Dell Unveils New Chromebooks and Latitude Laptops, Including Convertibles With Stylus Support

 

Google and Microsoft on Tuesday announced renewed focus on the education segment, and also unveiled new low-cost Chromebooks and Windows laptops for the classroom. To that end, Dell has launched Chromebook and Latitude laptops, including the new convertible form factor that Google was touting. These are the Dell Chromebook 11, Chromebook 11 Convertible, and Chromebook 13, apart from the Windows-based Latitude 11, Latitude 11 Convertible, and Latitude 13.

All the newly-launched laptops from Dell will be made available for purchase from February 7 in the US from company's official website. While the Latitude 11 Convertible will be priced starting at $579 (roughly Rs. 39,400), the Chromebook 11 Convertible will start at $349 (roughly Rs. 23,750).

The Latitude 11 has been priced starting at $349 (roughly Rs. 23,750) and the Chromebook 11 will start at $219 (roughly Rs. 14,900). The Latitude 13 will be starting at $519 (roughly Rs. 35,300) while Dell Chr

omebook 13 (3380) will start at $299 (roughly Rs. 20,300).

Each of the devices launched by Dell are fully compatible to work with either Windows or Chrome operating systems, the company said in its release.

Starting with the Dell Chromebook 11 Convertible and Latitude 11 Convertible, both laptops feature support for Dell's Productivity Active Pen. The convertible laptops feature similar design elements with rubberised shock protection for falls and sealed keyboards to handle spills.

Microsoft Announces Intune for Education, New Windows 10 PCs for School Starting at $189

 

Microsoft at the Bett 2017 education technology conference in London has announced new budget Windows 10 laptops starting at $189. The Redmond giant, in addition to PCs, has also announced its new cloud-based service dubbed Microsoft Intune for Education. The company made announcements alongside Google, which declared its focus on classroom-centric Chromebooks.

The company claims that the new Windows 10 PCs offer "power, performance and security" schools need at the same price as Chromebooks. In partnership with OEMs, Microsoft has unveiled Windows 10 PCs from Acer, HP, and Lenovo. Microsoft's Intune for Education is claimed to be engineered to integrate with Windows 10 and other cloud services including Office 365 Education. Intune for Education will be available in preview in the coming weeks and will be available this spring at $30 per device, and via volume licensing.

The new Windows 10 laptops include Acer's TravelMate Spin B118 Convertible Notebook which features an 11.6-inch convertible notebook with a 360-degree hinge. It will be available at a starting price of $299 (roughly Rs. 20,500). The laptop supports four usage modes and runs on Windows 10 Pro with a stylus to support Windows Ink. Acer claims a battery life of up to 13 hours.

 

ViewSonic Corp, a global provider of visual solution products, introduces its new line of laser phosphor-based projectors for a bright and immersive experience for home entertainment, education, and business applications. The LS820 and LS830 of LS Series projectors feature 0.24 ultra-short throw lenses, up to 20,000 hours of operation, 100,000:1 contrast ratio, 3D-ready capabilities, and PortAll – a hidden MHL/HDMI port that lets you discreetly stream multimedia content from a mobile device to the projector via a wireless dongle.

 

Ideal for business and education environments where high ambient light can be an issue, the ViewSonic LS830 ultra-short throw projectors feature high brightness levels at 4500 lumens. With the company’s proprietary SuperColor and SonicExpert technologies, these projectors deliver advanced color and enhanced sound reproduction. The LS820 is a native WXGA-based projector, and the LS830 boasts native Full HD 1080p resolution. Both projectors are engineered with flexible connectors including dual 3D Blu-Ray ready HDMI inputs, HDMI/MHL, Component, S-Video, RGB, VGA, RS232 and RJ45. Featuring a smart and intuitive design, both laser projectors are network capable for easy installation across multiple rooms or locations.

