Dell touts new 3-lb. business notebook

Dell this week announced its Latitude D420 model, an ultraportable notebook that starts at 3 pounds with an up to 7-hour battery life. Other new features include embedded broadband wireless, biometric security and magnesium alloy construction. The notebook starts at $1,379, and are available now (solo core processors only; dual-core systems will be available later this summer), Dell says.

The D420 includes a 12.1-inch display, full-sized keyboard, and choice of 802.11g or 802.11a/g wireless connectivity. Wireless broadband options include the choice to connect to Cingular's EDGE/UMTS or Verizon Wireless' EV-DO networks in the U.S., or Vodafone in France, Germany and the U.K. The notebook also includes the company's Wi-Fi Catcher, a switch that looks for wireless connections without needing to turn on or boot up the system (the switch can also run all wireless devices off).

The notebook comes without an optical drive, but Dell says an optional MediaBase will include the choice of different optical drives. The notebook will come standard with Smart Card readers and support for the Trusted Platform Module, with the option for adding biometric fingerprint readers. Other features include three USB ports, an IEEE 1394 port, Secure Digital media card slot, and up to a nine-cell battery for the extended (7 hours) battery life.

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