latitude
Latest
Latitude XT free multi-touch update now available
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 Latitude XT displays compared: daylight viewable vs. LED
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
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 to offer laptops with Qualcomm's Gobi EV-DO / HSPA chipset
HP's already jumped on board, and it looks like Qualcomm's now also managed to convince Dell of the merits of its Gobi dual-3G chipset, which will soon be finding its way into a variety of Latitude, Precision, and other unspecified consumer laptops. For those not up to speed, that welcome addition will let you connect to both EV-DO and HSPA networks the world over without having to carry two different mobile broadband cards with you, with switching between the two as easy as flipping a software switch. Unfortunately, there's no word on the exact models that'll be getting the upgrade, nor is there any word on how much extra it'll cost or exactly when it'll be available, with Dell only going so far as to say that they'll be available "later this year."
Week O' Dell Scoops Part Deux, fini: the Latitude E-series accessories
We're closing out our Week O' Dell scoops the way it began, with Dell's new Ergo, revealed. Clearly, it's not a waffle iron or bulk food scale with LCD monitor. It's just an E-series stand supporting LCDs up to 24-inches. Sorry, but it looks like the existing Latitude D-series of docks won't work for the new Es. As such, prepare to purchase a truckload of new E-Ports to accompany your Latitude E6000 and E5000 laptops, E4300 and E4200 ultra-portables, and the semi-rugged E6400 ATG. At least the XT2 Tablet should work with the existing XT media base. All the details can be found in the gallery below.%Gallery-19325%
Dell's leaked Latitude E6000 and E5000-series of laptops pack GPS, DisplayPort, WWAN, UWB and much more
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.%Gallery-18965%
Dell's Latitude E-series roadmap revealed
See that? That's Dell's Latitude roadmap stretching into Q1 of 2009. We already told you about Dell's XT2 tablet plans yesterday and gave you the initial peek at the E-series back in February. Details of each the new Es shortly as our week o' Dell scoops continues. Until then, kick back and soak it all in with the assurance that Dell's thinner, lighter Centrino 2-based E-series laptops with options for "all-day batteries" and an emphasis on design are on the way. Non-squinty version available below.%Gallery-18798%
Dell's rugged Latitude XFR D630 wants a piece of your Toughbook
While Dell's tame Latitude D630 just got Penryn-ized, the XFR edition comes ready for operation in seriously extreme scenarios. Built to meet MIL-STD 810F standards from the Department of Defense, this beast not only handles just about anything you throw at it, on it or inside it, but it also promises to provide "23-percent better system performance than the Panasonic CF-30." Furthermore, it boasts a 14.1-inch outdoor readable display (with optional touchscreen technology), a 2.0GHz T7250 or 2.2GHz T7500 CPU, up to 4GB of DDR2 RAM, a shock-mounted 80GB HDD (or a 32GB / 64GB SSD, if you prefer), integrated DVD burner, Intel's GMA X3100 graphics set, WiFi / Bluetooth and optional WWAN for good measure. You'll also find a 6-cell battery with ExpressCharge, a magnesium handle, a smorgasbord of ports and a starting weight of 8.9-pounds. Heck, Dell even gives you a choice of Black / Charcoal and Desert Tan color schemes, but you'll be handing over a minimum of $3,899 to pick up either.
Wait, there's more! Dell's Latitude D630 / D830 go Penryn
Uh, we figured this whole Penryn update thing was all taken care of by now, but for whatever reason, Dell has found it quite pleasing to roll out said chips to its machines on a one (or two) at a time basis. Just a day after the new processors landed in the Precision M2300 and M4300 -- and merely two days since they crawled within the M6300 -- the Round Rock powerhouse has seen fit to hook up the all-business Latitude D630 and D830. Effective immediately, interested consumers can snatch up one (or both, we 'spose) of the aforementioned machines with a 2.5GHz T9300 or 2.6GHz T9500, both of which include 6MB of L2 cache. Meanwhile, prospective M1530 buyers are becoming increasingly incensed at Dell's apparent negligence of their favorite machine.[Thanks, Juha]Read - Latitude D630Read - Latitude D830
Dell Latitude E-series leaked
We've got a bit of preliminary dirt on Dell's new, soon-to-be-announced Latitude E-series machines, and we're liking what we see. So far we know there will be a 4.25 pound / 14.1-inch and 5 pound / 15.4-inch version, both with WXGA and WXGA+ LED backlit displays, as well as a 12-inch (pictured above) and 13.3-inch version for road warrior types. Expect DisplayPort, eSATA, plenty of USB ports, and PC or ExpressCard slots in the larger models. More on these as we get it in.
Dell Latitude XT goes tablet to tablet with Lenovo's X61T
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?
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.
