Dell Latitude E6400 XFR Rugged Laptop: Video Torture Testing
Dell have announced their latest rugged laptop, the Dell Latitude E6400 XFR, which is equipped with a Ballistic Armor Protection System featuring PR-481 that has twice the impact strength of magnesium alloy. It's also resistant to a 36-inch drop with the notebook powered on and the screen open. After the cut, if you like to see notebooks dropped, bashed and generally be treated with as little respect as you would a fifteen year old Spanish hire car, you'll love the Dell Latitude E6400 XFR test video.
Underneath all that MIL-STD 810F certified armor there's an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, QuadCool Thermal Management System and ExpressCharge batteries that apparently recharge up to twice as fast as those in the Panasonic CF-30. In fact Dell seem to have an axe to grind against Panasonic, as multiple comparisons between its rugged notebook and the E6400 are made: the Dell is supposedly 167-percent faster graphically, and up to 90-percent faster overall, than the rival CF-30.
All that comes at a price, of course, and in this case it starts at $4,299. Not so bad for the military, first-responders and homeland security clients Dell envisages, but it means the rest of us – who are maybe just a bit clumsy - should think again.
Press Release:
Dell Goes 'Ballistic' with Design for New Latitude E6400 XFR Rugged LaptopROUND ROCK, Texas –(Business Wire)– Mar 10, 2009 Dell is breaking barriers when it comes to fully rugged laptops with the introduction of the Latitude E6400 XFR. Engineered to meet the needs of even the most demanding customers in the harshest environments, the system meets a higher drop specification and offers a greater level of dust and moisture protection than any fully-rugged laptop in its class. The system is available today in the U.S., Canada, France, Spain, United Kingdom, Germany and Italy. It starts at $4,299 and more information is available at www.dell.com/xfr.
The news:
Designed for the military, first responders, oil & gas environments, manufacturing floors, field technicians and homeland security, the Latitude E6400 XFR features the Dell-exclusive Ballistic Armor Protection System featuring PR-481, which leverages a high-strength substance used for applications such as cryogenics, aircraft components, military equipment and medical devices. Features of Ballistic Armor include:
Twice the impact strength of magnesium alloy;1
25 percent higher drop specification than any computer in its class – up to four feet with system powered down and closed and up to 36-inch drop test with the unit operating and LCD open;2
High compression strength for outstanding impact protection;
Structural stability at extreme temperatures; and,
Scratch resistance providing corrosion protection.
The Latitude E6400 XFR also features PrimoSeal Technology to enhance protection from dust and liquid with compression gaskets that deliver a higher level of ingress protection, or shielding from dust and moisture, than any system in its class with an IP-65 rating.3
The fully rugged laptop is engineered and independently tested to more than 13 military standards (MIL STD 810F) for operation in challenging environments.
The fully rugged laptop shares common images and components with the Dell Latitude E6400 laptops for easy integration into existing environments and enables low ownership costs. The Latitude E6400 XFR also includes:
Intel Core 2 Duo processors and vPro™ technology for enhanced manageability and advanced security features;
QuadCool Thermal Management System allows the XFR to meet the MIL-STD 810F for temperature extremes and enables excellent performance – a fully configured Latitude E6400 XFR performs up to 90 percent faster than the Panasonic CF30;4
Up to 167 percent faster than the Panasonic CF30 in graphics-intensive applications;5
Extended field use batteries equipped with ExpressCharge enables battery re-charge up to two times faster than Panasonic CF-30;6
At 2.2 inches thick and starting at 8.5 pounds, the Latitude E6400 XFR is 15 percent thinner and up to 5 percent lighter than the previous generation XFR;7
Field-ready options include an in-vehicle docking solution, 12-cell rugged battery slice, E-family docking and legacy I/O adapter;
Large 14.1-inch wide display including DirectVue Technology – customers can work in direct sunlight on a screen that features impact resistance; and,
Optional Dell ProSupport service offerings.
Quote:
"Public-sector customers demand performance and reliability in challenging environments," said Frank Muehleman, vice president and general manager of the Dell North America Public Business Group. "That is why we developed the Latitude E6400 XFR and why we'll continue to develop tailored technologies to help our customers achieve their missions."
"Customers who use rugged laptops have unique needs beyond mainstream business notebooks. With the Latitude E6400 XFR we have listened and are delivering," said Brett McAnally, director, Dell Product Group. "We incorporated innovations on behalf of our customers to create a one-of-a-kind system that offers advanced security, more durability, and exceptional ease-of-use for an overall user experience that's simply unmatched in the industry today."
Dell will showcase the Latitude XFR E6400 at this week's Federal Office Systems Exposition (FOSE), held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., in booth 1001.
Additional Information:
Links to:
www.dell.com
www.dell.com/simplify
www.dell.com/xfr
www.direct2dell.com
Links to images
About Dell
Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services they trust and value.
Dell, Latitude, Ballistic Armor, PR481, DirectVue and PrimoSeal are trademarks of Dell, Inc. Dell disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks or names of other.
1 Based on Solvay Advanced Polymers white paper commissioned by Dell comparing the dynamic load bearing ability of PR481™ hybrid polymer vs. traditional magnesium alloy, December 2008.
2 Based on competitive analysis conducted January 2009 and 3rd party testing of Latitude E6400 XFR using MIL-STD-810F, Method 516.5, Procedure IV (Transit Drop) + Modified MIL-STD-810F, Method 516.5, Procedure IV (Operating Transit Drop). Operating and open: 36-inch, 26 Drops on each face onto 2-inch plywood over concrete, system equipped with SSD. Passed with single test unit. Non-Operating and Closed: 48-inch, 26 Drops on each face onto 2-inch plywood over concrete.
3 Based on competitive analysis conducted January 2009 and 3rd party testing of Latitude E6400 XFR using IEC 60529 test standard.
4 Based on PCMark05 benchmark testing by Dell Labs in February 2009 comparing Latitude E6400 XFR with Intel Core 2 Duo P9600 (2.66GHz), 128GB SSD, and NVIDIA Quadro NVS 160M vs. Panasonic CF-30 with Intel Core 2 Duo SL9300 (1.6GHz), 160GB 5400rpm SATA HDD, and Mobile Intel 945GM Express. Actual performance will vary based on configuration, usage and manufacturing variability.
5 Based on 3DMark06 benchmark testing by Dell Labs in February 2009 comparing fully configured Latitude E6400 XFR with Intel Core 2 Duo P9600 (2.66GHz), 128GB SSD, and NVIDIA Quadro NVS 160M vs. Panasonic CF-30 with Intel Core 2 Duo SL9300 (1.6GHz), 160GB 5400rpm SATA HDD, and Mobile Intel 945GM Express. Actual performance will vary based on configuration, usage and manufacturing variability.
6 Based on testing by Dell Labs in February 2009 comparing fully configured Latitude E6400 XFR with 6-cell battery, Intel Core 2 Duo P9600 (2.66GHz), 128GB SSD, and NVIDIA Quadro NVS 160M vs. Panasonic CF-30 with one Lithium Ion: 10.65V, 8550mAh battery, Intel Core 2 Duo SL9300 (1.6GHz), 160GB 5400rpm SATA HDD, and Mobile Intel 945GM Express. Actual performance will vary based on configuration, usage and manufacturing variability.
7 Starting weight with 6-cell battery and SSD. Weights vary depending on configuration and manufacturing variability.