Looking to address the needs of vertical markets that require rugged systems, Dell announces the industry’s smallest 12.1 inch rugged convertible tablet PC complete with multi-touch display – the Latitude XT2 XFR.

Designed to withstand “changing mission requirements” and to “withstand harsh environments”, the Latitude XT2 XFR shares common images and components with the Latitude XT2 and features:

• Intel Core 2 Duo processors
• Up to 5GB of DDR3 1066MHz RAM
• QuadCool Thermal Management System enables excellent performance, even in extreme temperatures from minus 10 degrees to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
• 4, 6, and 9 cell battery options
• Impact resistant, sunlight viewable, 12.1-inch wide LED display with capacitive multi-touch gestures-enabled or optional resistive touch screen
• Optional hot-swappable modules including GPS (in the coming weeks) and webcam.
• Wireless LAN 802.11 a/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 and mobile broadband
• Optional expansion sliver provides camera/light, serial, and RJ11 inputs.
• Thickness of a mere 1.5 inches
• Weight of 5.4 pounds with four cell battery and solid state drive
• Meets MIL-810G standards for operations in harsh environments (certification to follow in the coming weeks)
• Compression-sealed and rugged I/O doors, LCD, and keyboard

The XT2 XFR is ideal for markets such as defense, law enforcement, homeland security communities, field service departments, and utility companies – places where touch-screen computers excel but could use more ruggedness.

The Latitude XT2 XFR is available in the U.S., Canada, France, Spain, UK, Germany, and Italy with a starting price of $3599.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Dell, Latitude XT2 XFR, rugged Tablet PC

In a private speech delivered to the New York Times digital staff around October 15/16th, New York Times executive editor, Bill Keller, states the following:

“We need to figure out the right journalistic product to deliver to mobile platforms and devices… I’m hoping we can get the newsroom more actively involved in the challenge of delivering our best journalism in the form of Times Reader, iPhone apps, WAP, or the impending Apple slate, or whatever comes after that.“

Yup.. that’s right.. the “impending Apple slate”.

So the real question is – did Keller make a boo-boo with the reference to the Apple slate/tablet device? In addition, if this indeed was a confirmation for a table device, did Keller spill the beans on the name of the device? Are we talking about the Apple “slate” or the Apple “Slate”?

Keep in mind that the term “slate” isn’t new to the Tablet PC world. Tablet devices that consist of only the touch-screen display and nothing else are typically referred to as “slates” while Tablet PCs that convert from a notebook form factor to a “slate” form factor are known as “convertible notebooks”.

Yeah I know.. this is probably a whole lot of nothing right now but hey – it keeps your interest in the matter right?

You can check out a video of the speech over at the Harvard Nieman Journalism Lab website.

[Check it out via PC World]

Technorati Tags: Apple Tablet Rumor, New York Times

New Consumer HP TouchSmart PCs:

In the desktop PC front, HP announces new TouchSmart PC models spanning 20 and 23 inch widescreen systems. The new models include the HP TouchSmart 300 and the HP TouchSmart 600 – both of which feature:

• Supports either HD capable or HD widescreen display with a multitouch enabled screen
• Features exclusive “built-for-touch” applications including Hulu Desktop, touch-enabled Netflix app, Twitter app, Rhapsody app, Pandora Internet radio, TouchSmart RecipeBox, TouchSmart Live TV app, TouchSmart Canvas APp, and TouchSmart Link
• New swivel stand and tilt webcam
• Meets ENERGY STAR 5.0

The TouchSmart 300 will have a starting price of $899 and will be available on November 1st. The TouchSmart 600 will have a starting price of $1049 and will be available on October 22nd.

