The Centrino isn’t just a new mobile processor promising greater speed and less heat emission, it also incorporates a new streamlined Intel PROSet chipset and a wireless module that sits on the chip. These all combine to set the scene for a new era of seamless and integrated wireless computing. Or so the theory goes anyway.
One advantage that was immediately picked up on from this test of Dell’s first Centrino-powered notebook, is that notebooks that are powered by Intel’s Centrino product will be considerably lighter that previous generation models. The Dell Latitude D600 although featuring a processor that runs at a clock speed of 1.3Ghz with the ability to reset its clock speed to 595Mhz while on the road, weighs just 2.1Kg — just perfect for the mobile worker who moves from one international airport to another.
Of course, the big sell on Centrino and laptops like the Latitude D600 is its built-in wireless connectivity. At most international airports, Dublin excluded, you should now be able to find Wi-Fi-based hotpots where, with the aid of a scratch card pin number, you can access broadband Internet services, e-mail and files from your office network wirelessly over the 802.11a, and in some cases the 802.11g protocols.
Quite apart from its wireless features, silver exterior and light handling, the Latitude D600 offers the standard connectivity ports and software you would expect from a Dell product including printer, monitor and input/output connections as well as two USB, one telephone modem and Ethernet port for wired networking into an Office LAN.
Pre-installed to go is InterVideo WinDVD for DVD playback (the quality of which was average, although the blurry performance of the 14.1-in TFT screen didn’t enhance the viewing experience). Windows Media Player and Windows Messenger are there and of interest. Internet Explorer and Outlook Express are there as always. I took the liberty of installing Office 2003 Public Beta and it performed well with no software crashes experienced.
Specs
Subscribers 0
Fans 0
Followers 0
Followers