What can give you ultra portability in computers else than the tiny cute netbooks? Indeed, these mini computers are easy to hold and travel with, and are less expensive than the stylish ones with glossy wide screens. Dell has come up with such a tiny portable computer that has been manufactured aiming specifically at the school students. It doesn’t imply that no one else can get it. It is called Dell Latitude 2100.

Specs:

• Dimensions: 200mm x 265mm x 58mm
• Weight: 1.6kg (with 6-cell battery)
• Display: 10.1″ WSVGA (1024 x 576) LED Display with Touchscreen
• Processor: Intel® Atom N270 (1.60 GHz, 512KB L2 Cache, 533MHz FSB)
• OS: Genuine Windows Vista®  Home Basic SP1, Genuine Windows®  XP Home SP3 available via downgrade rights, Ubuntu Linux version 8.10
• Chipset: Intel 945 GS Express Chipset
• Installed memory (RAM): 1.5GB
• Maximum memory (RAM): 2 GB
• HDD: Solid State Drives up to 16GB, 5400rpm Hard Drives up to 250GB
• Graphics: Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950
• Input devices: Touchpad, Buttons, Keyboard
• Connectivity: Ethernet, Wireless LAN, Bluetooth
• Security options: Dual Kensington Lock Slots
• External media: Optional 8X DVD±RW/±R External USB 2.0 Rewritable Drive
• Collaboration: 2 speakers, digital microphone, optional VGA camera
• Expandability: 3-in-1 card reader
• Ports: USB 2.0 (x3), VGA, headphone/speaker out, mic
• Color choices
• Price: $753.00 (subject to variation according to time and location)

Features:

Let us talk about the design. It weighs a little more than an ordinary netbook. This extra weight is due to the stiffened plastic (polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or PC ABS) and rubberized panels (which use a material called elastomer) that have been used in this laptop. This has been done in order to make it safe for kids’ handling, as the netbook has especially been designed for school kids. It is available in a number of beautiful and bright colors that will definitely draw kids’ attention.

This is the first ever netbook that offers Touchscreen. This is an optional feature though. Screen is LED backlit and is quite bright with 10.1” size. Native resolution is pretty low with 1024×576, plus the vertical viewing angles are narrow. From a classroom perspective, this is an ideal size that does not covers much space neither is it too small for a kid.

To ensure that the kids are giving full attention to their lecture, dell has introduced a smart attribute. If a kid tries to go online during a lecture, the teacher will immediately know. How? There is a strip light in the top center of the netbook lid, which is in fact an indicator, that the kid has begun a network activity. But there is another critical issue; there isn’t an indicator to show that the kid is entering prohibited areas of internet where a kid MUST not enter. According to parents, such an indicator is needed to keep a check on the kids’ online activities. Dell is planning to make a whole system of indicating lights to show what the kid is doing; perhaps this advancement will solidify later.

For kids’ safety and hygiene, the keyboard is antimicrobial, so the fear of transferring germs ends. Screen is easy to clean, as kids will make a mess with their fingers and hands on it.

Other features are of a typical netbook including Intel Atom processor, 1.5 GB memory, webcam, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and much more.

Product’s Unique Selling Point:

• Competitive price
• Touchscreen
• Rubberized and rugged chassis
• Long battery
• Comfortable keyboard
• Antimicrobial keyboard

Limitations:

• 802.11n wireless networking is not standard
• Touchscreen not sensitive at extreme edges
• No on-screen volume indicator

Final Words:

In short, this is a nice netbook that has been especially created for kids to use in school. We hope that the features that are missing (like indication when child go beyond limits) will soon be included.

Source: PCWorld

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