Inspiron
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T-Mobile moves up to 75 live HSPA+ markets, says it's running the largest '4G' network in the US
T-Mobile is announcing this evening that it's now got 75 live HSPA+ markets online, with coverage for roughly 200 million Americans up and running by the end of 2010. That footprint will start off at a theoretical max downlink of 21Mbps, but the carrier will be looking to scale that to 42Mbps in 2011 with the capacity to upgrade to 84 and 168Mbps down the road -- all without ever worrying about LTE. The veracity of T-Mobile's insistence that this is a "4G" network remains debatable -- particularly in light of the ITU's ruling that only LTE-Advanced and WiMAX 2 qualify -- but then again, that same ruling would mean that neither Sprint, Verizon, nor T-Mobile really have 4G up and running in the strictest of terms, and it's hard to argue that these guys are pushing speeds that meet or exceed what either LTE or WiMAX can offer today. To that end, the carrier is kicking off a new television ad campaign today where it proudly boasts that it's operating the nation's largest 4G network, which is sure to ruffle some feathers and set the stage for some drama-filled mudslinging among the big boys as they ramp up their next-gen networks across the country. New markets include Chicago, Colorado Springs, Ft. Wayne, Louisville, Raleigh-Durham, and Wilmington, NC, and new devices include the myTouch 4G -- officially launching tomorrow -- and the Dell Mini 10 4G, which as you can probably guess is a garden-variety Mini 10 with HSPA+ compatibility on the AWS band. Follow the break for T-Mobile's full press release.
Dell marketing makeover simplifies brands, kills off Adamo altogether
We knew something was going on with Dell's branding with the resurrection of the XPS laptop line, and this morning we caught up with a few of the company's executives to learn all about the entire restructuring. As you can see above, there will now be three core brands -- Inspiron, XPS and Alienware -- all focusing on different "performance seekers." However, you'll notice that Adamo is nowhere to be found on that flow chart. Turns out, the sneaky disappearance of the Adamo XPS from Dell's site hasn't exactly been a coincidence -- it's completely killing off the premium brand and has actually tamped down volumes of the super thin machines. Now, that doesn't mean systems like the original Adamo and the Adamo XPS won't exist ever again as Dell VP Ed Boyd tells us similar products will be coming to the XPS line early next year. Simplifying the brands sure does make a lot of sense to us -- all the Adamo XPS, Studio XPS, Studio laptops have seriously confused us over the last couple of years -- but it's all part of a larger marketing campaign that will attempt to move Dell away from being a low cost brand and instead portray the company as providing choice -- a campaign Dell CMO Paul-Henri Ferrand told Reuters will ultimately cost hundreds of millions of dollars. We look forward to seeing what you've got Dell, but all we know is that we're finally going to say the following words with affirmation: "rest in peace, Adamo."
Dell's Inspiron 15R Alloy Edition makes the wrong kind of waves
An "Alloy Edition" laptop sounds like something that should look pretty decent, right? Well, ideas and execution are two entirely different things, as evidenced by Dell's new Inspiron 15R Alloy Edition. While the alloy part of the equation isn't bad, it's unfortunately only available in a "waves" pattern that we can only hope looks better in person. As for the laptop's specs, you can expect the usual choice of Core i3, i5 or i7 processors, a 15.6-inch 1,366 x 768 display, integrated Intel graphics or an optional ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650, up to 8GB of RAM, and up to a 750GB hard drive. Somewhat curiously, while the laptop is up on Dell's site with a "customize" button, it isn't yet actually available to customize, and there isn't a starting price or release date to be found. [Thanks, Nik G]
Dell whips out 23-inch Inspiron One all-in-one and Zino HD
It's been awhile since we've heard from Dell on the home entertainment front, but don't you worry, the guys in Round Rock have been right on top of it. First up is the brand new Zino HD home theater PC, which like we'd heard is being updated with an AMD quad-core Phenom II processor that's more than capable of pumping out full HD to your HDTV. In typical Dell spirit there's tons of configuration options, including one for 1GB of ATI discrete graphics, a Blu-ray drive, and up to a terabyte of storage. For $299, we're a bit giddy about this little one considering it packs more power than any of those Ion nettops and it comes with a wireless keyboard and IR remote control. If a large touchscreen all-in-one is more your thing, the Inspiron One can be configured with similar parts -- an AMD Athlon II X4 processor, ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5450, Blu-ray, and up to 1TB are all on the list. To us, the real appeal of this one is its 1920x1080 resolution, 23-inch display, which produced some pretty stunning HD playback when we saw it in action last month. Dell's put a lot of energy into its new Stage touch interface, which consists of different tiled applications. It's actually more than eye candy as we're betting those Netflix and CinemaNow tiles will see plenty of tapping. The One starts at $799 and will be available this coming weekend -- but before you yank out the wallet, we'd suggest flipping through the galleries below and hitting the break for a read of the press release. %Gallery-103008% %Gallery-103009%
Dell Inspiron Duo hybrid netbook / tablet stars in another film
We'll freely admit how smitten we are with Dell's concept, the Inspiron Duo. While it's supposedly coming to retail by the end of the year, it's so special that every time we spy new photos or video footage of it, we watch joyfully. Of course, Intel doesn't need to watch from afar, as demonstrated in a new video -- they simply asked Dell's Inspiron Product Marketer, Dave Zavelson to show it off on film. The Duo, in case you've been hiding under a rock since before IDF, is a 10-inch netbook with a swivel screen which enables you to use it as a sort of tablet... you know, those things that everybody's cranking out these days. It also boasts a dual-core Atom N550 CPU and Windows 7 Home Premium. Regardless, we still haven't heard any pricing or definite availability info yet, but the video is below.
