Tech Treks » Three Key Things Mobile Workers Want in a Laptop

March 27, 2007 | Comments: (0)

Three Key Things Mobile Workers Want in a Laptop

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I caught up with Dell's product manager for the Latitude ATG (the ruggedized laptop I've been toting around for the last few weeks) a couple days ago. The first thing I noticed was how the PM referred to the notebook as "semi-rugged" and was sure to point out that it's not "rugged" in the sense of the traditional rugged notebook. Seems like another case of wanting to have your rugged cake and eat it too.

Another interesting thing about the call were the three key areas the PM explained were the things their vertical-market customers want in a ruggedized laptop: 1) data protection, 2) chassis protection, and 3) an LCD that's viewable outdoors.

These claims seem reasonable, but I'm always curious to know the parameters vendors use to draw their conclusions. And just like vendors never want the press to stress-test their portables, they're always hesitant to give exact answers to survey-type questions.

"We're always talking to our customers," the PM responded. Yes, right--but when? How many? Which markets exactly? All of those factors and more play a role in survey results, which can look quite different depending on the parameters used.

As the regular, real-world users of laptops like the Latitude ATG--is Dell right in saying these are the three things you want most in a notebook? You tell me at techtreks@gmail.com.

Posted by Stephanie Bruzzese on March 27, 2007 07:43 AM

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