With the LS820, ViewSonic delivers a Full HD 1080p, ultra-short throw projector for stunning home entertainment. The LS820 features an RGBRGB color wheel with Rec. 709 calibration for accurate color rendering. The LS820 features 3500 lumens of brightness; along with SuperColor color reproduction and SonicExpert sound enhancement technologies that bring home entertainment to life. It also comes with a number of connectors including dual 3D Blu-Ray ready HDMI inputs, Component, S-Video, RGB, VGA, RS232, and RJ45. Unlike traditional projector speakers, laser series’s high-volume chamber with ViewSonic’s proprietary SonicExpert is powered by Waves MaxxAudio to deliver the absolute best-in-class sound for a premium audio experience.

Paired with ViewSonic’s specially engineered projector screen BrilliantColorPanel, enjoy unmatched front-of-screen experience, even in high-ambient lighting environments.  The BrilliantColorPanel strategically absorbs the ambient light that can diminish detail and wash out images.

Price, Availability & Warranty:

ViewSonic LS820 comes with the MRP of Rs. 375,000/- and the product is available from now with ViewSonic India and its Regional Distributors carrying the warranty of 3 year.

 

ViewSonic LS830 comes with the MRP of Rs. 399,000/- and the product is available from now with ViewSonic India and its Regional Distributors carrying the warranty of 3 year.

 

Logitech SmartDock Simplifies the Skype for Business Meeting Room Experience

Logitech announces Logitech SmartDock, an AV meeting room solution designed in collaboration with Microsoft. Logitech SmartDock works with Skype for Business and qualified devices, including Logitech ConferenceCams, to provide a seamless, user-friendly touch-screen console to launch and manage video calls in any meeting space – from the huddle room to the large conference room.
With Logitech SmartDock, people can start meetings on time with one-touch join, then instantly project to the display in the room and share to remote participants via their Skype for Business clients on a smartphone or laptop. The Skype Room System also includes the ability to place or join an audio-only call. Now with the new Skype for Business meeting experience, users can leave their laptops behind, walk into a SmartDock-equipped conference room, and work together as if they were in the same room.
“Logitech is very proud to partner with Skype for Business to deliver high-quality, easy-to-use devices. The new product, The Logitech SmartDock solution provides a premiere audio and video conferencing experience,” said Ashok Jangra, Logitech, Cluster Category Head – India & SWA. “The launch of Logitech SmartDock is aimed at popularizing Video calling for offices in India. The Logitech SmartDock, Skype for Business enables all users to connect and start video calls with one touch. The all new solution also offers a Skype Room System-certified solution that creates a seamless video conferencing experience. Now sharing content in a meeting, and streamline the overall collaboration experience becomes easy for all.”
“Enterprises and individuals are today using Skype for Business for all of their daily communications needs, from phone calls to rich video meetings. As a key part of Office 365, Skype for Business enhances collaboration across office and business boundaries,” said Zig Serafin, corporate vice president of Skype for Business at Microsoft. “We are excited to see Logitech provide the first next-generation Skype Room Systems solution that brings our customers a low-cost, high-quality, consistent Skype for Business experience to every meeting space.”

HP Z2 Mini, 'World's First Mini Workstation', Launched in India

  

HP on Monday announced it is making the world's first mini workstation - the Z2 Mini - available in India. The small form factor PC is designed for users in Computer Aided Design (CAD) and other compute-intensive industries.

The HP Z2 Mini workstation will be available in India from January 25 starting Rs. 72,000.

At only 2.3-inch high, Z2 Mini is 90 percent smaller than a traditional business-class tower PC and has the ability to support six displays, the company said in a statement. It adds that the workstation is twice as powerful compared to any other commercial mini PC in the market today.

"Designed for the workspace of the future, HP Z2 Mini Workstation is remarkably versatile and it showcases next level power by offering twice the power of a business-class mini PC, a key for designers," said Ketan Patel, Senior Director, Personal Systems Business, HP Inc. India.

The workstation running Windows 10 Pro or Linux comes equipped with next-generation Intel Xeon processors, Nvidia professional graphics, and HP Z Turbo Drive for handling large files fast.

