Dell Latitude XT goes tablet to tablet with Lenovo's X61T

We've already seen Dell's new Latitude XT convertible tablet first hand, but those wanting to see just how it stacks up to some of its main competition may want to head over to Nathan's Daily Grind blog, which has a batch of pics comparing it to Lenovo's similar (and cheaper) X61T tablet. As we noted ourselves, there are some definite ThinkPad-esque touches to the Dell, and the widescreen touchscreen is certainly welcome, but you'll have to decide for yourself if it's worth the $2,500 it'll cost you -- and that's just for the base configuration.

[heyguy @ Dec 31st 2007 7:16PM]

Is the "Read" link supposed to go to engadget?
http://nathan.thenovaks.net/2007/12/31/dell-latitude-xt-tablet/

[Chuckles McGee @ Dec 31st 2007 8:12PM]

Isn't the Lenovo model being shown a bit dated with that IBM logo? I'm typing on a X61T at this moment (two months old) with no IBM logo.

[sheepbat @ Jan 1st 2008 1:24AM]

I'm reasonably certain that large-scale business users can stil get the old IBM logo even on brand new machines.

[thethirdmoose @ Dec 31st 2007 7:17PM]

dude... those both look like my cat's puke.

[mushrooshi @ Dec 31st 2007 7:40PM]

Really? Because you would make a fortune off knockoffs on eBay?

[Khris @ Dec 31st 2007 7:52PM]

@ thethirdmoose

With comments like that, it's no wonder you came in THIRD.

[BigPana @ Dec 31st 2007 8:40PM]

You think those laptops actually look good?

[Jon @ Dec 31st 2007 10:16PM]

People who thinks ThinkPads are ugly have absolute no taste.

[JTM @ Dec 31st 2007 7:56PM]

I don't get why the "widescreen" display is welcome. It's not any wider, they just made it shorter thus giving you less screen to touch. What is good about this?

PS - the read link doesn't take us to any pictures.

[ericthebikeman @ Dec 31st 2007 8:08PM]

Widescreen is nice for movies. They are also nice for tablets when they are in slate mode, less scrolling up and down.

I went with a HP 2710p which was lighter and has better battery life than the x61. Between the x61 and the XT, I'd go with the x61. It's pretty easy to find nicely configured x61's for far less than $2000. Someone at Dell has lost their mind thinking $2500 is reasonable.

[Jeff @ Dec 31st 2007 8:14PM]

Your eyes are deceiving you - 15.4" at 16:10 *is* wider than 15" at 4:3, and you can easily see it in the photo above. Do the math yourself (remember A squared plus B squared equals C squared?) - you'll see that a 15.4" screen is about an inch wider than a 15" screen.

Widescreen displays are better for more than just movies. Anybody who runs Photoshop, Illustrator, video editing software of any kind or even Excel would be much happier with a wide screen.

[Che @ Jan 8th 2008 11:47AM]

The real advantage of a wide screen is that it has less area for a given diagonal measurement. Why is that an advantage? It's an advantage for manufacturers who can advertise a larger diagonal measurement for the same amount (price) of silicon.

[thethirdmoose @ Dec 31st 2007 8:43PM]

And I am not impressed with your spam.

[thethirdmoose @ Dec 31st 2007 8:43PM]

And I am not impressed with your spam.

[michael @ Dec 31st 2007 8:47PM]

I just wish tablets could look more sleeker. And maybe with not a big price tag at the same time.

At least as long as you offer quality and design, there's something worth buying. With these, I still feel like waiting for something better to come up.

[wickedpheonix @ Dec 31st 2007 8:49PM]

I assume that's one of the outdoor screens on the XT along with the indoor screen on the X61T, which means that battery life comparisons (especially because the X61T has the extended battery while the XT has the standard battery) and screen comparisons are moot.

Oh and by the way - that's one HUGE standard battery. With the extended battery slice I'd be surprised if it didn't deliver weeklong battery life or something :P

[RoboDan @ Jan 1st 2008 4:08AM]

Thinkpad Forever

Can't wait until the X61s refresh - blow Dell out of the water AGAIN

[Michael LaFramboise @ Jan 1st 2008 5:38AM]

k guys, I don't wanna sound like another whiner, but sheesh, have these designers ever heard of function PLUS design?

