Will new Dell laptops tempt mobile workers?

Computing giant Dell has launched a new range of Latitude and Precision laptops, designed to provide mobile business users with improved battery life, usability and durability.

The new line includes seven new Latitudes. At 1kg, the 12.1in E4200 is the lightest commercial notebook Dell has manufactured to date and represents the firm's entry into the popular mini laptop market. It is due out in the coming weeks.

The 14.1in E6400 and 15.4in E6500, both available today, are built for high performance users and are priced from £570 and £584 respectively.

Dell's E6400 ATG is a 14.1in semi-rugged laptop that starts at £1,169 and features a battery life of up to 19 hours. It is slated for release next week.

All models also feature ControlPoint technology to centralise the user settings for power management, connectivity configurations and security management. There is also new functionality to ensure that backlighting on monitors automatically adjusts to ambient light levels, said Dell.

Dell used feedback from around 4000 end users and IT professionals before designing the new range to include commonly asked-for elements like longer battery life and improved security, according to UK product manager Bob Bennett.

"Historically we've been very focused on the IT manager," he added. "Now we're starting to look at the customer base the IT manager supplies to and what users really want from their devices."

The new Precision laptops include the M4400, a 15.4in mobile workstation starting at £785, which features support for up to 8GB of RAM. The M2400 is the firm's lightest workstation at 2.2kg, and retails at £723.