Dell Debuts Latitude Hybrid Tablet And Chromeboxes

Dell has launched an enterprise-friendly 13.3-inch detachable tablet device aimed to compete with Microsoft’s Surface 3, as well as Chromebox video-conferencing units, a ruggedised laptop and other hardware.

The Latitude 13 7000 Series 2-in-1 is an ultrabook with a backlit keyboard that doubles as a detachable tablet, and which, unlike the Surface 3, can actually rest in the user’s lap.

Hybrid tablet

The device, also shown at the IFA trade show in Berlin, features Intel’s new Core M processor, allowing it to consume only 2.5 watts of power when running in tablet mode, while ramping up to higher performance levels when running full-scale PC applications.

Pricing was given at $1,199 (£745) for the US, but UK prices haven’t yet been announced. The hybrid is due to launch in mid-October in the UK and worldwide.

“While they look like thin and light consumer devices, these commercial PCs are backed by the industry’s best security and manageability that only Dell provides,” said Dell vice president Kirk Schell.

The Latitude 14 Rugged is intended for outdoor use in markets including law enforcement and the military. It can be used in extreme heat and cold, with a 14-inch screen readable in bright sunlight and low-light conditions. The laptop can handle drops of up to three feet and is dust and water-resistant, Dell said.

OptiPlex and Chromebox

The OptiPlex 9020 Micro and OptiPlex 3020 Micro workstations are intended to give desktop-level performance in environments with limited space, and are on sale now priced starting at £269.

Dell has introduced two Chrome OS-powered devices: Chromebox for Meetings (pictured), intended to enable videoconferencing for a mobile workforce, featuring a 1080p webcam, speakerphone and remote control; and Chromebox, a cloud-based computing device aimed at smaller businesses and schools. Both are set for availability in the UK later this year.

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