Mysterious Dell laptop hits FCC, is a shoo-in for leaked Latitude Z
By Ross Miller 
posted Aug 6th 2009 4:54PM
posted Aug 6th 2009 4:54PM
posted Aug 6th 2009 4:54PM
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It's "shoe-in", good lord.
Okay, so it's actually not. This is embarrassing...should I play it off like I'm just trolling or come clean?
No, it's shoo-in: http://www.word-detective.com/100297.html#shoe-in
Yes we know, you should have been an editor of a popular tech blog but life isn't fair.
I always knew it as "show-in" from the golf term, when a ball is so close to the hole it's a "shoe-in" because you just tap it in with your shoe.
Bad typing doesn't help either. I meant "shoe-in".
Uhg all you guys do is post about new Dell stuff. Why can't you post about something Apple made for a change?
Wait, really?
My sarcasm meter is broken...
You DO know you're reading ENGADGET right?
Again with the fugly butt?
Don't they know that slim and sleek is in? Not bulky and misshapen.
It actually is quite slim (I held it, right under an ich, I'd say). If you look at the ethernet port, it's entire hight of the base of the unit, so just add a couple mm for the lid and there you go.
I've actually seen and used the Z. All I can say is wow. Dual SSD drives, no built in optical (unit I had had external [eSATA] BluRay). Integrated WWAN, CULV processor, 4GB RAM, super light, probably around 3 pounds. Was quite sexy, too. With about 88% battery left Vista was estimating almost 4 hours of life left (screen at max brightness). I expect this to come in around $1700, may $1400 with very base options.
Sounded good till you mentioned the price...
Well, I could be wrong, but it was very, very well built and it was being billed as an 'executive' laptop. The Dual SSDs can't help the price, either.
Does Dell really need another high-priced thin "executive" laptop in their lineup? Isn't the Adamo exactly that?
And are the dual SSDs really part of the default configuration - cause that just sounds like completely unnecessary overkill to me...
I'm excited to see it in action. Hopefully it'll live up to the hype.
My Dell person (let's call him 'Ed') didn't say whether or not the dual SSDs are part of the base, but unlike the Adamo, this is actually part of their business class Latitude line (meaning standard Dell power port, fits standard Latitude Dock, base 3 year warranty, etc.). Price is all speculation until October, I guess.
Oh, but another cool thing (which is becoming standard on 'entertianment' portables) is the haptic media controls (I think that's what they're called, all this new fangled tech, is anything old fangled anymore?).
The Z I had only included a single 64GB SSD and 2GB of DDR3 RAM. I'm impressed by the size of the battery and the weight. Other things I would like to note is a backlit keyboard and touch-based volume controls with light haptic feedback, which was really neat.
> Franktinsley
I am assuming that was a sarcastic comment, or at least, hope to God it was.
regarding matt's "Vista estimation" comment... see http://www.xkcd.com/612/
Word. I laughed so hard at that. Was one of my favorites in a while.
It doesn't have "Draft-N" because - with the Dell line up of PC's - Inspiron/Vostro/XPS/Studio - are all lightswitch transition devices and have consumer based technology. So, if its new and hot - those will be the machines that will get it first - like "Draft-N".
Precision/Latitude/Optiplex are all 'standards based' technology. Since its "Draft-N" -or pre-N - or, rather - "this might actually be the standard - we don't know yet for sure..." - then it won't appear on either of those type machines...because - it isn't a standard yet. And It isn't due to be an standard until November.
I work in an IT department and all of the new latitude e-Series laptops and Precisions have N-draft
Seconded - I've just bought a few of the tiny new Latitudes for clients, they all have draft-N.
Eh...Dell's been in a downward spiral for a while. They'll have to do something amazing for me to go back to dealing with their support staff.
"Ma'am, I work in IT for the military, can we skip to something that is a bit more advanced?"
"Certainly, Sir. Now, can you check and ensure your power cable is plugged in?"
/slam
...dial tone...
I think its luck of the draw with dell. Last time I called their SME support, I got some guy who seemed to be quite an enthusiast. When using the home support previously I was also rather surprised that they talked me through re-seating the processor over the phone. Didn't help a jot but even so.
I've see the Z in person, and the diagram looks just like it. The one I saw was a plum color.
No, I am not 'shitting you either.