New Products

Dell’s “Future Proof” Desktops = Old Technology + New Catch Phrase

Dell announced today their latest update to their Small Business focused ‘Vostro’ line of Desktop systems.

Dell has added a new feature to the Vostro 430 which they call “Future Proof”(sic). Their press release details the ability to “add memory”, “PCI/PCIe cards” and additional hard disks.

Revolutionary? Not really. I’m probably not saying anything you didn’t know, but most desktops allow easy access to the motherboard and drive bays to allow for these changes by either users and/or service representatives.

In this day and age of “sustainability” and “environmental responsibility”, I’m surprised that the Dell leadership isn’t positioning the ability to upgrade as a way to fight back against critics who suggest that the PC industry fosters waste and unnecessary replacement of electronic products.

Instead of searching for the latest ‘catch phrase’, perhaps Dell and the PC industry should focus on how this increases the working life of a computer PC?

Makes sense to me. Of course, thanks to the industry, users can’t upgrade the system processor so these upgrades won’t make a big impact on lowering the total cost of ownership for SMB’s.

CEO Envy + Impractical for Air Travel = Dell Lattitude Z Notebook

Today (9.29.09), Dell unveiled the Lattitude Z, a windows notebook meant to breed high levels of CEO envy. The Lattitude Z which sports a 16″ screen, 4.5 pounds and only .57 inches thick, is clearly designed as a desktop replacement and for business and first class travel. Bringing this into coach class certainly carries tremendous risk – imagine the sound of the brilliant HD widescreen being crushed as the passenger in front of you reclines his/her seat and catching the display between the seat and your tray table.

The Lattitude Z is being offered at $1999 and for an additional $200+ you can get a really neat docking station that allows for wireless charging and uses Ultra-wideband USB to connect to all your peripherals and display.

Dell teases new ‘Adamo XPS’; Shooting for thinnest / lightest notebook?

Just received via my Dell friends on Twitter a link to a new Dell website.

By the look of it, seems like they are teasing a new ultra-thin Notebook. The rounded edges are reminicent of the MacBook Air – perhaps they are shooting for the thinnest / lightest design on the market.

UPDATE: Another twitter post suggests that the chassis will be 9.99MM – certainly thinnest design on the market. Will be interesting to see what features are left out (as was done with the Air)

Want a big, honking Desktop? Dell’s Studio XPS

Dell Studio XPS Desktops

Dell introduces Lattitude 2100; Netbook for the .EDU set

Photo: Dell.com

Dell usually positions its corporate products to the education buyer, but this product is a bit interesting. First of all, its interesting to think that corporate buyers would purchase something as limited as a netbook. Secondly, the bright green cover and other consumer features are somewhat surprising to creep over from the Global Consumer side of the business to the often stodgy Lattitude brand. That said, the system reeks of the Lattitude brand from 2003 – is pretty square and uninspiring.

What’s next – corporate buyers purchasing netbooks as a low cost alternative to notebook PC’s for their employees?

Reviews worth checking out;

• Wired: Hands On With Dell’s Kid Friendly Latitude 2100
• PC World: Dell’s Latest Latitude 2100: A Kid-Centric Netbook
• Engadget: Dell debuts colorful new Latitude 2100 netbooks for education

Windows 7 Launch – What you should know

The successor to Windows Vista, an utter failure of an operating system, arrives on October 22nd. Here’s a round-up of some articles worth reading:

• Get your free copy & activation key of the stable Win 7 Release candidate by Thursday 8/20 (EXPIRED)
  (Computerworld)
• Why XP is outdated, Vista stinks, and now is a good time to finally upgrade (Wired)
• Win 7 Pricing – how Microsoft can follow Apple’s lead (PC World)