"The HP Z2 Mini, the world's first mini workstation, delivers breakthrough power and versatility in a small, iconic design," said Jeff Wood, vice president and general manager, Workstations and Thin Clients, HP Inc. "HP redefined the workstation in 2009 with the introduction of the HP Z series, and now once again is disrupting the category with the new HP Z2 Mini Workstation - the ultimate combination of space efficiency, elegance and power for our customers and partners."

MSI Showcases Its New Range of 7th Generation 4K Laptops

 

MSI rolls out its latest 7th generation Intel based laptops in India as well as a whole series based on these newest CPUs. These new Kabylake CPUs feature a significant boost to Core speed, Multimedia Playback, and 4K video capability. MSI is able to include all the benefits of the new i7 CPUs and the GTX 10 series GPUs in their most powerful and efficient laptops ever.

MSI GT83VR 7RE Titan SLI is the first VR-optimized laptop with an IPS level screen powered by Kabylake i7-7820HK+CM238 GPU and dual GTX 1080 8GB GDDR5X GPU. The GT83VR 7RE Titan delivers unprecedented performance, power efficiency, and next-generation gaming experiences. Running Windows 10 on Super Raid 4-512 GB NVMe SSD and 1TB 7200rpm HDD, the programs and in-game maps load instantly. The only laptop to have Cherry MX Speed Sliver RGB Switches and ergonomic keys onboard to provide the best responsive and tactile feedback with a 1.2mm mechanical actuation, light 45g key switches and the durability of Gold contacts. Capable of shining in the dark with multi-color RGB backlighting the pursuit of the perfection is an art masterpiece in itself.

MSI presents a gaming notebook with 4K LCD built-in display. Thanks to the resolution up to 3840 x 2160 pixels, both gaming and video on the GT73VR 7RE Titan Pro UHD 4K display is spectacular, as users are able to see superbly detailed images, outstanding color contrast and 100% Adobe RGB color performance. Running Windows 10 on Super Raid 4-512 GB NVMe SSD and 1TB 7200rpm HDD, the programs and in-game maps load instantly. Now with the Core i7-7820HK that allows overclocking, the GT73VR 7RE Titan Pro UHD 4K has the power not just to game in 4K, but to edit and show 4K video as well.

 

 

AXILSPOT Brings its ‘In-wall AP and Wireless Bridge’ Series in India

 

XILSPOT, the industry in enterprise WLAN solutions has rolled out its state of the art Dorado In-wall access points in India to help business surge their operational processes leveraging uninterrupted, consistent high speed internet connectivity.

The launched In-wall access points include:

ASW3 300M MultiService In-wall Access Point, offering multi interfaces support cable access, PoE output, VoIP, telephone and USB charge; Compliant with 86mm or 75mm electrical outlet box; Standard 802.3af PoE power supply; Auto RF adjustment reduces wireless interferences and centralized management via Mobula Controller Platforms, supports upto 30 concurrent users.

ASW120 1200M Multiservice In-wall Access point, offering multi interfaces support cable access, PoE output, VoIP, telephone and USB charge; compliant with 86mm or 75mm electrical outlet box; dual band 5GHz/2.4GHz Concurrent, Standard 802.3af PoE; Band steering generates purified wireless and extended load capacity; Auto RF adjustment reduces wireless interferences and centralized management via Mobula Controller Platforms, supports upto 100+ concurrent users.

The access points will help booming industry verticals in the country like hospitality further augment its growth as multiple guests can now enjoy high speed, consistent internet connectivity enhancing their travel experience. The solutions will also help the hospitality sector connect with the ambitious “Digital India” initiative which aims to offer high speed connectivity to every citizen of the country.

Asus R558UQ Laptop With Intel Kaby Lake Processors Launched

 

Asus updated its notebook lineup on Tuesday with the launch of its R558UQ notebook in India. The R558UQ is an upgraded version of the R558 that was launched in June 2016. The new R558UQ boasts of performance upgrade and will be offered in two models, Core i7 and Core i5, which are priced at Rs. 59,990 and Rs. 48,990, respectively.

