Dell's multitouch Latitude XT2 tablet lands for £1299

By Nick Mansell on Wed 11 February 2009

Behold, the world's first tablet PC with multitouch technology. Sporting Intel's Montevina chipset, it's new Dell Latitude XT2, which deftly sidekicks the Latitude XT into the technology dustbin to claim Dell's top-tablet crown.

Starting at a hefty £1299 +VAT, it's no netbook, but for that you'll get a swivelling 12.1in LED capacitive touchscreen with 1280x800 resolution, all ready and primed for multi-finger manipulation. Inside is a choice of low-voltage Penryn-based Core 2 Duo processors from the 1.2GHz SU9300 or 1.4GHz SU9400. Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics are on board and there's up to 5GB of DDR3 memory, plus a choice of 64GB or 128GB SSD, or standard 80GB platter.

Unlike Apple's multitouch MacBooks, the multitouch action doesn't happen on the touchpad but on the screen. Dell lists only the usual, "pinch or tap for scrolling, panning, rotating and zooming" so don't expect too many surprises but we're itching to get our hands on one for a quick caress.

Other headlines of note are the usual business security features and a stonking 11-hour battery life - if you pack the 6-cell battery and "optional 6-cell battery slice".

It's available from today. Check out the press release below, or see more details on the Dell UK product page.

Press release:

Dell Updates Industry-First Multi-Touch Capable Tablet
Round Rock, Texas, February 10, 2009

    * Latitude XT2 features better performance, enhanced security and manageability than the previous generation
    * Ultra-portable, lightweight form factor that is thinner than the Fujitsu Lifebook®  T5010 and the HP®  EliteBook 2730p  
    * More than 11 Hours of Battery Life1

Dell today announced the Latitude XT2 convertible tablet building on the industry’s first tablet PC with multi-touch screen capabilities designed to enhance security, increase performance and extend battery life. The system starts at £1299 GBP / €1599 and is available today at www.dell.com/latitude.

Multi-touch capabilities on the Latitude XT2 allow users to use natural gestures like a pinch or tap for scrolling, panning, rotating and zooming that work with productivity applications they use every day. Dell’s integration of multi-touch screen technology allows customers to use the full real estate of the display, as opposed to just the touchpad.

“As part of our commitment to deliver the best mobility experience, Dell revolutionised the tablet space with the first multi-touch capable product that allows customers to use the entire screen,” said Lionel Bohar, Head of Notebooks, Dell EMEA. “Today, we’re extending that leadership with the Latitude XT2 to deliver more performance, security and manageability.”

Other features include:

    * Up to 11 hours 28 minutes of battery life1 with six cell battery and optional 6-cell battery slice
    * Daylight Viewable display that has up to 100 percent more luminance than the HP EliteBook 2730p.
    * Full-size keyboard, touchpad, point stick and battery-free pen give users input flexibility.
    * Combines performance with high touch accuracy to allow touch interface with small icons without drops or hangs.
    * Comprehensive services options with Dell ProSupport.2
    * Improved connectivity with new LCD-based wireless antenna design.
    * Enhanced hinge design for improved panel stability.
    * SATA drive support providing updated storage technology and enhanced performance.
    * Comprehensive security features adding Dell ControlVault and ControlPoint Security Manager.
    * DDR3 RAM allows better performance and up to 5GB RAM.3
    * Manageability with integration of Intel vPro and DASH 1.0 compliance.

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