WHILE many tech sector manufacturers have been grappling with supply chain challenges due to global lockdowns and other measures aimed at combating COVID-19, PC maker Dell says it has weathered the storm better than many of its peers.
“Our supply chain has always been a strategic advantage to us, and we continue to leverage its flexibility to fulfil orders as quickly as possible,” said Chris Buchanan, Client Solutions Director at Dell EMC South Africa, adding that in Q1 2020, Dell was, according to research firm IDC, the only top five PC vendor to grow global shipments.
He said this in an answer to questions posed about supply chain issues during the company’s recent online launch of a slew of new laptops and PCs.
So effective were the company’s measures that at one stage stocks of its products were building up freight forwarders faster than they could be collected, he said. “These results demonstrate that our team is executing well through challenging dynamics.”
Among the new products unveiled were several across Dell’s Latitude, Precision and OptiPlex portfolios, which boast not only advanced new features, but recycled materials, sustainable packaging, and energy efficient designs.
The company also announced that its Dell Optimizer automated Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based optimization technology is now available across Latitude, Precision and OptiPlex devices.
The built-in software learns how each user works and adapts to their behaviour, enabling faster log-in and secure lock outs; eliminating echoes and reducing background noise on conference calls; and extending battery run time.
The new ultra-premium Latitude 9000 series and completely redesigned 7000 series feature machined and brushed aluminium designs; long battery life; an array of ports; and expansive, four-sided narrow border displays.
They’re available with 10th Gen Intel vPro processors and Intel Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+), which the company says delivers “nearly three times faster speeds”.
The Latitude 9510 is aimed at executives and on-the-go professionals and, according to Dell, is the smallest, lightest and most intelligent 15-inch business PC.
“Starting at 3.1 pounds, the PC offers built-in 5G-ready design, up to 34 hours of battery life, and an enhanced conferencing experience with powerful built-in speakerphones and microphones. It offers the power and performance teams need to be productive anywhere as the first Project Athena-verified commercial PC with 10th Gen Intel vPro processors.
Designed for balancing performance and portability, the Latitude 7410 and 7310 are, says the company, the smallest 14-inch and 13-inch premium business laptops. “Also configurable as a 2-in-1, the Latitude 7410 features the industry’s first 4K low blue light screen on a premium business PC15 for better readability and to help enhance eye comfort.”
Dell has reengineered its Precision workstation portfolio, designed to handle demanding workloads like intensive graphics processing, data analysis and CAD modelling.
“With smaller footprints, sleek designs, and thermal innovations, the new Precision mobile workstations deliver increased performance and ISV certifications with professional graphics from NVIDIA and the latest 10th Gen Intel Core vPro and Xeon processors.” The company said in a statement.
Designed for creators and professionals wanting high performance and stylish design without the size and weight of a traditional mobile workstation, the Dell Precision 5550 and 5750 are, according to Dell, the world’s smallest and thinnest 15-inch and 17-inch mobile workstations.
“Creators and engineers can see and do more with the 16:10, 4-sided InfinityEdge (up to HDR 400) display. The all-new Precision 5750 is also VR/AR and AI-Ready to handle fast rendering, detailed visualisations and complex simulations.”
For industries like healthcare and education that rely on the dependability of desktop devices, Dell launched redesigned OptiPlex towers and expanded all-in-ones with flexible configurations in space-saving designs.
Dell also announced Unified Workspace, software it says allows IT professionals to get the new PCs up and running faster and easier — regardless of where employees are working. “From remote workers to creatives and engineers, IT can easily determine what devices to deploy that will best support employee needs, workstyle and location with Dell’s new Workforce Persona QuickStart.”
South Africa availability and pricing are yet to be announced, but the new products are due to start arriving in June. – GeekWire.co.za
