Dell Latitude 13 – Love It, Hate It
Dell Latitude 13 is a sleek ultra portable that has a great keyboard in getting the job done. You will love the all-metal framework that gives its bold look. And it does actually feel strong in your hands. Executives who are always on the go will appreciate this three quarter of an inch machine that weighs not more than four pounds.
The design makes it easy for those with highly mobile life to just tuck it under their arm and would not have to go through difficulties of finding an enough space to put it and get started with your task. The Latitude 13 is probably the lightest and thinnest, with 13-inch screen, not to mention the full-sized keyboard, compared to most of the 10-inch Netbooks out in the market today.
Another impressive mark of the Latitude 13 is it is priced less than most 13-inch notebook having the same, if not more, thickness and weight. But this Dell product has its drawbacks and downsides; features that were compromised in the name of the design. It has very limited ports that are situated at the back except for the headset and the microphone jacks which are on the front. Latitude 13 does have ports that would probably be what the business masses likely need; LAN, eSATA/USB combo, USB and VGA. Such design of putting these ports at the back of the machine may have buyers thinking twice. These are not easy-to-reach ports if you are someone who always connects and disconnects stuff. The users might also be looking for HDMI connectors used to connect to conference rooms’ big screen HDTVs.
The biggest sacrifice Dell had to make is its battery. The battery comes sealed inside the unit. Changing the battery while on the road may not prove to be an easy affair. If the battery can’t hold charge any longer, you’d replace it and buy a new one for yourself. Swapping batteries while on the go is not an option. As batteries do not have a lifetime-running warranty, this might be one feature, or should we say, disadvantage a future owner would have to consider.
Owning one is a choice left to the buyers. Weighing the product’s pros and cons is always suggested before making that decision. However, a more manageable and realistic expectations over a machine that gives you the style, the design, and the look you’ve always wanted may supersede its drawbacks and actual functionality that we are looking for.
