The new-look Latitude
We've waited over two years for Dell to reveal its fourth-generation Latitude series, and the wait has come to an end with no less than seven new Latitude laptops.
The new additions signal one of the biggest changes to the business-orientated Latitude series to date. Though improved business functionality with features such as improved battery life remain a priority, Dell has this time opted to provide business users with a splash of style.
That's right, Dell business laptops with style. The new Latitude range isn't as basic-looking as the previous generation, and it'll be available in a choice of colours; Mica-Brushed Metal Black, Regatta Blue and Regal Red.
The new systems, formerly known as the Latitude E-Series, range from a 12in ultra-portable to a 15.4in semi-rugged laptop. All seven machines feature a single-frame magnesium alloy chassis and are based on Intel's Centrino 2 chipset, with Samsung SSDs available as an optional upgrade.
The hardware specification is more than adequate, and Dell has a few party pieces, too. Having focused on battery life and connectivity, Dell claims to have squeezed 19 hours of battery life on its E6400 - though, this comes via an additional 12-cell battery slice attached to the bottom of the laptop. For users who prefer to keep things light, 6-cell and 9-cell battery life is also said to be improved.
On the connectivity front, Dell has squeezed in Wi-Fi (802.11n), e-SATA, DisplayPort, and USB PowerShare. Further optional upgrades include features such as backlit keyboards, WiMAX and fingerprint readers.
In addition, Dell will also be introducing its custom Latitude ON package, an instant-on software solution similar to SplashTop. It'll provide quick access to commonly-used features such as e-mail and the web, without the need to boot into a fully-fledged operating system.
This refresh is clearly more than just a splash of paint, so let's take a closer look at the new models.