Dell Introduces Ultraportable Latitude D420 with Built-in Mobile Broadband

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Dell has announced the Latitude D420, a sleek ultraportable with a starting weight of 1.36kg (three pounds, and the potential to deliver more than seven hours of battery life. With this newest addition, Dell completes a major update of its Latitude notebook portfolio, incorporating increased security, connectivity and durability into the series.The Latitude D420 is the lightest Latitude D-family notebook while being fully compatible with legacy D-family docking options, power supplies and peripherals. Customers can also add an optional MediaBase with choice of optical drive that attaches to the bottom of the system. The laptop has different starting weights of 1.36kg (3.0 lbs) with a 4-cell battery, 1.44kg (3.17lbs) with 6-cell battery or 1.62kg (3.56lbs) with a 9-cell battery. The model features a 12.1-inch wide-aspect display, full-sized keyboard and dual pointing capability. Customers can configure systems with choice of Wi-Fi 802.11g or 802.11a/g, as well as optional integrated mobile broadband connections from Cingular or Verizon Wireless in the United States, and Vodafone in France, Germany and the United Kingdom.It is 802.11n-ready, and features the Wi-Fi Catcher, a switch that can help find wireless connections without turning on or booting up, or turn all wireless devices off. While systems come standard with Smart Card readers and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) security technology, customers can add biometric fingerprint readers at time of purchase. When configured with the nine-cell extended life battery the laptop can offer more than seven hours of battery life.Starting at US$1,379, the Latitude D420 is powered by Intel Core Solo processors Ultra Low Voltage. Single-core configurations are available immediately. Dual-core configurations are scheduled to be available later this summer. The Latitude D420 includes three USB ports, an IEEE 1394 port and a Secure Digital (SD) card slot.