Dell gets tough with XFR laptop

Rugged laptop specialist Panasonic is going to face some competition as Dell announces the launch of its own rugged machine.

Dell said the fully rugged Latitude E6400 XFR is encased in "ballistic armour" to give it the protection it needs for its target market out in the field.

The machine is aimed at the military, first responders in emergency situations, and harsh environments such as those faced by the oil and gas industry.

Dell said that E6400 XFR's armour provides it with protection that is twice the strength of magnesium alloy and offers the highest drop specification on any machine in its class, at 1.2 metres.

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It's also said to be able to handle extreme temperatures and is highly resistant to dust and liquid thanks to "PrimoSeal Technology". Dell even claimed that the laptop has been tested to meet 13 military standards.

What's more, it's scratch resistant - so you won't have to worry about it not looking good after too much use.

It also offers in-vehicle docking solutions and a 12-cell rugged battery slice, so it can last longer away from base.

Specifications include support for Core 2 Duo processors and vPro for remote manageability. It has a 14.1-inch wide display and a screen that Dell claimed is viewable in direct sunlight.

The machine starts at 2,679 and is available now and more information is available on the Dell XFR web site.

Benny Har-Even is a twenty-year stalwart of technology journalism who is passionate about all areas of the industry, but telecoms and mobile and home entertainment are among his chief interests. He has written for many of the leading tech publications in the UK, such as PC Pro and Wired, and previously held the position of technology editor at ITPro before regularly contributing as a freelancer.

Known affectionately as a ‘geek’ to his friends, his passion has seen him land opportunities to speak about technology on BBC television broadcasts, as well as a number of speaking engagements at industry events.