Dell Unveils Precision, Latitude Notebooks

Dell has announced its new Latitude E-series notebooks and Precision mobile workstations, offering a mix of lightweight portability and computing power.

Computer maker Dell has taken the wraps off new notebooks, including the new Latitude E-series (which includes models ranging from ultra-portable to ruggedized notebooks, along with the Precision M4400 and M2400 mobile workstation notebooks.

The new Latitude E-series includes the ultra-portable Latitude E4200 will sport a 12.1-inch screen and weigh just 2.2 pounds, which Dell claims makes the E4200 the lightest notebook Dell has ever made. The Latitude E4300 moves up to a 13.3-inch screen and will weigh just 3.3; both are expected to appeal to weight-conscious raod warriors and executives who spend a lot of time traveling. The notebooks will also feature "DEll Latitude ON," a new technology designed to let users access email, calendars, and contacts without booting into Windows.Moving into the realm of traditional notebooks, the Latitude E6400 and E6500 will aim to replace traditional desktop PCs, sporting 14.1- and 15.4-inch displays and prices starting at $1,139 and $1,169, respectively. Both the E6400 and E6500 are available today. The E6400 sports a new trick: up to 19 hours of battery life using both a 9-cell battery that slots normally and operates for up to 10 hours, plus additional battery that snaps onto the bottom of the system for up to another 9 hours. Just the thing for hopping continents.

Looking towards the budget-conscious, the Latitude E5400 starts at just $839 and offers a 14.1-inch display, while the Latitude E5500 moves up to a 15.4-inch display and an $869 starting price. For folks who live a more rough-and-tumble life, the ruggedized Latitude E6400 ATG offers a 14.1-inch display and meets military 810F standards for withstanding dust, shock, and humidity.

Dell is also offering color versions of the Latitude series for the first time, updating the appearance of the notebooks from a brushed-metal look to include blues, reds, pink (the E4200 only) and black.

Dell also announced new mobile workstations, including the Precision M4400 that sports a 15.4-inch display and support for up to 8 GB of RAM, and the Precision M2400, which weighs just 4.77 pounds and sports a 14.1-inch display. The M4400 will start at $1,569, and the M2400 prices will start at $1,449.