Much like the R558, the two new R558UQ models feature USB Type-C ports and Nvidia GeForce 940MX (N16S-GTR) dedicated graphics with 2GB of DDR3 video RAM. The notebook sports a VGA webcam, a 1TB 5400RPM HDD, and SD card reader support. The laptop also comes with one port each of USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and USB 3.1 Type-C.

"The demand for the mainstream notebooks has been steadily increasing over the years and hence this segment will be one of our key focus areas this year," said Peter Chang, Regional Head, South Asia and Country Manager, System Business Group, Asus India.

The Asus R558UQ sports a 15.6-inch full HD (1920x1080 pixels) LED-backlit display at 200 nits. As earlier mentioned, the notebook will be offered in two models - one powered by a 2.7GHz Intel Core i7-7500U processor and the other powered by 2.5GHz Intel Core i5-7200U processor, while both feature Intel HD Graphics 620 integrated graphics. While the former will features 8GB of DDR4 RAM, the latter will have 4GB of DDR4 RAM.

 

Nokia 6 Android Phone Launched

 

Some may say it's five years too late, but the first Nokia-branded Android phone - if you discount the ill-fated Nokia X series - has finally been launched. The rather unimaginatively named Nokia 6 has been introduced by HMD Global, the new custodians of the Nokia brand

Without any fanfare, HMD Global announced the launch of Nokia 6 via a release on its website, well ahead of the rumoured MWC debut. The Nokia 6 runs Android 7.0 Nougat and it sports a 5.5-inch full-HD display wrapped in 2.5D Gorilla Glass. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 SoC alongside 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. The Nokia 6 is a dual SIM smartphone that is backed by a 3000mAh non-removable battery.

The unibody Nokia 6 is built using 6000 series aluminium and its home button has an embedded fingerprint scanner. It packs a f/2.0 16-megapixel rear camera with phase detection auto focus and dual-tone flash, as well as an 8-megapixel f/2.0 front camera for selfies. The smartphone also includes Dolby Atmos tech and ‘dual amplifiers' for louder sound.

Razer Unveils Project Valerie Laptop With Three 4K Displays, Project Ariana Projection System at CES 2017

 

At the ongoing CES 2017 trade show, Razer is showcasing its highly distinctive concept laptop Project Valerie, which features three 17.3-inch 4K IGZO displays powered by Nvidia's G-Sync technology for wide viewing-angles as well as smooth frame rates. The company also went on to show its projection system Project Ariana designed for "total immersion gaming."

If the fact that Razer's concept laptop features three 17.3-inch high resolution displays doesn't baffle you, the company has even claimed that it offers 100 percent Adobe RGB color accuracy. The company says that it offers "the greatest amount of screen real estate ever assembled in a single computer." The concept laptop houses GTX 1080 GPU, just like its Razer Blade Pro laptop.

The laptop features unibody CNC aluminum chassis, measures 1.5-inches thick and weighs less than 5.4kg. "Each display mechanically slides out of the side of the main screen and adjusts into place, making it easy for users to deploy. With integrated multi-monitor support, users will no longer have to deal with the cable clutter from traditional desktop setups. The result is a clean gaming and working environment that's just as easy to maintain," the company said in a release describing the Project Valerie portable multi-monitor system.

Dell Launches New XPS 15, Rose Gold XPS 13, and XPS 27 AIO at CES 2017

As for the new Dell XPS 15 (seen above), it has been priced starting $999.99 (roughly Rs. 70,000) and will go on sale from Thursday. Also going on sale on Thursday is the Dell XPS 27 AIO, priced at $1,499.99 (roughly Rs. 1,02,200). The Rose Gold variant of the Dell XPS 13 on the other hand is available now in the US at a starting price of $799.99 (roughly Rs. 55,000).

