Dell has launched a notebook which, the vendor claimed, doesn’t compromise on self-expression. Just on optical storage.

Dell's Studio 14z: no optical drives keep its size and weight down

The Studio 14z has a 14in, 1280 x 720 display – although a 1440 x 900 option is also available – that’s hooked up to Nvidia’s GeForce 9400M graphics processor.

It’s worth noting that you won’t get a DVD or Blu-ray drive with the machine because, asks Dell, “when was the last time you used a DVD/CD drive?”

By opting out of optical, the firm’s managed to get the 14z’s weight down to around 1.9kg – when equipped with a six-cell battery – and its dimensions to roughly 336 x 20 x 229mm.

Under the svelte shell you’ll find at least a 2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T4200 processor, space for up to 5GB of DDR 3 Ram – although 3GB comes as standard – and a minimum 250GB capacity hard drive.

720p and 900p screen resolution options are available

The machine’s equipped with 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and an Ethernet port. Bluetooth is optional. Videos and pictures can be displayed on your TV using the machine’s HDMI port. An eight-in-one media card reader comes as standard.

The "self-expression" element, in case you were wondering, refers to the 14z’s body colour options, which include “Black Chain Link”, “Spring Green”, “Purple Plum” and “Primrose Pink”. Dell’s Studio 14z is available now in North America, priced at from $649 (£407/€468). UK launch dates or prices haven’t been disclosed. ®