Posts Tagged ‘ultrabooks’

Computer line-up: Dell XPS, Vostro, Precision, Latitude & OptiPlex

Monday, July 16th, 2012

I had the chance to be briefed on the line-up of computers from Dell and how they empower end-user computing for corporate users. Here’s a quick round-up.

Starting prices of new additions incl.GST: XPS 14 (S$1,399), Vostro laptops (TBA), Precision T1650 (S$1,799), Latitude laptops (S$1,348), OptiPlex desktops (S$1,069).

Dell's updated line-up of laptop and desktop computers.

Dell’s updated line-up of laptop and desktop computers.

Here are some of the latest refreshes in Dell’s line-up. All of them are Windows 8 ready but none of them have touch screens.

Dell XPS laptop family

Dell's latest flagship Ultrabook: XPS 14 (starts from S$1,399).

Dell’s latest flagship Ultrabook: XPS 14 (starts from S$1,399).

The latest addition to Dell’s line-up is the XPS 14 Ultrabook. The 14-inch laptop joins the existing 13-inch XPS 13 Ultrabook.

The XPS 14 looks sleek and elegant, but felt rather heavy at 2.1kg. But it has a super-long battery life of 11 hours, so if you need that durability while on the move, and weight is not a problem, this is the Ultrabook for you.

As part of Dell’s flagship XPS brand, the compact XPS 13 offers portability while the XPS 14 is only 20.7 mm thin and offers long battery life and connectivity on the go.

Both laptops have enterprise-friendly features, such as security and services, to enable them to cross-over for enterprise use.

In a shrewd move by Dell to ride on the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) phenomenon, users can use their XPS Ultrabooks for personal use at home and bring it to work and connect to their corporate IT information systems.

Dell Vostro laptops

Dell Vostro 3460 laptop (price TBA).

Dell Vostro 3460 laptop (price TBA).

The Vostro 3360, 3460 and 3560 will be available this month.

My personal favourite is the Latitude E6430s which fits a 14-inch display into a 13-inch body – the same form-factor as its 13-inch cousin. The laptop felt robust and rugged but rather light. I wouldn’t mind using it as my main workhorse.

These laptops are designed to deliver strong performance and security for growing businesses.

The Vostro series come in three sizes (13”, 14” and 15”) and three colours (Aberdeen Silver, Brisbane Bronze, and Lucerne Red).

The 13-inch Vostro 3360 is only 0.76-inch in thinness.

Dell Latitude, OptiPlex, Precision
Dell Precision T1650 tower workstation (starts from S$1,799).

Dell Precision T1650 tower workstation (starts from S$1,799).

The Latitude and OptiPlex portfolio of business laptops and desktops were refreshed in June and features durable, consumer-inspired designs that appeals to today’s professionals.

Dell Latitude 6430s (starts from S$1,348).

Dell Latitude 6430s (starts from S$1,348).

They are coupled with advanced manageability and data protection and ships with at least 2GB of memory, integrated graphics, Third Generation Intel Core processors, USB 3.0 ports, and optional 128GB SSD.

The Dell Latitude E-Family and Dell OptiPlex feature physical ruggedness and sports long battery-lives of up to 32.7 hours with an optional 9-cell battery.

The E6230, E6330, E6430 and E6530 laptops comes with 12.5”, 13.3”, 14” and 15.6” displays.

The new design of the Latitude E6430s fits a 14-inch display in a 13.3-inch chassis.

Dell OptiPlex 9019 All-in-One desktop (starts from S$1,069).

Dell OptiPlex 9019 All-in-One desktop (starts from S$1,069).

The Latitude 5430 and E5530 laptops are targeted towards budget-conscious professionals and come with 14” and 15.6” displays.

The refreshed Dell OptiPlex family includes the new OptiPlex 3010, 7010, 9010 desktops; and the OptiPlex 9010 All-in-One desktop.

For powerful performance on a budget, there is the new entry-level Dell Precision T1650 tower workstation.

The T1650 offers a broad range of Intel Core and Xeon CPU options, increased memory speed of 1,600MHz, and four USB 3.0 ports.