Latitude XT listed on Dell's site, remains elusive
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 to stuff Seagate's encryption HDD into Latitude D630 / D830
Yeah, Seagate's uber-secure 2.5-inch Momentus 5400 FDE.2 hard drive has been available on the open market for some time, but Dell is looking to become to first big player to offer it up within its laptops. Starting "this week," the Latitude D630 and D830 will be available with the crypto drive as an option, and it will come bundled with the Embassy Trust Suite from software company Wave Systems. Officially, Dell has yet to reveal how much it'll cost to upgrade to the drive, but judging by the Higher Education order portal, swapping in a 120GB encrypted HDD will run you $152.10 more than the vanilla 60GB unit the D630 comes with.
Augmentix debuts the XTG630 ruggedized laptop
If you're in the market for a ruggedized, kill-or-be-killed type of laptop, perhaps one which closely resembles a mutated Speak & Spell, then the Augmentix XTG630 might be right up your alley. The 14.1-inch laptop is based on the Dell Latitude architecture, and features a Core 2 Duo processor, up to 4GB of RAM, a removable 80GB hard drive plus a 32GB SSD, an Intel GMA X3100 integrated graphics chipset, 802.11a/g/draft n, mobile broadband in EVDO or HSDPA flavors, Bluetooth 2.0, and a whole load of ports and jacks for your connectivity pleasure. Of course, the XTG630 has been tested to "Military Standards" for ruggedness, meaning you can operate the laptop in extremely low (minus 4 degrees) or extremely high (140 degrees) temperatures, drop it from a height of 3-feet, soak it in 4-inches of rain per hour, or run the system in an environment with 95 percent humidity. Additionally, the laptop says it will do "whatever it takes" to gather enemy intelligence, and will also "take a bullet for you."
Dell continues to extol Latitude XT by pulverizing rivals
While we patiently await Dell's highly-touted gift to the tablet PC universe, the marketing crew has apparently decided that obliterating yet another rival machine will keep the buzz alive until this thing actually launches. This go 'round, a team gathers around a blindfolded individual who takes his frustrations out on a piñata, er, tablet PC, and does a fine job of making sure it never boots up the same way again. Per usual, the video of the massacre is after the break, but we're still not sure what all it proves about Dell's forthcoming solution.[Via GottaBeMobile]
Dell Latitude D830 gets examined
Dell didn't stray very far from its nearly year-old D820 with its new D830 model, but those still on the fence about a purchase may want to head over to NotebookReview, which now has a fairly thorough examination of the laptop from someone that took the plunge and bought one. While it certainly won't stand out as much as some recent Dell laptops, NotebookReview's "Commander Wolf" nonetheless found the unit to be "visually appealing," with a solid construction and good performance, helped in no small part by its use of discrete graphics. On the downside, he unsurprisingly found that the D830 was "not a thin-and-light" and he was somewhat disappointed by an "unusually large" amount of light leakage coming from the bottom of the screen. The good Commander also thankfully took the time time to put the system through some benchmark tests, which you can check out by hitting up the link below.
Dell promotes Latitude XT tablet by sawing another in half
These days, you better bring your A-game when promoting a product in an already (somewhat) saturated market, and Dell has certainly given it its best shot with a recent Latitude XT promo. The video showcases a gentlemen who is apparently fed up with his other tablet and the incomprehensible grief it has caused him, and rather than selling it to another poor sap and waiting it out for Dell's forthcoming alternative, he takes matters into his own hands. Needless to say, the poor machine didn't stand a chance against a mighty electrical saw, and while we highly doubt the impending Latitude tablet could either, it's a comical watch nonetheless. Check it out after the break.[Via GottaBeMobile]
Dell gets official with Latitude D430, Precision M4300 laptops
At long last, Dell's ultraportable Latitude D430 is getting official, and just so it doesn't have to brave the new world alone, the Precision M4300 mobile workstation is tagging along. The 12-inch D430 will of course boast a widescreen WXGA display, up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM, Intel's GMA 950 integrated graphics, an Intel Core 2 Duo (or Solo) processor, an optional 32GB SSD, 802.11n WiFi, optional fingerprint reader, magnesium alloy casing, Strike Zone hard drive protection, and a slew of ports to boot. The beefier M4300 comes stocked with up to 2.4GHz of Intel Core 2 Duo power, a 15.4-inch display, up to 4GB of DDR2 RAM, NVIDIA's 512MB Quadro FX 360M graphics, up to 160GB of hard drive space, and 802.11n WiFi. Both units are available to configure as we speak, and while the 12-incher starts at $1,509 sans many luxuries, the M4300 rings up at $1,750 before you start bumping up the specs.
Dell Latitude D430 revealed, offers little more
Dell's business ultraportable, the Latitude D420, is getting a slight bump and a new model number soon, but those hoping for something a bit more cutting edge will have to look to other laptop manufacturers to get Santa Rosa happy. As spotted on the Dell Taiwan site, the upcoming D430 will be out July 2nd, and sport new Core 2 Duo U7600 and U1400 processors. There's also a new option for the Intel 4965 802.11n wireless card, and the SSD option is playing a bit more of a featured role this time around, but otherwise Dell is playing things pretty safe and leaving well enough alone with most of the chassis and internals. We'll see if that pays off for them soon enough.[Via laptoping.com]
