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What's Latitude On Flash?

Discussion in 'Dell Latitude, Vostro, and Precision' started by dodopeng, Dec 3, 2009.

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  1. dodopeng

    dodopeng Notebook Enthusiast

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    Today I found on Dell's support page there's a new firmware and application with title "Latitude On Flash".

    I have E4300 with Latitude On capable but I never used it at all.
    So I thought this might be the thing that makes the Latitute On something usable.

    But my installation process fails with message saying there's no flash device (module?) found on my laptop.

    Anyone know what this is and install successfully?
     
  2. afhstingray

    afhstingray Notebook Prophet

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    you can use latitude on reader on your laptop, the full latitude on is a seperate hardware component that must be installed internally.

    that firmware is for that module.
     
  3. dodopeng

    dodopeng Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for the info. I just googled about the availability of that hardware module, but it looks like Dell does not sell it yet...right? It's weird that they update a driver for non-existing hardware module...hmm.
     
  4. afhstingray

    afhstingray Notebook Prophet

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    it is available. it is shipping with the latitude Z600 AFAIK
     
  5. fatedquest

    fatedquest Notebook Guru

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    I just bought my Dell e4300 recently from a reseller. When I check my original configuration, it says it comes with Dell Latitude ON. Does that mean I have the Latitude ON card in my laptop?

    I never tried the Latitude ON until I upgrade to Windows 7. It was originally Vista. So which software do I install. The Latitude ON Reader or the Latitude On Flash. There are two Latitude On Flash too, one 18MB another 400MB.
     
  6. afhstingray

    afhstingray Notebook Prophet

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    it could mean so, unless its just the reader, not the full latitude ON.

    I reckon the 18mb might be firmware, and the 400mb file is the OS it runs on.
     
  7. aminoff

    aminoff Notebook Guru

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    Anyone tried it or knows how it works? Is it just a Flash storage with a custom Linux software? So the computer just boots from that flash instead of from the internal harddrive?
     
  8. dkam

    dkam Newbie

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    I've got recently the new Z600 with this Latitude On option.
    It is absolutely ridiculous feature. It is a custom Linux-based OS. It is loaded in few seconds (10-15) but the image resolution and quality is very low and the environement is very poor and the applications work very slowly (like if you are working with the fifteen-years old laptop). So, you gain nothing.
    While using the the windows 7 with SSD it takes 10-15 seconds more to load (awaking after sleeping mode takes only 5-10 sec) but everything is flying after.
     
  9. afhstingray

    afhstingray Notebook Prophet

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    i think the main selling point is the fact you get days rather than hours of battery life while using it. its just meant as an email viewer (kinda like using a mobile phone with a big screen)
     
  10. inifinity

    inifinity Newbie

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    Latitude ON FLASH is a separately purchased and installed module. The link to the kit for an existing 4200/4300 is below. So while you can download the firmware, you won't be able to use it w/o the module installed. The OS and applications are all stored on the module and are activated once the special button is pressed. My guess is that the 18mb file (and is installed on the hard drive) is for reader whereas the 400mb one is for FLASH. (and is installed onto the module).

    The other main differences between the Reader and ARM options are:

    FLASH vs Reader - FLASH provides web access that supports adobe flash 10 and java, has chat and voip clients, includes citrix / vmware / rdp clients and includes a music player and photo viewer. FLASH doesn't support the reader email functionality though - so you lose that in the upgrade.
    FLASH vs ARM - FLASH provides web access that supports adobe flash 10 and java, has chat and voip clients, includes vmware / rdp clients (ARM option supports Citrix) and includes a music player and photo viewer. FLASH also runs on the systems processor vs the TI chip - so it's more responsive. Because of that, you get the same battery performance - so ARM is much better for extended battery use because of TIs lower power. Also, ARM is running in the background pulling down your email using the native email client whereas FLASH has no native client and relies on you to access via a webmail account.

    BTW, you'll know if you have a system that supports either the FLASH or ARM options because the special button will be next to the power button.


    Kit - http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...etail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&sku=342-0476


    It currently retails for $60 vs ARM at $199


    Hope this helps.
     
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