Business customers get all the nice toys
Having wowed us with its ridiculously good looking Vostro V13 ultrathin laptop last year, Dell is updating the machine with some new CPU options and an exotic cooling solution.
The new model - which has been christened the V130 - will use the same chassis, meaning that the 13.3in notebook is still an astounding 0.65in thick at the front, 0.78in at the rear and will weigh only 3.5lbs (1.59kg). This is partly due to the use of aluminium, zinc and a magnesium alloy for the body work, meaning that it should be pretty sturdy as well.
Even though the system is now available in Lucerne Red and Aberdeen Silver, the biggest changes are on the inside. The V130 can be outfitted with the latest 32nm Intel Core ULV processors, which should handsomely outperform the older 45nm Core 2-based CPUs as well as lasting longer when you're on the road. It also gets the benefit of Intel's Advanced Cooling Technology, which uses hyperbaric cooling to help keep temperatures nice and low.
Rounding out the additions are an HDMI-out port, Bluetooth 3.0 and an integrated SIM card slot, which join the USB 2.0, USB/eSATA and VGA ports found on the older models.
The Vostro V130 may be targeted at the small and medium business markets, but there's nothing stopping the rest of us getting our hands on this sleek, sturdy and affordable ultraportable. Prices start at $429 (£335 inc VAT) and it should be available worldwide sometime later today directly from Dell. However, the cheapest of the older V13's cost more than £800 in the UK, so don't be surprised if only the high-end models make it to this country.
