Dell unveils new hardware based on latest Intel Core processors

Company has announced new desktops, laptops and tablets

Dell today unveiled a host of new business workstation, desktop, laptop and tablet systems based on Intel's new Sandy Bridge 32nm microarchitecture, with shipments expected to start next month.

Laptops
Dell's new offerings include seven Latitude laptops – the E5420, E5520, E6220, E6320, E6420, E6520, E6420 ATG models – and the XT3 convertible tablet.

This is the third generation of its E-family laptops, and Jones said Dell had gone back to the drawing board and completely re-designed the range.

All the systems have Intel second-generation Core i5 and i7 processors, new graphics and memory.

The models also have a brushed aluminium finish, a magnesium alloy chassis, and a screen that is 70 per cent more rigid than the one it replaces. Dell had also planned support for pre-integrated Citrix and VMware remote desktop clients.

The new models use the same docking stations as their predecessors, useful for firms considering an upgrade, while battery packs and optical drives are interchangeable across all models.

The E6220 ultraportable with its 12.1in screen replaces the E4200, the 13.3in E6320 takes over from the E4300, while the 14in E6420 and 15in E6520 replace the E6400 and E6500 models respectively.

All the E6000-series models will be fully Intel vPro capable, and built to military standard (MIL-STD), while the E5000-series models include basic Intel Active Management Technology (AMT) software, and are designed to appeal to budget-conscious buyers.

VPro provides hardware-assisted security and manageability capabilities allowing IT staff to remotely maintain, manage and restore systems with OS problems, while AMT software has similar but fewer capabilities.

The only outward difference between the E5000-series models and their fully vPro-capable brethren is that the E6000 models have an orange keyboard surround.

Jones said the E6420 and E6520 will launch in the first week of March, while the E6320 will probably launch mid-March. A semi-ruggedised version of the E6420, the ATG, and a fully ruggedised version, the XFR, will also be available later in the year.

Users looking for faster data transfer through adoption of the new USB 3.0 standard will be disappointed, as Dell is sticking with USB 2.0 technology on its new laptop models.


Tablets
The XT3 is a 12.1in clamshell convertible tablet, which will be followed by a 10in, Windows 7-based business tablet later in the year. The XT3 features stylus input as well as standard touch input.

Desktops
For desktop devotees, Dell will launch the Optiplex 990, 790, 390 systems as well as an Optiplex Small Form Factor All-in-One Solution. All models will have desktop, mini-tower, small form factor and ultra small form factor chassis varieties.

There will be a single OS image for all models, tool-free access to system components, Intel second-generation Core processors, new graphics and memory, and planned compatibility with desktop virtualisation.

Workstations
The company also announced a new Dell Precision T1600 desktop workstation and large notebook format Dell Precision M6600 and M4600 mobile workstations.

Before Dell's business PC updates were announced, analyst firm Gartner released figures showing the PC shipments in Western Europe declined 4.4 per cent in Q4 2010 compared to Q4 2009, with vendors only managing to shift 19.4 million units.

The main reason for the decrease was a decline in consumer shipments, however professional PC shipments did grow 0.9 per cent, which Gartner principal analyst Meike Escherich said benefitted Dell, especially as it "continued to struggle in the consumer PC market".

Pricing and Availability
Dell said availability and pricing of the Dell Latitude laptops and the Precision M6600 and M4600 mobile workstations family would be announced later.

Pricing for Dell's Optiplex systems will start at £629 + VAT, while pricing for the Precision T1600 workstation will start at £499 + VAT.