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Dell Computer on Wednesday announced a new wide-screen notebook using the Intel Pentium 4-M processor. Fujitsu also announced a new LifeBook using the same processor technology.
For now, the mobile Pentium 4-M represents the high end of Intels mobile offerings. Later this year, Intel will introduce the mobile Pentium 4, a version of its desktop processor.
Prices of the new Dell Inspiron 8500 begin at $2,299, according to Dell. Users may select either a wide-aspect 15.4-inch screen with resolutions of WUXGA (1920×1200) or WSXGA+ (1680×1050).
Dell customers of the Inspiron 8500 may choose either a 2.0, 2.2, or 2.4-GHz Pentium 4-M processor, 512-Mbytes to 2-Gbytes of DRR266 DRAM, a choice of either the Nvidia Geforce 4 4200 Go or ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 (32-Mbyte) graphics processors, an 8X DVD or 24X DVD/CD-RW, and a 40- or 60-Gbyte hard drive. Two USB ports and IEEE 1394 port have been included. Users also receive an external floppy.
Dells 1.5-inch slim design can be personalized with five color schemes for an additional $39.99. These configurable color schemes snap on to and replace the back panel behind the LCD.
On Tuesday, Fujitsu PC Corp. introduced the LifeBook E, starting at $1,299. Like the Dell Inspiron, speeds on the mobile Intel Pentium 4-M range from 1.8-GHz to 2.4-GHz. The notebook allows up to a gigabyte of DDR266 SDRAM of main memory. The notebook also includes the ATI Radeon IGP340 M with 128 Mbytes of integrated and shared memory, which can render its output on a users choice of either a 14.1-inch or 15-inch display. The notebook also ships with two integrated USB 2.0 ports and an S-Video connection.
Finally, the LifeBook E ships with a modular storage bay for integrating several types of optical drives, and hard drive storage options range from 30 to 60-Gbytes.