Dell's Convertible Inspiron Laptop is Also Genius
We're used to seeing convertible notebooks that turn into tablets, but this latest creation from Dell is like nothing we've seen before.
This is the Inspiron Duo. It's a 10-inch netbook that turns into a 10-inch tablet. However, the way the display swivels around is pretty different to what we're used to because it actually rotates inside the frame of the display's bezel.
Dell showed off the unique netbook at IDF yesterday, the slim Duo is powered by a dual core Intel Atom processor and runs Windows 7 Premium. The company revealed the netbook by introducing it as a Windows 7 tablet and gave a fairly run-of-the-mill media tablet demo by showing off music, photos and movies. However, they then shocked the audience by splitting it open to reveal that it was actually a laptop.
Dell says it's aiming to create a device that provides all the entertainment and functionality of a tablet, but doesn’t impede productivity because of the lack of a hardware keyboard.
Check out the video below (skip to 3:25 for the big reveal and lots of 'oohing' and 'aahing' from attendees) and let us know what you think! We'll keep you posted on pricing and release dates, but Dell is saying we'll see this before the end of the year.
(Video courtesy of JKKMobile via CNet UK)
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- Inspiron-Duo ,
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- IDF ,
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You know what.. that is a pretty cool idea.. good work Dell.
Wow so many new gadgets coming out that i actually want, and this is one of those.
That's gonna break fast.
That was cool. But it looks like its got a limited viewing angle.
I guess since its a tablet/laptop combo, you'll be looking at it head-on and won't be a problem.
Stupid idea and will not be durable or reliable.
wonder how much for that~
but it seems like that thing act so slow mate ~
may be it need more juice ?
That's gonna break fast.
I'd say it a lot sturdier than what is out there already. All the others rely on one hinge in the center, whereas this one at least has to hinges to spread any impact that may happen. This is the first Dell product that I think might be worth the Dell premium.
That....that's pretty cool. Kinda makes me want a "tablet" now.
"A magical and revolutionary device."
the idea HINGES on well the HINGE so its silly to think thats the piece they are going to cheap out on.
Finally something worth buying
I want one!
I like the idea, I think its a pretty thick device at the moment, but given a couple years of development I would like to see it be as thin as the current iPad, then I could definitely consider buying one of these.
novel approach, though it does look fragile.
I wonder who owns the patent for that swivel action ?
It looks like a really good idea, but could use some development and a range of machines - there is no need to fix on a 10" screen and an Atom, you could go to at least 14" and core 3 or 5 as part of a range.
The swivel screen is such a good idea - now why didn't I think of that ??
It is nice to see Dell innovating; value is fine, but it needs a little fizz, and this is it.
but.. does it play Crysis?
It's certainly a nice idea. I gotta wonder if the Atom is a little too slow for Win 7 with touch enabled. There is nothing more frustrating than an unresponsive touchscreen. Who knows though... maybe the dual core will surprise me. IMO if I was in the market for a convertible tablet I would still go with HP's TM2. With the upgrades to an i5-430um and the ATI (or I guess AMD now)mobility 5450 you could even get some gaming in on it. Not Crysis certainly but SC2 would be possible (although I'd recommend a mouse, the synaptics touch-pad sucks). Just my thoughts.
I wonder if that hinge will be better than HP's. Those tend to break after just a couple hundred twists.
Umm, looks real laggy there
how was it laggy... last time i checked even on my i7 it took a vid a sec or so to startup. And its also a netbook with Win 7 prem so im impressed
It's laggy because when he went to do stuff, it lagged. All that you're saying is that your i7 and Windows 7 is also laggy. I for one would like to NOT have any lag.
Regardless, did you see what happened when he was scrolling through the music application? It was super slow and not responsive.
First decent tablet ive seen. Great idea. Make things a little slimmer, and this would sell insanely quickly.
This is the first time I've seen dell actually be innovative.
It seemed a little sluggish with several apps. My guess is that the dual core Atom saddled with Win7 just doesn't have the horsies needed to make it a pleasant experience. However, I like the concept a lot. Either Intel needs to up the Atom's performance or Microsoft needs to kernalize and remove a lot of bloat Win7 for these types of devices.
I need something to read PDFs on but ereaders do not convince and tablets seem to expensive with a too short battery life!
This video would be better if we didn't hear some yokel typing 24/7 in the background. I wonder what the final retail price will be?
That is COOOOL!
After using my android phone for general web surfing and youtube stuff in areas where i used to use my laptop, I might be comfortable with using a tablet. In a way, all touchscreen phone users are using a mini-tablet.
The design looks good. Seems sturdy, Feel little safer than our current 1 hinge convertible design, but also it feels i want to spin the screen like a pinwheel :-)
Now if they could just do us a double pleaser of making an XPS laptop but with the convertible touchscreen, we'd all be in heaven.
makes the body larger than it has to be
A+ work dell...
*This is the first grade above C dell has gotten EVER they should celebrate by sending me that tablet*
I wonder who owns the patent for that swivel action?
More than likely Mercedes. The rear glass window on the SL twists exactly like that to fit in the trunk. I know, I've fixed enough of them.
I don't think this will sell. Why would you want to carry/hold/use a tablet that weighs as much as a notebook?
I'll just tilt my screen ba- wait what?