Dell~
I’m typing this post from an unreleased Dell system, the Dell Latitude e4300. This system is (part of) a launch line, the “e” series. If you follow the Dell naming cconventions, the previous (and still supported) Latitude line is the D series. The E series is supposed to have more enhanced functionality and less fluff, more efficient battery life and more power with portability.
I’ll tell you this right now; the 4300 is a pretty respectable launch in the subnotebook (not compared to the smaller ultraportable line to be later launched) it’s lightweight and discrete; It’s delightfully functional but unpretentious.
For Office Outlook users, (2k3 and greater) there’s an interesting feature very similar to the “MediaDirect”, called BlackTop. For those not in the know, MediaDirect allows home users to play multimedia content (music, pictures, movies, DVDs, etc) without having to boot the full OS. Blacktop is very similar in concept in that it boots outside of windows, but it gives access to email, etc without having to boot the full OS. instead it (apparently) uses a lightweight Linux distro. Confusing, because it has to be initially configured in Windows and you have to have a Outlook 2k3 client or greater to use it.
This 4300 is pretty solid: it boasts a 2.26 GHz dual core, has 2 gigs RAM, 160GB hard drive and runs Vista with no real issues. The ControlPoint software collects all the wireless functionality into an easy to use and interact menu, controlling bluetooth, wireless, and cellular broadband within a mouseclick (or function button).
Pretty sweet, kiddos. Get one of these babies with a CompleteCare warranty and take it on the road. it’s very not bad.
Nestor