Dell Officially Launches XT Tablet PC

After five years since the launch of the Tablet PC, Dell has entered the space with the Latitude XT Tablet PC . The official press release, specs, and images are after the Read More link. We will update links with the current product page after it goes live.

As we’ve talked about on numerous occasions the past 6 months, and learning more after dissecting the manual, the Latitude XT Tablet PC features a Core 2 Solo / Duo 1.06 and 1.2 Ghz ULV processor. It’s hallmark feature is N-Trig’s DuoSense capacitive touch technology, allowing for much finer touch controls, and supporting the active digitizer pen. The use of N-trig’s DuoSense technology also paves the way for true multi-touch interaction with the tablet. In addition to the new capacitive touch screen, the Latitude XT supports two different types of WXGA (1280 x 800 ) screens: a 220 nit LED-back-lit LCD and a 400 nit dual-bulb CCFL LCD for florescent and outdoor viewing. More specs will be found on Dell.com after the product pages are launched.

On the downside, Dell is listing the XT at a starting price of $2499, a full $800 higher than Toshiba’s just announced M700 starting price. Those hoping for a competively priced entry are going to be very disappointed.  It is worth noting that Dell is not targeting the consumer with the Latitude XT. Their target market are businesses, education, healthcare, and field force, which will surely see a lower price when buying in volume. All that said, the price is way too high, and out of reach for most folks. Dell will begin taking orders and begin shipping by the end of the year.

Our name is on the list for a review unit, so as soon as Dell gets us an XT, we will produce an in-depth InkShow video review, as well as compare the XT to some of its’ competitors.

Look for a 10 minute video to be launched on Direct2Dell sometime on Tuesday.

Press release, more images, and specs below after the Read More link. Click the images for larger views.

Official Press Release

DELL ADDS NEW TOUCH TO TABLET PCS
• Dell™ Latitude™ XT system is the only sub-four-pound 12.1-inch convertible tablet with ground-breaking capacitive touch technology
• System is the thinnest and one of the lightest convertibles available,
• Optional daylight viewing display offers the brightest display in its category
• Hardware supports future multi-touch functionality

ROUND ROCK, Texas, Dec. 11, 2007 – Dell is setting new benchmarks for tablet PCs with the addition of the Latitudeâ„¢ XT, the thinnest and one of the lightest 12.1-inch convertible tablets available. It is also the brightest in its category with an optional daylight viewing panel. The system starts at $2,499 and Dell will begin to take orders and ship the Latitude XT by the end of the year.

The Latitude XT is also the industry’s only sub-four-pound convertible tablet with pen and capacitive touch capability. Capacitive technology senses the touch of a finger with no pressure required for the system to recognize input. It is also the forerunner to emerging multi-touch capabilities that allow the use of more than one finger for tasks such as zoom and repositioning a picture, to name a few. Other touch features available on the Latitude XT include:

• Accuracy and speed — touch response times on the Latitude XT are faster than the Lenovo X61T
• Advanced digital palm rejection technology, helping prevent inadvertent contact that disrupts pen input;
• The digitizer technology on the Latitude XT is rated up to 10x more durable than competing resistive touch digitizer technology;
• Maintenance-free, no-battery pen with eraser and ““right” mouse click functionality.

““We are listening and aim to exceed customers’ expectations,” said Margaret Franco, director, Dell Product Group. ““Until now, customers have been forced to make tradeoffs in tablet functionality to have usable systems. With Capacitive touch technology, the Latitude XT will revolutionize the way customers interact with their systems, allow customers to take full advantage of tablet technology and enables customers to get more done with greater speed and precision.”

Most competitive tablets on the market today rely on resistive touch that requires the application of force for the system to recognize user interaction. The older technology can be less accurate and durable than capacitive touch and may not support multi-touch. In addition, many customers who use resistive tablets that support both pen and touch functionality may disable the latter because the palm rejection technology is subpar.

Market Impact of Dell Tablet PC
““Dell’s plan to enter the tablet PC market will help promote the platform among its large number of customers and help facilitate the product category to go mainstream,” said Doug Bell at industry analyst firm IDC.
The Latitude XT is designed with the future in mind with the capability to support multi-touch. As the technology matures, the system can serve as a premiere development platform for applications that can take advantage of multi-touch.

““By integrating our DuoSense technology into the Latitude XT, Dell creates the ultimate machine destined to lead the tablet PC market,” said Amihai Ben-David, CEO of N-trig. ““Customers using the new Latitude XT will find that the zero pressure touch combined with the accurate stylus changes the usability of tablet PCs. Once they try it, they won’t want to go back.”

As part of Dell’s ongoing goal to be the ““greenest technology company on the planet,” Energy Star 4.0-compliant configurations of the Latitude XT will be available in January 2008.

Other features of the Latitude XT include:
• Optional media base for docking and optical media
• Full-size keyboard with dual pointing
• Up to 64 GB solid state drive; up to 120 GB2 hard drive
• Optional battery slice designed to provide up to 9.5 hours of battery life
• Intel ® Core 2â„¢ Solo and Duo ULV processors
• ATI™ Radeon™ X1250 UMA integrated graphics

 

Click on the images for larger views.

 

 

 

 

Specs ( via Direct2Dell blog )

 

Processors:

• Intel Core 2 Solo ULV processor U2100 (1.06GHz) or

• Intel Core 2 Duo ULV processor U7600 (1.20GHz)

12.1″ WXGA (1280 x 800) display:

• Optional LED-backlit display

• LCD Outdoor viewing display for increased brighness in outdoor use

Graphics: Integrated ATI Radeon X1250 UMA adapter

Memory:

• All configurations include 1GB of integrated 533MHz memory

• optional 2GB or 3GB configurations available

Power/Battery Options:

• 4-cell 28W/Hr Li-Ion primary or secondary
• 6-cell 42W/Hr Li-Ion primary or secondary
• 45W/Hr Li-Ion High Capacity Battery Slice
• 45W (small form factor), 65W, Combo Auto/Air (90W test only)
• 3-foot power cord standard, 6-foot optional

Hard Drive Options:

• 40GB 1.8″ 4200RPM hard drive

• 80GB 1.8″ 4200RPM hard drive

• 120GB 1.8″ 5400RPM hard drive

• 32 or 64GB Solid State Disk (SSD) drives

Input Devices:

• Finger Touch – Capacitive Touch Screen
• Pen – EM Digitizer
  • Eraser functionality actuated via side switch
  • Optional tether
  • Interaction with display controlled by three different replaceable “tips” for user-selectable writing experiences
• Full-size keyboard / full Latitude localization
• Dual-pointing; rubber domes with leveling rods
• Scroll Wheel with enter and back functionality (on display / slate)

Operating Systems:

• Windows Vista Business (32-bit or 64-bit)

• Windows Vista Ultimate (32-bit)

• Windows XP Tablet Edition 2005

Connectivity Options:

• Dell Wireless 1390 (802.11g)
• Dell Wireless 1490 (802.11a/g)
• Dell Wireless 1505 (802.11a/g/ Draft n)
• Dell Wireless 360 Bluetooth Module
• Dell Verizon Wireless 5720 Mobile Broadband3 (EV-DO Rev A)
• Dell Wireless 5720 Sprint Mobile Broadband3 (EV-DO Rev A)
• Dell Wireless 5720 Telus Mobile Broadband3 (EV-DO)