Overall, I would have to say that the Dell D430 has plenty of positive aspects to the notebook, but there are also a few flaws evident as well.Most laptops are not going to be perfect, and it is simply a matter of user preferences that determine what features of the notebook you love, and what flaws you cannot live with at all.
As an ultraportable machine though, the Dell D430 strikes a great balance between features, portability, and price.The amount of power inside of the laptop, even though it is a meager amount, is more than enough power to run 95% of your daily/average computing tasks. And for those who need more power, there are dual-core options available.Sure, the laptop admittedly has flaws like the horrid speaker and the slightly-below-average screen, but the D430 has too many good things going for it to turn it away as a potential system.
But notebooks in this category are largely evaluated on portability, longevity, and build quality.The Dell Latitude D430 definitely managed to excel in all three categories. This laptop is the best built I think I've ever owned, the battery life is respectable given the notebook's size, and the notebook's size itself is a huge boon to portability.I cannot stress enough how much easier a 12.1" system is on a student's backpack (or a business professional's briefcase), and how easy it is to just take the notebook around and be prepared for any situation.
Business professionals, college students, and even home users should seriously consider the Latitude D430 notebook, as it always delivers when you need it to most.
Pros
Cheap when purchased used from Dell Outlet.
Still a good value when purchased new from Dell.
Excellent chassis sturdiness, above average LCD bezel sturdiness.
Top notch keyboard, average touchpad.
Incredibly tiny laptop that still packs a respectable punch.
Sharp screen when viewed head on.
Ambient light sensor actually works well.
Low powered single core and dual core processors available, all of them being speedy enough for general usage.
Respectable battery life, smart BIOS that prevent notebook from booting when closed.
Cons
External DVD drive (for some this may be a pro though).
Average to below-average viewing angles.
HDD transfer speeds
Worthless WiFi switch, could have been another USB port.
