Dell's New Chromebook 13 Launched for 'Google for Work' Programme

Google's latest Chromebook laptop will be specially designed for corporate customers in an effort to get more workers off machines powered by Microsoft's dominant Windows software.
The Chromebook unveiled Thursday will be made by Dell and will go on sale Sept. 17. Prices will range from $400 to $900 (roughly Rs. 26,000 to Rs. 58,500), a step up from a line of bare-bones Chromebooks that have been selling for as low as $150 (roughly Rs. 9,750) since Google teamed up with Hisense and Haier to make those devices.
The cheap Chromebooks have helped make the laptops popular in classrooms, but they haven't made many inroads in offices.
Google Inc. is trying to win over corporate customers with the Dell Chromebook 13, which offers more flexibility to run a variety of apps that haven't been easily accessible on previous Chromebooks. The laptops also offer more controls for corporate administrators to limit access and set rules for how workers can use them.
Apple also has been trying to boost corporate sales of its iPad tablet in a year-old partnership with business technology specialist IBM Corp. and a wide variety of office app makers. Microsoft, meanwhile, is pinning its hopes on Windows 10, a recently released version of the operating system designed to run smoothly on personal computers, tablets and smartphones.
Various PC manufacturers that building Windows machines for decades have been working with Google to design lightweight laptops running on the Chrome operating system since 2011. The new machine from Dell joins Google's line-up of other high-end, business-focused devices that include the Asus Chromebook Flip and Chromebook Pixel.
The Chromebooks will remain a part of Google later this year after the company splinters under an umbrella organization called Alphabet Inc. that will oversee a hodgepodge of businesses and experimental projects delving into medical research, city management, drone delivery and driverless cars.

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Dell Latitude 12 Rugged Tablet With 11.6-Inch Display Launched

Dell has launched a new Windows-powered rugged tablet under its Latitude series, named Latitude 12 Rugged.

The company has announced that the new Dell Latitude 12 Rugged tablet will be available via company's online store in the US by end of July. So far the company has not revealed pricing details. Techradar however claims that the Latitude 12 Rugged tablet will be available at a starting price of $1,600 (approximately Rs. 1,01,800). The company stresses that the new Latitude 12 Rugged tablet has been designed for users to work in the worst conditions such as water spills, sand and dust, drops from over four feet and extreme temperatures.

A few companies are active in the space of rugged devices, with Panasonic's Toughpad range perhaps amongst the best known.

Much like other rugged tablets, the Latitude 12 Rugged tablet meets the MIL-STD-810G standard, features an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance, and has been drop-tested for a height of 180cm.

The tablet features an 11.6-inch HD (1366x768 pixels) display which Dell claims can be read in outdoor conditions and comes with glove-enabled multi-touch capabilities.

The Windows 8.1-based Latitude 12 Rugged tablet is powered by a fifth generation Intel Core M processor. Dell's Venue 11 Pro 7000 Series tablet is also powered by an Intel Core M processor. It packs 8GB of RAM and features solid state storage up to 512GB. Connectivity options on the tablet include Wi-Fi 802.11ac, GPS, USB 3.0, micro HDMI, microSD card reader and headphone jack.

Dell claims that the Latitude 12 Rugged tablet can offer up to 12 hours of battery life with two 2-cell batteries. The tablet features a pogo-pin docking interface for modular component expansion when required and can be paired to desk dock, vehicle dock and keyboard. An optional keyboard cover for the Latitude 12 Rugged tablet comes with customisable RGB backlight and an IP-65 rating to protect against water and dust spilling.

Commenting on the launch, Drew Moore, Executive Director and General Manager, Rugged Mobility Products, Dell said, "Dell Rugged devices are critical to many industries including military, emergency response, public safety, industrial work, scientists and even adventurers. It's important for Dell's Latitude Rugged devices to provide superior computing power and the mobile capabilities they require to accomplish their jobs. Whether it's a first responder to an emergency or an avid outdoorsman scaling an untouched summit for the first time, Dell's Latitude 12 Rugged Tablet is built to deliver the performance they need, wherever they need it, without worrying about what their environment throws at them."

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