Dell launches Latitude XT2 tablet PC with multitouch feature

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Dell announced this week its Latitude XT2, industry's first Tablet PC with multitouch screen capabilities which will allow users to use natural gestures like a pinch or tap for scrolling, panning, rotating and zooming. There's also a programmable double-tap feature to launch a browser or turn the screen off to save power. Last year Dell released a software module to add multitouch capabilities to the original Latitude XT.

Below are some of the features of the new Latitude XT2

Innovative multi-touch responsive screen
Dual-digitizer for low pressure, high touch accuracy
New LCD-based wireless antenna design for excellent connectivity
1.2-GHz or 1.4-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU9300 processors
DDR3 RAM up to 5GB
Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
120-GB, 5,400-RPM SATA HDD or 128-GB SSD
12-inch daylight viewable display
Up to 12 hours of battery life with 2 or 6-cell batteries
Optional mobile broadband capabilities
Optional fingerprint and a smart card reader

Dell currently offers any of these Operating Systems

Windows Vista Ultimate
Windows Vista Business
Windows Vista Business 64-Bit
Windows Vista Ultimate with Downgrade Rights Service to Windows XP Tablet Edition
Windows Vista Business with Downgrade Rights Service to Windows XP Tablet Edition

Probably Windows XP downgrade would disappear very soon and Windows 7 editions would replace it

The Latitude XT2's pricing starts at USD 2,399 and you can order yours here

Images Courtesy: Dell

(1 reply) #1 +primortal on 12 Feb 2009 - 13:38

Hope apple doesn't notice "multitouch" in the product specs

#1.1 9UnknownMen on 12 Feb 2009 - 15:43

Please. They didn't patent "Multitouch" just their limited implementation of it on the iPhone.

(2 replies) #2 gamestargrinder on 12 Feb 2009 - 13:53

Looks like an awesome tablet compared to my old Toshiba Tecra M4.
Why still in this day and age are laptops still coming with VGA out and not DVI

#2.1 Rail Grinder on 12 Feb 2009 - 17:55

gamestargrinder said,

Why still in this day and age are laptops still coming with VGA out and not DVI

exactly. DVI and HDMI

#2.2 +Xerxes on 13 Feb 2009 - 00:17

It's probably to keep the business/education sector happy. As most projectors are VGA still, yes you can get DVI > VGA adapters but businesses like it more when it's built in.

On a side note, my Asus laptop has both VGA and DVI ('08 laptop) but I think the later models have ditched the VGA for HDMI but I'm not 100% sure.

(2 replies) #3 Airlink on 12 Feb 2009 - 13:55

I wish laptop makers in general would stop putting D-Sub VGA ports on their laptops and switch to DVI already. Better yet, HDMI. Wake up and smell the 21st century, guys.

#3.1 themailnurse on 12 Feb 2009 - 16:37

Airlink said,

Wake up and smell reality. Most projectors, etc use VGA.

#3.2 cybertimber2008 on 12 Feb 2009 - 16:52

@themailnurse: DVI to VGA adapter. Very simple (part of the DVI output anyway), extremely cheap($6 hard rubber like adapter), and you can't go VGA --> DVI for devices which have DVI only without a large convertor.

(2 replies) #4 Hurmoth on 12 Feb 2009 - 14:15

2,399? No thanks. It just isn't worth that kind of price tag IMO.

#4.1 jerzdawg on 12 Feb 2009 - 14:50

Hurmoth said,

yea.. i thought that seemed a bit steep... esp for the starting price...

#4.2 Krome on 12 Feb 2009 - 15:57

Well, by the time I can afford this, I think the price will drop down to 1.7k or something

(3 replies) #5 Magallanes on 12 Feb 2009 - 16:55

1.2-GHz or 1.4-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU9300 processors

subpar processor?.

#5.1 SirEvan on 12 Feb 2009 - 18:01

its a tablet, its not a quad core 3x sli gaming machine.

#5.2 MioTheGreat on 12 Feb 2009 - 20:20

Those are ultra-low power processors that help give this machine good battery life.

#5.3 Sean2989 on 13 Feb 2009 - 14:20

I have a Gateway E-155C and it has the Intel Core2 Duo ULV U7600 and it can handle 2 or 3 virtual machines without any problem. They might not be aimed at gaming but they sure as h*ll let you get work done!

(2 replies) #6 Tim Dawg on 12 Feb 2009 - 19:51

industry's first Tablet PC with multitouch screen capabilities...

???

They're not the first. I'm not sure who the first is but HP has had a tablet out with multitouch capabilities for some time now, the TX2Z. I should know, I just bought one.

This comes straight from HPs website:

This tablet PC is also "multitouch" : you can use more than one finger (e.g., index and thumb) at the same time.

Sorry Dell, you lose!

#6.1 MioTheGreat on 12 Feb 2009 - 20:22

Tim Dawg said,

???

They're not the first. I'm not sure who the first is but HP has had a tablet out with multitouch capabilities for some time now, the TX2Z. I should know, I just bought one.

Actually, Dell did have the first: The Latitude XT.

The TX2Z came out after that. This is just the next version of the XT.

#6.2 Osiris on 12 Feb 2009 - 21:00

Yep spot on Mio, the original XT has multi-touch and the only difference with its MT to the XT2's is that the XT2's works straight out of the box. The XT owners have to download and install the driver.

For what its worth their a great tablet, battery life isnt great but solid design, good tablet performance, the dual input (touch - with capacative display and the active digitiser are great). I agree the price sucks though so if your interested check out the Dell Outlet stores, you will find you can usually pick up a refurb and warranty for the half-price or less.

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