Dell Latitude 6430u Pro Reviews

The Dell Latitude 6430u (HD+) adds a 1,600 by 900 display to a formidable business laptop, and packs some multimedia oomph as well.

The Dell Latitude 6430u is an impressive entry into Dell's business lineup. It proves that within the boundaries of the Ultrabook classification, there is the option to include extra connectivity and a removable battery, which are both features that are useful in a business setting. Similarly, the design and build quality is second-to-none, and anyone looking for a machine to survive long-haul flights and hours of public transport will be impressed. Comfort is a factor too, and we can't fault the Dell Latitude 6430u in that regard. If there is a problem, it's to be found with the lack of a touch-sensitive display and sub-par screen resolution. Other than these issues, there's a great amount of versatility here, helped with Dell's customisable specification options when assembling your order. One word of caution though: expect to spend a hefty amount of change to get what we'd call a decent level of performance.

The Dell Latitude 6430u is an ideal unit for users who want a mix of portability and productivity. The sleek ergonomic design makes the notebook easy to hold and traverse with, while the extensive battery life ensures that the device will last while in the absence of a power supply. Additionally, the impressive Intel i5 quad-core processor with 8GB of RAM allows the notebook to tackle a plethora of programs simultaneous; and to top it all off the well-built keyboard and touchpad provide a comfortable experience to help maximize productivity. All of these features do come at a price though, as the machine is listed around $1,500 (price at time review was written). While that is fair price for this machine, users who want to watch or interact with media, will find the Dell Latitude 6430u seriously lacking. However, the integrated graphics and standard definition display are more than serviceable for users simply looking productivity and that's exactly what this device is geared towards.

For the average consumer, the Dell Latitude 6430u would be a fine machine. It’s replete with strong features, and its ruggedness is a valuable design element whether you fly internationally for business or just have a small child at home who knocks things off of coffee tables. That said, for $1,278 you might be able to do a bit better, especially in terms of looks. For business users, however, you should just go ahead and convince your IT department that you need this computer.

I rarely get this enthusiastic over a corporate product of any sort, but I'm a sucker for products that are tactilely and ergonomically superior. The Latitude 6430u is expensive, but most truly superb things are. Even consumers should seriously consider this ultrabook, since the entry-level configuration is more than adequate for most purposes, and the three-year warranty makes a big-box store's extended warranty unnecessary.

I rarely get this enthusiastic over a corporate product of any sort, but I’m a sucker for products that are tactilely and ergonomically superior. The Latitude 6430u is expensive, but most truly superb things are. Even consumers should seriously consider this ultrabook, since the entry-level configuration is more than adequate for most purposes, and the three-year warranty makes a big-box store’s extended warranty unnecessary.

Overall, with the Latitude 6430u Dell delivers a solid-feeling, IT-friendly laptop that's a pleasure to use. We only wish there were an option for a 1080p IPS panel for better viewing angles and more screen real estate for multitasking. Dell recently upgraded its admirable 13.3-inch XPS 13$1,149.99 at Amazon ultrabook to 1080p; it would seem sensible to take that step for the 6430u as well. A touch-screen option would be nice, too. But given the glossy, reflective nature of most Windows 8 touch screens, it may not be a bad thing to go without one on a business machine. But Dell gets so much else so right with this system, it's hard not to recommend. Best-in-class battery life? Check. Superb backlit keyboard? Check. Removable battery for hassle-free replacement a couple of years down the road? Check. The Latitude 6430u is a little pricey—in part due to its three- instead of one-year warranty (with mail-in service; next-business-day on-site service adds $72). But it's an easy pick as Editors' Choice for business ultrabooks.

With its slick design, excellent keyboard, and great battery life, the Dell Latitude 6430u is an easy choice for those who want productivity for work without having to settle for a drab, utilitarian business ultrabook.

Dell adds an Ultrabook to its Latitude range, but the tough-nut chassis and refined ergonomics deserve a better display

Trimming down a boxy Latitude into a thin Ultrabook while keeping the best attributes of the series is especially difficult given the structural rigidity and expandability options that the Latitude E series tend to offer. The 6430u preserves most of the solid basics by reiterating the magnesium alloy chassis - albeit in a thinner, slightly more flexible form - and allowing users easy access to the motherboard and removable battery. Both these reasons alone make this Dell potentially more appealing than competing Ultrabooks as most models in this category can be so highly integrated in construction with unibody designs that their innards are nearly inaccessible to the end-user. The strong build and ease of accessibility do come at the predictable cost of size and weight. Though certainly not heavy, the majority of current Ultrabooks are both thinner and lighter than the 6430u with brighter displays and, in the case of some Zenbooks and Series 9 models, provide much higher resolutions and better quality IPS/PLS panels as well. Such features, however, are likely to be more important to the multimedia user than the travelling business user who may have a strong reliance on WWAN connectivity and removable batteries.