Dell Latitude 2100 netbook launched, reviewed

Dell is launching a new line of netbooks, aimed squarely at the educational market. The Dell Latitude 2100 features the same Intel Atom N270 CPU we’ve come to know and love, and other standard netbook components, including an optional solid state disk and a low starting price of $369. But it also has a few kid-friendly features like rubberized cases in a variety of colors (including yellow, green, blue, and red), and an optional handle and shoulder strap. Dell is also offering an optional docking cart that schools can use to store and charge up to 24 netbooks.

Information on the Latitude 2100 first leaked out in March. But with today’s official launch comes one of the first detailed reviews of the new netbooks. Our friends at Laptop Magazine have posted a review of a Latitude 2100 that’s configured at the $499 level with a 10.1 inch, 1024 x 576 pixel display, 16GB SSD, and Windows XP Home.

It’s interesting to note that at 10.4″ x 7.4″ x 1.6″ and weighs 3.4 pounds with the optional 6 cell batter. In other words, the Dell Latitude 2100 is one of the thickest, bulkiest netbooks around. Typically mini-laptops designed for children are small and have cramped keyboards. But thanks to its larger sized, Laptop Magazine reports the Latitude 2100 has a roomy keyboard and touchpad, even for people with adult-sized hands.

The Dell Latitude 2100 will be available with a number of options including storage ranging from a 16GB SSD to a 250GB hard drive. The laptop is available with Windows XP, Vista, or Ubuntu Linux. Dell will even offer a touchscreen option.

Posted on Tuesday, May 19th, 2009, 12:39 am by Brad Linder | 21 Comments

DougC3

This sounds like it could have applications in work situations for adults, for example, outdoors, sports applications, etc, where a little ruggedness is desired.
Singulyarra

Del Laatitude 2100 netbook launched, reviewed…..
Correct the title: Dell Latitude
Baa

Not a baaaaad laaaaptop aaaat all.
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http://liliputing.com Brad Linder

That is *exactly* what I was going to say.
http://liliputing.com Brad Linder

(You don't want to see what happens when I eat after midnight or get wet…)
Mikez

The rubberized case (without a raised “Samsung” logo) would be very easy
to hot stamp the school logo (or anything else, like H.D. wings) onto.

The one question in my mind: Where was this Green NetBook last St. Patrick's day?
http://www.zatznotfunny.com Dave Zatz

That's what happens when you blog after midnight.
http://www.zatznotfunny.com Dave Zatz

Man, I'm old. But at least I have a good Mogwai memory.
Pixel Qi fan in waiting

also of interest for schools and the rest is:

Gecko Netbook runs on AA batteries (YouTube Videos to watch)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10238203-1….

Quote:
————
“Sipping only 1.2 watts, this allows the Netbook to run off eight NiMH
AA-size batteries for up to four hours, though there is a lithium ion
option with a six-hour uptime. Using store-bought AA cells allows the
Netbook to be used in rural areas where electricity might get spotty.

Word is NorhTec's Gecko EduBook will be launched at computer expo
Computex Taipei in June and will retail for less than $200″.

Introducing the Xcore86 and new Gecko Edubook
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNQWMKxlL4c

Windows XP running on new Gecko Edubook
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II5UfMCWVUU
pauli

if they'd stop hobbling these things with shortscreen displays, they'd be a lot more useful. education is full of oddball programs that only run at 800×600.
DougC3

Thanks for the “Windows XP…Gecko…” link. I hadn't seen that one. (Brad posted the first one awhile back.) I think this looks like a fun gizmo. The Xcore86 motherboard itself may not be hackable, but it's modular and replaceable, and everything else is probably pretty much hackable.
TrackSmart

Agreed. It's gotta make it to the minimum screen resolution for standard programs. I'm sure it only saved them $2 to choose the 576 pixel display over one with 600 vertical pixels.

Also, they really should have paid attention to battery life on these things. The flush 3-cell battery only gives about 2 hours according to other reviews. And the 6-cell is absurd in the way it picks the rear up about 2 inches.

Verdict: Design failure.
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TrackSmart

Agreed. It's gotta make it to the minimum screen resolution for standard programs. I'm sure it only saved them $2 to choose the 576 pixel display over one with 600 vertical pixels.

Also, they really should have paid attention to battery life on these things. The flush 3-cell battery only gives about 2 hours according to other reviews. And the 6-cell is absurd in the way it picks the rear up about 2 inches.

Verdict: Design failure.
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vijay

does it have an arangement for using it with a docking station.

Dell Latitude 2100 netbook launched, reviewed

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