Dell have quietly announced their first consumer touchscreen laptop, updating their Studio 17 lineup with four-finger multitouch displays. Priced from $899, the powerful 17-inchers include a suite of Dell’s own touch apps and naturally, Windows 7.

Featuring large 17.3-inch (1600 x 900) HD displays, the new Studio 17 line is powered by 2.1GHz T4300 to 2.8GHz T9600 Core 2 Duo processors with up to 8GB of DDR3 RAM and 1TB of 7200rpm HDD storage.

Also on offer is an Intel GMA 4500MHD GPU as standard (upgradable to a 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD4650 chipset), WiFi 802.11g, a DVD burner with a Blu-ray option and your choice of either 6 or 9 cell batteries.

The new Studio 17 Touch laptops are available to order now direct from Dell in two customizable configurations starting at $899 and $999. Shipping is expected to begin early December.

Sources:
Dell via Electronista

Dell’s answer to the Mac Mini, the Inspiron Zino HD, officially launched today with a base spec price of just $229. The ultra-portable (and ultra-colorful) desktop runs on a range of AMD processors and includes native HDMI output for use as a home theater PC.

The $229 base model starts with a 1.6GHz AMD Athlon 2650e processor, 2GB of DDR2 RAM, a 250GB HDD, ATI Radeon HD3200 graphics and an 8x DVD drive as standard.

Three other Zino HD models step up the specs and can be personalized with some serious options including up to a 1.8GHz dual-core AMD Athlon Neo X2 6850e processor, a 512MB ATI Radeon HD4330 GPU, 8GB of RAM, a 1TB HDD, a Blu-ray drive, WiFi as well as add-on HD monitors.

All models of Dell’s Inspiron Zino HD ship with 2 USB ports, a headphone connector, a 4-in-1 card reader and a 64-bit version of Windows 7 Home Premium as standard and are available now over at Dell Home & Home Office priced at $229, $399, $549 and $649 before customization.

Sources:
Dell via Engadget

Dell today announced their new 12.1-inch Latitude XT2 XFR Tablet PC which is the world’s first rugged tablet with a multi-touch display. The system is designed for use in the field by the military, police, security, factory fulfillment, healthcare and delivery services where maximum-durability is crucial.

The XT2 XFR convertible tablet adds to Dell’s Rugged Mobility Solution range – which includes the ultra-tough Latitude E6400 XFR we’ve been in awe of previously – featuring compression-sealed I/O doors, LCD and keyboard for resistance to moisture and dust at a high IP54 level of Ingress Protection.

Featuring an impact-resistant, sunlight-viewable 12.1-inch 1280 x 800 capacitive multi-touch display or alternatively, a resistive touchscreen – the XT2 runs on an Intel Core 2 Duo ultra low voltage processor with Intel GMA 4500 graphics, up to 5GB of DDR3 memory and your choice of 64GB/128GB SSD and 160GB HDD storage options.

The Latitude XT2 also includes a fingerprint reader, Bluetooth 2.1, WiFi a/g/n, mobile broadband options, 3 x USB ports (one shared with eSATA), Firewire, Gigabit Ethernet, a gesture enabled trackpad, a digitizer pen, point stick, stereo headphone jack and either 4 or 6-cell primary batteries or a mega 9-cell slice.

Being able to withstand drops from up to 3 feet and temps from minus 10 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, the XT2 can take a lot of abuse (video below). Surprisingly though, it’s also the thinnest 12.1-inch rugged convertible tablet around – measuring just 1.5 inches (38.1mm) thick and with a weight of only 5.4-pounds.

Shipping with Windows XP by default, (Pro and Ultimate versions of Windows 7 look like they’re on the way) the Latitude XT2 XFR rugged multi-touch tablet is available now direct from Dell starting at $3,599.

Press release

Dell Delivers Smallest 12.1-Inch Rugged Convertible Tablet PC, First with Multi-Touch Technology

Latitude XT2 XFR is Purpose-Built to Meet Unique Requirements of Field Service Workers, Military, Law Enforcement and First Responders
Thinnest 12.1-Inch Rugged, Convertible Tablet PC
October 27, 2009 10:21 AM Eastern Daylight Time
ROUND ROCK, Texas–(EON: Enhanced Online News)–Dell today unveiled the industry’s smallest 12.1-inch rugged convertible tablet PC that is the first with a multi-touch display, the Latitude XT2 XFR. The system is designed to meet the unique and demanding needs of customers in the military, police, border patrol, field service organizations, factory fulfillment and first responders.

The Latitude XT2 XFR adds to Dell’s Rugged Mobility Solution offering that includes the fully rugged Latitude E6400 XFR and the semi-rugged Latitude E6400 ATG laptops. It also joins purpose-engineered products like the Latitude Z, Latitude 2100 netbook for education and Dell Precision M6400 mobile workstation as another step in Dell’s strategy to develop differentiated form factors and solutions that meet specific customer usage needs.