On the consumer mobile front, HP announces the multitouch-enabled TouchSmart tx2 notebook PC with features such as:

• Tablet PC capabilities
• Multitouch support within HP MediaSmart
• Features most of the same apps found on HP TouchSmart PCs as well as exclusive touch-enabled games and Corel Painter Sketch Pad
• Weighs 4.65 pounds
• 12.1 inch WGXA HD HP LED widescreen integrated touch-screen convertible display
• AMD Turion dual core processors
• Glossy HP Imprint finish with titanium color “Reaction” pattern
• Enjoy the notebook in three modes – PC, display, and tablet
• Rechargeable digital ink pen
• Starting price of $799 and available on October 22nd

Consumers aren’t the only ones to enjoy new HP multitouch-enabled products. The company announces the industry’s only full-featured, all-in-one multitouch-enabled business PC – the HP TouchSmart 9100 Business PC. Features include:

• Supports Intel Core 2 Duo processor
• Windows 7 Professional
• Up to 8GB of RAM
• Up to 500GB HDD or optional 64GB SSD
• NVIDIA GeForce G200 integrated graphics or upgrade to NVIDIA GeForce GT230 discrete graphics using Mobile Express Module (MXM) graphics slot
• Optional wall mount adapter attaches the PC to a VESA wall mount or a VESA compatible articulating arm
• Firewire output
• DVI output
• Optional wireless keyboard and mice
• Optional Blu-ray combo optical drive
• ENERGY STAR qualified and EPEAT Silver registered
• Starting price of $1299 and available in December

Finally, HP announces their first fully interactive 42 inch HD digital signage display – the HP LD4200tm. The display utilizes infrared technology to recognize multitouch gestures for on-screen interaction. Features include:

• 1920 x 1080 full HD resolution
• 178 x 178 degree viewing angle
• Designed to run 24/7 with low power usage
• MSRP of $2799 and will be available in December

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: HP, HP TouchSmart 300, HP TouchSmart 600, HP TouchSmart tx2, HP TouchSmart 9100, HP LD4200tm

So the big news of the day (in case you haven’t had a chance to peruse other gadget/technology news sites out there) arguably came from Gizmodo.com where they reported on a skunkworks project over at Microsoft codenamed “Courier”. Headed up by none other than J.Allard himself (yes the golden boy behind the Xbox 360 and um.. the Zune), Courier is a completely fresh take on the tablet device concept.

First and foremost, take everything you knew about the Microsoft Tablet PC and throw it out the window (no pun intended there). Courier is a complete re-envisioning of what a tablet device could be like. Using a journal/booklet-styled form factor, Courier features dual touch-screen displays, a built-in camera, and a unique customized multi-touch user interface.

Much like the Microsoft Surface, users can interact with objects on the display using finger gestures. Want to share a note with a contact? Flick the contact over to the note and instantly share the note with the contact. Want to capture an image for a scrapbook? Capture it and then flick it over to the scrapbook section.

Yes.. one look at Courier and you’d think it came from Apple! (Ironically enough, Courier is so “cool” looking that one has to wonder if this leak was done on purpose to cool off any Apple buzz on their supposed upcoming tablet device. Nothing like conspiracy theories!).

To find out more about Courier, you’ll want to head over to the Gizmodo webpage and check out the embedded video clip.

There’s certainly a lot to like with Courier.. but will the project ever see the light of day? Will it be competitively priced? Will it have a large application eco-system (a la iPod touch/iPhone)? Will it actually jump the threshold of being “nice to have” to “must have”? All questions that are yet to be answered.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Microsoft Courier, J. Allard

Here’s a quick through on specs:

ThinkPad X200 Tablet PC:

• Users can now use two fingers on the display for a variety of gestures including pinching, zooming, tapping, and flicking through documents, webpages, and pictures etc.
• Intel Core 2 Duo SU9400 processor
• Windows Vista Home Premium
• 12.1 inch Enhanced Multitouch WXGA LED Panel with Wide viewing angle
• Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics
• 1GB RAM
• Trackpoint
• 160GB 5400 RPM HDD
• ThinkPad Wi-Fi connectivity
• Integrated Mobile Broadband
• 4 cell Li-Ion baattery

ThinkPad T400s Laptop:

