Today, we launched (linked to my D2D post) a new line of Latitude notebooks, which we built and designed for business users all over the world. As you would expect, we included lots of features into the lineup that are important to a digital nomad.
We focused on making these notebooks thinner and lighter since portability is always key. To put it in perspective, our 12” Latitude E4200 weighs in at about 2.2 pounds, which makes it the lightest commercial notebook in our history.
Then, we added features like USB PowerShare, which allows digital nomads to charge or power devices like cell phones through the USB port even with the system power is off. Backlit keyboards are an option for several Latitude models. Beyond those features, here’s a few more:
- Improved battery life: not surprisingly, extending battery life was the most requested feature from our customers. Our teams took a combined hardware and software approach to make big improvements across a wide range of battery options—some configurations make up to 19 hours possible.
- Connectivity: a laptop with good battery life doesn’t mean much if you’re not connected. That’s why we offer all kinds of connectivity options across the notebooks: Wi-Fi (802.11n), several mobile broadband options, WWAN, Ultra-wideband and Bluetooth 2.1. The Latitude E6400 and E6500 are both WiMAX ready, and can be ordered with an optional GPS.
- Durability: Digital nomads can be rough on their laptops, so we use materials like magnesium alloy for the chassis, robust metal hinges and durable keyboards.
- System and Data Security: No one plans to lose a laptop during their travels, but it happens a lot more than you might think. In a recent study commissioned by Dell, over 600,000 laptops are lost each year—65 - 70% of which are never recovered. And in those cases, losing a notebook is one thing, but the bigger problem is protecting private data. Our new Latitudes can be ordered with an optional hardware like a fingerprint reader, or optional hard drives that feature hardware-based data encryption. Beyond that, Dell also offers a remote data delete service on these new Latitudes that gives a user the ability to delete data remotely when a lost or stolen system gets connected to the Internet.
Dell ControlPoint software centralizes control over settings for battery power, network and connectivity configurations and system security.
Robert Thompson and Brett McAnnally from our Commercial Notebook team share more details on this topic and explain how we approached the task of building our new line of Latitude notebooks.
Comments (13)
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Nomad Contributors
by Luca / August 12, 2008
Where is Latitude E n-series with Red Hat?
by Luca / August 12, 2008
I want red Dell Latitude E4200n with Red Hat!!!
by John Hull-DELL / August 12, 2008
We’re not planning to offer Red Hat on the Latitude E-series systems. However, the Precision M2400 and M4400 are both available with RHEL 5
Good question @by someone — the corporate answer is “I can’t talk about un-announced products.” My personal answer, which is essentially the same, is I don’t know. Either way, I can’t give you a date. I’d say stay tuned to http://www.direct2dell.com or http://yourblog.direct2dell.com/ and you’ll likely see it there first.
Bruce Eric Anderson
by someone / August 13, 2008
When will you guys release your Eee PC netbook/mini-notebook competitor?!?
by Brian Goodwin / August 15, 2008
I am a digital nomad and I need a new mobility solution for remotely running my Internet company during my next trip which is to Italy for two weeks starting September 24th. I have loved the idea of instant on since my days traveling with Windows CE on a Jornada 680 and I like the idea of a 12 inch screen for just 2.2 pounds. Will the E4200 be available in time or do I need to go buy that Lenova instead?
by Luca / August 16, 2008
Why Red Hat is not available in M2400 and M4400 configurators?
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=555&l=en&oc=MLB1349&s=biz
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=555&l=en&oc=MLB151&s=biz
@Luca: Red Hat’s coming to both of those new platforms. Not sure of the ETA.
@someone… stay tuned. If and when we have something like that to talk about, we’ll have some info on Direct2Dell and probably over at Your Blog as well.
@Brian Goodwin… awesome. You’re exactly the kind of person who we hoped would come to this site. Regarding the E4200, I can’t give a specific timeframe at this point. Sorry.
by Duncan Godwin / September 26, 2008
I have been looking at the E4300, is there an indication as to when the solid state hard disk and alternate colour options will be available?
by Jo Turner / November 12, 2008
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by Rbalstad / November 24, 2008
Hi,
any news on the Red Hat drivers for the E4200 ?