Our
week o' Dell scoops continues with what Dell calls its "mainstream" and "essential" series of Latitude E-series laptops. While the enterprise-ready, mainstream series packs just about everything (and more) that you could hope for in a balanced spec-for-size lappie, the essential series is only essential if you're on a tight budget and just can't live without the comparatively low-end chub. The 15.4-inch E6500 and 14.1-inch E6400 models will replace Dell's
D830 and D630 whereas the "essential" 15.4-inch E5500 and 14.1-inch E5400 carry on the low-end tradition of Dell's
D531 and D530. With any luck, these will be Dell's first Montevina / Centrino 2 class machines if they all hit the targeted June release date as planned. AMD fans will see the E5500a and E5400a configurations at about the same time. So what can you expect under the hood? Well, just look at the 5.1-pound E6500 which reads like a suit's, geek fantasy:
- UWB, Bluetooth 2.1, mobile broadband
- Integrated GPS, yes GPS
- New 84WHr slice batteries for "all day" computing
- LED backlighting, 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution, discrete nVIDIA graphics and DisplayPort out
- Hard, Hybrid, and Solid State disk drive options with eSATA jack for more
- Optional camera and mic
- Plenty of security options including contact-less smart cards and encrypted hard disks
Time to pad those budgets a bit, eh CIOs? Full low-down in the gallery below.
posted Mar 22nd 2008 8:54AM
some awesome laptops these are
speaking like yoda you are
Wouldn't GPS on the ultraportable E-series make much more sense?
I did wonder about that myself. Whack GPS in a phone, camera, PDA or ultra-portable and it makes sense but not so much here. That said, as long as it doesn't adversely affect the price or performance of the system then it certainly doesn't hurt.
Why is dell naming them after intel chips? That could become confusing!!!
I could just see it, "I ordered an E6400 off ebay for only $300."
1 week later "Shit, i ordered a $150 CPU"
Yeah I can see it become confusing.
These laptops look amazing. Shame they couldn't fit in discrete graphics in a 13.3" (helloooo LG P300!) but the E6500 should hopefully be light enough than a M1530 for me to lug around without killing my shoulders.
Yeah, i was wondering about that too, since the M1330 has at least a 8400GS...
I'm in love...
So... are they breaking compatibility with the D-series docking stations? I've got a whole office full of 'em, that's not going to go over too well...
Actually, I got a D830 because of the high res screen and the fact that it has an option for a second battery and WWAN. This has got all that and more and.... DESIGN!
:-D
Uhm, at least they were compatible with all your stuff for the last five years. Try this with Lenovo/HP/whoever...
I'd trade my T60 Thinkpad for one of the E6500
I'd probably trade my Macbook in for one of these.
I'd trade in my M1330 for that sexy E6400
truelife sucks. I hope they give some matte options on the 15.4
These may be the first ever good-looking Dell laptops. That hinge is way too big though, hopefully the others have better hinges. Thank God there is no silver to be seen.
hmm...think your forgetting something.
http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/xpsnb_m1330?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs
Unless,that's not "sexy" enough for you
Have you actually seen it in real life?
These would look so awesome in my eyes if not for one key problem.....they're Dells
Wow. That's like saying you really can't like a person because of their skin color. You're doing brand discrimination.
I don't Dell computers, as much as Sony Vaios, but not all Dells are bad. If you avoid the cheap ones, and try to go for their mid-range to high-range computers, it won't be awful. Haven't you seen their XPS and Alienware lines? They're expensive, but they've got quality.
RACIST! ;-)
Jay, you're completely correct. Michael, you're an idiot for comparing racism to this.
wow Dell has finally released some aesthetically pleasing designs this past year. these new latitude models, the xps line of laptops, they all look really really nice.
i'm gonna have a tough time deciding whether to get one of these or a thinkpad t61 later this summer. have been waiting for the centrino 2s to be released...
So when can we expect these new machines?
AMT 3.0 on a laptop - thats impressive for a desktop only standard.
Any way, still liking the new industrial design but lets call a spade a spade, the good design is simply copying the ThinkPad design which is why it looks so good.
Hopefully they have come up with a new hinge design. My wife's D820 has loose hinges, and my D830 is starting to get loose as well. Other than that, these machines are excellent!
If the hinges on your Laptop are loose, check the two screws on the bottom of the system and the two at the back. Those work their way loose from time to time. If it's still loose you'll have to remove the LCD bezel and tighten the screws securing the hinges to the lid.
They're getting rid of 1680x1050 on the 15.4"? But that's my favorite resolution. I don't think I could go down to 1440x900 and 1900x1200 sounds too high.
hmm, the E6400 looks really good. I might finally have an upgrade from my Thinkpad z60t and a reason to buy dell. Though those Lenovo IdeaPads look interesting, too. Hmmm. A few months from now is going to be a very interesting (and good) time to be actively in the market for a laptop again.
I noticed a change in screen resolutions.
1. 15.4 screen resolution options changed. The 1680x1050 (WSXGA??) is not 1440x900. I like the 1680 screen resolution.
I am also curious about the new e-series family docking/port replicator solutions along with changes to the modular bay. What changes/upgrades are there. I use both of these frequently.
Everything is looking good so far just some outstanding questions still. I really like my d820 with the port replicator and dual monitor hook-up.
I would love to be able to use the notebook screen as a third screen when my machine is docked. Maybe the E will do this. :-) wishful thinking.
Correction ... not = now in the second sentence.
I have been looking at the Latitude offerings, wanting to upgrade from my current D800, and wondering why the D series seems so lacking. This is why... I guess I'll have to wait till the E series comes out. But it looks like it will be worth the wait. The E6500 is totally awesome! Finally a laptop with everything I want, plus some: Backlit keyboard, webcam, WUXGA screen resolution. WOW! Fabulous. Thank you DELL. Once again, you prove that you are the best. Now I just have to be patient till June.
You see, it looks good in promo photos but when you actually get it home:
http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/73352/Improve_M1330_Keyboard_
Maybe, if you haven't seen it in real life, you should start commenting on things you are familiar with?
I really hate that dell is pushing displayport instead of using HDMI like everyone else.
Doesn't displayport allow for higher resolution than HDMI? I also believe you can get a dongle to hook up HDMI fairly easily.
DisplayPort is probably the next big thing. Hopefully it's a good thing that they're pushing it.
My only question is, can I get them with Ubuntu preinstalled?
If I can get that, I'd buy one in a heartbeat.
Arg, Happy Birthday to ya!
Any comments on "8 GB RAM" for the E6500?
I would like to see the first notebook beyond 4 GB as I heavily use virtual machines - and this is very limited with 4 GB (or less). I beg they still have 2 memory slots and wait for 4 GB RAM modules...
Ok, it's June. Where's the launch? I know, Dell's always late, but I'm ready to buy! Any news?
Me too! I want to have more information about te E5500! Or just buy one
Dell Latitude E series release date originally planned for release this monthwill likely be delayed until at least mid-August.
Intel is delaying the release of the Montevina notebook platform. "The delays are the result of an unscheduled update to the chipset, along with problems receiving FCC certification for its next generation 802.11n WiFi technology which underpins the Montevina platforms."
By Ann Steffora Mutschler, Senior Editor -- Electronic News, 5/28/2008
http://www.edn.com/index.asp?layout=article&articleid=CA6564602
The delayed release date is bad news for those of us who need a notebook NOW. Too bad since the E-series Latitude looks to be a significant upgrade to the D series.
Thanks for the news! That's a shame.