Dell has announced the Latitude D420, a sleek ultra-portable with a starting weight of 1.36kg1 , with the capability to deliver more than seven hours of battery life2. With this latest addition Dell completes a major update of its Latitude notebook portfolio, incorporating increased security, connectivity and durability.
The Latitude D420 is significant because its lightweight design and enhanced features, including embedded broadband and biometric security, reflect extensive input gathered from customers, according to Eric Greffier, Director Corporate Client Products, Dell Europe, Middle East and Africa.
“The Latitude D420 combines the sleek travel-friendly form factor of the Latitude X1 with the compatibility benefits and durability of the Latitude D410, and initial customer response has been extremely enthusiastic,” Greffier added.
The Latitude D420 is the lightest Latitude D-family notebook while being fully compatible with legacy D-family docking options, power supplies and peripherals. Alternatively, customers can add an optional MediaBase with choice of optical drive that attaches to the bottom of the system. Like the Latitude D420, the redesigned MediaBase is thinner and lighter than the previous generation, and constructed of durable magnesium alloy.
The Latitude D420 features a 12.1-inch wide-aspect display, full-sized keyboard and dual pointing capability. Customers can configure systems with choice of Wi-Fi 802.11g or 802.11a/g, as well as optional mobile broadband connections from Vodafone in Germany and the United Kingdom and SFR in France3. It is 802.11n-ready, and features the Wi-Fi® Catcher™, a switch that can help find wireless connections without turning on or booting up, or turn all wireless devices off.
While systems come standard with Smart Card readers and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) security technology, customers can add biometric fingerprint readers at time of purchase. Mobile users will appreciate the more than seven hours of battery life supplied by the nine-cell extended life battery2.
Staring at $ 1400, the Latitude D420 includes three USB ports, an IEEE 1394 port and a Secure Digital (SD) card slot. The new system also includes the standard Latitude warranty .
Adhering to Dell’s Design for the Environment programme, the Latitude D420 meets the requirements of the European Union’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive4. Dell also recently updated all external power supplies for its mobile platforms to meet new Energy Star® programme requirements for computer external power supplies5.
Note to editors
1 D420 starting weight of 1.36kg is with a 4-cell battery, or 1.44kg with a 6-cell battery or 1.62kg with a 9-cell battery. Weights vary depending on configurations and manufacturing variability.
2 Up to 7.4 hours of battery life (Preliminary). Actual battery life will vary based on configuration, usage and manufacturing variability. Preliminary battery life results based on MobileMark 2005 Battery Life benchmark test performed by Dell Labs on pre-production D420 in May, 2006. Testing performed on pre-production D420 with Intel® Core™ Solo U1300 processor (1.06GHz), 12.1" WXGA LCD, 512MB DDR2 533MHz system memory, 60GB HDD, Windows XP Professional SP2, Intel® GMA 950 graphics, and 9-cell (68WHr) primary battery.
3 You must be a Vodafone or SFR subscriber. Actual connectivity is subject to wireless service provider’s coverage area and may be affected by equipment, topography, signal strength, environmental considerations, and other factors. Service may vary significantly within buildings. Dell does not guarantee coverage.
4 Meets the requirements of the EU Directive on the Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances dated January 27, 2003.
5 Energy Star Programme Requirements for Single Voltage External AC-DC Power Supplies.
About Dell
Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services they trust and value. Uniquely enabled by its direct business model, Dell sells more systems globally than any computer company, placing it No. 25 on the Fortune 500. Company revenue for the past four quarters was $56.7 billion. For more information, visit http://www.dell.com. To get Dell news direct, visit http://www.dell.com/RSS.
