Dell launches Inspiron Zino series

Dell India today announced the mini-sized Inspiron Zino and Inspiron Zino HD desktops which are versatile enough to handle tasks from basic computing chores to driving a big-screen, High-Definition video media center. With a choice of colors, the Inspiron Zino desktops can be easily personalized to add flair to any room in the home. The Inspiron Zino is available starting this month, and the Inspiron Zino HD will be available in India next month.

"The Inspiron Zino proves again that great things can really come in small packages," said Girish Mehta, Consumer Marketing Director, Dell India. "It is a fashionable and functional computer that is small enough to fit almost anywhere in the home and can be personalized for the style-minded."

Inspiron Zino

Starting at Rs 17,500 the Inspiron Zino is ideal as a household PC that can fit in tight spaces and make home networking a cinch. It measures about 7.8 inches square and 3.5 inches tall. An added value is that the economical Inspiron Zino is available to customers in India with a choice of 4 colors - Piano Black, Plum Purple, Spring Green and True Blue.

Inspiron Zino Features:

-- Intel® AtomTM 230 processor
-- Intel's integrated 950 GMA graphics
-- 160GB* - 250GB* hard drive storage options
-- Media card reader and 4 USB ports (2 front, 2 back) make it easy and convenient to quickly transfer files and data
-- 8X DVD-ROM drive or DVD+/-RW drive

Inspiron Zino HD

While small in size, the Inspiron Zino HD is a big performer with standard HD-capable integrated graphics, HDMI output and built-in networking that make it smart for typical home and student computing activities such as word processing, e-mail, organizing photos and music, and surfing the Internet. With optional additional memory, hard drive storage, combo Blu-ray disc player, wireless remote control and Windows 7 Media Player, the Inspiron Zino HD can be configured into a powerful home media center computer

Inspiron Zino HD Features:

-- Choice of AMD Athlon processors or dual core Athlon Neo X2 6850e.
-- Up to 8GB dual channel DDR 2 memory
-- Up to 1TB internal hard disk storage
-- Combo DVD/CD RW drive with optional Blu-ray Disc combo
-- Integrated 10/100/1000 networking with wireless option
-- Optional wireless keyboard and mouse
-- Built in 2.1 high-definition audio and 4-in-1 media card reader
-- Integrated ATI graphics adapter with standard HDMI and VGA video connections, and optional 512MB discrete graphics adapter
-- Four USB ports (2 front/2 rear); two eSATA ports (rear).

New long-life battery laptops from Dell

Dell has released two new laptops from the nascent ULV class. The 13z and 15z are members of the Inspiron series and cost $550 and $580 respectively. ULV stands for Ultra Low Voltage and refers to processors designed to work at lower voltages and use less power.

In the case of the new Dell laptops, that translates into respective battery lives of 11 hours (13z with a 13.3 inch monitor) and 10 hours (15z with 15.6 inch monitor).

Dell India gets notice for over-pricing products

Computer major Dell India has been issued notice by a district consumer court here for allegedly over-pricing products and supplying a faulty laptop to a customer.

A consumer court in Shalimar Bagh, while issuing notice to Dell India earlier this week, asked the firm to file its response by Dec 21, the next date of hearing.

The court was hearing the plea of Archer Softech Pvt Ltd through its advocate Ankur Raheja, who alleged that the Dell Inspiron 6400 laptop it bought for Rs.69,164 turned out to be faulty. He also said that the company was not ready to replace or repair the product.

"Except the hard-disk and processor (which are of Toshiba and Intel make, respectively), almost each and every part has either been replaced or is not functioning properly due to manufacturing defects and poor quality of spares supplied for the laptop," Raheja told IANS.

He added that his client had to run form pillar to post to get spare parts for the laptop and its servicing, which also resulted in loss of business. He has demanded that the company return the amount paid by the consumer for the laptop and a compensation of Rs.400,000.

The complainant also alleged that Dell is over-pricing its products, charging consumers much more than the maximum retail price (MRP).

"There is no doubt that Dell India's aim is not just profit but extraordinary profit by exploiting Indian customers. That is why the prices for laptops and especially parts are always charged on the higher side in India," Raheja said in the complaint.

He said that the company had charged much more than the MRP for a battery. The cost of the battery, printed on the box, was Rs.2,100 but the company charged Rs.5,152, he alleged.

"We have contacted the company on many occasions but lame excuses were provided by the irresponsible staff. And on some occasions, no response was received," Raheja said.

Dell launchs Latitude 2100 netbook in India

Dell has launched the Latitude 2100 netbook for students, any business or public institution that needs affordable, durable, Internet-ready devices for e-mail and collaboration. The netbook has been designed to be rugged and provide wireless connectivity that can be monitored by educators with a 'network activity light' available on the netbook lid. The Latitude 2100 is also available in five colours but the Dell-India categorically states that the 'color options are subject to availability.' An optional touchscreen is also available for education netbooks. Dell is confident that the Latitude 2100 will also be suitable for public sector and enterprise customers for functions like employee training and order fulfillment.

The Latitude 2100 has a rubberized design -- which includes a vent-free bottom that prevents entry of dropped fluids -- ideal for children to carry and use safely. According to the Dell website, an optional touchscreen may also be available. If this feature is made available in India, it will make the Latitude 2100 a great choice for enhanced student interaction and special education teaching. The Latitude 2100 also offers administrators a range of services making it easier to deploy and manage.

A keyboard with an antimicrobial protection is also available as an option -- however, for some reason, this is available only in the U.S. Solid-state drives, an external DVD-RW optical drive, quick-connect handles and shoulder straps, and a webcam are also provided as an option.

Latitude 2100 Features:

* Processor: Intel Atom processor N270
* Optical Drive: External DVD+/-RW via USB (Optional)
* Connectivity: 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet, full suite of wireless communication options
* Weight: 1.32 kg (with a 3-cell battery)
* Storage: Hard disk drive or solid state drive
* Battery: 3-cell or 6-cell battery
* Additional: Three-in-one Media Card Reader, VGA port
* Operating System: Windows XP Home/Windows Vista Home Basic/Linux Ubuntu