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 at 8:54AM
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
CUBSWILLWIN @ Mar 22nd 2008 9:03AM
some awesome laptops these are
JohnTitor @ Mar 22nd 2008 11:59AM
speaking like yoda you are
Saosin @ Mar 22nd 2008 9:29AM
Wouldn't GPS on the ultraportable E-series make much more sense?
Kelmon @ Mar 22nd 2008 10:35AM
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.
Lance @ Mar 22nd 2008 9:33AM
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"
Airan @ Mar 22nd 2008 10:23AM
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.
asphixiated @ Mar 22nd 2008 1:55PM
Yeah, i was wondering about that too, since the M1330 has at least a 8400GS...
Tim @ Mar 22nd 2008 9:40AM
I'm in love...
thingy @ Mar 22nd 2008 10:25AM
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...
Rik @ Mar 22nd 2008 10:33AM
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
Oshkosh @ Mar 22nd 2008 10:35AM
Uhm, at least they were compatible with all your stuff for the last five years. Try this with Lenovo/HP/whoever...
bob e @ Mar 22nd 2008 10:30AM
I'd trade my T60 Thinkpad for one of the E6500
monkfishbandana @ Mar 22nd 2008 10:32AM
I'd probably trade my Macbook in for one of these.
asphixiated @ Mar 22nd 2008 1:56PM
I'd trade in my M1330 for that sexy E6400
mark @ Mar 22nd 2008 10:33AM
truelife sucks. I hope they give some matte options on the 15.4
BobTurbo @ Mar 22nd 2008 11:06AM
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.
Ace b @ Mar 22nd 2008 11:56AM
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
BobTurbo @ Mar 23rd 2008 4:29AM
Have you actually seen it in real life?
Jay @ Mar 22nd 2008 11:30AM
These would look so awesome in my eyes if not for one key problem.....they're Dells
michael @ Mar 22nd 2008 1:44PM
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.
Scott McLeod @ Mar 22nd 2008 6:44PM
RACIST! ;-)
Mark @ Mar 22nd 2008 8:12PM
Jay, you're completely correct. Michael, you're an idiot for comparing racism to this.
marcin @ Mar 22nd 2008 11:45AM
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...
Yankees368 @ Mar 22nd 2008 12:53PM
So when can we expect these new machines?
snife @ Mar 22nd 2008 2:43PM
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.
WhiteRtlNav @ Mar 22nd 2008 3:42PM
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!
Mr3vil @ Apr 29th 2008 8:51AM
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.
9bit @ Mar 22nd 2008 4:07PM
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.
MasterCKO @ Mar 22nd 2008 5:07PM
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.
billy @ Mar 22nd 2008 9:26PM
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.
billy @ Mar 22nd 2008 9:27PM
Correction ... not = now in the second sentence.
David @ Mar 23rd 2008 2:17AM
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.
BobTurbo @ Mar 23rd 2008 4:32AM
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?
fopkins @ Mar 23rd 2008 4:47PM
I really hate that dell is pushing displayport instead of using HDMI like everyone else.
Semler @ Mar 23rd 2008 11:14PM
Doesn't displayport allow for higher resolution than HDMI? I also believe you can get a dongle to hook up HDMI fairly easily.
happy_penguin @ Mar 23rd 2008 11:29PM
DisplayPort is probably the next big thing. Hopefully it's a good thing that they're pushing it.
Crashmaxx @ Mar 23rd 2008 6:04PM
My only question is, can I get them with Ubuntu preinstalled?
If I can get that, I'd buy one in a heartbeat.
Ryan @ Mar 24th 2008 1:39AM
Arg, Happy Birthday to ya!
Markus @ Apr 16th 2008 10:49AM
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...
Phil @ Jun 2nd 2008 11:09PM
Ok, it's June. Where's the launch? I know, Dell's always late, but I'm ready to buy! Any news?
Michael @ Jun 9th 2008 7:10AM
Me too! I want to have more information about te E5500! Or just buy one
jjames006 @ Jun 9th 2008 3:20PM
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
jjames006 @ Jun 9th 2008 3:29PM
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.
Michael @ Jun 10th 2008 6:50AM
Thanks for the news! That's a shame.