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LatitudeXT posts

Multi-touch display giving Dell Latitude XT users fits?

by Darren Murph posted Oct 20th 2008 at 8:50PM

Dell's Latitude XT is a pretty special piece of equipment, namely because it boasts multi-touch capabilities while being a Tablet PC. Unfortunately, it seems that quite a few users are growing increasingly frustrated with the touch-lovin' screen, with GottaBeMobile going so far as to call Dell out to remedy the myriad issues with its N-Trig digitizer. Among the problems are "digitizer not found" errors upon restart, a digitizer that won't work properly without a few reboots and a nice selection of applet loading errors to top things off. It seems the readers of the aforesaid site aren't faring too well either, with the forums filling up with folks eager and willing to yell "amen!" and "me too!" Are you also experiencing wonky N-Trig problems? Are you fed up with Dell's public silence on the matter? Or have you figured out a solution that you've been keeping all to yourself for the past seven months? Chime in down below.

Latitude XT free multi-touch update now available

by Thomas Ricker posted Jul 16th 2008 at 3:07AM

Hey Dell Latitude XT owners -- multi-touch is now yours. The 15MB update announced Monday is available to download for 32- and 64-bit Vista or Windows XP tablet users. Direct2Dell even posted a video hosted by a real live Texan to walk owners though the installation and calibration process. Yeehaw!

Dell's Latitude XT tablet goes multi-touch with a free upgrade, offers 128GB SSD for $649

by Paul Miller posted Jul 14th 2008 at 5:32PM

As promised, Dell is offering a free software upgrade for its Latitude XT tablet, unleashing the multi-touch capabilities of its capacitive touch screen at last. The free download allows you to do two finger scrolling, zooming and use programmable double tap functions directly on the screen. Dell's also adding a new 128GB SSD option for $649 to its Precision and Latitude systems, with the XPS and Alienware laptops to follow next week. The Latitude XT software and new SSD drives will be available tomorrow, and Dell promises a brand new Latitude laptop line "in the coming weeks," which we're sure will be taking advantage of Intel's new Centrino 2 chips. Video of multi-touch in action is after the break.

Continue reading Dell's Latitude XT tablet goes multi-touch with a free upgrade, offers 128GB SSD for $649

Dell Latitude XT displays compared: daylight viewable vs. LED

by Darren Murph posted Jun 3rd 2008 at 7:56AM

When Dell's long-awaited Latitude XT finally hit the scenes, many were captivated by the idea of a daylight viewable screen on such a portable rig. Up until now, however, there's been little analysis over which was actually superior. Granted, we aren't saying that you can't disagree firmly with GottaBeMobile's assessment, but after checking each out for an extended period of time, Rob Bushway actually concluded that the LED-based machine was preferable. Aside from coming in a few ounces lighter, the LED-equipped unit didn't seem to perform noticeably worse than the DLV counterpart, and even battery life was practically the same for each. Don't take our word for it, though -- check out the entire writeup (video included) in the read link below.

Dell Latitude XT stripped bare

by Ryan Block posted Apr 12th 2008 at 7:26AM

Yeah, you know the deal with teardowns. So if you've been wondering at all what Dell's semi-rugged capacitive touchscreen convertible tablet looks like disrobed, head on over and check out one pretty naked Latitude XT.

Dell Latitude XT tablet unboxing

by Evan Blass posted Jan 18th 2008 at 10:07AM

Since some of you have apparently been waiting on Dell to make a tablet PC for well over three years now, we imagine that the first unboxing of the company's Latitude XT convertible will be welcome eye-candy to the true believers. With dual input methods (finger or pen), integrated 802.11n, and optional SSD and WWAN, this model definitely delivers on a number of fronts, though the relatively low resolution and high price may be too much for some to bear. Check out another shot after the break, and then hit up the Read link for the full ritual over at I Started Something.

Continue reading Dell Latitude XT tablet unboxing

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

by Donald Melanson posted Dec 31st 2007 at 7:10PM

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.

How would you change Dell's Latitude XT?

by Darren Murph posted Dec 21st 2007 at 6:30PM

Much like the long-awaited XPS m1330, Dell's fancy fresh Latitude XT didn't come quick nor cheap. Nevertheless, the previously mythical convertible tablet is finally here and shipping out to consumers -- or, ones that are willing to pay the premium, we suppose. Sure, the XT is packed with all sorts of simplistic sexiness, not to mention the mighty impressive list of specifications, but Dell didn't seem to mind much that bargain hunters would be looking elsewhere when it priced this thing to start at $2,499.

So, now that no one can jump on the Round Rock powerhouse for making a promise it couldn't keep, how's about keeping it honest with a few suggestions for the next iteration? Maybe toss in a little multi-touch action (as in, for realz)? Spice it up with a few color options? What about an optional panel with a resolution higher than WXGA? C'mon, with something this expensive, we're sure there's plenty of room for improvement -- after all, it's not like there's a price ceiling (glass or otherwise) that we've got to mind here. Oh, and for those who've actually had the pleasure of owning one, your input is particular coveted.

Dell doth protest too much on XT pricing

by Paul Miller posted Dec 18th 2007 at 7:31PM

Dell's Direct2Dell blog has made some PR wins in the past, but this isn't one of them. The company posted a long-winded explanation of the Latitude XT's supposed charms and advantages over existing tablets, but didn't do itself any favors by underplaying the vast price and power disparity with the likes of HP and Lenovo. Sure, we love the capacitive touch, and the build and size are great, but the machine is way underpowered in its $2,500 base configuration, and prices get astronomical -- nearly twice that of Lenovo's -- when you try to spec the XT up to the X61t's level. Still, we're a sucker for charts, so we guess Dell wins round one. We'll be back, and we won't leave our copy of PowerPoint at home, Micheal!

