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Dell debuts 14-in. ultrathin Studio 14z notebook for $649

By | May 28, 2009, 4:28am PDT

Summary: Dell announced and made available today its Studio 14z, its budget, ultrathin, ultralight notebook with a 16:9 HD screen, Nvidia 9400m graphics and no optical drive for $649. The notebook fills the gap between the traditional laptop segment and the growing netbook segment. Outside, the Studio 14z measures between 0.79 and 1.2 inches thick. Inside, you can [...]

Dell announced and made available today its Studio 14z, its budget, ultrathin, ultralight notebook with a 16:9 HD screen, Nvidia 9400m graphics and no optical drive for $649.

The notebook fills the gap between the traditional laptop segment and the growing netbook segment.

Outside, the Studio 14z measures between 0.79 and 1.2 inches thick. Inside, you can find one of several Intel Core 2 Duo processors, RAM of up to 5GB DDR3, an HDD of up to 500GB and either 1366×768 or 1600×900 display resolution options.

Targeted at “the generation that has grown up with the Internet and can find just about anything online” — students, cough cough — the Studio 14z comes in six colors: Black Chain Link, Midnight Blue, Spring Green, Plum Purple, Ruby Red and Promise Pink (Susan G. Komen charity color; U.S. only).

More specs and full image gallery after the jump:

Image Gallery: Dell Studio 14z

  • Thickness; 0.79–1.2 inches
  • Energy-efficient, mercury-free, 14-inch 16:9 LED display with HD resolution (720p/ 900p)
  • Intel Pentium Dual Core, and Intel Core 2 Duo standard voltage processors up to T9550 (2.66GHz, 1066Mhz FSB, 6MB Cache)
  • Integrated NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics
  • Digital Video/Audio via HDMI and DisplayPort
  • Standard 1.3MP webcam with dual digital array mics
  • Starting weight of 4.3 pounds
  • Standard FastAccess Facial Recognition Software
  • Optional Phoenix Failsafe Theft Protection
  • “Advanced touchpad control”
  • 4W, SRS, 2.0 Audio w/ discrete tweeters and dual headphone jacks
  • Up to 500GB HDD capacity
  • Optional 8:1 Media Card Reader via 34mm Express Card slot
  • Six-cell battery standard, optional slim design 8-cell battery for up to 6:46 hours of battery life with WLED display option
  • Standard Wi-Fi, optional Bluetooth and mobile broadband
  • eSATA connectivity for high speed data transfer rate (up to 6X USB 2.0)
  • PowerShare - Charge your USB-connected cell phone and other mobile devices via the USB 2.0/eSATA combo port even when you’re unplugged from a power outlet
  • Optional external optical drive options (DVD+/-RW, Blu-ray Disc read-only and read-write drives)

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Andrew J. Nusca is editor of ZDNet and SmartPlanet.

Disclosure

Andrew Nusca

Andrew J. Nusca does not hold any investments in the technology companies he covers.

Biography

Andrew Nusca

Editor

Andrew J. Nusca is an editor for ZDNet and SmartPlanet. As a journalist based in New York City, he has written for Popular Mechanics and Men's Vogue and his byline has appeared in New York magazine, The Huffington Post, New York Daily News, Editor & Publisher, New York Press and many others. He also writes The Editorialiste, a media criticism blog.

He is a New York University graduate and former news editor and columnist of the Washington Square News. He is a graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. He has been named "Howard Kurtz, Jr." by film critic John Lichman despite having no relation to him. He lives in his native Philadelphia with his wife, cat and Boston Terrier.

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How odd
compudog 29th May 2009
I have a Dell XPS 1330. Screen's a little bit smaller, but it's loaded, including an optical drive of course, yet the weight and dimensions are about the same as that of the new Dell... ultra-what??
I recently made the jump to a Lenovo laptop because Dell didn't have anything in the 14" range like this. I think it looks very promising and the price is reasonable. Good move by Dell.
0 Votes
+ -
Ultralight?
MichaelJMotal 29th May 2009
Why would anyone consider a notebook with a "Starting weight of 4.3 pounds" as an ultralight? Light, yes. Ultralight, no. Get it to 3 lbs. or less and then I think it qualifies as ultralight.
When did 1.2" become ultra thin? Please....
Does this happen to have an optional dock or port replicator? That would be nice. I'm actually looking for a new home "family computer" that can be hooked up in our home office, and thought a lightweight laptop would give some flexibility. I'd like a dock/port rep so I could leave it hooked up to everything, including HDTV. If the dock/port rep had an HDMI out, that would be really nice. Just curious if you knew.
This one looks like what I have been looking for my wife she is a clothing designer and needs something with good graphics and portability.
0 Votes
+ -
How odd
compudog 29th May 2009
I have a Dell XPS 1330. Screen's a little bit smaller, but it's loaded, including an optical drive of course, yet the weight and dimensions are about the same as that of the new Dell... ultra-what??

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