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DELL Latitude CP M CPi D (view source)

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**Intel Pentium II 233, 266 or 300 MHz CPU (on CPi D233ST, D266XT, D300XT models)
**Intel Pentium II 233, 266 or 300 MHz CPU (on CPi D233ST, D266XT, D300XT models)
**Intel Pentium MMX 166 233 MHz CPU (on CP M 166ST, 233SD, 233ST, 233XT models)
**Intel Pentium MMX 166 233 MHz CPU (on CP M 166ST, 233SD, 233ST, 233XT models)
**16MB or 32MB EDO DRAM installed, 128MB max with 2x64MB modules
**16MB or 32MB EDO DRAM installed, 128MB max with 2x64MB modules (CP M, CPi D)
**32MB or 64MB SDRAM installed, 256MB max with 2x128MB modules (CP M, CPi A)
*One of the following displays, depending on model, with similar chassis:
*One of the following displays, depending on model, with similar chassis:
**12.1" DSTN display (800x600, 30:1 contrast ratio, on SD models)
**12.1" DSTN display (800x600, 30:1 contrast ratio, on SD models)
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**13" TFT display (1024x768, 100:1 contrast ratio, on XT models)
**13" TFT display (1024x768, 100:1 contrast ratio, on XT models)
*Neomagic MagicGraph128XD video controller 2MB VRAM
*Neomagic MagicGraph128XD video controller 2MB VRAM
*CrystalWare CS4237B, SoundBlaster 2.0/Adlib capable emulation
 
*One of the following Sound controllers:
**CrystalWare CS4237B, SoundBlaster 2.0/Adlib capable emulation (CP and CPi D series)
**NeoMagic MagicMedia 256 (only CPi A models)


One of the following storage options:
One of the following storage options:
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One of the following removable storage options:
One of the following removable storage options:
*1.44MB FDD (on 380 model)
*1.44MB FDD (on 380 model)
*Ultrabay FX with CD-ROM and Floppy Drive (combo dual unit)
*CD-ROM Drive (combo dual unit)


=== Other ===
=== Other ===
*Stereo speakers (placed on the front of the chassis,just below the screen, except on the 15 inch model)
*Stereo speakers (placed on the front of the chassis, sideways of the palmrest)
*2xPCMCIA Slots
*2xPCMCIA Slots
*VGA Output
*VGA Output
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</div>
</div>
|style="vertical-align:top" |
|style="vertical-align:top" |
[[Image:IBM 380ED.jpg|IBM 380 12"]]
[[Image:DELL LATITUDE CPI.jpg|DELL LATITUDE CPI 13"]]
|}
|}


== Best retro purpose ==
== Best retro purpose ==
Early Windows 98 era gaming released before 1998 or as office computer. Unfortunately, despite the somewhat adequate CPU speed, the video chipset lacks any 3D capability, with great DOS games support and mediocre Windows support (DirectDraw only). available as on later NeoMagic chipsets but performance is adequate and the screen size is not too large for typical DOS games with resolutions upto 640x480.
Early Windows 98 era gaming released before 1998 or as office computer. Despite the laptop's somewhat nice look and good compatibility, it there are many flaws that make it a less than ideal candidate for retrocomputing. The CPU and Nwomagic chipsets are very well performing for DOS and early Windows DirectDraw games and it is quite well performing at 640x480 resolutions. The system remains silent for Pentium I CPUs and some slower Pentium II models, but there is no 3D hardware acceleration capability whatsoever. The screen size is a mixed feature as lower resolutions are actually better due to a large enough display rather than a small boxy look on 13 inch one.
 
== Benchmarks ==
== Benchmarks ==


== Durability and Repair-ability ==
== Durability and Repair-ability ==
The mediocre plastic quality of most of the chassis means that cracks of internal plastic screw stands as well as entire cracks of the display's casing and bottom parts are extremely common, making disassembly and assembly operations quite difficult, with screws that are difficult to remove or tighten. Access to the hard-drive is very difficult, requiring complete case disassembly, including a screwed-on metal drive cage, except on XD models. This means that most IBM Thinkpad 380 models are overly complex to service.  
The mediocre plastic quality of most of the chassis means that cracks of internal plastic screw stands as well as entire cracks of the display's casing and bottom parts are extremely common, making disassembly and assembly operations quite difficult, with screws that are difficult to remove or tighten. Access to the hard-drive is convenient, requiring a single screw removal. Optical drives and floppy drives can be easily interchanged, if needed. Another advantage is that the laptop has two RAM slots, giving plenty configuration options.
 
Another major plus for these models is that the TFT LCDs lamp is mounted horizontally and relatively easy to replace due to a simple mounting system that does not require only partial screen disassembly. The case's fragility is, however, a real issue with drops likely to be fatal to integrity despite the laptop's look and finish of plastic components that suggest durability. Another coomon failure point is due to internally leaking NimH batteries or the poor LVDS cable connectors that leave glitches or even cease to operate, especially on the more modern CPi models.


