Keyboard

As expected from a business laptop in this price range, a full-sized keyboard is installed although without a number pad due to the case's 14-inch size. Subjectively, typing on this sample is very pleasant. The pressure point is nice and crisp. Typing however sounds a bit louder than usual and a bit clattery, which is quite contrary to the keyboard's solid, tactile feedback.

The keys' surface is again soft in contrast to the competition, but it is a lot sleeker - almost like Apple's keyboards. Other goodies include a backlit keyboard with 5 brightness levels and liquid ducts that, for example, conduct spilled coffee away from vital electronics to the outside. A track point is embedded in the center area that, similar to the touchpad, is to execute mouse movements. But more about that in the following paragraphs.

Touchpad

Dell does a virtually perfect job when it comes to the mouse replacement installed in the Latitude E6430. The touchpad's very subtly roughened surface lets you glide over it with ease and the pointer navigates precisely and accurately over the screen. Both soft-click buttons are located beneath the touchpad and are dedicated. They feature an agreeably long keystroke and can be pressed simultaneously to simulate a center wheel click.

The touchpad supports multi-touch gestures, such as pinch-to-zoom or popular two-finger scrolling and we were awed about its sleek feel in the test. Thus, scrolling is very smooth - almost like those from MacBooks - even and suave. You are transported gently to the top of a website in no time when two fingers quickly swipe upward.

Of course, some business people have been using track points since their invention. The Latitude also adequately caters to this target group. The track point features a non-slip, dotted rubber surface. The three corresponding toggle buttons - between the keyboard and touchpad - do their job accurately and bid a crisp pressure point without making noise.

Eager users might object that some keys on the Latitude are no longer dedicated (e.g. print or break via the function key as a secondary assignment of another key) and are thus more difficult to trigger. However, the input devices' other qualities convinced us completely.

The other measured data clearly show that this is not a screen for professionals. The very bad black value of 1.49 cd/m² gives an equally bad contrast ratio of mere 138:1. Consequently, the gradation looks undefined, especially in dark movie sequences, somewhat faded and grayish.

The viewing angle stability is satisfactory considering the low-end TN screen. They remain fairly stable even up to more extreme angles where the colors begin to invert. However, the colors lose a bit of their intensity in the course. Particularly the black hues fade even more when the vertical viewing angle is altered.

The reproducible color space is on a par with other budget screens - so very limited. The sRGB standard is not achieved here either. Graphic designers and photographers who need a precise color reproduction should consider other laptops (e.g. Lenovo's ThinkPad W530). Be that as it may, we would like to take this opportunity to again recommend the very affordable screen upgrade. It features a much higher brightness (and so outdoor suitability) and also implements a modern, competitive resolution of 1600x900 pixels.