April 21 - 2:25pm EDT   Dell will keep using Windows XP until as late as 2012, a company representative has reportedly told users. Although Microsoft has said it would discontinue the option for XP this year in all but very low-cost notebooks, the claimed Dell message says the PC creator will continue offering XP Professional until 2012 on all its higher-end business offerings, including the Latitude, Optiplex, and Precision lineups. [full story]

March 22 - 10:40am EDT   Dell will lead off the introduction of its completely overhauled Latitude E-series with mainstream models that promise both a better image and new wireless features, according to details reported today by Engadget. Besides the visual redesign, the 14-inch E6400 and 15.4-inch E6500 will be the first Latitudes in their class to bring LED-backlit displays that offer better color and light; both receive the option with a 1440x900 panel, while the larger E6500 will also have the option of a 1920x1200 screen. The systems will have the option of 256MB dedicated NVIDIA graphics (likely Quadro chipsets) to drive their sharper displays. [full story]

March 21 - 11:55am EDT   Dell's Latitude E4000 series will more explicitly target the same very thin, advanced technology field covered by Apple's MacBook Air and Lenovo's ThinkPad X300, according to leaks continued today by Engadget. While both the E4200 and E4300 will offer thinner LED-backlit, 12-inch displays, the E4200 will be far thinner than earlier Latitudes and will measure between 0.6 and 0.8 inches thick and will optimally weigh just 2.2 versus the 3 of its challengers. This will in part come from its storage: the E4200 will require either a 32GB or 64GB solid-state drive instead of a conventional hard disk. [full story]

March 20 - 11:10am EDT   Dell's Latitude E-series overhaul is now due for June and will represent a sweeping change to its lineup, according to a roadmap leak supplied by Engadget. The new-look systems will ship immediately alongside the launch of Intel's Centrino 2 and use the faster, cooler processors of the platform to slim down the design compared to existing models. Previous leaks have also pointed to a brushed-metal surface and a better hinge similar to that from the XPS line. [full story]

March 19 - 1:45pm EDT   The Latitude XT's first major revision should see a faster device and potentially the inclusion of an optical drive, says information reportedly leaked to Engadget. The convertible tablet will reportedly switch completely to Intel's Centrino 2 platform and use its newer, faster low and ultra-low voltage Core 2 Duo processors along with the faster GMA X4500 integrated video that comes with the new chipset. Refinements to technology should also allow Dell to fit an extremely thin DVD drive into the system rather than rely on a dock. [full story]

February 1 - 3:10pm EST   Dell is working on a complete replacement for its Latitude professional notebooks that will compete in design with Apple and Sony models while catering to a business audience, if a leak through Engadget proves accurate. The platform, known so far as the Latitude E-series, would switch out the simple look of the existing D-series models with brushed metal and a one-piece hinge design; 14- and 15.4-inch models should be thinner than past versions thanks to LED backlighting. Smaller 12- and 13.3-inch systems will also exist; neither has been confirmed as using LEDs, but one report has indicated Dell ordering 12-inch LED panels for a future system. [full story]

December 18 - 1:20pm EST   Dell today began taking orders for its long-delayed Latitude XT convertible tablet PC, putting the system within closer reach. The Texas PC builder distinguishes the system with a more advanced capacitive touchscreen that is both more precise than most such displays while also offering a comparatively bright, thin LED-backlit screen with the standard model. In a departure from most of the company's lineup, however, Windows XP Tablet Edition is installed by default; using Microsoft's newer but more demanding Vista Business is free but remains an option. [full story]

December 11 - 8:15am EST   Dell today officially confirmed many of the details of its Latitude XT tablet. The Texas PC maker hopes to distinguish its first ever touchscreen PC by making it one of the lightest available: at 3.57 pounds, the system will be relatively easy to carry, Dell hopes. The new convertible Latitude will also have the choice of either a thin, LED-backlit screen or an outdoor-focused screen that remains more visible in daylight. Weight and speed can also be improved through storage; while up to a 120GB traditional hard disk is available, up to a 64GB solid-state drive should improve boot times and reduce weight. [full story]