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Dell embraces wide-screen displays

Steve Conaway Labs Manager / Senior Technical Project Manager
I am the Labs Manager for CNET's Home Division based in Louisville, KY. My interest in technology began in the early '90s, and soon after I began my double major in computer science and computer engineering. I've worked in many areas, including computer hardware, software, technology, networking, graphic design, instruction, construction, music and even ballroom dancing! 65% Ron Swanson, 25% Ben Wyatt, 10% Andy Dwyer.
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Steve Conaway
2 min read

Dell said this week that it will ship wide-screen displays in its Latitude D620 and D820 laptops.

The D620 has a 14.1-inch wide-screen display while the D820 offers a 15.4-inch wide-screen display.

Laptops with wide-screens can increase worker productivity by improving the viewing of spreadsheets, monitoring-software and office programs. One practical business application, for example, is that the new wide-screen D620 and D820 laptops will make sales presentations more appealing.

Dell Latitude D620
Dell Latitude D620

Of course, nobody is going to buy the laptop for productivity. The laptop is going to be sold for watching movies on business trips and for gaming at home.

An article this week by CNET News.com reporter Tom Krazit reinforces my claim that everyone just wants something nice to use for viewing flicks. In Krazit's article, industry analyst Roger Kay said he believes that business users will appreciate the larger screen for viewing larger portions of spreadsheets at one time and also for watching movies.

The dual-processor core and 512MB Nvidia Quadro NVS 120M TurboCache video card in the D820 mean that these systems are not designed just for great movie graphics, but also for decent gaming. The laptop doesn't have the guts offered in the new Dell Alien gaming systems, but it makes a really nice compromise, especially considering that it will likely have to be justified as a work purchase. Did I mention how incredibly efficient it will make you at work (wink, nod)?

The laptops also feature mobile broadband that can connect to the Cingular Wireless or Verizon Wireless networks in the U.S. or to Vodafone's network in Europe. According to Cingular, its BroadbandConnect service using UMTS/HSDPA technology provides average download speeds of 400kbps to 700kbps, while its EDGE network provides average download speeds of up to 135kbps. BroadbandConnect is available today in 16 U.S. markets. Cingular expects BroadbandConnect to be available in most major U.S. markets by the end of this year.

The cost of the D820 and D620 laptops is around $1,230 but will vary by configuration. Unlimited BroadbandConnect service costs $59 per month.