Samsung X11 Dual Core Notebook Versus Dell Latitude D620 Duo Core Notebook

Once upon a time, notebook computers were owned by only the highest of CEO’s and the richest of Harvard grads. They were large, slow, and without much power. Their usefulness was only guaranteed for such tasks as word processing, data entry, and programming. But nowadays, notebook computers are as commonplace as the cell phone; they are expected to perform a wide varieties of tasks, and they must do them fast.

The Samsung X11 and the Dell Latitude D620 are both equipped with Centrino Duo Core technology, which greatly increases processing speeds, something every computer owner wants. They both also come equipped with Bluetooth and with Intel ABG internal wireless capabilities, allowing them to connect with virtually any wireless network. When it comes to overall features, both notebooks display a nice range of options, but when it comes to performance, Dell’s D620 wins hands-down.

Both laptop computers are small and light weight, and both are black and silver in color. The X11 has a somewhat plain look to it, being modest in design. The D620 looks very sophisticated with its black and silver variations and its signature silver Dell cover.

The X11 and D620 both come with a touchpad, which works nicely, but only the D620 comes with a track button, which is nestled comfortably between the G, H, and B buttons. The track button also serves as a left mouse button when tapped.

Both laptops also have similar 7-row keyboards, and both have nice firm keys. Occasionally the keys on the X11 seem a tad stiff and may need to pressed harder than normal.

The first major difference you will notice upon looking at these laptops is the screen quality. The X11 comes with a WXGA 14.1 inch widescreen with super-gloss display, and has a resolution of 1280 X 800, which is only average for a notebook of its size and offers nothing special. Dell’s D620 also comes with a 14.1 inch widescreen, but trumps Samsung with its WXGA or WXGA+, which is the ability to switch between 1280 X 800 screen resolution or 1440 X 900 screen resolution, a very nice feature. The X11 boast having a super-gloss screen, yet its quality is far lower than other super-gloss screens that can be found on a wide range of notebooks, including Samsungs previous Notebook computer Q35.The D620’s screen is not coated with any glossy surface, yet it screen lacks nothing. There is no glare, and the images are perfectly crisp and clear. Color is sharp, and the resolution is tight. A unique feature usually only found on Macs is an ambient light sensor, which constantly gauges the ambient light and adjusts the screens backlight accordingly. The sensor can be easily turned off with a keyboard shortcut.

The X11 is equipped with a T2300 Duo Core, which is the slowest in its category. The D620 gives you the option between two different chips, both of which are more high end and faster. As I type this article, I have 6 programs running on my D620, and it still opens my Internet browser in less than three seconds.

Something I really like about my D620 is security, an area that the X11 avoids in discovering. Dell’s D620 can have up to a three level security access system: Smartcard, password, and biometric finger scanner. Each of these is optional, but adds another level of security to protect any valuables you may have on your laptop. When viewing the X11 specs page on the Samsung website, I didn’t seeing anything about security.

Another feature the D620 can boast of that the X11 can’t is durability. The D620 is one very durable laptop. I can personally vouch for this; three days after getting my new D620 I dropped it onto a hardwood kitchen floor, about a four foot drop. It landed on the right corner where the screen hinges to the rest of the laptop. To my surprise, the cover didn’t even scuff. Dell also offers it patented StrikeZone technology to ensure durability, and the D620 was designed with durability as a major feature.

The only positive aspect of the Samsung X11 over the Dell D620 is pricing. The D620 was approximately $1500 USD, where as the X11 was approx. $1200 USD. I feel that the X11 is waste of money, and if you must go with a Samsung, to purchase their Q35, which is a very nice notebook PC and it costs hardly anymore than the X11.

Between these two laptops, I must say that I was impressed with both. The X11 is in no way a bad laptop. To the contrary, it is actually very nice. But when held in comparison with the Dell Latitude D620, it offers no competition. Everything the X11 can do, the D620 can also, usually in a faster and more efficient way.