Otaku Gadgets

Dell, a leading computer maker known mainly for its high end laptop and desktop PCs, is trying to break new grounds in the fast evolving ultraportable computing segment. Its Inspiron and Studio range of laptops are quite popular with IT professionals and executives on the move. To counter the competition from rivals like HP and Toshiba and broaden its customer base Dell has launched a rugged ultraportable laptop with a touch screen. Named as the Latitude XT2 XFR, the model promises smooth operation in rough weather conditions and extreme durability.

According to the company, this rugged laptop can withstand weather woes like storm, rain, vibration and dust, thus making it quite suitable for use in military environment. At 5.4 pounds this is not the lightest laptop of Dell but it comes equipped with extensive protection features. The laptop has got a shock mounted hard disk that can be upgraded to a solid state drive. The 4 cell battery offered with the model is also upgradable.

The 12.1 inch multi-touch display of the Latitude XT2 XFR is its USP. The display has been designed to deal with maps, record data, tweak images etc. There is a protective layer on the screen to guard it from damages. As per the company website, the laptop is compliant with MIL-810G standards of the US Army. What this means is that the laptop can work in areas where the temperature is below freezing point. Besides, it can withstand a drop from 3 feet. Its screen can be rotated just like a tablet PC.

The Latitude XT2 XFR has a Core 2 Duo ULC CPU running at 1.6 GHz. This chip is speedy and Dell has used fast DDR3 RAM to complement the processing power of the CPU. It supports a maximum of 5GB RAM and the capacity of the SSD can be stepped up till 160GB. The company claims that the model can be placed in first-responder cars and police cars where important information can be managed with a single hand. It is also ideal for use in industrial setups where accidental drops or incidents of spillage are quite commonplace. To ensure smooth operation in extreme temperature Dell has incorporated its unique QuadCool Thermal Management in this model.

Keeping in mind the importance of data protection Dell has also included features like Dell ControlPoint and Dell ControlVault. To give the users easy access to Internet and wireless devices without involving wires the laptop has been equipped with Wi-Fi, mobile broadband and Bluetooth. As one can easily expect, all these features and ruggedness comes at a premium. The entry level pricing of the XT2 XFR starts at $3,599. Depending on customization this price can go up.

According to Dell, the laptop will be sold with Windows Vista initially but later Windows 7 will be offered to the customers. The XT2 XFR is currently available for sale in USA and some European nations. The rugged laptop is a nice offering from Dell though it may face competition from other rugged PCs like the Panasonic Toughbook CF 19.