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Dell Latitude X1: a first look

Justin Jaffe CNET

Published: 01 Apr 2005

The new Latitude X1 takes its place as Dell's smallest and lightest notebook, shoving aside the former record-holding Latitude X300. Built on the same design as Samsung's beautiful Sens Q30 (which is sold only in Asia), the Latitude X1 joins the small but growing ranks of sub-2kg ultraportable notebooks.

Although it's less than 2cm thick, it's still not as slim or sexy as the Sony VAIO X505. However, the Latitude X1's components and features are much more in tune with the needs of business users: an ultra-low-voltage 1.1GHz Pentium M 733 processor, a wide-aspect 12.1in. WXGA display, up to 1.28GB of 400MHz DDR2 RAM, a 30GB or 60GB hard drive (the VAIO X505 topped out at 20GB), and integrated 802.11b/g and Bluetooth. You also get Gigabit Ethernet, a 56Kbps modem, two USB 2.0 ports, headphone and microphone jacks, a CompactFlash reader, and an unpowered FireWire port. That's almost everything an executive will need when on the road.

Dell insists that ultraportable notebooks do not need a built-in optical drive, so the 1.14kg Latitude X1 has none. Still, we imagine that corporate bigwigs like having the option of watching DVDs on cross-country flights, and a number of other ultraportables from Sony, Sharp and Fujitsu have managed to include an optical drive while keeping the weight down.

Starting at £1,039 (ex. VAT), the Latitude X1 is sure to get a look from executive types. Dell says that the notebook offers six hours of battery life when configured with a £65 (ex. VAT) six-cell battery; we look forward to testing that claim, and we'll have a full review up very soon.

Sony VAIO X505

Review Sony's elegant VAIO X505 is an eminently portable notebook with just enough features and performance. But it's too expensive for most people. [02 Sep 2004]

Dell Latitude X300

Review The ultraportable Latitude X300 exudes business appeal, with its speed, elegance and good support. However, it definitely needs a second battery and cheaper memory. [03 Sep 2003]

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