Wireless charging is already being used in some consumer electronics like mobile phones. For example, Palm sells a kit to recharge its Palm Pre smartphone using inductive charging, also known as inductive coupling. Similar technology is being used to recharge electronic toothbrushes and even power tools.

The quick-boot environment, called Latitude On, boots the laptop in a few seconds, after which users have access to applications include e-mail, contacts, calendar and the Web. Based on a lightweight version of Linux, the environment reduces the need to fully boot into Windows to run certain applications.

Dell adopted the Arm chip for the quick-boot environment as it morphs the laptop into a smartphone-like device, Belt said.

"Because it doesn't run Intel and it doesn't run [Windows], it get gobs of battery life. It's like taking a big battery and strapping it to my Blackberry." Belt said. The quick-boot battery life could range from 12 hours up to two days if the laptop is often in sleep mode, Belt said.

The laptop can also connect to an optional wireless dock via ultrawideband technology, allowing users to move around the room with the laptop without being tethered by wires. The dock, in turn, connects to peripherals using wires. It has a DVI (digital visual interface) port to connect to a monitor, and USB ports to connect to peripherals like keyboards, printers and mice.