Intel’s roadmap for mobile chips indicate that this summer we’ll be seeing a boom in the ultraportable thin and light notebook segments. While Intel’s CULV chips aren’t officially here yet, Dell’s getting an early start by today unveiling the Studio 14z notebook.
As the name suggests, the Studio 14z features a 14-inch 16:9 screen with a standard resolution of 1366 x 768 and an option to upgrade to 1600 x 900 for $50.
Like the other Studio notebooks, the 14z features a wedge shape. At its thinnest it’s 0.79-inches and at its thickest it measures 1.2-inches. It also has a starting weight of 4.3 lbs.
The price starts at a very attractive $649, but that’s with a 2 GHz Pentium Dual Core T4200. The upgrade to a 2 GHz Core 2 Duo T6400 will be $50 well spent.
Dell also boasts that the Studio 14z is the industry's first consumer laptop available with FailSafe theft prevention: With Failsafe engaged, owners can track network information and the ISP location of the laptop when it connects to the Internet, and get help to remotely erase selected files and render the laptop unusable until the rightful owner unlocks it.
The best feature of all, however, is that it’s powered by the Nvidia GeForce 9400M.
The only thing that takes away from this otherwise pleasant mix is the lack of any integrated optical drive.
Other tidbits:
- Digital Video/Audio via HDMI and DisplayPort
- Standard 1.3MP webcam with dual digital array mics
- Standard FastAccess Facial Recognition Software to help prevent unauthorized access to your computer
- 4W, SRS, 2.0 Audio w/ discrete tweeters and dual headphone jacks
- Up to 500 GB HDD capacity
- Optional 8:1 Media Card Reader via 34mm Express Card slot
- Six-cell battery standard, optional slim design 8-cell battery for up to 6:46 hours of battery life with WLED display option
- Standard Wi-Fi, optional Bluetooth and mobile broadband to connect anywhere
- eSATA connectivity for high speed data transfer rate (up to 6X USB 2.0)
- PowerShare - Charge your USB-connected cell phone and other mobile devices via the USB 2.0/eSATA combo port even when you're unplugged from a power outlet
