Dell Debuts Small Business-friendly Latitude 3330 Laptop

Unveiling its latest 13-inch laptop, the Latitude 3330, Dell signals small business buyers that they no longer have to settle for clunky, heavy laptops.

Dell built the Latitude 3330 specifically for the needs of the small business and education markets. According to Brett McAnally, executive director of product marketing for Dell, the new laptop balances three major factors that affect IT buying for budget-conscious businesses and schools: affordability, ease of management and security.

The result is a laptop that sports a “thin, lightweight design.” And since un-tethered computing is the order of the day, Dell “focused on battery life as well,” said McAnally. Depending on the battery configuration, the Latitude 3330 offers up to 10 hours of battery life before a recharge. Swappable batteries make extended stints away from a power outlet possible.

Powering a Small Business Laptop

Under the hood, the Latitude 3330 packs either an Intel Core i3, i5 or Celeron processor, user-upgradable memory and a variety of storage options from a traditional hard drives to speedy solid-state drives (SSDs). The display measures 13.3 inches at a resolution of 1,366 by 768 pixels.

An integrated high-definition webcam (720 vertical pixels) and microphone enables video conference. Network connectivity is provided by Wi-Fi, and mobile broadband options extend support for on-the-go Internet access. Video output options include VGA and full-size HDMI ports. Two USB 3.0 ports and optional USB docking provide additional expandability and support for accessories.

Striving for affordability doesn’t mean that you have to skimp on security or manageability, according to McAnally. Buyers can “use Dell Data Protection to encrypt data on the device,” keeping sensitive data out of the hands of unsavory characters.

On the systems management front, McAnally’s team partnered with Dell Kace to offer “tight integration” with the asset and mobile management platform. Kace allows businesses to patch, service and track their systems via its range of appliances or a cloud-delivered service.

Dell Mobile Computing Carts

Dell also rolled out a new solution that further eases laptop management for schools. In a company blog post McAnally writes:

“Also launching this month are the Dell Mobile Computing Carts – Managed and Unmanaged, which contain flexible features designed to provide the mobility needed to share devices between classrooms and shelving designed to accommodate a variety of form factors and screen sizes.”

Finally, the Latitude 3330 is a fairly green little machine, too.

Describing the system as “environmentally friendly,” McAnally said that Dell was invested in making sure that the device meets modern standards for eco-conscious manufacturing. The laptop is EPEAT registered and conforms to the Energy Star 5.2 spec.

Dell’s Latitude 3330 goes on sale in late April. Prices start at $419 for a model with Ubuntu Linux and $519 with Windows 7. Dell Mobile Computing Carts also ship later this month and cost $2,799.99 for the managed configuration and $1,899.99 for the un-managed version.

Pedro Hernandez is a contributing editor at Internetnews.com, the news service of the IT Business Edge Network, the network for technology professionals. Follow him on Twitter @ecoINSITE.

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