The major plus for these models is that the TFT LCDs lamp is mounted horizontally and relatively easy to replace due to a simple mounting system that does not require only partial screen disassembly. The case's fragility is, however, a real issue with drops likely to be fatal to integrity despite the laptop's look and finish of plastic components that suggest durability. Note that even the keyboard's key caps are quite fragile.
== Greatest features & flaws ==
{| border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2
|- style="background:#efefef;"
! Features !! Flaws
|-
| Good Windows 98/95 3.1 2D Gaming platform || No 3D hardware acceleration
|-
| Good MS-DOS SoundBlaster compatibility || Speakers can be easily covered with dirt or damaged
|-
| Good Video chipset and RAM expansion capabilities || Fragile, laptop upper case and display bezels, prone to many cracks
|-
| Good cooling, low CPU heat dissipation || Mediocre keyboard, trackpad, screen
|}


== Review ==
== Review ==
A midrange, very bulky, business laptop, released in 1998. It had average mix of parts and a large and heavy chassis. Perhaps the single biggest issue is that the whole IBM Thinkpad 380/385 range is very complex and difficult to understand. Differences between 380 and 385 models are minimal, despite what the number suggest, contrasted mostly by the hard-drive disk size. The major jumps are shown in the XD lineup that has a different CPU model with major performance improvements, especially for the Pentium II. The graphics chipset is quite fast, actually the best among Pentium I laptops, with good Windows acceleration and compatibility.  
A midrange, quite slim, business laptop, released in 1998. It had an average mix of parts. Perhaps the single biggest issue is that the whole Dell CP and CPi range is very complex and difficult to understand. Differences between CP and CPi models is minimal in terms of aesthetics while most configuration options are difficult to spot. The major performance jumps are shown in the CPi lineup that has a Pentium II CPU model with major performance improvements, although the Pentium I option is still decent. The graphics chipset is quite fast, actually the best among Pentium I laptops, with good Windows acceleration and compatibility. Another rare feature is the presence of USB ports on a Pentium I era laptop, which is very nice and useful.


However, the mix of features typical for the laptop meant that it was already obsolete design-wise by 1998. Especially old Pentium I laptops were difficult to upgrade and meant that Winodws 98 SE is the most you can expect to run, especially if you have upto 32MB of RAM. The Neomagic graphics is the top performer on 2D graphics both for compatibility as far back as Windows 3.1 and DOS as well as competitive with Chips&Technology or S3 Trio 64 videocards.
However, the typical mix of features of these laptop models mean that it also was obsolete by late 1998, just as most of the mid and high end IBM laptops, due to a lack of 3D acceleration. Windows 98 SE is a typical choice, especially if you have at least 32MB of RAM available. The Neomagic graphics is the top performer on 2D graphics both for compatibility as far back as Windows 3.1 and DOS as well as competitive with Chips&Technology or S3 Trio 64 videocards.


The LCD TFT screen is somewhat alright but it uses a dated technology that results in slightly lower contrast than on other IBM models.
The LCD TFT screen is somewhat alright but far from being the best in terms of contrast and colour reproduction. However, the screen's brightness can be quite pleasantly set using keyboard shortcuts, as the laptop has somewhat more levels to choose from. As usual, DSTN or passive matrix screens should be definitely avoided due to their poor contrast, response, colour reproduction and brightness levels, no matter how lightly they were used.


The keyboard is not so comfortable due to the case's height that make touch typing quite annoying. The steep angles on the palmrest also feel exhausting after a while. The trackpoint is very good, being quite smooth, predictable as well as with quick response at the classic, renowned IBM quality.
The keyboard is not as pleasant to use as some IBM models, feeling somewhat light on keypresses. The palmrest is comfortable although the trackpad is somewhat bad in terms of sensitivity and response, being quite dependent on ambient humidity, as is also mentioned in the operating manual. The choice of a trackpoint system would have been much better. Also, due to the laptop's design, the lower area near the mid part of the laptop's case, between bays, is a common failure point due to the simple screw mounting point with no additional stiffening brackets.


The removable drive tray is a nice feature, offering both CD-ROM and Floppy drive support, which is rare, a staple feature of the IBM Thinkpad 380/390 series so if you need both functionality and can accept a bulky chassis, it is a good choice. The rechargeable battery can be easily removed or replaced. The BIOS and timekeeping battery is a standard CR2032 3V button cell.
The removable drive tray is a nice feature, offering both CD-ROM and Floppy drive support, which was a staple of period DELL laptops . The rechargeable battery has an unique self test feature that also shows the charging level by a simple button press. The BIOS and suspend battery uses a set of non-standard NiMh cells that can be quite messy if worn enough.


The lid closing latch is well designed and durable. The display hinges are very well engineered even if they may not look to be anything special. The integrated speakers are very bad especially on the non XD models that have a simple, mediocre, mono speaker.
The lid closing latch is quite badly designed as it compounds the issue with cracks midway on the palmrest and cases's edge. The display's case is quite flimsy although the frame itself is reasonably well engineered. The integrated speakers are somewhat poor despite their positioning and size, being quite prone to failures due to water ingress.


The standard HDDs are quite a bad choice as they are already difficult to access on most 380/385 models
The standard HDDs are quite competent in terms of size and performance, being well accustomed to the rest of the laptop's configuration.


Software support is great for reasonably modern (for its time) operating systems. Due to the video chipset Windows 98 is the best choice of operating system. Good DOS sound support is present due to the CrystalWare audio chipset that is Sound Blaster compatible, offering good MIDI and software support in MS-DOS.
Software support is great for reasonably modern (for its time) operating systems. Due to the video chipset, Windows 98 is the best operating system choice. Good DOS sound support is present due to the CrystalWare audio chipset that is Sound Blaster compatible, offering good MIDI and software support in MS-DOS.


{{footnotes|
{{footnotes|
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[[Category:DELL]]
[[Category:DELL laptops]]
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