Schools Purchase Netbooks, Choose Dell as Supplier
As back-to-school season is about to start up again, Computer manufacturer Dell is getting more orders for their netbooks. While some parents may be more inclined to buy other Dell netbooks for their children, quite a few school districts are buying up the Latitude 2100.
Dell reports that roughly 970 school districts have ordered the Latitude 2100, which costs roughly $369 per unit. These netbooks feature rubberized cases for additional durability and a light that alerts teachers when students are connected to the Internet. (You can learn more about this netbook by clicking here.)
According to Dell, the Latitude 2100 is suitable for students in grades K through 12.
Via SmartBrief.
Image via GeekyGadgets.
Dell Latitude 2100 Netbook Popular with Schools
As computers play a growing role in the everyday lives of students in the classroom, many school districts are interested in purchasing relatively cheap and portable alternatives. Enter the “kiddie netbook.”
One such netbook that was recently released is the Dell Latitude 2100. This particular netbook has quickly grown in popularity since its release a little over a month ago.
Although it’s small in size (after all, it’s a netbook) it’s already having a relatively big impact. According to Yahoo News, “more than 500 U.S. school districts have purchased the Latitude 2100.”
Netbooks like the Latitude 2100 allow students to do their work on-the-go and provide many more opportunities for hands-on learning without wasting bootup/setup time or traveling time to and from a computer lab.
As a result of the growing popularity, Dell (and the other existing kiddie netbook manufacturers) are sure to have competitors in the near future.
As competitors come out with new netbooks, we’ll have the latest updates, so make sure to check back often to see which companies will be next to enter this segment of the netbook market.
Via ZDNet.
Image via Islabit.
Antimicrobial Keyboards For The Dell Latitude 2100 Netbook
Agion Technologies, a leader in silver-based antimicrobial solutions, announced that it is partnering with Dell to bacteria-proof the Dell Latitude 2100. The Latitude is designed for use by kids, but the announcement is surely aimed at their worrisome parents.
Apparently, Agion did a consumer study showing that school and office products were an arena in which consumers would like antimicrobial protection. According to Paul Ford of Agion, this is a pretty big deal:
“Agion antimicrobial protected keyboards from Dell will be an essential asset to classrooms… Dell is truly on the forefront of the industry as the first computer manufacturer to recognize the market need and offer antimicrobial protection on the Latitude 2100.”
While a press release announced that the Latitude 2100 would be “the world’s first netbook computer with Agion antimicrobial protected keyboards,” antimicrobial keyboards aren’t new to netbooks: Samsung did it with the NC310. If there’s a niche for germophobic netbook consumers out there, the new products will come.
Check back for more on germ-fighting netbooks, and as always, type safely.
Dell Latitude 2100 Comes To India
The Dell Latitude 2100 student netbook was just launched in Indian markets. The netbook is designed for student use, with durability and functionality both oriented towards making netbooks a major part of the classroom experience.
If the netbooks gain widespread use in classrooms, children everywhere could use the internet and education-based applications in a relatively cheap way. If you’re interested in netbooks for kids, be sure to check out the PeeWee PC, OLPC, or Gachapin and Mukku Ultramobile PC.
Datamation Releases New Multi-Bay Netbook Battery Chargers
As more organizations are using netbooks, it is becoming increasingly important to ensure that they have sufficient battery power to keep these machines running uninterrupted. In order to help with this, Datamation has recently released new models of multi-bay netbook battery chargers.
Two new models of these chargers have been released, one that recharges batteries for the Dell Latitude 2100 and another that recharges batteries for the Lenovo IdeaPad S9 and S10. These battery chargers are able to charge 16 spare batteries at the same time.
Via BusinessWire.
Dell’s New Kiddie Netbook – The Latitude 2100
The latest child-specific netbook set to make its way to market is the new Dell Latitude 2100, which starts at $369.
Dell’s Latitude 2100 comes in a variety of colors (“School Bus Gold”, for example) in a rubberized case for durability. Unfortunately for the kids, a light pops on when the netbook connects to the internet. Why? So teachers know if they’re surfing the web instead of listening.
While schools in Australia have been notably progressive in involving netbooks in the classroom, US school systems and governmental groups have seemed less interested in the idea. To encourage American schools to adopt the Dell Latitude, Dell has thrown in access to its custom drive imaging as well.
The Latitude 2100 has the option of being a touch screen, which sounds great at first, until you realize that Dell is going to charge you for it. Bringing the battery from 3 cells to 6 cells will likely cost more as well, and once you throw in Dell’s “matching mobile cart”, the price could be out of control.
Somehow, the cost of kiddie netbooks tends to be high, which is the opposite of what you’d expect. If you’re okay with the price range you can get an Intel Classmate PC for $500 or a PeeWee PC for $600, but if you’re like the rest of us you’ll be happiest with an OLPC for a mere $180.
As soon as official pricing is available we’ll have the news for you, so check back soon for more on the Dell Latitude 2100.
Via ZDNet.
