Dell flips out Inspiron Duo convertible PC

By Geoff Duncan Published November 24, 2010

Computer maker Dell has officially launched the Inspiron duo, a new take on the convertible tablet PC that features a new flip-hinge design that enables the system to operate like a traditional notebook computer with a keyboard, a touchscreen tablet, or an entertainment PC just be reconfiguring the screen orientation. The Inspiron duo sports a 10.1-inch touchscreen display, runs Windows 7, and can be used with an optional dock with a media card reader, speakers, Ethernet, and USB.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

“Dell is changing the shape of computing, with products that usher in new experiences and allow people to stay connected to each other and the content they love from almost anywhere,” said Cell Consumer VP Sam Burd, in a statement. “The new Inspiron duo’s dual purpose delivers one-touch access to great content and yet offers the functionality of a full keyboard for more intensive applications.”

The Inspiron duo sports a 10.1-inch 1,366 by 768-pixel display with capacitive multitouch capabilities, driven by integrated Intel NM10 graphics. The system is powered by an Intel Atom Dual Core N550 processor running at 1.5 GHz and packs 2 GB of RAM, up to 320 GB of hard drive storage, a 1.3 megapixel webcam, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 3.0 wireless networking. The system also sports mic and headphone jacks, a SIM card slot for use with mobile broadband capabilities, and Windows 7 Home Premium pre-installed. But users won’t have to cope with tapping and gesturing their way through Windows (if they don’t want to): Dell has equipped the Inspiron duo with “duo Stage,” a new user interface that lets users cal into music, video, photos, and ebooks easily while in tablet mode. Dell is also offering a separate optional duo Dock Station with a 7-in-1 media card reader, JBL speakers, two additional USB ports, and an Ethernet adapter—plus the dock will charge the Inspiron duo’s battery while displaying photos or acting as a digital alarm clock.

The Inspiron duo is available today online from Dell with prices starting at $549; adding the optional dock bumps the price to $649.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Computing

Dell’s cheapest laptop gets even cheaper with this discount

The Dell Inspiron 14 laptop on a white background,

If you're looking for affordable laptop deals, Dell is one of the best sources for them. The Dell Inspiron 14, which already provides excellent value at its original price of $500, is down to just $300 following a $200 discount. The device will be able to handle the daily workload of most people, and if you want to get it for a lower price than usual, you're going to have to proceed with the purchase immediately because there's no telling how much time is remaining before the offer ends.

Why you should buy the Dell Inspiron 14
The Dell Inspiron 14 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, the Qualcomm Adreno 690 graphics card, and 8GB of RAM. These specifications won't allow it to challenge the performance of the best laptops, but for regular tasks such as browsing the internet, typing reports, and building presentations, the Dell Inspiron 14 will be more than enough. The efficiency of its components allows it to go fanless, so there won't be any noise when you use the laptop. It also runs on Windows 11 Home in S Mode out of the box, with the popular operating system pre-installed in its 256GB SSD.

Computing

Dell’s most popular 2-in-1 laptop is discounted from $700 to $450

The Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1 on a white background.

Today Dell has not just one of the best laptop deals but one of the cheapest ones: It’s currently possible to buy a Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1 laptop for just $450 thereby saving $250 off the regular price of $700. Perfect for when you can’t decide if you need a tablet or a laptop, the Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1 is a true bargain. However, it’s a clearance deal so you don’t have long left to snap it up. Here’s what you need to know before you tap the buy button.

Why you should buy the Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1
You won’t see the Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1 in our look at the best 2-in-1 laptops but that’s hardly surprising at this price. It still shares much of the same functionality and is from one of the best laptop brands. This particular model has an AMD Ryzen 5 7530U processor, 8GB of memory, and 512GB of SSD storage.

Computing

Dell XPS vs. Dell Latitude: here’s how to decide

The side of the open Dell XPS 14 on a white table.

Dell has one of the most extensive laptop lineups around, ranging from the budget-oriented Inspiron to super-powerful Precision workstations. You'll find Dell laptops on many of our best-of lists, including best laptops and best business laptops. If you're looking for a premium laptop, you'll have to decide between a consumer-oriented XPS and a business-focused Latitude.

While there's some overlap between these lines, significant differences exist that need to be considered. Here, we'll provide an overview of the XPS and Latitude lineups to help discerning buyers make the right investment.
Design
There are three current XPS laptops to consider: The XPS 13 2-in-1 has become the standard XPS 13 to represent the 13-inch class. The older XPS 15 has been replaced with the XPS 14 and the XPS 17 with the XPS 16. These are among the best you can buy in their class.