Dell Sees Strong Interest in New Netbook Designed For K-12 Students; More Than 500 U.S. School Districts Sign Up Fast for Latitude 2100

Schools Districts Across the U.S. Investing in Classroom Technology Like Latitude 2100; American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Funds Being Leveraged Schools Provide Students with 21st Century Skills and a Window to the World of Knowledge Beyond the Classroom Dell to Showcase K-12 Education Portfolio at the National Educational Computing Conference This Week in Washington, DC

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Dell says a growing commitment among U.S. educators, policymakers and parents to invest in technology that enhances the learning environment is driving the early success of its Latitude 2100 netbook designed for students. More than 500 U.S. school districts have purchased the Latitude 2100, which was launched just last month.

According to Dell, the ARRA and an increasing appreciation among education stakeholders for the impact technology has on learning will help modernize U.S. classrooms and transform the country's education system.

The popularity of the Latitude 2100 is consistent with analyst predictions that netbooks will occupy a growing percentage of notebooks in U.S. classrooms. Netbook or "mininotebook" shipments are expected to have a five-year growth rate of 60.1% from 2008 to 2013, according to research firm IDC¹.

As the top provider of technology to U.S. schools², Dell is focused on developing technologies that enable students to be more engaged, teachers to be more interactive, administrators to be more effective and parents to be more involved.

Quotes:

"This fall, the Latitude 2100 will make access to customized, affordable technology a reality for thousands of schools across the country. Our focus now is on continuing to work with students and teachers to design and develop K-12 technologies that enable our students to better learn, achieve and compete." -- Mark Horan, Vice President and General Manager, Dell K-12 Education

Customer Quotes:

"We're impressed with the unique features of the Latitude 2100. Its light-weight design will enhance the learning environment for students, teachers and administrators in our district. We are excited to have an affordable mobile solution that meets our needs while providing a platform to further our goal of providing the best education experience for our students and teachers." -- Scot Perdue, Director of Technology, Simpson County Schools, Franklin, KY

"We think classroom technology is key to student achievement and a wise use of ARRA funds intended to develop "connected classrooms" that can help children with a variety of educational needs. Technology like the Latitude 2100, with its small form factor, powerful performance, yet low cost, makes it particularly effective for classroom implementations. This laptop is a critical element in assuring that our students are provided a meaningful engaged learning environment." -- Dr. Sheryl Abshire, Chief Technology Officer, Calcasieu Parish; Louisiana, Lake Charles, LA

"We have been looking for a cost-effective way to stretch our technology dollars in Deer Valley. We have great students and teachers and we want to give them every opportunity to have 'anywhere/anytime' access to technology. We are very happy with Dell and their attention to the needs of K-12 education with the release of the 2100. We can't wait to get more of them." -- Jeff Anderson, Director of Information Services & Technology, Deer Valley Unified School District, Phoenix, AZ

"We were looking for a system that is robust enough to survive the K-12 environment yet affordable and practical enough to rollout in large numbers. I also liked knowing that we had Dell's engineering team behind us for support." -- Jerry Pile, Chief Information Officer, Meade County Schools, Brandenburg, KY

Additional Education Resources and Information:

    --  Edu4u
    --  Dell K-12 Education
    --  Partnership for 21st Century Skills
    --  National Educational Computing Conference

About the Latitude 2100

Inspired by close collaboration with hundreds of students, teachers, parents and administrators, Dell designers created its first purpose-built education netbook that focuses on what's most important - learning. The Latitude 2100 is part of Dell's solution set designed to enhance the teaching and learning experience by creating a connected classroom including innovative technology products, services, software and professional learning that make learning in the digital age a reality. The Latitude 2100 has features specifically designed for schools like bright primary colors, a more rugged design made for children, an optional touchscreen and antimicrobial keyboard to help prevent the spread of germs and a network activity light that allows teachers to monitor internet activity. The Latitude 2100 gives students direct access to enhanced learning resources (www.dell.com/latitude).

About Dell

Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services they trust and value.

¹ IDC Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker, Q1, 2009

2 IDC Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker, Q1, 2009

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    Source: Dell Inc.

Released June 29, 2009