Dell's Latitude XT tablet now available

by Paul Miller posted Dec 18th 2007 at 12:30PM

Dell almost ran out of 2007 to fulfill its promise, but fulfill it did and the Latitude XT is now available on Dell's site. Well, sort of. Even with a completely default configuration, the XT has a "preliminary ship date" of January 15th, 2008. Oh well, at least that'll give you some time to hit up your friends and relatives for the cash to afford the first monthly payment on this thing. Also, from the looks of things Dell is going to be offering XP Tablet as the default OS for the XT, though Vista Business is a free "upgrade." Microsoft must be thrilled.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Dell Latitude XT tablet will have multi-touch, just not for a while

by Ryan Block posted Dec 12th 2007 at 8:58AM

If you're at all like us, you spent a little time scratching your head after the Latitude XT's launch wondering just what Michael Dell really meant when he mentioned the convertible having multi-touch. Sure, he talked up the laptop's myriad capabilities when he showed the XT at OpenWorld, but multi-touch was suspiciously absent from the official launch details, so we gave Dell a buzz and got this juicy tidbit: yes, XT buyers now (and in the future) will all have laptops capable of multi-touch input, thanks to that capacitive touchscreen, but the software and/or drivers needed to enable it won't be released "until a later date." We have no idea what that date is -- or if that date is even in 2008 -- but there you have it, among the first would-be multi-touch tablet laptops is officially the among the first will-be multi-touch tablet laptops.

P.S. -To tide you over, we've got a total snooze-fest of a product demo video after the break. Capacitive touch was never so... boring.

Continue reading Dell Latitude XT tablet will have multi-touch, just not for a while

Dell Latitude XT tablet hands-on

by Ryan Block posted Dec 11th 2007 at 12:02AM

We spent a few minutes with the brand new Dell Latitude XT and we have to say, as far as tablets (and especially Dells) go, this thing is top-tier. Some thoughts:

The whole machine's decked in a ThinkPad-esque soft touch finish, and has the same rugged feeling, with magnesium and a seemingly higher quality build than you're normally likely to find in most other Dells.
The capacitive touchscreen worked really well, was nearly flush with the bezel, and, not surprisingly, instantly made us never want to go back to resistive touchscreen tablets.
The hinge is unidirectional and feels really sturdy.
It only has one speaker, so don't expect stereo audio out of the thing. The wireless on/off switch is much appreciated though, as is the SD slot.
The extended battery "slice" / platform add-on doubles your running time, although we're not entirely sure how it hurts heat since it covers the fan intake.
A base price $2500 is too much. We're sorry, we know this machine is pretty rad, but it's true. For a grand less you can snag an X61 with more power, and, we'd wager, more of that ThinkPad ruggedness. Ordinary consumers -- even many businesses -- will not pay that kind of a premium for this machine.

Gallery: Dell Latitude XT tablet hands-on

Dell Latitude XT tablet is official, sexy

by Ryan Block posted Dec 11th 2007 at 12:01AM

It's absolutely no secret that Dell's been working on a tablet PC -- we've been hearing about the damn thing since as far back as mid 2004 (no joke!) and the company did promise it in 2007, which it's almost not. What took them so long to get it out the door we've no idea, but it's hard to deny the appeal of this little ThinkPad-esque bugger. Here are those specs which you've absolutely never seen before:

12.1-inch WXGA (1280 x 800) in CCFL ("outdoor display," up to 400cd/m2) and LED backlight options
Capacitive touchscreen(!!) with palm detection (this, if anything, could enable that supposed multi-touch), and active digitizer.
Intel Core 2 Solo or Duo ULV at 1.06 and 1.2GHz, respectively
ATI Radeon X1250 UMA Graphics
Up to 3GB memory, runs Vista Ultimate or Business
40GB or 80GB 4200 RPM drive, 120GB 5400 RPM drive, or 32GB or 64GB SSD
HSDPA or EVDO rev A., 802.11a/b/g/n options, Bluetooth 2.0, and gigabit Ethernet connectivity
ExpressCard54 and SD slots, 1394, VGA, (3) USB 2.0
Scroll wheel, biometric reader, TPM 1.2, super low profile power adapter
Up to 5 hours battery life with standard 43WH pack, up to 9 hours with extended 45WH pack; Energy Star 4.0 compliant
3.57 pounds (presumably without battery), 1-inch thick
Starts at $2500

Okay, we'll hand it to these guys, alongside the M1330 the Latitude XT is the sexiest machine Dell's ever produced -- and the addition of a capacitive touchscreen totally blew our minds. But $2500 for the most stripped down option? Dell just priced itself right out of the game, if you ask us. Hands-on coming right up.

Gallery: Dell Latitude XT tablet is official, sexy

Latitude XT listed on Dell's site, remains elusive

by Paul Miller posted Dec 10th 2007 at 9:12AM

Dell's promised the Latitude XT will launch tomorrow, but apparently forgot to mention that to one particular web engineer who has "Latitude XT" up in lights with its other Latitude brethren. Unfortunately, as soon as you click through all mentions of the XT disappear. What a tease. We'll keep you posted, but we're guessing this is an error and Dell isn't going to start selling the XT today just for kicks.

[Thanks, Ryan L.]

Dell launching Latitude XT tablet PC on the 11th

by Ryan Block posted Dec 6th 2007 at 5:42AM

Oh, your holiday shopping budget just took a turn for the worse, dinnit? We've gotten a slew of reports from sources all agreeing that Dell intends to launch its forthcoming Latitude XT tablet PC on the 11th (next Tuesday). You already know the rest, we'll see you next week for the launch of tablet PC the industry almost forgot.