We knew it was coming, but Dell has finally unveiled its business-friendly Windows 8 tablet, the Latitude 10. With a full-fat version of Windows 8 Pro, and Intel’s Clover Trail Atom processors at the helm, this 10.1in tablet could be just what many businesses have been waiting for.

While we might have hoped for the futuristic design of Dell’s XPS 10 to trickle through to the business models, the Latitude 10 has its sights set on more practical concerns. Finished all in black, it’s clad in a grippy, soft-touch finish that feels good in the hand, and the sturdy body seems more than capable of surviving in a corporate environment. Weighing 725g with the standard two-cell battery, though, it’s definitely a little heavier than the average Windows RT or Android tablet.

It’s powered by Intel’s Atom Z2670 CPU and 2GB of RAM, while eMMC solid-state drives deliver up to 128GB of storage. Basic models are set to include 802.11n and Bluetooth wireless connectivity, but mobile broadband-enabled versions will also be available, with the SIM slot hidden away beneath the Latitude 10’s most novel feature – its removable battery.

Dell will be offering both two- and four-cell batteries with the Latitude 10, although there was no mention of battery life estimates. Still, it’s a great addition, and one that finally makes it possible to keep a spare battery in a bag for emergencies.

Security is high on the list of priorities, with TPM 1.2 built in as standard, and Dell will be offering optional fingerprint and smartcard readers, as well as file-level encryption in the long list of configurable options.

Dell has packed in a decent assortment of ports and connectors, too, including a single full-sized USB 2 port, a full-sized SD card reader, mini-HDMI and a micro-USB charging port alongside the propietary docking connector. Front and rear cameras are present and correct, too, with the 2-megapixel front-facing sensor buddying up with an 8-megapixel, LED flash-equipped camera at the rear.

A keyboard dock is one notable absentee – instead, Dell’s touting an optional productivity dock, which houses four USB 2 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI and an audio output.

The Latitude 10 will be making its debut alongside Windows 8 on 26th October, so we’ll just have to wait and see if this is the affordable business-centric slate every IT department has been waiting for. Keep an eye on PC Pro next month for the full lowdown.