Dell Studio 14z: $649 14-Inch Ultraportable

Dell have announced a budget ultraportable notebook, the Studio 14z series, with prices starting from $649.  Based around a range of Intel Core 2 Duo processors, the Studio 14z has a 14-inch 16:9 HD display, NVIDIA 9400m graphics and up to 5GB of RAM.

Two screen resolutions are available, the entry-level 1366 x 768 or the denser 1600 x 900, and hard-drives up to 500GB can be specified.  Minimum RAM across the range is 3GB of DDR3, and all models have at least WiFi b/g and a 6-cell battery.  Ports include HDMI, DisplayPort and eSATA, together with a 32mm ExpressCard slot, and Bluetooth and WWAN are options.

To keep things slim there's no integrated optical drive, meaning the 14z measures between 0.79 and 1.2 inches thick.  A 1.3-megapixel webcam and dual digital microphones are standard, together with facial-recognition security software.  The Dell Studio 14z is available now.

Press Release:

New Dell Studio 14z Laptop Perfect Powerhouse for Online Generation

Thin, Cool Design for Those Who Download Media from Online Powerful, Mobile Entertainment System Combines HD Resolution Screen with Great Audio and 500GB1 Hard Drive Option

ROUND ROCK, Texas –(Business Wire)– May 28, 2009 For the generation that has grown up with the Internet and can find just about anything online, the new Dell Studio 14z laptop makes it easy to carry their digital world with them. Designed for students and others on the go who demand the perfect balance of mobility and performance, the Studio 14z is a homework-busting system by day and an entertainment powerhouse by night.

It features a svelte design and a huge 500GB1 hard drive option that can store up to 125,000 songs, 142,000 photos or 133 DVD quality movies2. The Studio 14z allows people to watch their favorite movies and TV shows, listen to streaming music with friends, store a vast MP3 collection and socially network from just about anywhere3.

The Studio 14z is the industry's first consumer laptop available with FailSafe™ theft prevention. This option helps protect personal data should the laptop go missing or be stolen. With FailSafe engaged, owners can track network information and the ISP location of the laptop when it connects to the Internet, and get help to remotely erase selected files and render the laptop unusable until the rightful owner unlocks it.

"Young people have grown up with the Internet and can find almost everything they need online." said Michael Tatelman, vice president of Dell's global consumer sales and marketing. "They want a slim, easy-to-carry laptop and like the choice of a larger hard drive over an optical drive. The Studio 14z has the storage and speed that most people need, and it comes with color options that let them truly express who they are."

The Studio 14z comes in six colors: Black Chain Link, Midnight Blue, Spring Green, Plum Purple, Ruby Red and Promise Pink (U.S. only). Dell will donate $5 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® from the purchase of each Promise Pink laptop.

The new laptop also comes with Dell Remote Access4; the optional premium version allows people to access content via their home network of personal computing devices including desktops, laptops, ultra-mobile devices, smart phones and web cameras.

Priced from $649 U.S., the Studio 14z is available now online and over the phone in the U.S. and Canada.

The News:

New Dell Studio 14z laptop sports a stylish, thin (0.79–1.2-inches) design for students and digital downloaders who want a combination of power and exceptional mobility

Energy-efficient, mercury-free, 14-inch 16:9 LED display with HD resolution (720p/ 900p)

Intel® Pentium® Dual Core, and Intel Core™ 2 Duo standard voltage processors up to T9550 (2.66GHz, 1066Mhz FSB, 6MB Cache)

Integrated NVIDIA® GeForce® 9400M graphics5

Digital Video/Audio via HDMI and DisplayPort

Standard 1.3MP webcam with dual digital array mics

Starting weight of 4.3 pounds6

Standard FastAccess™ Facial Recognition Software to help prevent unauthorized access to your computer

Optional Phoenix FailSafe™ Theft Protection to help protect laptop and data in event of theft

Advanced touchpad control to help improve productivity

4W, SRS®, 2.0 Audio w/ discrete tweeters and dual headphone jacks

Up to 500GB1 HDD capacity

Optional 8:1 Media Card Reader via 34mm Express Card slot

Six-cell battery standard, optional slim design 8-cell battery for up to 6:46 hours of battery life with WLED display option7

Standard Wi-Fi, optional Bluetooth® and mobile broadband to connect anywhere3

eSATA connectivity for high speed data transfer rate (up to 6X USB 2.0)

PowerShare – Charge your USB-connected cell phone and other mobile devices via the USB 2.0/eSATA combo port even when you're unplugged from a power outlet

Optional external optical drive options (DVD+/-RW, Blu-ray Disc™ read-only and read-write drives)