Dell™ Latitude™ L400

Advanced Port Replicator

User’s Guide

The Dell Latitude L400 Advanced Port Replicator (APR) integrates your Dell Latitude L400 computer quickly and easily into a desktop environment. Use the instructions in this document to attach external devices to the APR and to connect your computer to the APR.

Safety Instructions

Use the following safety guidelines to help protect your APR from potential damage and to help ensure your own personal safety:

Do not attempt to service the APR yourself. Always follow installation instruc- tions closely.

Be sure that nothing rests on your AC adapter’s power cable and that the cable is not located where it can be tripped over or stepped on.

Place the AC adapter in a ventilated area, such as a desk top or on the floor, when powering the APR. Do not cover the AC adapter with papers or other items that will reduce cooling. Do not use the AC adapter inside a carrying case.

Do not use your APR in a wet environment, for example, near a bathtub, sink, or swimming pool or in a wet basement.

Do not push objects into air vents or openings of your APR. Doing so can cause fire or electric shock by shorting out interior components.

Use only the AC adapter that is approved for use with this APR as indicated in this document. Use of another type of AC adapter may risk fire or explosion.

Before you connect the APR to a power source, ensure that the voltage rating of the AC adapter matches that of the available power source:

115 volts (V)/60 hertz (Hz) in most of North and South America and some Far Eastern countries such as South Korea and Taiwan

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Dell manual Dell Latitude L400 Advanced Port Replicator User’s Guide, Safety Instructions

L400 specifications

The Dell L400 is a notable laptop that emerged in the late 1990s, specifically designed for business professionals and mobile users. This portable computer was celebrated for its lightweight design and solid performance during an era when mobile computing was starting to gain traction.

One of the key features of the Dell L400 is its compact size. Weighing in at just around four pounds, it was easy to carry, making it an ideal choice for users who needed to travel. Its 12.1-inch display was a notable aspect, featuring an active matrix screen that provided decent visual clarity for its time, thus enhancing the mobile computing experience. The display, although small by today’s standards, was designed for convenience and portability, balancing screen size with overall weight.

The L400 was powered by Intel's Pentium III processor, which delivered respectable performance for everyday tasks such as word processing, spreadsheets, and basic multimedia applications. This made it suitable for professionals who required a reliable device for work-related activities without the latest specifications of modern laptops. Additionally, it commonly featured between 64 to 128 MB of RAM, upgradeable, which allowed users to run multiple applications smoothly.

Storage options included traditional hard drives ranging from 6 to 20 GB, providing ample space for documents and essential software of the era. While this may seem limited compared to modern standards, it was a reasonable capacity for users at that time.

In terms of connectivity, the L400 integrated essential ports such as USB, parallel, and serial, catering to a variety of peripherals that users often employed. It also included an Ethernet port for network connectivity, which was crucial for business environments. The inclusion of a modem facilitated dial-up internet connections, reflecting the technology landscape of the late 90s.

Battery life was another significant attribute, as the Dell L400 offered decent longevity that allowed users to extend productivity without being tethered to a power outlet. It typically featured a lithium-ion battery that contributed to its portability.

Overall, the Dell L400 stands out as a historical example of early portable computing, marked by its balance of performance, portability, and connectivity. While it may not compete with modern laptops in terms of specifications, its design and functionality marked an important step in the evolution of mobile computing technology.