Dell Latitude XT tablet specs leak out

We already knew quite a bit about the Latitude XT multitouch tablet, but it looks like a complete spec sheet just leaked out and now we've got the hard details we crave. The 12.1-inch tablet will rock a 1.2GHz U7600 ultra-low-voltage Core 2 Duo processor, ATI Radeon Xpress 1250 graphics with 256MB of memory, 1GB of RAM, WiFi, Bluetooth and a range of WWAN options, and sport both SD and ExpressCard slots. An integrated media bay can accept either an optional secondary 80GB hard drive or a dual-layer burner, and Dell will preload various versions of Vista and XP Tablet Edition on the unit. Of course, there's still no word on when we might see these, but hopefully it'll be soon.

[Thanks, Jay]

[strider_mt2k @ Nov 19th 2007 3:21PM]

I'm holding out for a Turbo XT.
-and DOS 3.3 I mean Windows XP.

;)

[sinai @ Nov 19th 2007 3:35PM]

um, isn't this a IBM Thinkpad x61t? it even has the nipple!

[Lein @ Nov 19th 2007 3:56PM]

From my recollection (or at least my experience with my old Latitude CPx J,) dual-mouse on the Latty is nothing new. For exactly how long they've shared the trait with the Thinkpad series I am not sure, but it's still a nice feature to have. My favorite was using the stick for dedicated scrolling, and the touch pad for everything else. Redundant mouse buttons are also a curiously useful feature at times.

[Lein @ Nov 19th 2007 4:02PM]

Although what the hell am I say.... it's a TABLET, with MULTI-TOUCH! It shouldn't need a pair of mouse devices!!!

[Mile @ Nov 19th 2007 4:38PM]

Of course it shouldn't need a pair of mouse devices. It also shouldn't have that keyboard, should it? After all, as you point out, it's a multi-touch tablet so what on earth do you need any other HIDs for?

[Chuckles McGee @ Nov 19th 2007 5:53PM]

Lol, yeah, except the Dell has a 1.2ghz Core Duo and the Lenovo has a 1.8ghz Core Duo.

[Kevin @ Nov 20th 2007 2:53AM]

I have the x61, and I would kill to have the touchpad instead of the trackpoint. Seriously, the thing is so stiff my fingers hurt after using it for more than five minutes. Occasionally, the cursor will dance across the screen at random as well because of the stiffness of the trackpoint.

[a ham sandwich @ Nov 19th 2007 4:12PM]

FUGLY. typical dell. :(

still, tho. tablets are cool.

[GeoFan49 @ Nov 19th 2007 6:57PM]

Compared to the OLPC, looks elegant!

[68newyorker @ Nov 19th 2007 4:17PM]

What I want to know is if it will still have a Wacom digitizer along with the multiple input touchscreen. That was the best feature of the X60/61. The digitizer is better for handwriting, sketching and photo editing (12" screen is about the right size for that) where the touch is better for navigating and general use. I want BOTH, not one or the other.

Overall, I think this is the best convertible design so far...other than being typically Dell ugly and plasticky.

[Ryan L. @ Nov 19th 2007 7:54PM]

It does not use Wacom technology. Instead it uses a new type of tablet input from a company called N-Trig. Dell is the first to launch with a product using this tech so no one is sure how well it works. Motion was coming out with a slate tablet using an n-trig screen but they canceled it because of either supply or tech issues.

[Ronnie @ Nov 19th 2007 5:38PM]

It does not use Wacom digitizer, but it does have a digitizer but it's developed by N-Trig, used on Motion Computer slates. There doesn't seem to be to much in reviews for them but I guess you can check out the website and at some of the Motion Computer slates for review (which seem to be good for the most part, being only a slate). http://www.n-trig.com/

[Carl Lumma @ Nov 19th 2007 5:40PM]

Dell should leak some of these to their own site. I defy you to find this level of information on the product there when it's shipping.

-Carl

[Paul @ Nov 19th 2007 6:02PM]

It is a latitude, it is a business laptop. Dell is not concerned about what you think of its looks.

[burnblue @ Nov 19th 2007 6:09PM]

They used to make tablet convertibles with bigger, regular-sized screens. I really want one. Why can't I find one anymore? What happened? I think there are a couple 14 inchers, but the specs are sub-par

[wickedpheonix @ Nov 19th 2007 7:01PM]

So.... why again would I choose one of these over the X61T? Especially that ULV.... ewww I mean seriously Lenovo can put in an LV processor and get exceptional battery life why can't Dell?! Seeing as how we're giving up so much performance as is - ULV, UMPC.

Also, theres a reason why Thinkpads are so popular with businesses - they are ROCK solid and don't break no matter how often people beat them up - can't say the same of Dell. Slap on the traditional high-prices for a TPC and I'm gonna throw this one where it belongs.

[brian hesseling @ Nov 20th 2007 9:55AM]

why by this one? Because it has multitouch like the Iphone or Surface. That is why I will wait to see how the reviews are on this one before buying a tablet.

[Kip Granson @ Nov 20th 2007 12:54PM]

I got to play with one of these about 2 weeks ago for a product demo. I think they gave a not so firm release date of Dec 6 or 7th. Unfortunately the lady giving the demo didn't know much about the product she was demoing besides the typical fluff but I was able to look over the spec sheet. You can get a battery that snaps onto the bottom of the tablet, i believe it's a 9 cell and doesn't add much weight to the tablet. it gives around a 10 hour boost to batter life (advertised). I asked if it could charge the main battery from the secondary, she said no. That was kind of a bummer.

The display itself was very nice. the touch sensitivity was GREAT. it's also smart enough to disable the touch ability when you use the pen. This is actually configurable too, so you can make it work with both pen and finger at the same time.

all in all it looked like a great device. The demo unit we saw was fairly beat up and was a pre-production unit. The screen kinda wobbled a little. I think it was because it had clearly been dropped on the screen hinge side of the device.

[RoboDan @ Nov 20th 2007 1:18PM]

Typical dell... copy the Thinkpad (poorly) then sell it for more.

It has some nice features: Expresscard, Discrete graphics (256MB no less), Multi touch
BUT it also has to terrible, unforgiveable features (ULV CPU with only 2MB L2 cache, 4200RPM 1.8" HDD - it will make you want to kill yourself, and the cheap shat plastic that is guaranteed to crack)

Verdict: KILL IT... SEND IT BACK TO HELL!

[donny @ Dec 4th 2007 9:42AM]

I got a decent preview of this last week at a trade show - very nicely built, and smaller than I was expecting.

Screen comes in two flavours - 200 nit and 400 nit. The 400 nit screen may just appease my main complaints of screen brightness with other dell laptops.

The dell guys claimed that the same panel technology that goes into the ipod touch and iphone is what is backing their multitouch...but I'm skeptical.

Global release date is December 10th.