Dell refreshes the Inspiron R range!
So far at CES has been crazy and there's been a trend of subtle, but necessary refreshes and refinement,
Vizio is the stand out candidate when we think about that! So the Inspiron R, Dell's mass market range, has been upgraded with a new slimmed down form factor and a set of new options which now includes touchscreen support!
There's still the same three screen sizes on offer here; they're 14, 15 and 17 inches and with the new makeover the smaller two measure about an inch thick when they're closed and they top the scales at less than five pounds. But, just because they're slimmer doesn't mean they've cut corners; there's still the tray-loading optical drive, and if you opt for a 15R or 17R you'll also have enough room for a numberpad o your keybaord!
On the spec front it's pretty much as you'd expect and you can essentially customise all of the internals. You can choose any processor from an Intel Celeron all the way through from an i3 to an i7 rig. You can also have up to 8GB of RAM, Intel Wireless Display and for graphics you can chose between a 2GB NVIDIA GeForce GT640M or a 2GB AMD Radeon HD 8730M. Storage options are similarly broad: at the expensive end there's a 1TB HDD and at the bottom you can have a 320GB model.
One area of relative weakness is the screen department. The 14R and 15R have a standard resolution of 1,366 x 768, while the 17-incher comes will arrive with a 1,600 x 900 resolution. Thanfully, there are 1080p displays available for the 15 and 17 inch models.
So if you live in the USA then the Inspiron 15R will start at are $430 and you can expect to add $70 to that if you want the basic 17R. If you're wanting a touchscreen that's extra and the cost is $650 for both the 14R and 15R basic models. If you live in the UK you'll be getting less value for your money and we expect you can swap that $ sign for a £ sign on the price of these computers!
Via
PCMag.
The Dell XPS 13 gets refreshed too!
Dell XPS 13 ultrabook is one sleek bit of kit and so Dell has simply decided to change around the internals!
The refresh will offer an Intel Core i5 processor, a 128GB SSD, a mix of USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports, a mini-DisplayPort and an Ethernet plug. Naturally the stellar battery life will remain. But, the difference now is that the display is finally bumped to Full HD resolution and it's now 'edge-to-edge' and it's coated by Gorilla Glass.
Thankfully the CNC-machine milled aluminum frame and lid, the magnesium alloy palmrest, and the carbon fiber frame will remain totally untouched. At the moment this isn't a full announcement, instead we expect to hear that from Dell, along with pricing and availability at some point later this month!
Via
PCMag.
Dell's Project Ophelia!
Dell's cloud computing arm today offered up a little surprise which we weren't expecting to see! They showed off Dell's Project Ophelia which essentially is a gateway to your computing world.
The premise is that you don't want to carry your laptop everywhere with you, which is fair enough and totally true in our case! So what Project Ophelia offers is an oversized Android stick that has the ability to turn your HDTV or any monitor with the suitable connections into your computer.
So the Android stick is not a fully fledged computer in any regard, it is instead a gateway to a cloud server where you'll have all of your files saved! With all your content there you will be able to play games, show off your latest presentation, or do some last minute practice, finish off your essay or whatever else you need to do, without your laptop with you!
At the moment we have no idea how you'd control the device, we'd suggest
something like this, but nonetheless Dell expects to have all that cleared up by summer time, just in time for every one to be on their holidays, but you can buy one ready for September!
Via
Dell.
The full press release is embedded below:
Ultra-Compact Dell Cloud Connection Device Enables Access to Personal and Professional Content From Any Capable Display
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8, 2013 – Dell today unveiled a solution that extends the value of cloud client computing to the next level, enabling people to manage the increasing convergence of their work lives and personal lives by using a compact, portable device to access not only secured professional assets, but also personal content via the cloud. The ultra-compact multimedia-capable device, called Dell Wyse “Project Ophelia,” is slightly larger than a USB memory stick and enables users to convert any capable TV or monitor into a functioning interactive personal display device without using a computer, tablet or smartphone.
Today, people are increasingly looking to take and securely access their personal and professional content wherever they go. Despite rapid advances in mobile technology, however, they still face challenges when it comes to securely accessing desired information when they are away from the office. There is no easy way, for example, to access photos, music or video from a personal cloud or entertainment subscription when away from a PC, smartphone or tablet. Equally, professionals find it difficult to securely access and share work applications, presentations and content if they are away from their usual devices, or worse, if their mobile devices are misplaced or fail during travel. It is also difficult for IT organizations to enable and manage access to enterprise apps and content for highly mobile users, especially those who may be without their preferred laptop, tablet or smartphone.
Built on Dell Wyse software technology already used on millions of devices, Project Ophelia transforms ordinary displays into a window to entertainment, communications and a person’s own personal cloud. The device also allows business users to instantly turn a display into a flexible, securely managed, communications-enabled thin client for work, demos or presentations. These capabilities are packed into a device barely larger than a USB stick that is self-powered through a monitor and easily fits inside your pocket.
The product addresses a variety of uses being fueled by the growing need to access cloud-based apps and resources at any time, or whenever a larger screen high definition digital display provides a superb user experience. Examples include:
- Consumers who desire in-the-moment access to cloud-based games or content but do not have their laptop or tablet in their possession;
- On-line gamers wishing to take advantage of a much larger display for an improved interactive experience;
- Highly mobile professionals who may not have a large display capable device with them; and
- Cloud access providers wishing to provide an attractively priced device included with carrier
internet/wireless services
Key benefits of Project Ophelia:
- Enables instant and secure access to your personal cloud, entertainment, work content and applications wherever there is an available capable display (using a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse), including a wide variety of Dell flat-panel displays.
- Integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth facilitates access and communication.
- Built on the Android 4 OS to support Web browsing, social networking, media playback and Android Apps
with a possibility to extend to other services.
- Securely connects to Windows desktops and applications running on back-end systems from all leading
infrastructure providers including Citrix, Microsoft and VMware.
- Flexibly powered zero-battery device gets power from the attached display monitor via its MHL interface
to the monitor’s MHL port, or separately via its own USB interface. No batteries to charge or change.
- Remembers settings for each individual to enhance usability.
- Compatible with many existing Dell Wyse thin clients and software products.

- Managed by Dell Wyse Cloud Client Manager software-as-a-service (SaaS) which can ensure the device is being used by the appropriate person with the right permissions and access to apps and content based on role, department, and location.
obile devices have small screens, tablets and PCs aren’t always convenient to haul around, and all these devices require batteries that can run down. ‘Project Ophelia’ turns capable TVs and monitors into personal and reliable Wi-Fi enabled work or
entertainment stations – all managed easily by IT via Dell Wyse Cloud Client Manager.”
Availability:
Project Ophelia will be available in the first half of 2013 from Dell Cloud Client Computing.
In reality that description is absolutely spot on. The Grippy is the perfect thing to stick your keys to when you get in from work, or if you're one who tends to lose their phone then the Grippy will hold on to it all day with no problems at all! Aside from uses like that there's not really too much to do with the thing. Obviously it's designed to be used in your car and that's the use which is championed, but as long as cup holders and other physical holes and holders exist we're not sure the Grippy is the best solution. We'd recommend it for use around the house!