• Lenovo’s first laptop to support touch-screen capabilities
• Users can use four fingers on the display to easily manipulate objects and move images etc
• Displays are sensitive and responsive to even the slightest touch of the finger
• Anti-fingerprint coating
• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor SP9400
• Windows XP Professional
• 14.1 inch WXGA+ TFT Multi-touch with LED backlight display
• Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics
• 2GB RAM
• UltraNav with Fingerprint Reader
• 120GB 5400RPM HDD
• DVD recordable drive ultrabay slim
• 6 cell Li-Ion Battery
• Intel Wi-Fi Link 5100
• Integrated Mobile Broadband

Finally, Lenovo also introduces a new application called “SimpleTap” which “simplifies the multi-touch screen experience.” The app is designed to enable uninterrupted use of people’s touch-screens by providing access to hardware-based functions that may be more easily accessed via touch input. To use SimpleTap, a user simply needs to double-tap anywhere on the display to launch the application. A colorful transparent grid pops up which allows users to access functions such as turning on or off the wireless radio, ThinkLight and microphone, previewing the camera, enabling mute, adjusting the volume or screen brightness, locking the screen or putting the PC to sleep.

The Lenovo ThinkPad T400s with the multi-touch display will have a starting price of $1999 while the ThinkPad X200 Table with multi-touch will have a starting price of $1654. Both products are available now through business partners and at lenovo.com. SimpleTap will be available for download after October 22nd.

Technorati Tags: Lenovo, ThinkPad X200 Tablet, ThinkPad T400s

I suppose it was bound to happen. Michael Arrington of TechCrunch has turned his little “CrunchPad” idea into a separate venture called aptly enough – CrunchPad Inc. With 14 employees already on tap in Singapore, Arrington claims the “prototypes are real” and they would be “ready for unveiling by the end of July.”  Pretty cool – gotta hand it to the guy for capitalizing on a growing desire for inexpensive computers. Now.. any way we’ll be able to snag one of these prototypes for review? Hmm.

[Check it out via PC Magazine]

Technorati Tags: CrunchPad, Singapore

If you didn’t already know – pictures of the CrunchPad prototype have popped up all over the web. What is the CrunchPad? Well it was an idea for a inexpensive touch-screen computer proposed by Michael Arrington of TechCrunch. He puts it better of course:

“The goal – a very thin and light touch screen computer, sans physical keyboard, that has no hard drive and boots directly to a browser to surf the web. The operating system exists solely to handle the hardware drivers and run the browser and associated applications. That’s it.”

Thanks to several partners (but apparently the biggest player being Singapore-based Fusion Garage), images of a working prototype have surfaced on the web. The system utilizes an Intel Atom processor, can be built for less than $250 dollars and runs Ubuntu Linux.

The real question is – aside from Mr. Arrington – how many of you out there would consider getting a device such as this if it was priced at under $250?

[Check it out]

Read this in Chinese Simplified and in French

Technorati Tags: CrunchPad

Motion Computing announces their latest creation – the rugged J3400 Tablet PC. Designed for a “broad range of demanding work environments”, the rugged and lightweight J3400 features a hot-swappable dual battery (for all day computing), integrated shoulder strap attach points, rounded corners, and a slip-free grip surface – all ideal characteristics for a device designed to be used all day long.

On the ruggedness side, the system is IP-52 rated and meets military specs (MIL-STD-810F) which means it’ll survive a three foot drop on plywood over concrete.

Other features and specs of the J3400 include:

• 1.8 inch HDD for extra shock protection
• Shock-mounted display
• HDD with DataGuard – accelerometer which protects data during drops etc
• Optional low-cost 64GB SSD
• 2.0 megapixel webcam
• Smart card reader and biometric fingerprint reader
• Built-in GPS
• FlexDock with full input/output connectivitiy
• Intel Centrino 2 processor technology
• Speak Anywhere technology which switches between 2 to 3 microphones for high fidelity voice and sound input
• Intel 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth 2.1
• Integrated Gobi mobile broadband chipset
• 12.1 inch wide-screen display with active digitizer
• Weight of 3.6 lbs

Prices start at $2,299 for a system with:

• Windows Vista Business
• 12.1 inch WXGA display
• Intel Core 2 Duo SU9300 clocked at 1.2 GHz
• 2GB RAM
• 80GB HDD
• Wi-Fi
• One battery

[Check it out]

Read this in Chinese Simplified or French.