Dell's AMD offerings go mainstream with Inspiron M501R, M5030
We had a pretty clear indication that Dell would soon be rolling out an AMD-based Inspiron M501R, and it looks like it's now finally available along with a new AMD-based M5030 model. Both are 15.6-inch systems, with the M501R packing a Phenom N930 processor and ATI Mobility Radeon HD550 graphics, while the M5030 boasts an AMD Athlon II P320 processor and Mobility Radeon HD425 graphics. Otherwise, you can expect 4GB of RAM and either a 320GB or 500GB hard drive on each (in the standard configs), along a six-cell battery, a DVD burner, among other standard fare -- the M501R also boasts a slightly thinner and lighter design. As you can see above, prices range from $529.99 to $799.99, and both models are available right now.
Dell Inspiron Duo touched for the very first time
Yeah, you made me feel, shiny and new... We digress. That's jkkmobile's finger in the photo above, testing out Microsoft Surface Globe on the Dell Inspiron Duo convertible's swiveling 10-inch screen -- a rite of passage that you can watch after the break in all its low-res glory. We're seriously jealous of this dude right now, but thankful that he discovered a few more facts about the device: for one, that swivel only spins in one direction, and for another, we're looking at a capacitive multitouch screen. We still don't know what those sensors are on the left side of the netbook's clamshell frame nor what resolution that webcam shoots at, but we do see a set of flaps on the left-hand side presumably concealing some ports, and what could be a flat removable battery pack on the bottom of the cherry-red unit. Video after the break.
Dell's Atom-powered Inspiron Duo: 10-inch netbook / tablet hybrid with a crazy swivel (update: more video and detailed press photo!)
Boy, did Dell show just off the craziest device on stage at Intel's IDF 2010 day two keynote. What started as a tablet device converted to a netbook just by opening to the keyboard and literally swiveling the screen from within the frame. This hybrid's got a 10-inch screen, houses a dual-core Atom N550 and runs Windows 7 Premium. And if it looks at all familiar, that's because we saw something eerily similar in a leak from April (hello, Sparta). No price given and Dell isn't providing us any more details, but it should be released by the end of this year. Update: It ain't pretty, but we managed to bum rush the stage and get some footage of the Inspiron Duo during as it made its transformations to and from a keyboard-equipped existence. It's after the break... along with a press photo! Update 2: And now we've got a much clearer video for your enjoyment. Check it out! Update 3: Dell sent over a pretty hefty press photo, so we decided to break it down piece-by-piece. To the gallery! %Gallery-102183%
Dell ships 10.1-inch Inspiron Mini 1018 to Europe, heading elsewhere soon
Looking for yet another Mini 10 netbook? How's about one with a curvaceous chassis modeled after the Inspiron R series? Dell's just pushed out the Inspiron Mini 1018 across the pond, offering a £279 ($434) starting price along with a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N455 processor, a 10.1-inch WSVGA (1,024 x 600) resolution display, Windows 7 Starter, 1GB of DDR3 memory, 802.11n WiFi, a 250GB hard drive, inbuilt webcam and a fresh coat of Obsidian Black paint. It's available now for those in the correct region, but the outfit has already stated that it'll be shipping to other lands "soon." Stoked, aren't ya? [Thanks, iamnotjamesh]
Dell Zino HD 410 quietly leaks out with AMD quad-core potential
Once upon a time, Dell's Zino HD promised desktop parts in a tiny box and didn't quite deliver the goods, but it was still cute and powerful enough a mini-desktop to earn a spot on our holiday gift guide. This time round, it looks like Dell might actually fulfill that original pledge, as support documents leaked at the company's website show the box sporting an AMD RS880M chipset capable of socketing Phenom II quad-core processors. While it only comes with onboard Radeon HD 4250 graphics by default, a Mobility Radeon 5450 GPU is listed as a potential option at launch, and the box can now hold up to 8GB of 1066MHz DDR3 memory alongside 802.11n WiFi and Blu-ray drive options. On the front and back of the small box, you'll find practically exactly the same ports, but there is a new optical S/PDIF socket capable of piping 7.1 surround sound. While there's no guarantee all these options are slated for a stateside launch, we imagine Dell will either deliver or keep a tighter lid on these sorts of docs. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Dell debuts Inspiron R line with glosstastic new looks, Intel Wireless Display
