Dell fans, we've got some juicy meat for you to sink your teeth into. During Michael Dell's keynote address at Oracle OpenWorld today, the company unleashed (or at least demoed) its forthcoming all-in-one PC, creatively named the
XPS One. Of course, we've been hearing rumblings about the One for some time now, but Dell also whipped out its sparkly new Latitude XT tablet, which should please all the Gatesian types out there who think TPCs are the future. But wait -- there's more! The new Latitude isn't just some plain-jane scratchpad. Besides being the thinnest in its 12.1-inch, convertible category, and having a screen which is 25-percent brighter than the competition... it's multi-touch. At the keynote, the Dell folks demonstrated a multiple-finger paint program, which lets you draw five simultaneous lines, and also showcased a Surface-like photo viewer which allows you to scramble, resize, and generally get physical with your fond memories. Check the pictures of the tablet in action after the break and feel its magical vibes.
[Thanks, Tim]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
mushrooshi @ Nov 14th 2007 7:42PM
The Latitude looks like it will do well with the business people. The XPS one is clearly the computer the number "One" deserves to be: The simply better one.
Ah, I love getting news about my 3 favorite companies:
Apple
Dell
Nintendo
(No particular order)
gjp303 @ Nov 14th 2007 7:47PM
Um, Alphabetical order?
livewire @ Nov 16th 2007 7:47PM
google.
(no particular order)
corylui @ Nov 16th 2007 1:01AM
y is it all grainy? are these pics from the site?? thats kinda dissapointing if they are, cool idea though. :D i like it.
Loki @ Nov 14th 2007 7:43PM
wow. who would have thought dell would be the first to bring multi-touch to tablets.
rich @ Nov 14th 2007 7:55PM
@Loki
Umm....Lenovo has had multitouch XGA since the X60 tablets. I know because I had one before swapping it for a regular X60T
morcheeba @ Nov 14th 2007 7:55PM
Yeah, I find that more exciting than the One. It's got to suck for Dell to have multitouch support, but no apps yet. On the other hand, it's exciting to hear that there's a notebook-sized multitouch display on the market (I'd only heard of cell-phone-sized and large rear-projection versions) so that developers can start developing.
Zadillo @ Nov 14th 2007 8:00PM
@rich:
Multi-touch here refers to accepting inputs from multiple fingers/etc. at the same time ( allowing for things like the pinching and stretching gestures seen on the iPhone, Microsoft Surface, and this demo).
The multi-touch that Lenovo uses is a reference to the ability to use either a finger or a stylus (non multi-touch displays would only work with a stylus or only work with a finger, but not both, depending on whether they were active or passive).
So it is interesting to see Dell offering this, especially with all the speculation that Apple is preparing some sort of tablet Mac which would use the multi-touch interface of the iPhone.
Me @ Nov 14th 2007 8:02PM
As soon as apple releases one, engadget will make a blog entry about apple revolutionizing computers and calling it a first. Its basically gonna be an echo of steve job's very exaggerated truth.
Aaron @ Nov 14th 2007 8:39PM
@rich
Get your facts right.
Hung @ Nov 14th 2007 9:06PM
@ Aaron
Way to jump the Douche Express.
dagamer34 @ Nov 14th 2007 9:23PM
@Me
Multi-touch is kind of like having multiple mice being used on the same keyboard. It's really only truly effective if there's software designed to take advantage of the input.
Apple doesn't claim *often* to do things first. It does things "right". Make of that what you will.
snitch @ Nov 14th 2007 11:13PM
this thing looks like a Apple keynote gone bad lol, look at michael dell he got no clue what the device is.
its like they can smell Apple cooking a similar device call the apple Newton which will debut in about
2 months At Macworld and they wanna take the lead
Unregistered @ Nov 14th 2007 11:52PM
@Me
you can look into the future?
gjp303 @ Nov 14th 2007 7:45PM
I know the iMac has its own unique (and quite frankly beautiful) styling, but I really like the XPS ONE's styling. Almost more!
Hey, the all in one pc comparison was bound to be made, rank me low.
mushrooshi @ Nov 14th 2007 8:07PM
Lowering YOU down.
Aaron @ Nov 14th 2007 8:08PM
I'm saving my judgement until I see Apple's version.
mushrooshi @ Nov 14th 2007 8:12PM
homosexuals are people too.