Dell offers end-users power to do more

Wednesday, July 4th, 2012

Dell tackles current trends of workforce mobility and consumerisation of IT by offering a complete end-to-end ecosystem of end-point devices, solutions and services – to bestow maximum productivity to end-users in our fast-paced environment.

Chue Chee Wei, Marketing Director, South Asia and Korea Marketing for Dell.

Chue Chee Wei, Marketing Director, South Asia and Korea Marketing for Dell.

I was invited by Dell to listen to how the computer maker envisages the technology landscape and how it plans to cater to different end-users with very different needs.

Slide 1: Changing technology landscape and end-user profile.

Slide 1: Changing technology landscape and end-user profile.

Chue Chee Wei, Marketing Director, South Asia and Korea Marketing for Dell, gave a quick rundown of how the technology landscape and user profile are trending (see Slide 1).

Slide 2: Transformation of computing

Slide 2: Transformation of computing.

As a result of the changing landscape, work computing is undergoing transformation from the traditional highly-controlled and rigid framework – to one in which employees are given much more flexibility in terms of the devices they can use, the level of access, and the ability to access corporate IT anytime, anywhere (see Slide 2).

The organisational challenges to change and adapt current entrenched enterprise IT frameworks and practices are giving many a CIOs sleepless nights, worrying about potential security compromises on the road to recent phenomenons such as BYOD (Bring Your Own Devices).

Organisational challenges facing the CIO.

Slide 3: Organisational challenges facing the CIO.

Chue sees two main tracks in tackling these organisational challenges – managing technology and managing people (see Slide 3).

Chue’s vision for Dell end-user computing

“End-user computing is about delivering open, capable and affordable solutions for an evolving workforce,” says Chue Chee Wei, Marketing Director, South Asia and Korea Marketing for Dell.

To help enterprises and end-uses surmount these challenges, Dell is also placing much emphasis in enabling this transformation.

The company has taken on a customer-inspired design approach across a complete portfolio of systems, services and solutions.

It strives to ensure a seamless experience across multiple devices, operating systems and applications.

And it aims to provide tailored solutions optimised for management, security and productivity.

Simplify technology & people management, improve productivity.

Slide 4: Simplify technology & people management, improve productivity.

As a result, technology and people management are simplified while productivity is improved (see Slide 4).

Chue emphasised that Dell does a lot more than making computers.

Dell’s solution continuum.

Slide 5: Dell’s solution continuum.

It delivers a solution continuum that spans desktop virtualisation, mobility & collaboration, management, security and cloud, service and support (see Slide 5).

Some of these are provided by companies that were – leaders in their areas of expertise – that Dell has acquired over the years.

Dell’s updated line-up.

Slide 6: Dell’s updated line-up.

Dell’s updated computing line-up

Dell also set up and briefed on its updated line-up of computers (see Slide 6). These comprises a whole range of notebooks and desktops that cater to the computing needs of different end-users.

Of note is that Dell is positioning its high-end XPS ultrabooks – which has traditionally been targeted towards consumers – to attract corporate users looking to use their personal high-spec’ed notebooks for work as well.

This is indeed a shrewd cross-over move by Dell to exploit the BYOD phenomenon.

(Slides provided by Dell. Click to enlarge.)

New tablets: Microsoft unveils two Surface tablets

Tuesday, June 19th, 2012

Microsoft has unveiled two 10.6-inch Windows tablets and accessories.

One model will run on Windows RT and will be released with the general availability of Windows 8. The other tablet will be available about 90 days after and feature Windows 8 Pro.

Update 2 (1 March, 2013):

Microsoft has announced that beginning late March the rollout of Surface will continue over the next few months.

Surface RT with Windows RT will reach Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore and Taiwan.

Surface Pro with Windows 8 Pro will hit Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Update 1 (18 July, 2012):

Microsoft’s Steven Sinofsky has just announced at its annual sales meeting that customers will be able to get Windows 8 on 26 October, 2012. This will be available both as an upgrade or on a new PC.

Microsoft finally joins the fray by unveiling its 10.6-inch Surface tablets.

Microsoft finally joins the fray by unveiling its 10.6-inch Surface tablets.

