Dell Latitude 10 Windows 8 Pro Tablet Review
Introduction and Specifications
Are business oriented tablets such as the Dell Latitude 10 better suited for the workplace than popular mainstream tablets such as the iPad? Dell believes their solutions are. Last month, Dell issued a press release in which it claimed its Latitude 10 Enhanced Security tablet is "up to 17 times faster and 94 percent less expensive to deploy than iPads in large scale enterprise implementations." Those are bold claims with very specific figures to back them up.
Regardless of how you feel about Apple, Dell, or another manufacturer's products, one thing is certain: the use of tablets for business purposes is gaining significant traction. Recognizing that different users have different needs, Dell is attempting to cater to a variety of usage models with its Latitude 10 tablet. This tablet is designed to provide the convenience and mobility of a tablet, along with the productivity capabilities a full PC offers. Since the Latitude 10 runs a full version of Windows 8 Pro, you can run all of your business applications on the system as well. For users who want the desktop-like experience, Dell also offers an optional productivity dock along with a number of other optional accessories for the Latitude 10.
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Another key feature of the Latitude 10 is the fact that it features a removable battery—something you don't see very often in a tablet. Dell offers the battery in two sizes giving you added flexibility for power that will last throughout the day. According to Dell, you can get up to 10 hours of battery life using the tablet under various conditions.
For situations when security is of utmost concern, Dell offers an Enhanced Security version of the Latitude 10 tablet which includes Dell Data Protection/Access that uses fingerprint, smart card reader, and third-party security technology; Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2 hardware; Microsoft BitLocker Drive Encryption; Computrace support for tracking a lost or stolen device; and a Noble Lock slot.
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Before we dive in to the full hands-on review, let's take a closer look at the specifications of our test system:
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Operating System |
Windows 8 Pro, 32-bit, no media, English |
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Display |
10.1-inch IPS (1366 X 768) Wide View Angle LCD Corning Gorilla Glass Capacitive 5 Finger Touch |
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Graphics |
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (533MHz) |
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Processor |
Intel Atom processor Z2760 (1.8GHz with Intel Burst Technology, 1.5GHz HFM, 600MHz LFM) |
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Memory |
2GB DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz |
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Internal Storage |
64GB of Solid State Storage |
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Wireless Connectivity |
Bluetooth Wi-Fi Mobile broadband |
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Multimedia |
High quality speakers Integrated/noise reduction array microphones 2.0 megapixel HD front facing video webcam 8.0 megapixel rear facing camera with LED flash |
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Ports and Expansion |
Wacom Active Stylus support USB 2.0 SD card reader Docking connector Stereo headphone/microphone combo jack micro-USB mini-HDMI micro SIM slot |
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Size |
10.79 x 6.95 x 0.53 inches 1.47 pounds |
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Battery |
2-cell (30Whr) Lithium Ion battery (swappable) Optional 4-cell (60Whr) Lithium Ion battery (swappable) 30 Watt AC adapter Charge via micro-USB charging port Charge via optional docking station |
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Accessories |
Latitude 10 Productivity Dock Ports: four USB 2.0 ports, audio out, HDMI, power in, Ethernet ($100.00) Wacom Active Stylus for Latitude 10 ($34.30) Dell KM713 Compact Wireless Keyboard and Mouse ($59.99) Dell Latitude 10 Soft-Touch Case ($39.99) Other accessories are also available such as an optional fingerprint and smart card reader combo, other keyboard options, etc. |
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Price |
Latitude 10 starts at $499 |
In this review, we are taking a hands-on look at the Latitude 10 Productivity edition which is a high-end model of the tablet. With the Productivity edition, you'll get key features such as HDMI and a removable battery. (A swappable battery, HDMI port, and micro-USB charging port are not available with the Essential edition of this tablet.) Dell was also kind enough to send us the optional docking station, Wacom Active Stylus, Dell KM713 Compact Wireless Keyboard and Mouse, Soft-touch case, and a spare 60Wh battery. That's a whole bunch of accessibility features packed up and ready to go - a nice array of options completing the package. Let's take a look...
