A study conducted by Dell of more than 5,500 organisations globally, found that three quarters (75%) of employees believe that technology influences the way they work, while half of employers believe that technology is key for recruiting top talent.
With these findings in mind, the Latitude range of business devices has been extensively re-worked in what Tara Gale, marketing manager, Dell Ireland, referred to as Dell’s “most innovative launch since going private”.
Accommodating new working practices and roles, the new range is informed by findings from the study such as the fact that workers now have 59% less space individually compared to 10 years ago, while more than a third (35%) now regularly work in public spaces. When this is combined with the fact that more than half (52%) of those surveyed in the study said that they believe home workers are just as productive as those in the office, and new requirements emerge for the traditional laptop, but also tablets and two in one devices.
Topping the range is the Latitude 7000 series, with 13, 12 and 11” models. The 7000 series takes the premium laptop niche and adds carbon fibre chassis parts for rigidity, lightness and aesthetic appeal, and cutting edge technology in packaging, display and processing to produce a desirable range of devices aimed at the power users and the C-suite.
7000 Series
The Latitude 7000 13” (330mm) laptop, said Gale, effectively fits a 330mm screen in a format that would previously have been a 305mm (12”), and still manages to have a reduced bezel for maximum viewing area. Taking design ques from the XPS range, the InfinityEdge screens provide QHD+ resolutions (3200×1800) under Corning Gorilla Glass.
The premium feel is achieved through a choice of either brushed aluminium external finish or the more muted satin black. USB Type C docking across the board ensures minimal wire wrangling and also included is Thunderbolt3 for eight times faster data transfer compared to USB 3.0, allowing end users to power two 4k displays simultaneously. Dell says that this is a perfect fit for on-the-go employees, with extended battery life and advanced security features – including a smartcard reader, fingerprint reader, RFID reader, and security and encryption software.
Gale said that Dell had concentrated on making high-performing, desirable devices that also enjoyed Dell’s traditional strengths of robustness, longevity and manageability.
The Latitude 7000 12” two in one, says Dell, is one of the lightest devices in the category, providing all the performance of a laptop in the convertible format.
The design sees a ‘latch-free’ attachment that enjoys a wide vertical viewing angle, often the Achilles Heel of such devices. There are two keyboard options tailored for the professional’s work style. The Latitude 12 Slim Keyboard is the full-sized, yet lightweight, well-spaced option with backlit chiclet keys. The Latitude 12 Premium Keyboard single-handedly connects to the tablet, and features backlit keys and mouse cursor control with a high precision, gesture touchpad. With an 8mm screen, hardened Gorilla Glass NBT and magnesium unibody chassis, and what Dell claims is the only business 2-in-1 with a 4K UltraSharp UHD touch display, the Latitude 12 plays in the premium space against the likes of the Surface Pro 4 and iPad Pro.
Workhorse
The Latitude 5000 series remains the workhorse range, and the Latitude 11 5000 Series 2-in-1 despite its 275mm (10.8”) screen, manages to weigh just 710g. The device combines all of the security and manageability features of the range, while still being attractive with a magnesium and hardened glass finish. Dell says that the two in one is a simple, portable device that provides a seamless transition between tablet and laptop modes with strong pen accuracy for capturing hand-written inputs via the optional stylus.
Gale said that operating system image consistency across the new Latitude range increases manageability and reduces complexity in fleet deployments.
Support and accessories
The new device range is further supported with accessories such as UltraSharp InfinityEdge monitors, including wireless options, and various docks, including a Thunderbolt equipped option.
There are also extended support options for Dell devices. The ProSupport Plus for PCs and Tablets is available with the new Latitude line, backed by the company’s SupportAssist technology. Dell says that it is the only complete support service combining 24×7 priority access to expert support, accidental damage repair, and proactive, predictive monitoring for automatic issue prevention and resolution.
With the solution, reports Dell, customers spend up to 84% less time on technical support calls and take up to 58% fewer steps to resolve common hardware issues than key competitors.
The Latitude 13 7000 Series Laptop (7370) will be available from early March, with the Latitude 12 7000 Series 2-in-1 (7275) available from early February, starting at €1,199. The Latitude 11 5000 Series 2-in-1 (5175) will also be available from early February starting at €739.
For more information on the full range see www.dell.ie
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