Dell's given its Inspiron lineup a new back-to-school paint job, dubbed as the new R series, with a heavy emphasis on gloss and Dell's forward-positioned hinge designed (thrilling, we know). The lineup has mainly the same internals as the existing Inspirons, with Core i3 and Core i5 processors, but the optional Intel Wireless Display is a nice addition. Prices start at $449, with models coming in 14, 15, and 17-inch sizes, and you can configure these things to your heart's content -- including your choice of Mars Black, Promise Pink, Tomato Red, and Peacock Blue. The laptops should are available today at retail and on Dell.com, and you can find a fancy press release after the break. %Gallery-95853%
Dell Inspiron 14z dips to $399, for now
It may be nearly a year since we first got our hands on Dell's thin-and-light Inspiron 14z, but the laptop still certainly holds its own in its class, and Dell has now made an offer that's awfully hard to refuse -- it's lowered the price to just $399. That will of course get you the lowest-end, Pentium Dual-Core SU4100 model, but you can upgrade to a Core 2 Duo for $65 extra, and the rest of the basic specs aren't too shabby, including 3GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, and a DVD burner. Anyone thinking of taking the plunge better act fast, however, as the deal is apparently part of a 48 hour sale, and quite a few of those hours have already ticked away.
Dell Inspiron M501R seen packing quad-core AMD Phenom II X4 CPU, ATI 550v GPU
Well, would you look at this? Dell's not-at-all-boisterous launch of numerous R-rated Inspirons left us with far more questions than answers (you know what we mean, J.J. Abrams?), but now things are starting to come together somewhat. We're guessing some of the mystique surrounding the M501R has to do with the power plant within, because so far as we can tell, AMD has never shipped a Phenom II X4 within a laptop. Sure enough, this here machine can be ordered up with a quad-core X4, and while prices and the like aren't yet available (the order process seems to be borked for now), we do know that this particular model will ship with a 720p 15.6-inch display, Windows 7, an optional 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 550v (another new one to us), WiFi, up to 8GB of DDR3 RAM, four color options and a total weight of 5.83 pounds. C'mon Dell / AMD -- why not just spill the beans already? Our trigger finger can only itch for so long.
Dell Inspiron 13R, 14R, 15R, 17R and M501R quietly surface
It's hard to say at this point if this new spate of Inspiron machines are just region-specific lappies or totally new breeds of a tried-and-true original, but either way, they're alive and well on Dell's own website. So far as we can tell, the Dell Inspiron 13R, 14R, 15R, 17R and M501R are exactly like their non-R contemporaries save for a few choice options: the GPU assortment is far more robust on the new flavors, while there's a larger quantity of choices in the operating system, RAM and wireless departments. There's also word that a Dell Dock feature is built right into these, making it easier to access media for those who aren't exactly technically inclined. To quote Walt Mayo, vice president Dell Consumer Asia: "This is a laptop that moms will love and youths will desire." We can't say we fit that demographic in any way, shape, or form, but we can appreciate the "smudge-resistant palm rests, full-size, ergonomically-designed keyboard and stiffer frame" when compared to the other Inspirons. These seem to be available now over in Australia and New Zealand, which means that order pages could go live at any moment for the rest of planet Earth. [Thanks, Mitch]
Dell Inspiron Mini 10 shipping April 1st with integrated Clear WiMAX
Dell's vanilla Atom N450-based Mini 10 just started shipping a couple of months ago, and if you'll recall, we spotted one slip through the FCC's oh-so-vulnerable database with WiMAX built-in. Today at CTIA, Clearwire spilled the news that it'll be providing the service for a 4G-infused version of the netbook come April 1st. What's interesting is that Clearwire only mentions it being for sale "through select Clear retail locations, telesales and Clear.com," so it's still unknown if it'll be offered up through the Round Rock powerhouse itself (as the Studio 17, Studio XPS 1640 and Latitude E4300, etc. are). The machine will be sold for $249.99 after an instant rebate, though no specifics were mentioned concerning a per-month data plan price. If we were the betting type, we'd say it'll probably run you 40 bones for every 30 days based on existing rates.