Hung @ Nov 14th 2007 9:07PM
@ Aaron
Ever heard of the iMac?
Rhetorical question, of course you haven't.
reticulate @ Nov 14th 2007 9:23PM
@Hung *whoosh*
Aaron @ Nov 14th 2007 9:37PM
@Hung
Of course..I have one as well as a Macbook Pro. Are we not talking about a convertible touchscreen? Of course we are!
Hung @ Nov 14th 2007 9:49PM
@ Aaron
No, no we are not. The orginal comment from gjp303 talks about the XPS One and no one talks about anything else throughout the thread. I didn't realize your interjected comment was about the other product since there is not indication, and for that I apologize. You're right, though, I would like to see Apple's response to a tablet. It's long overdue.
Hung @ Nov 14th 2007 9:51PM
not → no*
Also, what is that *whoosh* about? Did something go over my head, because I'm pretty sure I cleared up how anyone could make that mistake.
vdogg89 @ Nov 18th 2007 1:09AM
@ aaron
you just got owned
Cas @ Nov 14th 2007 7:47PM
any word on price? :P
Paulmichael @ Nov 14th 2007 7:50PM
I wasn't very interested until I learned that the XT was multi-touch...Now I gotta save up to buy it!
peter @ Nov 14th 2007 7:50PM
well thats new to me... at least the 3XTs in the lab I've played with aren't multi touch screen
lead me to believe it must be software driven !
nickels @ Nov 14th 2007 8:02PM
there are actually dell fans?
mushrooshi @ Nov 14th 2007 8:11PM
There are actually smart people?
Wow, No, actually:
Michael Dell HATES using Dells. The only reason why people actually use them is because they suck and it is a cult hit. The flaws are:
Dells are too reliable. People like spending tons of money on e-machines that are so awesome.
Dells save you too much money.
Dells are used too much by schools and offices.
I hate dells. They are so horrible because they are good computers.
Reader @ Nov 14th 2007 8:11PM
I'd have to say Dell has made quite the turn around. Just look at engadget comments a year ago (maybe even less?) about Dell. It went from Dell is a joke and so is anyone that has a Dell to damn that Dell looks good and I want to buy it.
Good job Dell, changed for the better.
mushrooshi @ Nov 14th 2007 8:13PM
Reader:
I agree except for that dell has been pretty good actually since 2002, but just since this year.
Reader @ Nov 14th 2007 9:01PM
Probably true mushrooshi, but I wouldn't know since I don't buy computers, I build them. Empirically though, just changing what was wrong with a product is not enough to was away a bad reputation. Look at Ford, it's arguably at least on par with import quality now, but people still think of them as inferior. Dell had to overcome the competition by a large margin to be seen as a good product and they've done that.
Reader @ Nov 14th 2007 9:02PM
wash*
I would kill for a 1 minute edit feature... even 30 seconds.
huh @ Nov 15th 2007 3:21AM
@Reader; sorry, what? Make a computer that's black with silver trim and it's "cool?"
Windows computers cannot be cool. I'm not a Mac or anything fan person. Dell and Windows computers can only be something you can run basic apps with, with no aspirations otherwise. They are copycat, wanna be computers, unoriginal (because it's not worthwhile to be so, from a company point of view) that maybe have good service warranties. There is no spirit or soul to them, like there would be to a Mac or Linux based computer. The people working for these companies are not capable of integrating form and function, or any kind of general zeitgeist to come up with truly great devices. They are just turning the crank.
Seth Brundle @ Nov 15th 2007 12:40PM
I buy all my monitors (about 7) and servers (about 10) from dell - there really is no competition year over year afaic - they always have the good stuff at the best price - and their deals are sick (I get them all emailed to me daily).
I also have a Dell laptop which came out just after the MacBook (which I returned) - the Dell had higher specs, didnt burn my lap, and cost $1000 less. Its one of the first notebooks (and I have used Sonys, Toshibas, and Thinkpads) I have ever owned that I kept for over a year because I could not justify a new one for any reason - its perfect.
Chris @ Nov 14th 2007 8:18PM
Well, at least the pictures aren't blurry or anything.
Paul @ Nov 14th 2007 8:26PM
I used to have a Dell Inspiron 6000 notebook until it was recently stolen. It was a wonderful laptop; sturdy construction with quality parts.