Technorati Tags: Motion Computing, J3400 Tablet PC

As expected, Dell announced their latest Tablet PC device yesterday in the form of the Latitude XT2 convertible tablet. As with Dell’s previous Tablet PC, the XT2 features multi-touch capabilities allowing users to leverage natural gestures to interact with applications running on the desktop.  You can perform actions such as pinch or tap for scrolling, panning, rotating, and zooming etc.

Other notable features of the XT2 include:

• Intel Core 2 Duo processor
• 12.1 inch WXGA display
• Windows Vista OS
• Multi-touch finger/capacitive touch-screen display
• 80 to 120GB 5400 RPM SATA HDD or 64GB/128GB SSD
• Battery life up to 11 hours, 28 minutes with 6-cell battery and optional 6-cell battery slice
• Daylight Viewable display has up to 100 percent more luminance than the HP EliteBook 2730p
• Full-size keyboard, touchpad, point stick and battery-free pen
• Improved connectivity with new LCD-based wireless antenna design
• Enhanced hinge design for improved panel stability
• Intel Integrated GMA 4500MHD
• Expresscard/54 and SD card slot
• Weight of 3.62 lbs with 4 cell battery and 3.78 lbs with 6 cell battery
• Dell ControlVault and ControlPoint Security Manager
• Up to 5GB RAM DDR3
• Manageability with integration of Intel vPro and DASH 1.0 compliance.

The systems are available now with prices starting at $2399.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Dell Latitude XT2 convertible tablet

Here’s another product leakage report. This time it’s the upcoming Dell  Latitude XT2 Tablet PC with a spec sheet that has apparently made it to the Internet. The XT2 is expected to be announced by Dell this Wednesday, Feb 11th. Here’s a summary of the specs:

• Intel Core 2 Duo ULV processor (1.2 or 1.4GHz)
• Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics
• 12.1 inch WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution dipslay
• 4 cell battery standard; optional 6 or 9 cell battery available
• Up to 5GB of memory support
• 80 to 120GB 5400RPM SATA HDD or 64GB SSD
• Multi-touch display and battery-free pen
• Full sized keyboard
• Windows Vista OS
• Wi-Fi
• Gigabit Ethernet
• FireWire USB 2.0, eSATA, VGA, Ethernet, Audio jacks
• ExpressCard/54
• SD card slot

No word on pricing as of yet.

[Check it out via SlashGear]

Technorati Tags: Dell Latitude XT2, Latittude XT2 specs, Tablet PC

You know.. I’m not entirely sure how I ended up missing this product announcement at CES 2009 .. but oh well.  A company called GiiNii International showed off their upcoming Android OS-based tablet internet appliance called the Movit Mini.  This particular gadget has apparently been the talk of the town (err.. talk of the Internet at least) over the last several weeks.. primarily because 1) it uses Android and 2) it’s fairly inexpensive.

OK.. so wait a second.. what the heck is the Movit Mini anyhow? Good question. It’s basically a small tablet that provides a window onto the Internet. Yes.. it’s that fabled Internet Appliance (though GiiNii would rather you call it a “Wi-Fi enabled portable communications and social networking device”). With the Movit, you can surf the web, chat with friends using Skype, check your email, watch videos, listen to music, play games, and I’m sure a whole lot more eventually simply because it leverages the Android platform – the same OS that powers the popular T-Mobile G1 handset.

Now on the hardware side of the equation, the Movit Mini has a decent set of specs. You get a 4.3 inch resistive (bummer) touch-screen display with a resolution of 480 x 272, Wi-Fi connectivity, 256MB of storage space, built-in microphone and speakers, stereo headset jack, mini USB 2.0 port, a webcam, and a microSD slot. Sorry – no mobile broadband support in this baby. It’s designed for wireless hotspots.