The Windows RT Surface tablet will run on an ARM processor, while the Windows 8 Pro version will have a third-generation Intel Core processor.

The Touch Cover and Type Cover double up as keyboards.

The Touch Cover and Type Cover double up as keyboards.

Each Surface tablet will have a full-sized USB port, a microSD slot, and a 16:9 aspect ratio; with edges angled at 22 degrees.

The casing of Surface is created using VaporMg (pronounced Vapor-Mag), where metal and deposit particles are molded to create a finish akin to luxury watches.

Starting with magnesium, parts can be molded as thin as .65 mm, thinner than the typical credit card, to create a product that is thin, light and rigid/strong.

The VaporMg materials and processes has enabled the thin and sleek design of the Surface tablets.

The VaporMg materials and processes has enabled the thin and sleek design of the Surface tablets.

This also enables an extremely thin built-in kickstand to prop the tablet up when watching movies or video conferencing with the HD front- or rear-facing video cameras.

The integrated, built-in kickstand removes the need for a separate accessory.

The integrated, built-in kickstand removes the need for a separate accessory.

I like the idea and design of this integrated kickstand.

To transform the tablet into a “notebook”, a 3 mm Touch Cover uses pressure-sensitive technology to sense keystrokes as gestures, allowing users to touch type significantly faster than on an on-screen keyboard.

The Touch Cover will be available in a selection of vibrant colors. It clicks into the Surface tablet via a built-in magnetic connector, forming a natural spine like you find on a book, and doubles up as a protective cover.

The Touch Cover and Type Cover comes in many vibrant colours.

The Touch Cover and Type Cover comes in many vibrant colours.

Alternatively, users can click in a 5 mm-thin Type Cover that adds moving keys for a more traditional typing feel.

Retail pricing will be announced closer to availability but is expected to be competitive with a comparable ARM tablet or Intel Ultrabook-class PC.

OEMs will have cost and feature parity on Windows 8 and Windows RT.

Oh and if you’re interested in a 40-inch tablet, check out the Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface. (I haven’t heard anyone else calling THAT a tablet yet).

The main technical specifications of the two Surface tablets are tabulated below.

(more…)

PC Show 2012 promotions: Toshiba

Friday, June 8th, 2012

Toshiba will be at the PC Show 2012 at Suntec Singapore at Level 4, Hall 402, Booth A2006.

Toshiba's PC Show 2012 promotions for computers in all form factors.

Toshiba's PC Show 2012 promotions for computers in all form factors.

Here are four brochures for Toshiba’s PC Show 2012 promotions for notebooks, ultrabooks, tablets, all-in-one desktop computers and tablets.

PC Show 2012 Promotions: Asus

Thursday, June 7th, 2012

Asus will be at the PC Show 2012 at Suntec Singapore at Booths B2007, A2004, and A2008.

Brochure for Asus PC Show 2012 promotions for notebooks, netbooks, Ultrabooks, Zenbooks, Slate PCs, and Transformer tablets.

Click on picture to view/download PDF of Asus PC Show 2012 brochures.

Here’s the brochure for Asus PC Show 2012 promotions for notebooks, netbooks, Ultrabooks, Zenbooks, Slate PCs, and Transformer tablets.

PC Show 2012 promotions: Samsung

Thursday, June 7th, 2012

Samsung will be at the PC Show 2012 at Suntec Singapore at Levels 3 and 4.

Samsung's PC Show 2012 promotions for notebooks, ultrabooks, digital cameras, monitors, Smart TVs, and printers.

Samsung's PC Show 2012 promotions for notebooks, ultrabooks, digital cameras, monitors, Smart TVs, and printers.

Here are six brochures for Samsung’s PC Show 2012 promotions for notebooks, ultrabooks, digital cameras, monitors, Smart TVs, and printers.

New mobile hard drive: WD Scorpio Blue 7mm

Thursday, April 26th, 2012

The 7mm 2.5-inch mobile hard drives delivers lower power consumption and are available in 500GB (S$139.99) and 320GB (S$109.99) capacities.

The new Scopio Blue 7mm mobile hard drive can be used in both ultrabooks and mainstream notebooks.