I mean if its for business and whatnot, why does that have to imply a piss poor 90's (if not 80's) style "design" - if you can even call it that...

productivity [does not equal] design
design [does not equal] productivity
if pretty [therefore] underpowered
if powerful [therefore] not pretty

WTF?


Again, not to sound like some whiner, but as a professional designer I'm getting so sick and tired of devices which look like they "designed" by middle schoolers during a lunch break.

How hard would it be to make a nice enclosure something SonyVAIO/Apple style...

[Deizain @ Jan 1st 2008 12:39PM]

I have to disagree, I love the Thinkpad's elegant buttoned-down black designs. They definitely recall the Japanese lacquered bento boxes from which the red accents are derived. Yes, the original Thinkpad designs arose in the early 90s, but why mess with what works in the professional world?

To make an analogy, why hasn't more daring colorful flamboyant suits replaced the standard black and white shirt and jacket as standard attire in the business world? Because it reeks of professionalism and understated elegance.

I agree that both need a refresh, but I'm not in favor of going the Apple / Sony VAIO approach, because they still stink of consumer-grade product class and materials. White, silver, and colorful patterns and textures appeal to the consumer, but are too loud and garish for business. The Dell tablet still looks cheap in materials and finish compared to the Thinkpad (even though Lenovo has eroded the Thinkpads' reputation). It's the small touches that set the Thinkpad apart.

[Michael LaFramboise @ Jan 1st 2008 3:51PM]

Deizain, - I didn't mean add colours and shiny plastic - I'm against that as much as the next guy - but what I was suggesting is that these machines just feel outdated - and its not even the look of the machines that I have a problem with, but rather the "why fix something thats not broken" approach of the designers.

Design isn't something you can just grab and run with it -- it has to be polished and improved constantly.

If every person took the "dont fix something thats not broken" approach, we'd still be living in caves and making fire by bashing stones together. - I mean nothing wrong with that - just a pain in the ass...

[engaget users 86 @ Jan 1st 2008 11:56PM]

@ Deizain

while some may not think the PBs/MBPs are targeted for business users, i do think they look more professional and are more elegant. and you do see them more often in films. in regards to cheapness, most laptops (including TPs/VAIOs) feel cheap when compared to PBs/MBPs.

btw, did lenovo really erode TP's rep? i thought lenovo had been making TPs for quite a long time before buying ibm's pc division.

[Mo @ Jan 1st 2008 12:50PM]

Dell is way too expensive!!!

[Jimmy Jones @ Jan 1st 2008 2:03PM]

What other Dell notebooks are black by default? if not a mere copycat to compete with Lenovo. and on top of that, that thing is just too fugly..and fxpensive... proud owner of a T60p. Shooting for a 14" x61 next.

Those auxilary inputs on the Dells are in the wrong spot....
by design, i'll say Dell deserves a 5,
by portability, I'll say Dell deserves a 5
and by pretty bells n whistle, i'll offer a 5 too..

Although they tried copying Lenovo's black hat finish, their black is more like gray.

[Brian McBride @ Jan 3rd 2008 12:13AM]

I agree that the design feels dated. Quite frankly, the "business world" argument does not hold that much water. The business world buys PCs from sources they trust at prices they like, which is often provides borning looking boxes.

Yet those same business men spend a lot of money on sleek looking suits (tailored and designed very well), wear nicely designed watches, carry sleek new cell phones, drive newly designed cars, etc...

I think that the "business laptop" could use some upgrading in the looks department and still remain professional, just like all the other examples get look-upgrades constantly.

[Michael dare @ Jan 8th 2008 1:29AM]

Just got my Dell rep to drop the price of a fully loaded XT listed at 3516.00 on the dell site to 2459.00. They are listening FINALLY- thanks for all the flack sent to DELL.

[Michael dare @ Jan 8th 2008 1:30AM]

I was just quoted by a Canadian Dell Rep a price of $2400.00 CAD (Same in US dollars)for a decked out XT which came to $3,516.00 when configed from the Dell.ca site. DLV LCD, u7600, 3 GB RAM, 120 GB drive, 6 cell and slice batteries, 65 watt air/auto/ac adapter, wirelessn, bluetooth. Over 1000.00 off the list web price....NOW I WILL BUY.. I mentioned the M700 and other systems and how overpriced the Dell unit was and that price was offered to me valid until this Friday.. Always talk to a rep.

Thanks everyone for all the flack sent to DELL. It seems to be working.

Michael, Squamish BC Canada