The new Dell Latitude 2100 Netbook has been kitted out with a host of features that is child friendly, such as its resistive touch-screen, ideal for learning games as well as its rugged exterior.
Dell is aiming to market the Dell Latitude 2100 at students and schoolchildren - and the 2100 certainly looks like it's built for that group. The spine of the netbook (the outside back of the battery) has a little plastic strip for personalising the machine. It comes in a number of candy colours.

The Latitude 2100 includes

* Your choice of Windows XP Home, Windows Vista Home Basic or Ubuntu Linux
* Intel Atom processor (N270)
* 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity coupled with a full suite of wireless communication options
* 2.91lb (1.32kg) starting weight with 3-cell battery

* Standard hard disk drive or solid state drive for increased durability
* Three-cell or six-cell battery
* Three-in-one Media Card Reader
* Optional External DVD+/-RW via USB
* VGA port
* Clean bottom is vent-free to avoid any intrusion from spills
* Dual security lock slots for use with a standard cable lock or for a carrying strap
* Options: webcam and a keyboard featuring antimicrobial protection (U.S. only
* Price as Reviewed: $499.00

Pros

* Student-rugged design
* Unique education features
* Comfortable keyboard with antimicrobial option
* Speedy performance

Cons

* Larger and heavier than most netbooks
* Below-average battery life

Design

Dell is aiming to market the Dell Latitude 2100 at students and schoolchildren - and the 2100 certainly looks like it's built for that group. Dell know that in the usual market, the 2100 would have a hard time selling next to rivals, which is why they have gone for this niche market.
The Dell Latitude 2100 Netbook is on the thick side and weighs in at 3.5 pounds. s a result, the Latitude 2100 blends into student life, from lesson plans to homework, increasing time spent learning versus managing technology.



The Dell Latitude 2100’s larger build allows it to accommodate a comfortable and spacious keyboard. Reminiscent of the Samsung N110’s, its matte black raised keys provided nice tactile feedback; the right Shift key is full size and directly below the Enter key. And because kids’ hands can pick up germs quickly, Dell will offer the keyboard with antimicrobial protection for $20. Above the keyboard are three volume controls for raising, lowering and muting.

Display

The 10.1-inch screen is large enough to get work done without taking up too much space in a crowded classroom. The screen might not look special compared to every other 10-inch netbook on the market, but an optional touchscreen is a first for an education netbook and makes the Latitude 2100 something new for enhanced student interaction and easier special education teaching.



Similarly, the touchpad is spacious and comfortable. The 2.5 x 1.5-inch pad felt smooth, wide enough for navigating the desktop, without much backtracking. Rather than integrating the mouse buttons on the trackpad like Dell attempted with the Inspiron Mini 10, the Latitude has separate right and left mouse buttons.

Introduction of Dell Latitude 2100 netbooks

Education Features

In addition to its student-rugged design and the network activity light, Dell has designed the Latitude 2100 to easily fit into the classroom environment. The company will offer custom-built “Mobile Computing Stations” for classrooms; these carts will be able to store up to 24 netbooks, recharge them, and connect them via Ethernet. Additionally, the netbooks can be ordered with remote management software that will allow teachers and administrators to control the PCs.

The durable design allows IT administrators to lower overall ownership cost because of a longer product life, but the Latitude 2100 was also designed with remote management in mind for easier administration and software updates. Coming soon in the U.S., the Latitude 2100 is available with a "Mobile Computing Station" -- a cart to securely store, recharge, manage and network up to 24 Latitude 2100 netbooks with one Ethernet and power cord.

Battery Life

On the LAPTOP Battery Test (Web surfing via Wi-Fi), the Dell Latitude 2100’s six-cell battery lasted 4 hours and 47 minutes. Given the size of the battery, we were disappointed that the netbook provided 90 minutes less runtime than the average six-cell netbook. The Samsung N110 and ASUS Eee PC 1000HE, for example, provide more than seven hours of endurance. Dell will offer this netbook with a three-cell battery option for $25 less, as well, which should provide half the runtime.

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