The News:

Inspired by discussions with the defense, law enforcement, homeland security communities, field service departments and utility companies, Dell developed a convertible tablet that can adapt to changing mission requirements and withstand harsh environments. Features of the Latitude XT2 XFR include:
At 1.5 inches (38.1 millimeters) it is the thinnest 12.1-inch rugged convertible tablet and starts at 5.4 pounds (2.45 kilograms) with four-cell battery and solid state drive1, it is engineered and independently tested to meet MIL-810G standards for operation in harsh environments. Dell expects MIL-810G certification in the coming weeks.
Compression-sealed and rugged I/O doors, LCD, and keyboard, provide an IP54 level of Ingress Protection, or resistance to moisture and dust.
The Latitude XT2 XFR can be installed in police or first-responder vehicles where critical information can be accessed with one hand. The Latitude XT2 XFR is also ideal for field-service and industrial manufacturing workforces who need an easy to carry, rugged system that can stand up to drops, spills and temperature extremes.
The Latitude XT2 XFR is available with Dell’s optional remote management capabilities and next business day service and support.2
The rugged tablet shares common images and components with the Dell Latitude XT2 tablet for easy integration into existing environments. The Latitude XT2 XFR also includes:
Intel Core 2 Duo processors with up to 5GB3 of DDR3 1066 MHz memory.4
QuadCool Thermal Management System enables excellent performance, even in extreme temperatures from minus 10 degrees to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Four-, six- and nine-cell battery options.
Standard data security features that include Dell ControlVault and Dell ControlPoint, as well as optional solid state and spinning disk drives with full disk encryption.
Impact resistant, sunlight viewable, 12.1-inch wide LED display with capacitive multi-touch gestures-enabled or optional resistive touch screen.
Optional hot-swappable modules including GPS (in the coming weeks) and webcam.
Optional expansion sliver provides camera/light, serial, and RJ11 inputs.
An extensive range of optional accessories and services that include mobile rugged docking and mounting solutions in the coming weeks.
A full complement of wireless connectivity options including wireless LAN 802.11 a/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 and mobile broadband.
The XT2 XFR is available in the U.S., Canada, France, Spain, United Kingdom, Germany and Italy via all of Dell’s sales channels, including PartnerDirect. It starts at $3,599 and more information is available here.

Quotes:

“The Latitude XT2 XFR is more than a laptop, it’s a key part of our mobile command and data-center solutions for field service, defense and first-responder customers,” said Paul Bell, president, Dell Global Public-Sector Business. “These unique solutions, coupled with our service model, make those communities more effective, enabling them to focus on their core missions instead of managing technology.”

“We are listening and delivering purpose-engineered products based on unique usage models within customers’ environment,” said Steve Lalla, vice president and general manager, Business Client Product Group, Dell, Inc. “The Latitude XT2 XFR is a perfect example where feedback told us that customers needed the innovative functionality of the Latitude XT2 with the ability to perform in rugged environments.”

LINKS

www.flickr.com/dellphotos

http://en.community.dell.com/blogs/direct2dell/archive/2009/10/27/the-world-s-thinnest-rugged-convertible-tablet-pc-is-unveiled.aspx

www.dell.com/xfr

www.dell.com/latitude

www.dell.com/public

About Dell

Dell (NASDAQ: DELL) listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services they need and value. For more information, visit www.dell.com.

Dell and Latitude are trademarks of Dell Inc. Dell disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.

1 Weights vary depending on configuration and manufacturing variability.

2 Availability and terms of Dell Services vary by region. For more information, visit www.dell.com/servicedescriptions.

3 A 64-bit operating system is required to support 4GB or more of system memory

4 Significant system memory may be used to support graphics, depending on system memory size and other factors.

Sources:
BusinessWire (Press Release) and Dell (Product Page)

Dell yesterday officially launched their eagerly awaited Adamo which they claim is now the world’s thinnest laptop, stealing the title from the MacBook Air. The elegantly styled notebook is made using the one-piece aluminum manufacturing process pioneered by Apple and features a beautiful wide-key, scalloped backlit keyboard.

Adamo (pronounced Ah-dom-o) is derived from the latin word which means “to fall in love” and seems an appropriate name given its gorgeous styling. The Adamo features a 13.4-inch high-definition edge-to-edge glass display and comes with Bluetooth 2.1, WiFi plus a built-in mobile broadband option.

Hardware includes a 1.2GHz/1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB/4GB 800MHz DDR3 RAM, a 128GB SSD, 3 x USB ports, Display Port, 1.3 megapixel camera and a battery that will get over 5 hours of run time.

The Adamo comes in two versions, Admire and Desire, both measuring 13.03″ (34cm) x 9.5″ (24.1cm) x 0.65″ (1.65cm) and are priced at $1,999 and $2,699 respectively. They are both available now on pre-order from Dell.com and will begin shipping worldwide on March 26.

Check out the video below to see this stunning laptop sadly subjected to some very clumsy marketing ineptitude. Look out for the unboxing from a plain brown cardboard box, plus I-can’t-believe-they-just-said-that moments such as “Ultra thin portable aphrodisiac” and “100% SSD.” I wonder if Dell’s attempt at becoming cool explains their fashionably late arrival to the party. Hope they haven’t missed the boat.

Sources:
Dell (Press Release) and Dell @ Flickr and Dell (Product Page)
Via: CoolestGadgets

The giant PC manufacturer Dell today announced a new rugged laptop called the Latitude E6400 XFR, which features Ballistic Armor that Dell claims doubles the impact protection of traditional magnesium alloy cases. The XFR is well sealed too, being able to withstand dust, salt fog and even direct blasts of pressurized water (video below).

The XFR meets the Department of Defense’s MIL-STD 810F dust, heat and vibration requirements, making it suitable for the battlefield, industrial use, or a good mistreating in day-to-day handling and transporting.

Dell’s little fighter comes armed with an Intel Core Duo processor, 256MB DDR2 NVIDIA Quadro NVS 160M graphics card, up to 120GB HDD or 128GB SSD plus a 14-inch transmissive display with DirectVue technology for good visibility even in direct sunlight. The display comes with a resistive-touchscreen option also.

The measurements, as you’d expect, are a little on the chunky side at 13.9″ (353mm) x 10.1″ (256mm) x 2.2″ (56mm) and all that armor adds some weight also, coming in at 8.5lbs (3.9kg). The Latitude E6400 XFR is available now direct from Dell US for $4299 or Dell UK for £2679.

Sources:
Dell via Register Hardware