when resuming from standby

or hibernate, I sometimes have to ‘reboot’ the WiFi card (via a repair option available by right clicking the

WiFi task bar icon) to get it to connect again. But I do not think this is D430-specific, as I’ve seen this

happen on many other laptops.

Another interesting feature about the WiFi card is a hardware switch that can toggle the card on and off, and

a quick flick of the switch can make a popup list appear with all local networks shown. When turned off, the

switch’s light supposedly tells you if there is an unprotected network nearby, but since I only use encrypted

networks I cannot yet test that feature. However, the switch does require a little bit too much of a nudge to

toggle the on/off position of the switch.

(view large image)

I find the switch to be more annoying than anything for

me. I cannot benefit from it, and it gives a little too much

between the "On" and "Check Networks" positions. Even

more so, the button is hard to toggle to the "Off" position

and yet too easy to turn it back "On." Overall, this button

is a worthless feature for the laptop and the space

should have been used to install a side USB port which

would have been more useful.

In the last month or so, I’ve had to travel extensively

with the laptop, and often without the benefit of a wall

plug nearby. As previously mentioned, this is one of the large benefits of having a ULV processor and low

powered parts. Even with the relatively puny 6-cell battery, the laptop still squeezes out an incredible battery

life.

With the screen at the maximum brightness, wireless ON, in the presentation power mode (which keeps the

processor down to 800MHz), and while performing moderately difficult tasks on the D430, the laptop

managed to clock in at a battery life of about 2 hours and 16 minutes. Considering I was frequently using

the computer, accessing data and playing music, etc, etc, that is a fairly good lifetime. Estimates indicated

that under heavy load the laptop should still last over an hour at least, possibly more than 90 minutes.

With the screen at the minimum brightness, wireless ON, presentation mode, and leaving the computer at

idle most of the time while occasionally typing this review and browsing the internet, the laptop managed to

score an impressive 3 hours and 18 minutes.

During other tests, there were times that my estimated battery life was 4-5 hours, but I was never able to

actually achieve that projected battery life. But the potential is apparently there.

e 13 of 15Dell Latitude D430 User Review

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