More freedom with Dell's Latitude - Dell Latitude 433C-260 notebook computer - Hardware Review - Evaluation

Home Office Computing, July, 1994 by John R. Quain

Rating: ** 1/2

Dell Latitude 433C-260

Direct Sales Price: $2,349

Manufacturer: Dell Computer, (512) 338-4400, (800) 289-3355

WIN / DOS

After initial salvos and then a retreat, Dell Computer is reentering the notebook computer marketplace. Adopted from rival AST's Bravo line (AST is the original manufacturer of the system), Dell's Latitude is a solid, mainstream notebook PC that's available in a variety of models and packages. The $2,349 Latitude 433C-260 we tested proved to be dependable--but its average performance isn't likely to revolutionize portable computing.

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Tipping the scales at 6.4 pounds, the Latitude 433C is based on the 33-MHz SL-enhanced Intel 486SX. The processor has built-in power-management skills but lacks the math coprocessor of a 486DX: The Latitude isn't a performance leader--several companies offer faster 50-MHz DX2 models at comparable prices--but it's sufficient for most on-the-road work. The notebook also includes an internal 1.44MB floppy drive, 4MB of RAM (expandable to 20MB), and a 260MB hard drive.

The brightest feature of the 433C is its large 9.5-inch (measured diagonally), dual-scan, passivematrix color screen. The crisp VGA display manges 640 by 480 pixels in 256 colors but commands a price premium (the 433C's monochrome version, for example, with a 170MB hard drive is $800 less). And if you want state of the art, an active-matrix color model will cost you $650 more.

To improve longevity, the Latitude uses a nickelmetal hydride battery, although it still suffers timewise. Nickel-metal hydride batteries generaly supply more work time than older NiCad battery technology, but Dell's system is rated for only 2.2 to four hours of battery life--not enough to get through a nonstop New York--San Francisco flight.

The software package included with the Latitude contains DOS 6.2 and Windows 3.1, plus software for accessing America Online and Traveling Software's CommWorks. The latter offers standard modem controls as well as a send/receive fax program and LapLink's file transfer utility for sending data back and forth to your home system.

Also standard is RadioMail software. For those who can't count on the availability of a phone jack, RadioMail is a wireless messaging system from RAM Mobile Data that allows you to send e-mail to a variety of popular online services, including CompuServe and MCI Mail. Unfortunately, to use the service, you need to buy an additional radio modem, which costs about $799; a RadioMail subscription will set you back another $89 a month.

To add other components, such as a modem or a networking card to the Latitude, there's a version 2.1 PCMCIA slot. It can accommodate only one Type II or Type III PCMCIA card, so if you get an internal modem, you can't add another PCMCIA device.

Overall, the notebook doesn't have any fatal flaws. It's rugged and flexible enough to handle a variety of work while on the road. The Latitude, however, is a less than compelling choice.

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