February 2008 - Direct2Dell

Earlier today, we added the Inspiron 1525 notebook to our family of Ubuntu products.  And as with our other systems shipping Ubuntu 7.10, Dell is including built-in DVD playback capabilities so that you can get the most out of your new Dell.

Customers in the UK, France, Spain, and Germany may place orders today. Later this month, the US Ubuntu website will also be updated with Inspiron 1525. The growth in Linux sales has enabled us to expand Linux onto more platforms over the last year. Thanks again for your support.

Several new developments on the Linux front today.

We're introducing Ubuntu 7.10-based Dell systems in Canada and Latin America. Beyond that, we're introducing the Inspiron 1525n to customers in the United States. Like Daniel mentioned earlier this week, the 1525n is already available to customers in the U.K., Spain, France and Germany. All of these systems will include built-in DVD playback capability.

Lots of customers like Jimmy and Simon have asked for Ubuntu support in Canada. Now Dell Canada customers can order the Inspiron 1525n, XPS M1330n and the Inspiron 530 desktop. More information is here: http://www.dell.ca/open

In Latin America, initially we will offer the Inspiron 1525n and the Inspiron 530n desktop to customers in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Right now, customers can order systems via phone by clicking on that country and clicking the Sales Support, then Call Sales. Systems will be availble online to Latin American customers in the coming weeks. See this post in DellenDirecto for more details.

Update, February 22: These Ubuntu systems are available across Latin America, not just the countries I listed above.

Today we introduced the UltraSharp 2408WFP widescreen flat panel display. Following the 3008WFP, it is our second monitor that supports DisplayPort... while I was pulling together some details on this monitor, I was told that our 22" Crystal display does not have a DisplayPort connector. I updated that post. Now, on to the fun stuff.

We've talked about DisplayPort before, but to catch everyone up, it optimizes both panel performance and simplifies platform interoperability. Just like I said with our 30" display, the new 2408WFP is all about performance and connectivity.

The new display features HDMI, DVI, VGA, component, S-Video and composite video connections, and the 2408 also has a 9-in-2 media card reader and 4 high-speed USB ports.

Performance-wise, it features a quick 6ms response time, a 3000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 1920x1200 native resolution, and TrueColor technology with 110% color gamut. If you really want to dig into color gamut details, you can take a look at this color chromacity explanatory chart from Georgia State University. Thanks to AnnaAtDell for that information.

The 2408WFP is available to customers in the United States for $699, the same price as the previous model it replaces. Bottom line, if the 3008WFP was too expensive or you didn't quite have enough room on your desk, the 2408WFP might just be the monitor to go for. 

Lots of customers I talk to are interested in understanding the  differences between DisplayPort and HDMI display interfaces. Recently, I saw a PC World article from Tom Mainelli where he questioned the benefits of DisplayPort compared to HDMI.  That's why I wanted to take some time to share Dell's perspective on this. In our view, both interfaces will be increasingly important for PC users and will coexist to meet different product applications.

HDMI is intended as an external consumer electronics connection for HDTVs.  It is rapidly replacing S-Video and component video as the primary connection to TV sets.  HDMI appears on consumer monitors so that they can be connected to Blu-ray Disc players, game consoles, and other consumer electronics. This allows the monitor to be used as an entertainment display.  HDMI is also found on PCs to enable connectivity to HDTVs.

In contrast, DisplayPort is the digital interface for connecting flat-panel displays to computer systems. It will eventually replace VGA, DVI, and LVDS in IT equipment such as home and office PCs, projectors, monitors, and data center consoles.  HDMI is not designed to meet these internal and external IT connectivity requirements...it is an external consumer electronics interface.

HDMI is based on legacy CRT raster-scan architecture. DisplayPort is designed for modern flat-panel displays and PC chipsets. DisplayPort has a micro-packet architecture with low voltage signaling that  more easily enables networked displays.  In the future,  DisplayPort will also allow daisy chaining displays at full graphics performance, including 3D. and content protection.  Today's USB-based daisy-chaining solutions do not support high performance 3D graphics or protected content.  

HDMI has rules for how to implement and use the technology. Business and enterprise customers may not want to implement all of the consumer electronics features that are required in HDMI products. In contrast, DisplayPort is the display equivalent of Ethernet....anyone can implement it in any type of application. A VESA compliance program ensures interoperability for products featuring the "DisplayPort Certified" logo.

DisplayPort supports higher performance as a standard feature-every 6-foot cable supports 10.8 Gbps. With HDMI, high performance is optional and comes at a significant cost premium. DisplayPort has better support for projectors and enables cool ultra-thin monitors. It supports native fiber optic cable and offers latching connectors, features that are missing from HDMI.  Down the road, DisplayPort will allow multi-function monitors with a single cable delivering display, audio, and USB connectivity. It will also support multiple monitors on a single connector.

I know there's more to be said on this topic, and we plan to blog more about it in the future.  If you have any questions, concerns or comments please let us know here.