Now I know what you’re probably thinking. We’ve seen this kind of device before haven’t we? Wasn’t it called the Nokia Internet Tablet? Why.. YES you’re correct. In fact the latest one is the N810 and it evens sports a QWERTY keyboard. 

So what’s the big deal you ask? To us it boils down to price. Gizmodo reports that the Movit Mini will be released at a price of $149. That’s significantly cheaper than the N810 which lists above $400 though it can be found for around $300+.

Oh yes.. it also has the Android OS.. which of course is open source which translates to the possibility that you’ll have access to lots of open source software down the road.

But wait.. I’m getting ahead of myself now.

So why should you care about the Movit Mini? Realistically you shouldn’t. It’s not a must have gadget.

HOWEVER .. if you want a simple device in your living room that lets you check email, surf the web, maybe make some VoIP phone calls here and there .. AND you don’t want to turn on your PC or ntoebook, then the Movit Mini might definitely be interesting to check out.

Personally, a lot of this depends upon the battery life of the device too. If I have to recharge it every 2 hours, then it’ll be useless to me.. but if it lasts 4-5 hours.. maybe a whole day, then we’re talking!

Oh yeah.. GiiNii also has a larger version coming out called the Movit Maxx which sports a 7 inch display. No word on price. The Movit Mini will supposedly come out in the middle of 2009 and the Movit Maxx will be available by late summer.

Technorati Tags: GiiNii International, Movit Mini, Movit Maxx, Android OS, Tablet Internal Appliance

HP brings their multi-touch technology to the convertible notebook market with the introduction of the HP TouchSmart tx2 Notebook PC. Featuring “capacitive multi-touch technology, you’ll be able to interact with the tx2 using gestures such as pinch, rotate, arc, flick, press and drag, and single/double tap. Since it’s a convertible notebook, you’ll be able to interact with the tx2 in three different modes – PC, display, and tablet. Specs include the following:

• AMD Turion X2 Ultra Dual Core Mobile Processor or AMD Turion X2 Dual Core Mobile Processor
• Windows Vista Home Premium
• 12.1 inch BrightView LED display
• HP Imprint “Reaction” design
• Features HP MediaSmart digital entertainment software suite which allows users to “more naturally select, organize, and manipulate digital files”
• ATI Radeon HD 3200 graphics
• LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+-R/RW with DL support
• 250GB  to 400GB 5400 RPM SATA HDD
• 3GB to 8GB of DDR2 memory
• Webcam
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
• Bluetooth
• Altec Lansing stereo speakers
• ExpressCard/34 slot
• 6 or 8 cell lithium ion battery
• Measures 8.82 x 12.05 x 1.23 inches and weighs 4.65 lbs

You can order the HP TouchSmart tx2 convertible notebook either at HP shopping or at Amazon.com wit a starting price of $1149.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: HP TouchSmart tx2, convertible notebook, multi-touch display

Lenovo introduced two new ThinkPad models today – the ThinkPad X200s business class notebook and the ThinkPad X200 Tablet PC. Both systems feature lightweight designs and a long running battery life. The X200s is Lenovo’s lightest business class notebook as well as the system with the longest running battery life. The X200 is Lenovo’s lightest Tablet PC ever with nearly 50 percent longer battery life than previous models.

Here’s what you need to know about the ThinkPad X200s:

• Supports Intel Centrino 2 with vPro technology
• Up to Intel Core Duo SL9400 processor
• Windows Vista Ultimate
• 12.1 inch widescreen display
• 80GB 5400 RPM HDD
• Select models are reinforced with Lenovo’s carbon and glass fibre top cover roll cage
• Optional SSD drives with up to 128GB of storage capacity
• LED backlit display
• Ultra-Wideband functionality
• Bluetooth support
• Optional nine-cell battery
• Optional Blu-ray DVD player
• Wi-Fi support

As for the ThinkPad X200 Tablet PC, you have the following:

