Dell Latitude XT Tablet PCs launched

After it had announced a few months ago that that it would enter the tablet PC market, Dell's Latitude XT tablets are here. Reports said that Dell would begin taking orders for the Latitude XT, a convertible 12.1-inch notebook with a touch screen, in end-December 2007 or early January 2008. The new product comes with a special version of Windows XP. Dell's tablets run either Windows Vista Business Edition, Windows Vista Ultimate Edition or Windows XP Tablet Edition 2005.

A report said that Dell would introduce two versions of the Latitude XT first. An under 4 pounds lightweight version with an LED-backlit LCD screen, and a slightly heftier version that uses a CCFL LCD screen optimized for use outdoors would be available at stores soon. According to Dell, the Latitude XT is still one of the most lightweight tablets to incorporate capacitative technology, which means it detects and responds to variations in pressure.

Dell Latitude XT tablets' features include multi-touch technology. However, the tablets do not ship with applications that use the technology; Dell expects third-party software developers to produce such applications soon. The Latitude XT is said to have deployed ATI Radeon X1250 UMA integrated graphics.

Customers would be able to enjoy a range of configuration options including single-core or dual core ultra-low voltage Intel processors, several types of hard drives, and a handful of wireless options. Prices are expected to start at an expensive $2499, but given that good touch screen digitizer technology never are cheap, it is value for money.