Dell Optimizer to Enable Simultaneous Network Connections with New Laptops

Dell’s Optimizer software will soon enable the company’s newest commercial mobile PCs and workstations to establish multiple simultaneous network connections. The upgraded tool will accompany a new portfolio of Dell Latitude laptops and Dell Precision mobile workstations revealed on Thursday.

Dell designed the latest release of Optimizer for the new commercial laptops, which start shipping this month. The updated software will also work on some existing Latitude PCs and Precision workstations. However, Dell said some of the new Optimizer features are hardware-specific. Dell Optimizer is also designed for the company’s OptiPlex desktops and ruggedized mobile laptops and tablets.

Mobile professionals will find the ability to simultaneously connect to two networks appealing because it will allow faster data transfers. Enabled by Dell Optimizer’s new ExpressConnect capability, the simultaneous network connections can pool both wireless and wired networks. ExpressConnect will boost network speed using this capability by up to 20%, according to Dell.

Besides faster throughput, Dell claims the support for dual network connections will optimize internet bandwidth with three times less buffering. Dell also said the new ExpressConnect capability will reduce buffering and reduce latency up to 30%.

Dell’s Matt McGowan

“That’s super important for video calls,” Matt McGowan, Dell’s director of product management and planning said.

In addition to allowing dual network connections, McGowan said the Dell Optimizer update will offer expanded privacy and collaboration features.

On the privacy front, Dell said Optimizer will automatically conceal sensitive information when someone is looking over a user’s shoulder. Likewise, it will detect when a user looks away from the display and dim the display to conserve battery power. The new collaboration features include improved noise reduction. It filters unwanted background sounds that are distracting during video meetings.

The Dell Optimizer update will let partners and customers install specific components of the tool, rather than the entire package.

Spring Lineup of Dell Latitudes

Dell launched 10 new Latitudes, the company’s flagship line of commercial portfolio of laptop PCs. At the high end is the new Dell Latitude 9430, set to ship in April at a starting price of $2,245. The Latitude 9430 is a 14-inch PC with a 16:10 aspect ratio display, intended for C-Suite executives and consultants. It is powered by Intel’s 12^th Gen Core processors up to i7 and available with vPro and a HD webcam.

The new Dell Latitude 7000 Series laptops and 2-in-1s feature improved thermals and acoustics and are available with DDDR5 memory. Dell officials showcased the Latitude 7330 Ultralight, which has a 13.3-inch display, a 16:9 aspect ratio weighing just 2.13 lbs. The starting price is $1,900.

Dell is also refreshing its higher volume Latitude 5000 Series. Based on the company’s Concept Luna sustainable PC Design, the Latitude 5000 Series systems consist of Dell’s greatest mix of sustainable and recycled materials to date. For example, 71% of the laptop’s lid is made of tree-based bioplastic, reclaimed carbon fiber and recycled plastic. A portion of the systems’ base consists of reclaimed carbon fiber, with bio-based rubber feet made from castor bean oil. Parts of the fan housing also are based on ocean-bound plastics.

“As one of our highest volume portfolios that we make and sell, the Latitude 5000 series is a strategic choice for sustainability investments,” said Page Motes, Dell Technologies head of global sustainability. “It can provide a really big impact.”

Dell has also started offering the ocean-bound plastics in the fan housing of its Precision 3000 mobile workstations as well as in Dell’s desktop OptiPlex desktops and Precision workstations.

Precision Mobile Workstation

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Dell’s Precision workstation line. The refresh of its mobile Precision workstation line in April includes the Precision 5470, a 14-inch system available with 12th Gen Intel Core processors up to i9. The system can run up to 64GB of DDR5 RAM and will be available with a Nvidia RTX A1000 GPU.

The company will also ship in April, the 15-inch Precision 5570 and 17-inch Precision 5770 mobile workstations.

New Displays and Peripherals

Among other deliverables announced by Dell:

• 4K Displays: The Dell UltraSharp 32 and 27 4K USB-C Hub monitors. Dell claims they are the first displays with IPS Black technology, which provides richer contrast than traditional IPS displays. Dell also said the new displays offer wider viewing angles and various connectivity ports. Available now, the new 4K displays cost $725 and $1,150, respectively. Also now available is the Dell UltraSharp 340 USB-C Hub monitor, which Dell priced at $1,050.
• Docking Stations: Three new docks include Dell Dual Charge Dock, which supports dual 4K displays and provides a wireless charging stand for Qi-enabled smartphones and earbuds (available in May, $369); an upgraded Dell Thunderbolt Dock with a modular design, upgradeable with support for Thunderbolt 4 and the ability to connect multiple 4K displays (shipping in the second quarter, $470); and the new Dell Universal Dock, designed for workspaces, set up for hoteling workspaces (available in May, $460).
• Microsoft Teams-certified speakerphone and conferencing soundbar: The new Dell Speakerphone and Dell Slim Conferencing Soundbar are for those who want to replace their phones and use their PCs instead. Both are available today; the speakerphone costs $100 and the soundbar is $80.