Posted 09.29.2009 at 9:12 am
13 Comments
Dell Latitude Z
The new, 16-inch Dell Latitude Z is the first laptop to bring wireless inductive charging to the masses -- well, the I'm-willing-to-spend-an-extra-$400-on-an-already-two-grand-machine masses, at least.
Unlike the Palm Pre, the wireless capability on the Latitude Z isn't a matter of a simple battery cover switcheroo. When building out a system, you have to select the upgrade be pre-installed in the undercarriage of the laptop for an extra $200. Dell has partnered with eCoupled to incorporate their charging tech into the Z; the system transfers charging current to the battery (either a four- or eigh-cell) via an embedded coil on the bottom of the laptop. Dell claims inductive charging time is about the same as wired: about 3-4 hours for a full charge. The charging dock is another $200 on top of that.
Beyond inductive charging, Dell's really swinging for the fences with the Z's feature set, including all (yes, all) of its top-drawer goodies in one machine. In addition to charging, the Z also supports wireless docking to connect to monitors and other peripherals. The right bezel of the 16-inch monitor showcases Dell's EdgeTouch quick-access controls, and the trackpad is multitouch. It runs on an Intel Core 2 Duo processor starting at 1.4Ghz, and can fit one or two solid-state hard drives up to 256GB. You can also opt for integrated mobile broadband to pick up WiMax or 3G data networks.
The Z is also the showcase model for Dell's new Latitude On feature, a sort of mini-quick boot for travelers. A dedicated button alongside the power switch launches quickly into a separate OS environment, which only allows access to e-mail, document editing, Web browsing, calendar, and contacts. The browser is Firefox-based, and the e-mail client is cleverly skinned to look like Outlook. Booting in Latitude On nearly quadruples the notebook's battery life.
In other superlatives, the Latitude Z also snags the title of "thinnest 16-inch laptop," measuring about 0.8 inch at its thickest point when closed.
Features like Latitude On are available as options on more mid-range machines, but it's unclear when inductive charging will trickle down to Dell's more mainstream lineup. Right now, Dell reps only admit it as a possibility; we'll just have to see how many people adopt it in this quasi trail run.
Dell Latitude Z Charging Stand:
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Its great to see Dell starting to put some of the latest technology into its products even before there is mass public awareness or acceptance.
Wait, so how does it charge your laptop? It looks like you set the laptop on the funky plastic stand and a current charges it through the bottom. But where does the stand get the electricity? Do you plug it in, or charge it? If so why not just plug in or charge your laptop, save yourself $400.
If someone could explain this I'm very curious.
To Marcopolo1613,
Google Nikola Tesla and wireless electricity.
This technology is over 100 years old. And the concept that Tesla had was to produce free wireless energy for the entire world. The implications for this technology is simply mind boggling.
In 1904 after successful results from the Wardenclyffe Tower that Tesla had created J.P. Morgan canceled his funding for the project because OIL was profitable to Morgan.
Its all about money.
Have a nice day.
nicely stated brandon, nicely stated
The big deal is that you can just place your computer on a pad and not plug it in. Yes, the electricity comes from the wall -- or your favorite solar cell. Some people find this fascinating. But, it's inductive charging -- the same tech as is used in high end electric toothbrushes.
As for Tesla -- sorry Charlie. The Tesla coil is truly fascinating, but ultimately not at all practical. It can generate huge arcs and light fluorescent lights. However, it generates huge fields, and the power transmission is not efficient.
As for free electricity -- who was going to pay for powering the Tesla coils? Don't get me wrong, Tesla was a genius, and his contributions are tremendous. However, wide range PRACTICAL power transmission was not one of his legacies.
"As for free electricity -- who was going to pay for powering the Tesla coils?"
I will pay for them using my lap on the bank servers all powered of course by the Tesla coils. Actually they will pay themselves somehow.
there is actually a system (popsci probably going to review it) called powermat. you put a battery cover or case (which is actually a small coil) on the devise and put it on the mat and it charges. coming to stores oct. 4
why cant they just be able to create a high powered solar panel and just install it on the top of the laptop?
answer please
Just a thought... but instead of having the power COME from the wall just make the whole house a charger? if it shuts off when no devises are recognized why not? you could just walk into your house and place your cell-phone on the table and BAM charging. Awesome? i think so...
whats the point of this? is it just a intro model to get interest? i don't see the point of it
Nicely said ford2, nicely said:
09/30/09 at 12:16 am
The big deal is that you can just place your computer on a pad and not plug it in. Yes, the electricity comes from the wall -- or your favorite solar cell. Some people find this fascinating. But, it's inductive charging -- the same tech as is used in high end electric toothbrushes.
As for Tesla -- sorry Charlie. The Tesla coil is truly fascinating, but ultimately not at all practical. It can generate huge arcs and light fluorescent lights. However, it generates huge fields, and the power transmission is not efficient.
As for free electricity -- who was going to pay for powering the Tesla coils? Don't get me wrong, Tesla was a genius, and his contributions are tremendous. However, wide range PRACTICAL power transmission was not one of his legacies.
to jester:
The "house being the charger" idea seems like it would have a lot of law suits from people falling victim to spontaneous combustion, or being electrocuted to death.
Yay for house sized fields of ungrounded wireless energy.
with this technology, new electric cars can pull up to and park at a coffee shop and the electric car can be charged while it is sitting in the parking lot, wirelessly. No plugs, no wires. Nothing to tamper with or break. coils sitting behind unbreakable glass in the building can charge 2 or three cars that come within 10 or twelve feet of the wall, wirelessly. No fuss no muss. A Computer controls the charging and it can be a free service of the coffe shop or charged with the coffee.
automatic computer garages in the city recharge the electric car while itis in the computer controlled automatic garages, these are very common in china. Someone drives the car home, drives into the garage and the car is wirelessly and automatically charging. No fuss no muss no thought.