Dell Inspiron Mini 10 with T-Mobile webConnect launches tomorrow, $199.99 on contract
T-Mobile's selected CTIA 2010 this week as the venue to launch its customized version of Dell's Mini 10 netbook that's been infused with -- you guessed it -- T-Mobile-compatible 3G service. It's got a 10.1-inch WSVGA display, 1.3 megapixel webcam, three USB ports, VGA port, Windows 7 Starter Edition, and an Atom N450 core humming along at 1.66GHz with a claimed battery life of "up to" eight hours using a six-cell 56WHr pack. In terms of frequencies, you've got quadband EDGE alongside quadband (yes, quadband) 3G with support for Bands I, II, IV, and V, which means you'll be able to roam in 850 / 1900MHz markets and internationally. It's available starting tomorrow in "select T-Mobile retail locations" in Chicago, Dallas, Miami, and Los Angeles as well as through the carrier's site and sales hotline for $199.99 on a two-year deal.
Dell Inspiron One 19 all-in-one turns up at Walmart
Well, here's a bit of an interesting surprise -- Dell's Inspiron One 19 all-in-one desktop, previously only announced for Japan and still not on Dell's US website, kicking back at a Walmart in the US of A. From the looks of it, the specs are more or less in line with what we've heard before, including an 18.5-inch widescreen display, a Pentium Dual Core E5400 processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 640GB hard drive, along with a price said to be "around $600." Unfortunately, there's no indication of how widespread availability is right now, but feel free to let us know in comments if you happen to spot one. [Thanks, Steve]
Dell Mini 10 adds WiMAX, collects FCC certification
If you believe WiMAX is the future, but just can't deal with that USB appendage ruining the sleek looks of your netbook, fret not. Dell's Mini 10 has dropped by the FCC for a repeat visit, only this time it's sporting a built-in WiMAX module. From what we're told it's an otherwise unmodified version of Round Rock's latest and greatest 10-incher, so you'll probably be wanting to visit our recent review to see if it makes for a worthy mobile computer. We suspect Sprint might have some retail space for these units when they arrive, given that the wireless carrier already offers the 3G-equipped Mini 10 on a subsidized basis and will be keen to offer a similar product to its expanding WiMAX clientelle.
Core i5 / i7 roundup: Panasonic fits Core i7 in netbook chassis, Dell and HP machines spotted at Staples
What we know as the astronomically expensive Toughbook laptops over here, the Japanese know as the wildly spendy Let's Note machines over there. Their nomenclature is today getting upgraded by one, as the F9, N9, and S9 Let's Notes make their debut housing a Core i5-520M processor. We like the F9's 14.1-inch display and 1440 x 900 resolution best -- those are pretty much ideal dimensions for a portable workhorse -- but the real new hotness is the R9, which crams a Core i7-620UM into essentially the size of a netbook. 2GB of DDR3 RAM and 250GB storage drives are standard across the range, and the Japanese release is scheduled for February 17. In other news, a 17-inch Dell Inspiron with Core i5-430M guts is now up for sale on Staples for a measly $649, while a similarly specced HP dv4 can also be found for a Benjamin more. Hit those source links for more.
Dell Inspiron 15 (with Core i5) hands-on
We just spent a little time with Dell's updated Inspiron 15 Core i5 which were introduced earlier today. As far as looks go -- well, they're Dells, and not much has changed from previous iterations. Of course, it's what inside that counts here, so while you might not go through the roof over their aesthetics, if it's power you seek (of course it is), you'll be happy to hear that this dude is no slouches in that department. Yes, it's seriously fingerprint-prone, though we spied a matte brown option that should take care of that problem if you're seriously offended by it. You can also get the Studio 17 (you guessed it, a 17-incher) if you really need a beast. Both models we got a look at featured Intel's just-unveiled Mobile Core i5 processors, (Core i3s are also available but are "coming soon" at this time). Prices for these bad boys start at $849 for the Studio 15 and $949 for the 17-incher. Gallery is after the break.