The new Scopio Blue 7mm mobile hard drive can be used in both ultrabooks and mainstream notebooks.

The slim, energy-efficient 7mm hard drives for ultrabooks are the latest additions to Western Digital’s Scorpio Blue line of mobile hard drives.

The single-platter small form factor of the new hard drives are compatible with industry-standard 9.5 mm slots for mainstream notebooks as well as slimmer notebook and ultrabook devices that require a thinner 7mm drive height.

Below is the fact sheet for the Scorpio Blue family of mobile hard drives.

(more…)

Mother’s Day gift ideas from Dell

Saturday, April 14th, 2012

Thinking of getting the mom a laptop or ultrabook for Mother’s Day this year? Check out Dell’s offerings.

From left: Dell XPS 13 ultrabook, Dell Inspiron 14R, Dell Inspiron One 2320.

From left: Dell XPS 13 ultrabook, Dell Inspiron 14R, Dell Inspiron One 2320.

Here are three laptops/ultrabooks from Dell for Mother’s Day this year (13 May 2012 in Singapore).

(more…)

IT Show 2012 promotions: Toshiba

Friday, March 9th, 2012

Toshiba will be at the IT Show 2012 in Suntec Singapore at Hall 401 (Booth 8143 & 8361), Hall 403 (Booth 8418 & 8438) and Hall 601 (Booth 6137). Check out the promotional discounts and freebies for Toshiba’s notebooks and tablets.

Click the image to view or download Toshiba's promotion flyers for IT Show 2012.

Click the image to view or download Toshiba's promotion flyers for IT Show 2012.

Toshiba’s new REGZA Tablet AT200 is supposedly the world’s thinnest and lightest tablet. Check it out, together with Toshiba’s other tablets and notebook computers.

You can view or download Toshiba’s IT Show 2012 flyers below.

(more…)

New ultrabook: Toshiba Satellite U840 Series

Wednesday, February 15th, 2012

Toshiba has unveiled today its first 14-inch ultrabooks – from the Satellite U840 Series. Available from mid-May, prices will start from S$1,399 – depending on configuration.

(Update: Read the review for the Toshiba Satellite U840 Series ultrabook here.)

Toshiba Satellite U840 Ultrabook - S$1,399

Toshiba Satellite U840 Ultrabook - S$1,399

At a weight starting from 1.59kg and thinness of 19.9mm, the Windows 7 Satellite U840 series offers a mix of style, portability and performance.

Metallic brushed aluminum chasis on the outside.

Metallic brushed aluminum chasis on the outside.

The Toshiba Satellite U840 is based on 2nd Generation Intel Core processors, and sports a metallic silver colour on the outside with a brushed aluminum chasis that provides strength and durability of lugging it around.

The Satellite U840 uses DDR3 memory, and offers a choice of 128GB solid state drive or Hybrid HDD with 16GB solid state drive, to couple responsive experience with increased durability and energy efficiency.

Illuminated tiled keyboard allows typing even in the dark.

Illuminated tiled keyboard allows typing even in the dark.

Paired with Toshiba’s new Hi-Speed Start Technology, the Satellite U840 can power on and get users up and running at work or home in just seconds.

Despite being ultra-portable, the Satellite U840 is equipped with Bluetooth and WLAN plus a selection of full-size ports including HDMI and 3 USB ports, one of which is a USB 3.0 port.

The system also includes Toshiba’s USB Sleep & Charge technology to give users the freedom to charge their smartphones even while the system is powered down.

Sleek and thin but with ample connectivity options.

Sleek and thin but with ample connectivity.

The bright 14.0” non-reflective high-definition display and powerful stereo speakers enhanced with SRS Premium Sound 3D technology make the Satellite U840 ideal for listening to music, watching movies and video chatting.

Complemented with a super-thin illuminated raised-tiled keyboard and multi-gesture Clickpad, it also provides good contrast and typing comfort even in the dark.

The new Satellite U840 series comes with standard 1-year Regional Limited Warranty (parts & labor), 1-year battery (carry-in).

Key specifications of the Toshiba Satellite U840 Series Ultrabooks is listed below.

(more…)