Dell today announced a redesigned line of its award-winning Latitude notebook computers and docking solutions, incorporating advancements derived from two years of customer feedback.
The first two models, the Latitude D600 and Latitude D800, offer combinations of features and designs that include a Tri-Metal chassis and integrated wireless networking technology. Both can be paired with the D/View stand, which uses the notebook`s flat-panel display as its primary monitor, saving space and cost for corporate customers.
"We`ve been working for two years with customers and IT managers to develop this new portfolio of notebooks for business users," said Ben McDonald, Product Manager Client Products Dell South Africa. "Through direct customer feedback we`ve designed these notebooks to meet, and in many cases exceed, their specific needs, including innovations in form factor, features, materials and usability."
The new Latitude "D-Family" builds on the award-winning "C-Family" of Dell notebooks, which set the industry standard for commonality and compatibility of accessories, including docking, media modules and AC adapters. Introduced in 1997, the Latitude C-Family became the most popular selling notebooks worldwide, holding the No. 1 position in medium and large business notebook sales since 1999. Dell will continue to sell C-Family notebooks for customers this year during a transition to the D-Family products.
The moonlight silver notebooks feature user-friendly design elements that will be common across the new product line. An improved layout provides easy access to the side module bay, and the smart-port location simplifies cable management. Each D-family notebook will also ship with QuickSet, a customisable software application that allows users to easily control power management settings, monitor system status, enlarge icons for high-resolution displays, and more.
For desktop functionality and convenience, the D-family notebooks will utilise the D/Port advanced port replicator or D/Dock expansion station, as well as the new space-saving D/View notebook stand. This unique docking station takes advantage of the new bottom docking port, allowing users to elevate the notebook display to eye-level and making an external monitor optional.
The D/View notebook stand was developed in collaboration with customers, including a Fortune 500 company in the automotive industry. Over the past two years, Dell met with a variety of customers to gather feedback and demonstrate progress. End users and IT mangers attended customer advisory councils at Dell`s Round Rock, Texas, headquarters, or discussed the products and ways to reduce costs in deploying them during travelling "tech tours" in major cities around the world.
Based on customer requirements for investment protection and "future-proofing", D-Family notebooks include integrated smart card and Gigabit Ethernet capability, dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) wireless antennas and optional Bluetooth connectivity. Both the D600 and the D800 feature come equipped standard with Intel`s Centrino Mobile Technology, featuring Intel`s new Pentium M processor, which delivers high performance with lower power requirements, contributing to longer battery life, and Intel`s PRO wireless 2100 (802.11b). Customers can also choose Dell`s TrueMobile 1300 (802.11b/g) wireless solution.
Dell offers single point of accountability for deployment services to support Dell`s latest portfolio of Latitude products, which can help save time and effort and allow customers to focus IT resources on more strategic projects. Dell Custom Factory Integration services can be valuable for customers rolling out new platforms and are designed to help achieve platform stability and consistency without compromising the level of control required for their specific business requirements.
Latitude D600
The new Latitude D600 is designed for the user who needs full function in a thin and light package. With a starting weight of 2.12kg and a starting price of R21 820 including VAT and delivery, the D600 delivers an optimal combination of price, performance and portability.
Technical information includes:
* Intel Pentium M Processors running at 1.3GHz, 1.4GHz, or 1.6GHz combined with Intel 855PM chipset.
* Standard Wi-Fi capability with choice of integrated Dell TrueMobile 1300 wireless 802.11b/g or Intel PRO wireless 2100 802.11b miniPCI card.
* Integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet, 56K V.92 modem.
* Up to 2GB DDR (266Mhz) system memory.
* 14.1-inch displays with XGA (1024 x 768 resolution) and SXGA+ (1400 x 1050).
* ATI Mobility RADEON 9000 Video Graphics with 32MB of DDR dedicated memory.
* Hard drives of 20GB, 30GB or 60GB, and a high-performance (5400 RPM) 40GB.
* Multiple module bay options, including choice of optical drives of 24X CD-ROM, 8X DVD, 24X CD-RW, or 24X CD-RW/DVD combination drive, floppy disk drive, 40GB 2nd hard drive, or 2nd six-cell 48 Watt Hour "Smart" Lithium Ion battery.
* Integrated smart card reader.
* Two USB 2.0 ports, one S-Video out port.
* Six-cell 48 Watt Hour "Smart" Lithium Ion batter.y
* Three-Year limited warranty with next business day onsite service.
Latitude D800
The new Latitude D800 represents a revolutionary step forward in performance notebooks, optimised for graphic-intensive solutions and multimedia applications. Starting at R26 780 including VAT and delivery, the D800 utilises the same docks and accessories as the D600, and offers several additional features for the power hungry user, including: 15.4-inch wide aspect display, leading-edge graphics with up to 64MB of dedicated memory, and an IEEE 1394 port.
Technical information includes:
* Intel Pentium M Processors running at 1.3GHz, 1.4GHz, or 1.6GHz combined with Intel 855PM chipset.
* Standard Wi-Fi capability with choice of integrated Dell TrueMobile 1300 wireless 802.11b/g or Intel PRO wireless 2100 802.11b miniPCI card.
* Integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet, 56K4 V.92 modem.
* Up to 2GB DDR (266MHz) system memory
* 15.4-inch UltraSharp Wide Aspect displays with WUXGA, (1920 x 1200 resolution) and WXGA (1280 x 800).
* NVIDIA GeForce4 4200 Go Video Graphics with 32MB or 64MB of DDR dedicated memory.
* Hard drives of 20GB, 30GB or 60GB, and a high-performance (5400 RPM) 40GB.
* Multiple module bay options, including choice of optical drives of 24X CD-ROM, 8X DVD, 24X CD-RW, or 24X CD-RW/DVD combination drive, floppy disk drive, 40GB 2nd hard drive, or 2nd six-cell 48 Watt Hour "Smart" Lithium Ion battery.
* Integrated Smart Card reader.
* Three USB 2.0 ports, one IEEE1394 port, one S-Video out port.
* Nine-cell 72 Watt Hour "Smart" Lithium Ion battery.
* Three-year limited warranty with next business day onsite service.
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Dell Computer Corporation (Nasdaq: DELL) is a premier provider of products and services required for customers worldwide to build their information-technology and Internet infrastructures. Company revenue for the past year totalled $35.4 billion. Dell, through its direct business model, designs, manufactures and customizes products and services to customer requirements, and offers an extensive selection of software and peripherals. Information on Dell and its products can be obtained at www.dell.co.za.
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