I just ordered a a 1420 to replace it and it feels like cheap garbage
Jona @ Nov 15th 2007 3:59AM
I've just been through as similar experience - I switched to an HP laptop instead to avoid the build quality problems.
SomeGuy @ Nov 14th 2007 8:31PM
I think he was just saying that Dell has managed to change its public image. Before, people viewed them as solid and capable, but uninteresting (boring) grey or black machines (I've heard them referred to as "beige boxes"). Now, they're becoming cool, especially with models like the XPS 1330 and the XPS One. I'm excited to hear more about this tablet though. Plus, I need to get a new computer in the future and it has to be a Dell (have to order it through the company, which has a contract with Dell). I'm not sure what I can do with multitouch on the machine that would be so special (it's not like I use paint all the time), but maybe I'm just not that imaginative.
Hung @ Nov 14th 2007 9:12PM
I think "he" would know what you're talking about if you learned to use the reply button.
P.S. Beige boxes refers to no-name brand PCs, not boring ones. Those are call boring boxes. I know, doesn't make sense, right?
P.P.S. Sarcasm.
Antimatter @ Nov 14th 2007 8:46PM
It's pretty difficult to get a sense of this thing in action by looking at 2 pictures. Are there any videos?
quadrent @ Nov 14th 2007 8:56PM
Wow I'm impressed a $2,000 laptop that a child can now finger paint with. Get real, and at least make it support Photoshop or something, not some crappy version of MS Paint.
tits @ Nov 15th 2007 12:31AM
what are you talking about? who wanna paint with the fingers in photoshop!!
I actually feel all those touch stuff are just useless gadgets... you need good dpi sensibility for use any professional application.
still this look better than the competition and I wish I could get it! but he, I will satisfy that envy with a eee!
Ruben @ Nov 14th 2007 9:08PM
Its a damn computer!!!! It will support whatever you want it to support.
Where in the absolute hell did you get the idea that it would only handle MSPaint???
Ruben @ Nov 14th 2007 9:10PM
To reiterate, its really up to Adobe to make their photoshop compatible with multiple input, if it isnt done already. Not to mention, all they are using that program for is to show off the fact that it can handle multiple input, not that it is the only way to get multiple input.
CUBSWILLWIN @ Nov 14th 2007 9:22PM
The speakers on the xps one make it look a bit strange but it's acceptable.I really am impressed with the design though. Very slick. Same goes for the XT. I might go forward into buying the XT but the One would make a very good replacement to my old dell dimesnion b110 im typing on right now. Either way they're both good and I'm looking forward into buying one of them.
Might rank me low, but:
DELL PWNS ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I still like apple though.
ark_v2 @ Nov 14th 2007 10:07PM
That convertible looks ridiculously nice, and the XPS one is really nice.
Mike @ Nov 14th 2007 11:59PM
Well, the interesting thing to me is the tablet.
Nobody is talking about the real issue though...
Multi-touch is a neat idea and maybe some killer app will come along and really show a use for it...
But for now, the question is really how they are going to implement the fact that it is obviously both and active and passive digitizer (I can't believe they'd release a completely passive tablet).
So.. the problem becomes palm and finger sensitivity while trying to write with the pen.
It's an issue which has made previous systems much less than spectacular and solving it correctly will I think be a requirement of this thing actually being a workable day to day tablet.
- Mike
Juice Daddy @ Nov 15th 2007 12:12AM
I could only assume that when the pen is being used, finger strokes would be ignored...
or in any case, they could implement a manual switch
problem solved :)
Mike @ Nov 15th 2007 1:30AM
haha... Yes... that is the funny part. It should be just that simple, shouldn't it?
They would not be the first to not have implemented this though if they left that simple thing off.
Now... I'm all for fancy feedback control and AI trying to determine when I want the active and when I want the passive (and so disable/enable automagically) .... but.... yes.... PLEASE.... give me a simple switch which over rides all of that and lets me choose exactly what I want if it comes to that.
That way I don't have to put up with the cleverness when it isn't working right and I can still get my stuff done happily.
YES... the perfect solution...
I'm just saying.... let's wait and see if they did it... or any other reasonable thing.
I'm really hoping they did.
- Mike