• Weighs only 3.5 lbs
• Some models have more than 10 hours of battery life
• Low voltage version of Intel Centrino 2 with vPro technology
• Up to Intel Core Duo SL9400 LV processor
• 12.1 inch widescreen display
• 80GB 5400 RPM HDD
• Optional SSD drives with up to 128GB of storage capacity
• LED backlit displays
• GPS
• Ultra-wideband functionality
• Mobile Broadband support
• Wi-Fi
• Full sized keyboard
• Dual swivel screen – allows users to turn the screen in either direction
• Dual array digital microphones reduce ambient noise with noise-canceling software
• Built-in camera
• Recognizes pen or finger touch

ThinkPad X200s notebook models start at $2242 while ThinkPad X200 Tablet PC models start at $2323. The X200s will be available this month while the X200 will be available in October.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Lenovo, ThinkPad X200, X200s

• 12.1 inch touch-screen display
• Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1
• AMD Turion 64 X2 dual core processor
• Optional fingerprint reader
• Up to 250GB HDD
• CD/DVD burner
• High gloss black case with “Echo” pattern
• 802.11 b/g wireless LAN
• Optional Verizon Wireless V740 1XEVDO PC ExpressCard
• Optional webcam
• Three USB 2.0 ports, ExpressCard/34 slot, S-Video, VGA, Consumer IR, and 5-in1 media card reader

Here’s what NotebookReview thought of the system:

College students and other consumers should be happy with all the features the tx2500 packs, especially considering it’s available for under $1,000.

[Check it out via SlashGear]

Technorati Tags: HP Pavilion tx2500z, NotebookReview, Review, Tablet PC

GIGABYTE is taking a slightly different spin on the netbook concept with the introduction of the M912V Tablet PC. The M912V features the following specs:

• Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor
• 8.9 inch LCD panel with WXGA resolution (1280 x 768) and LED backlight
• Convertible design
• Intel 945GSE chipset
• 2.5 inch SATA HDD available in 120GB to 250GB storage capacities
• Built-in 1.3 megapixel webcam
• 2 x 1.5 watt speakers
• 1GB RAM
• Bluetooth 2.0
• 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi
• Measures 235 x 180 x 28-42mm
• 3.5 hour battery life
• Weighs 1.3kg
• Available in either Windows XP or Windows Vista Home Basic
• Available also in Linux

It’s certainly nice to see a company introduce a netbook that doesn’t look like a traditional notebook. The GIGABYTE M912V is due out later this month and will supposedly have a price tag of $699.

[Check it out via Daily Tech]

Technorati Tags: GIGABYTE, M912V, Tablet PC, netbook

HP launched their new HP Pavilion tx2000 Series Entertainment Notebook PC at CES 2008. The tx2000 is their latest consumer convertible notebook PC (which means you can use it as both a standard notebook PC or as a Tablet PC). The notebook comes with a sleek high gloss “Echo” Imprint finish, integrated fingerprint reader, touch screen display, HP webcam, integrated microphone and has an estimated street price of $1299.

Specs include the following:

• Windows Vista Home Premium, Business or Ultimate OS
• AMD Turion 64 X2 Dual Core Processor
• 12.1 inch WXGA HD HP BrightView Widescreen Touch-screen display with 1280 x 800 resolution
• Panel rotates 180 degrees and folds flat
• Built in digitizer for handwriting with battery-less rechargeable eraser pen
• NVIDIA GeForce Go 6150 graphics with 559MB shared video memory
• Up to 4GB memory
• Up to 250GB HDD
• SuperMulti DVD+R/RW drive with DL support
• Wireless LAN (802.11 a/b/g/n) and Bluetooth wireless
• Measures 8.82 x 12.05 x 1.23 inches and weighs 4.29 lbs

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: HP Pavilion tx2000 Entertainment Notebook PC, CES 2008, Tablet PC, Convertible Notebook

So what would Apple want with a low power processor? The folks at AppleInsider theorize that the processor could find its way into either the rumored Apple Tablet device or a new 3G iPhone. News.com thinks the former is more likely than the latter since at 1 watt, the Silverthorne processor is still too power hungry for a mobile phone (compared to the ARM1176 core which runs at 620MHz and consumes only 279 milliwatts.). So the possibilities that Apple would come out with a Tablet-like device in 2008 could very well be true – especially if the company decides to adopt the Silverthorne processor.

