Dell Latitude E5430 Repair

The Dell Latitude E5430 was released in April 2012 as part of Dell's Latitude E-Series, a business line focused on durability and easy maintenance rather than consumer styling. It was designed for IT departments and professionals who needed a dependable work computer with easily accessible components.

The E5430 stood out for its service-friendly design: a removable battery, simple access to RAM and storage, and a sturdy chassis meant to handle frequent repairs. Configurations ranged from entry-level Intel Core i3 to higher-end Core i5 CPUs, with optional 1366x768 (HD) or 1600x900 (HD+) displays. It came equipped with both legacy and modern ports, including VGA, HDMI, and an ExpressCard slot, bridging the transition between older and newer laptop standards. At launch, pricing ranged from roughly $600 to $900 depending on configuration, positioning it for the professional business market rather than general consumers.

The E5430 succeeded the Latitude E5420 and was replaced by the E5440 in 2013, a short production run but a long afterlife in enterprise and refurbishing markets. Users have reported minor age-related issues such as fan noise, hinge wear, and palm rest wear or surface-fading. Some systems also show fan control or sleep-wake issues after SSD or operating system upgrades, though these are not tied to any recall. Despite these wear points, the E5430 remains valued for its reliability, Linux compatibility, and repair-ready design that keeps it usable more than a decade later.

The Latitude E5430 is a 14-inch clamshell laptop finished in matte black and gray, with the Dell logo centered on the lid. The service tag is located on the underside, and the model number "E5430" is printed either on the bottom case or under the removable battery.

You can identify this model by its 14-inch display (not 13" or 15"), left-side optical drive, and visible docking-port connector on the bottom. It shipped primarily in one business-oriented color scheme and does not include touchscreen options or glossy finishes found on consumer laptops from the same era.

General:

• Release Year: 2012
• Form Factor: 14-inch business notebook
• Original OS: Windows 7 Professional (64-bit)

Processor Options:

• Intel Core i3 or i5 (3rd-generation)
• Example: Intel Core i5-3210M @ 2.5 GHz (dual-core)

Graphics:

• Intel HD Graphics 4000

Display:

• 14.0" LED-backlit display
• Resolutions: 1366x768 (HD) or 1600x900 (HD+)

Memory:

• 2 GB DDR3 (base configuration)
• Up to 8 GB supported

Storage:

• 320 GB HDD (SATA, 7200 rpm)
• Optical Drive: DVD + RW (8x)

Ports and Connectivity:

• USB 3.0, USB 2.0, and eSATA/USB combo port
• VGA and HDMI outputs
• Gigabit Ethernet, SD card reader, ExpressCard/54 slot

Battery:

• 6-cell Lithium-Ion, 60 Wh capacity (varies by model)

Dimensions and Weight:

• Approx. 35 x 24 x 3.25 cm
• Weight: 2.04 kg (4.5 lb)

Sources:

Arch Linux Wiki Dell Latitude E5430

NotebookCheck Review Dell Latitude E5430 Notebook

Dell Support Latitude E5430

Official Dell Latitude E5430 Owner's Manual (PDF link)

Latitude E5430 Manuals & Documents

Latitude E5430 Drivers & Downloads