Dell Latitude LM

The Latitude LM is a business laptop, released in 1996. The Latitude LM is a rebadged Compal TS30G. WinBook also sold the TS30G, and called theirs the WinBook LM, hah!

Specifications

Spec	Details
CPU	CPU Type: Soldered TCP - Intel Pentium @100 or 133MHz - Intel Pentium MMX @166MHz
Chipset	Intel 430MX
RAM	Type: Unknown Standard: Unknown Maximum: 72MB
Storage	2.5" IDE Requires Adapter: Yes Standard: Unknown
Display Options	- 11.3" Passive Matrix LCD @800x600 - 12.1" Active Matrix LCD @800x600
Graphics Chipset	Non-MMX models: NeoMagic MagicGraph 128 (NM2070) MMX models: NeoMagic MagicGraph 128ZV (NM2093) VRAM: 896K (NM2070) or 1MB (NM2093)
Audio	ESS AudioDrive 1688 - Stereo Speakers - Microphone
Main Battery	Lithium Ion (Sanyo)
CMOS Battery	VL1220 Lithium (Soldered)
Power Supply	Proprietary 3-pin - P/N TSA-8 and/or 99500
Media Drives	Modular Bay supporting the following: - 3.5" 1.44MB Floppy Drive - CD-ROM Drive
PC Cards	2x PCMCIA Slots
Networking	None
Other I/O	- 1x Parallel - 1x Serial - 1x VGA Out - 1x PS/2 - 1x Dock Connector - 1x Line Out - 1x Mic In - Infrared
BIOS	Phoenix
Pointing Device	Trackpad

Resources

Drivers	Service Manual	Service Manual Update

Common Faults & Maintenance

Hinge Failure/Brittle Plastic

Like other laptops from its time, the plastic on the Latitude LM is quite brittle. This leads to plastic around the hinge mounts stress cracking, leading to cracks on the housing. I've yet to actually see one bad enough that the hinges didn't work, but I certainly wouldn't trust them regardless. You'll likely need to reinforce the housing with epoxy.

LCD Failure

Many Latitude LMs will show a sort of pixel damage around the edges of the screen. The affected pixels still work but the subpixels seem to be acting up which makes colors appear uneven, especially on dark backgrounds. The LM at the top of this page is affected - look at the right side of the display. I'm told the affected LCDs are made by IBM, and that LMs with Toshiba displays don't develop this. I believe this issue is caused by an age-related defect that makes the IBM panels extremely sensitive to pressure, causing damage.