GCN Hot Topics:

GCN Lab Review: Dell Latitude D620

By Greg Crowe, GCN Lab Staff

Pros: Good performance, solid battery life
Cons: Surprisingly pricey
Price: $1,917
Performance: B+
Battery life: A-
Features: B
Value: B

Despite sporting high-performance components including a 2-GHz processor and Nvidia Quadro video controller, Dell’s Latitude D620 proved an average performer in the GCN Lab. Its benchmark score of 7,414 was solidly middle-of-the-pack.

But here’s something we don’t usually say about a Dell notebook: Its battery score was impressive. Thanks to a nine-cell battery (a mere $29 upgrade over the standard six cells), the D620 turned in the second-longest battery life in the review: three hours and 48 minutes. You could easily expect five-plus hours running typical productivity software.

Almost everything else we’d require is here, including a smart-card reader and fingerprint scanner, plus multiple input devices—a track stick and a touch pad—to suit your style. And this line of Latitudes is Dell’s first to support mobile broadband adapters in addition to standard 802.11 wireless connectivity. For about $180 or $225 extra (plus a monthly contract with Verizon or Cingular, respectively), you could be more mobile than ever. We had a Verizon EvDO card on our system.

The cellular radio and 2-GHz processor are the primary reasons our test system topped out at $1,917. For that money, we expected something bigger than a 14.1-inch screen.

Overall, the Latitude D620 is what you’d expect from Dell—a well-built, well-configured enterprise laptop. If you need the integrated smart-card reader, it’s your choice. If not, however, take a look at the HP Compaq nc6320 —a very similar system for a little bit less.

Dell Inc., Round Rock, Texas, (800) 388-8532, www.dell.com