The Dell Latitude CPX was introduced in 1999 as its first computer to make use of the Mobile Pentium III processor. Although it is an older model, it's still useful for many applications. It is often found as a refurbished or used model at a fraction of its original price--a perfect laptop for those who want basic, portable computing power on a budget. From turning it on and charging the battery, to performing more complicated tasks like activating wireless internet, operating a Dell Latitude is extremely easy.
Basic operation
Turning on your Dell CPX laptop is simple. Simply locate the power button on the front and press it for a few seconds. With the same button, you can put your computer in sleep mode or shut it down entirely. Make sure your battery is charged before you take it on the road. Use the supplied AC power cord to plug one end into a wall outlet and the other end into the power jack on your Dell. This will force your laptop to run off AC power and charge your battery at the same time. You can check your battery charge level at any time either through Window's taskbar or in the Control Panel under "Power Options."
Running programs
Running your favorite programs like Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Internet Explorer is a snap. Simply locate the icon on the desktop, navigate to it with the track pad, and double click it by pressing the button below it twice. If the icon isn't on the desktop, click the "Start" button in the lower left hand corner of the screen and select "All Programs." Find the program folder of your choice, click on it, then select the program to run it. Because the Latitude does not have a large amount of memory, keeping more than two or three programs open at once is not recommended, as it will slow performance significantly.
Internet
Connecting to the Internet may be a bit more complicated. Dell CPX laptops were shipped factory-installed with a modem, but some were not equipped with an ethernet port or other networking capabilities. If you want to connect to wireless internet, or your Latitude doesn't have an ethernet port, you'll need a PCMCIA expansion card to add this capability. Once the card is installed and your Internet is properly configured, open Internet Explorer or Outlook to get instant access to the World Wide Web.
Drawbacks
Because of the relatively old age of the Dell CPX, it won't be able to perform some functions that we take for granted in modern laptops. For instance, you'll be stuck with a standard CD-ROM as opposed to a DVD player or burner. You'll also be running an older operating system, such as Windows 98. Upgrading to Vista is not recommended because of the lack of RAM. Some newer programs may also run slower, and you may run into compatibility problems when trying to install programs meant for Windows XP or Vista.
Tags: Dell Latitude, your battery, ethernet port, icon desktop, Internet Explorer, more complicated, Simply locate