The room smelt of not having been smoked in - Ronald Knox
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Dell delivers the tri-mode Inspiron Duo
TIN BOX FLOGGER Dell has introduced a flipping tablet device that switches from a touchy feely handheld tablet into a tippy typey notebook.
The confusingly named Inspiron Duo actually has three modes according to the firm, but it draws the line at explaining where the third role comes in.
Instead it tells us that the convertible tablet has a flip hinge design that lets you twist it between the two shapes, a touchscreen tablet and a notebook, and adds mysteriously that the "tri-mode functionality" is perfect for people that like productivity as well as fun.
"Dell is changing the shape of computing, with products that usher in new experiences and allow people to stay connected to each other and the content they love from almost anywhere," said Sam Burd, VP of the Dell consumer, small and medium business product group.
Presumably not briefed beforehand on the introduction of the tri-mode element into the marketing spin, Burd added, "The new Inspiron duo's dual purpose delivers one-touch access to great content and yet offers the functionality of a full keyboard for more intensive applications. We're excited to offer such an innovative and unique design to our customers."
The Inspiron Duo has an Intel Atom dual-core processor, 2GB of RAM, a 10-inch HD touchscreen display, a 1.3MP webcam, two USB 2.0 ports, 250GB 5400 RPM and 320GB 7200 RPM hard drive options and comes with Windows 7 Home Premium.
Of course, this is the year 2010 so you get a choice of fancy named colours, in this case Foggy Night, which comes as standard, Fastback Red and Marlin Blue.
The Dell notebook that's also a tablet will go on sale on 2 December. µ
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perhaps "using the keyboard like a picture frame stand" is a distinct mode. Amsnot sure about that one but it could catch on.
No price (Register agrees) but on sale next week? Hmm. I haven't yet got around to testing my Fizzbook Spin (Win XP) for speech recognition performance, which is liable to be the key feature of my next upgrade. An HP slate early next year has about the same processor power rating, but HP's current TouchSmart, a lot heavier to carry around than the slate, also has a lot more thinkjuice inside it. I think this Dell thing is somewhere in between those two - probably in weight as well. If not price...
I'd imagine the "third" mode has something to do with the docking station available to purchase with the duo.
From the dell site:
"Make a show of it — Transform it into a digital picture frame, an alarm clock or a music player with the optional Inspiron duo Audio Station featuring JBL® speaker technology."
That's naturally:
using the keyboard COMBINED with the touch screen