Highlights

• All three new XPS models will be available in the US from Thursday

• The XPS 27 AIO sports a 4K UltraSharp 4K UHD display

• Dell has refreshed the XPS 13 range with Kaby Lake processors

At CES 2017, Dell launched the new XPS 15 laptop, a Rose Gold variant of the XPS 13, and the XPS 27 AIO. The company also refreshed the current Dell XPS 13 range with seventh generation Intel Core processors.

As for the new Dell XPS 15 (seen above), it has been priced starting $999.99 (roughly Rs. 70,000) and will go on sale from Thursday. Also going on sale on Thursday is the Dell XPS 27 AIO, priced at $1,499.99 (roughly Rs. 1,02,200). The Rose Gold variant of the Dell XPS 13 on the other hand is available now in the US at a starting price of $799.99 (roughly Rs. 55,000).

(Also see: Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 Launched Alongside Dell 27 Utrathin Monitor Ahead of CES 2017)

The new Dell XPS 15 comes with a choice of 15.6-inch full-HD (1920x1080 pixels) InfinityEdge or UltraSharp Ultra HD (3840x2160 pixels) InfinityEdge touch displays. The Windows 10 laptop is powered by a choice of seventh generation Intel Core i3-7100H processor (up to 3GHz), Core i5-7300HQ (up to 3.5GHz), or Core i7-7700HQ (up to 3.8GHz). The laptop comes with 8GB of 2133MHz DDR4 RAM, going up to 16GB and 32GB configurations. Apart from Intel HD Graphics 630, users can also opt for Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 dedicated GPU with 4GB of GDDR5 video RAM.

As for storage, the new Dell XPS 15's base model comes with a 500GB HDD+32GB Flash, or a 1TB HDD+32GB Flash with Intel SRT, or, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB PCIe SSDs. Ports on board include HDMI, 2xUSB 3.0, headset jack, SD card reader, and Thunderbolt 3. Other connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth v4.1. It is powered by a choice of 56Whr or 97Whr batterie 

HP Unveils 15.6-Inch Spectre x360, Refreshed EliteBook x360, and More Ahead of CES 2017

 

HP on Tuesday at CES 2017 unveiled the refreshed EliteBook x360, a 15.6-inch Spectre x360, alongside the new Envy Curved AIO 34, the new Sprout Pro by HP, and Omen X 35 Curved Display.

The EliteBook x360 will be available by the end of January, but no price has been revealed. The HP Spectre x360 will go up for pre-orders on Tuesday itself, and become available to purchase from late-January starting $1,499 from Best Buy stores, and from February 26 from HP.com starting $1,279.99.

The HP Envy Curved All-In-One 34 will become available from HP.com on January 11 starting $1,729.99. The Sprout Pro by HP's pricing and availability for commercial consumers will be announced in March 2017. The Omen X 35 Display on the other hand will go on sale from March starting $1,299.99.

Starting with the HP EliteBook x360 (seen above and below), the company is calling it the "world's thinnest business convertible", and adds that it features the "world's longest battery life in a convertible with up to 16 hours and 30 minutes."

 

Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 Variant Spotted Ahead of Launch on Company Site

 

A 2-in-1 variant of the XPS 13 laptop from Dell is likely to be announced soon by the company, as its product page has been spotted on the official website. Even though the product page doesn't mention the specifications, it does show the 2-in-1 variant in all its glory.

The product page, first spotted by Windows Insider, shows that the convertible variant of the beloved laptop series will keep the same near bezel-less Infinity Edge design of the original laptop. Even though the specifications of the convertible variant are not yet available, it is expected to feature dual-core Kaby Lake processor and similar memory and storage options as the current Dell XPS 13 laptop.

 Even though there has been no official word about the launch date of the XPS 13 2-in-1, considering that the product page is already live and CES 2017 event is just days away, Dell is likely to announce the variant right ahead of or at the event itself. The pricing of the variant has also not been disclosed by the company just as yet.

In our review of Dell XPS 13, we found that even though the laptop is "every bit as good as it looks on paper," it isn't the best ultrabook available in the market. As we found heating to be a concern with the Core i7 model that we tested in our review, we will have to see how the company tackles the issue when it comes to the convertible variant.