Even more interesting for Intel and Apple is the processor due out after Silverthorne known as Moorestown. This processor is expected to bring the product line into the milliwatt area which would then make it ideal for the iPhone or any other phone/handheld devices out there. Again – this is all speculation at this point.. but if the iPhone and the Mac product lineup had the same instruction set, consider how much easier application development will be.

Ahh.. nothing like rumors and speculation.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Intel, Apple, Silverthorne, Moorestown, iPhone, Tablet, Mac

To the surprise of practically nobody out there, Dell has finally taken the wraps off of its first Tablet PC system – the Latitude XT. Not only is the Latitude XT the first Tablet PC convertible notebook system for Dell, it’s world’s first sub-four pound convertible tablet system with pen and capacitive touch capabilities. Capacitive technology senses the touch of a human finger with no pressure required for the system to recognize input. Competing tablets out on the market utilize resistive touch which requires the application of force for the system to recognize user interactions.

But wait.. there’s more!

The Latitude XT also features multi-touch capabilities – allowing the use of more than one finger for tasks such as zooming, and picture repositioning. Other touch features include:

• Accuracy and speed – touch response times on the Latitude XT are faster than the Lenovo X61T
• Advanced digital palm rejection technology – prevents inadvertent contact that disrupts pen input
• Digitizer technology on the Latitude XT up to 10 times more durable the competing resistive touch digitizer technology
• Maintenance-free, no battery pen with eraser and right click mouse functionality

Other system features include:

• Optional media base for docking and optical media
• Full-size keyboard with dual pointing
• Up to 64GB Solid State Drive (SSD) or up to 120GB HDD
• Optional battery slice designed to provide up to 9.5 hours of battery life
• Intel Core 2 Solo and Duo ULV processors
• ATI Radeon X1250 UMA integrated graphics

Prices start at $2499 and Dell will begin to take orders and ship the Latitude XT by the end of the year.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Dell, Latitude XT, Tablet PC

Deep down inside, I’ve always had this affinity for Tablet PCs – I just don’t really know why. Perhaps it has something to do with novelty of having a large touch screen interface.. or perhaps it’s the idea of being able to walk around and simply jot down notes electronically. Whatever it was, I actually owned a Tablet PC for several months in the form of the Toshiba Portege M205 (which I reviewed way back when over at my old website – WhiningDog). Thus, it’s nice to see Toshiba is at least still pushing ahead with Tablet PC Convertible systems with the introduction of the Portege M700. Features and specs for the Toshiba Portege M700 include the following:

• Widescreen form factor
• 12 inch LED screen
• Navigate using your finger or the included digitizer pen
• Latch-less design
• Integrated dual-layer DVD burner
• Weight of 4.4 lbs
• 802.11 a/g/n wireless support
• Optional Bluetooth
• Modular drive design – swap the optical drive with a second hard drive
• Integrated 1.3 megapixel webcam
• Intel Santa Rosa Chipset
• Choice of Intel Core 2 Duo T7100 processor running at 1.8GHz up to T7700 running at 2.4GHz
• Utilizes standard 6 cell battery

Prices for the Portege M700 range from $1499 to $1799.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Toshiba, Portege M700, Tablet PC

Rumors of a Dell Tablet PC have picked up again as an internal Dell document has apparently been leaked out to the Internet masses. The document claims that the new Tablet PC will be called the Dell Latitude XT Tablet and will feature specs such as:

• Intel Core 2 Duo ULV processor running at 1.2 GHz
• 1 GB RAM expandable to 3 GB
• Bluetooth 2.0 support
• Mobile broadband support
• Biometric reader
• Ambient light sensor
• Digital array microphone
• Quick control macros along the screen bezel
• Dual layer DVD burner

One interesting note – this tablet was supposedly lined up for release last month.. yet we didn’t hear a peep. Hm…

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Dell, Latitude XT Tablet PC