Latest Dell Latitude Business Laptops Add Automated Webcam Shutter

CES is almost here and Dell is kicking things off with new versions of its Latitude laptops (designed for business customers), led by the new Latitude 9420 and 9520. The devices will add Intel’s new 11th generation vPro chips ( once available in March 2021) and new features like a built-in, automated webcam shutter to physically block your camera when not in use.

Dubbed “SafeShutter,” the new optional webcam system is an almost blinding addition, especially considering the shift in focus to video conferencing over the past year as businesses have been forced to switch from work to business. distance. The shutter can open and close automatically when the webcam is in use, but there are also “mute” keys to manually mute the microphone or camera if needed. Anyone who’s ever blocked a sliding shutter or recorded on their webcam for security reasons should be able to see the benefits of an automatic, built-in setup here, and that’s something that will hopefully extend to more laptops in the Dell line in the future.

Image: Dell

The other big update is the ability to get Intel’s new 11th generation vPro chips – the Latitude 9420 can be configured with a model up to Core i7 – bringing the benefits of Intel’s latest chips (including including its powerful integrated Iris Xe graphics) to the new models. The updated 14-inch model will be available in a 2560×1600 2-in-1 or lower resolution 1080p laptop configuration. RAM can be up to 32GB, while storage can be configured with up to 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD. Finally, the 9420 will offer both optional 5G or LTE support via Snapdragon X20 modems (for LTE ) or X55 (for 5G and LTE) from Qualcomm.

Dell will also have an updated model of the larger 15.6-inch Latitude 9510 – aptly called the Latitude 9520 – available in spring 2021, which will offer similar improvements, including the webcam shutter and new 11th generation Intel commercial chips. And given how impressive the battery life was on the 9510, it will be interesting to see how Dell now benefits from the vPro versions of the 11th Gen Intel processors.

The Latitude 9420 will start at $ 1,949, while the Latitude 9520 has yet to receive pricing information. Both will be available this spring.

Image: Dell

Dell is also upgrading its Latitude 7000 and Latitude 5000 alignments. The 7000 series receives a new model, the Latitude 7520, adding for the first time the option of a 15.6-inch configuration (alongside the 7320 13.3 models). inch and 7420 14 inch, which are updated versions of last year’s versions). The new models 7520, 7420 and 7320 will also be configured with Intel’s 11th generation vPro chips, offer up to 32GB of RAM and a new smaller design. Dell also claims to have upgraded the camera and audio quality for better video conferencing.

As expected, some of the more premium features of the 9420 and 9520 are missing here: The 7000 models can only be configured with LTE, not 5G, and the optional webcam shutter is manual, without the new automated system at the top. final models.

Finally, there are the new Latitude 5000 models, available in 13.3-inch (5320), 14-inch (5420), and 15.6-inch (5520) sizes. The new 5000 series laptops also get the new 11th generation vPro chips, but take it a step further with less aluminum and more plastic in the design. Dell is using 21% bioplastic content (from waste trees) in the covers of 5000 series laptops, as part of a new environmental approach to improve sustainability.

The Latitude 5000 series will be available on January 12, while the Latitude 7000 series will be available on March 30, starting at $ 999.