Dell Latitude X300: A Traveler's Companion
by Andrew Ku on October 30, 2003 5:53 PM EST- Posted in
- Laptops
Construction — Under the Hood
The performance of the X300 comes from the use of Intel's Centrino technology. Our system came configured with a 1.2GHz Pentium-M processor, the Intel 855GM chipset, 256MB DDR PC2100 memory, WiFi connectivity, and a 40.0GB 5400RPM hard drive.The low voltage 1.2GHz Pentium-M that the X300 uses is a slower version of the Pentium-M family, as it has a smaller thermal footprint. Like the other ultraportable systems we have looked at, the CPU for the X300 is mounted directly on the system's motherboard. This is most likely in order to save space and quite frankly, doesn't bother us. Even if it were socketed, it would be hard to upgrade the CPU, because it is hard to get access and acquiring a single socketed Pentium-M would be extremely difficult. Note that the CPU makes contact with the heatsink with some thermal grease.
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The CPU and northbridge is cooled via an aluminum heatsink and fan. The heatsink surface connects to the CPU via a copper heat pipe. The fan that the unit employs is temperature controlled, and remained quiet throughout the duration of the testing on the whole.
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Mounted directly below the CPU is the system's 855GM northbridge. From our talks with IBM regarding the IBM X31, we learned that the 855GM (integrated graphics) has poorer content creation performance compared to discrete graphic processors, such as the Mobility Radeon. It seems that Dell has chosen to maximize the use of space over this type of performance margin.
The system's ethernet controller is located on the top side of the motherboard. Our X300 came outfitted with the Broadcom BCM5705MKFB Gigabit ethernet controller. While the X300 doesn't support Gigabit ethernet, the addition of MediaBase supports Gigabit via the same chip. Dell told us that they used this chip so that the driver and the use of the MediaBase would be seamless. Additionally, Dell explains that the reason behind the lack of ethernet support on the system is due to space (specifically height) issues, which only allow the placement for a smaller transformer (one pair of the two pairs of pins on the transformer needed for Gigabit support).
The AC'97 audio codec is also on the bottom of the motherboard. For this, Dell turned to the SigmaTel C-Major STAC9750T.
As seen below, the motherboard of the X300 is fairly small and packed.
Click to enlarge.
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DL2 - Saturday, March 20, 2004 - link
I currently have an x300. I travel a great deal and have had a problem with a spot appearing on the screen. I have already had the screen replaced once and soon to be again. My question is would the IBM x31 be more durable than the Dell 300? I have not been able to find a x31 to compare to.Shalmanese - Saturday, November 1, 2003 - link
When anyone says Centrino, the basically mean the Pentium-M. Its just that Centrino is the more recognisable brand name. Technically, half the machines out there aren't real Centrinos since they use a 3rd party 802.11a/b/g chip.And I wasn't saying that the R50p was comparable to the X300, I just wanted it on the waiting list for reviews. IBM haven't had a serious Desktop replacement machine since the A31p over a year ago. (The G series doesn't count due to its sucky onboard graphics). It should be interesting what it brings to the table.
RichieZ - Saturday, November 1, 2003 - link
"BTW, the T40 isn't all that much bigger than the X31.... I like mine :)"Um the T40 is quite a bit bigger than the X31, I had a T40 at work and have an X31 as my personal machine.
Isn't this X300 acutally made by samsung?
Randalmaker - Saturday, November 1, 2003 - link
"Centrino technology continues to breathe a breath of fresh air into the market with a marriage of performance and portability."...omg stop this blue-eyed intelback-scratchin plz. we all know that the real innovation here is the banias only and that intel is using their marketing power and money 2 wipe out its mainboard competition once more. i shouldnt have 2 tell u that. centrino is a joke but it worxSouka - Friday, October 31, 2003 - link
R50p is a "monster" in size compared to these ultra-portables.... review, yes...comparable, no.anyways....yeah, the X31 rulz....more expensive, but going cheap on laptops is often not worth it. BTW, the T40 isn't all that much bigger than the X31.... I like mine :)
Shalmanese - Thursday, October 30, 2003 - link
"The X31 rains supreme in the battery life department."...Anyway, the feature set looks a lot like the Sony ultra-portables, right down to the blocking of the VGA port when you stick the media bay on.
quick request: would it be possible for you to review the IBM R50p when it comes out? Exected release date is november some time. Thanks