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Topic: Dell

Dell unveils Windows 8 lineup, including XPS 12 Convertible Touch Ultrabook laptop/tablet

Summary: In addition to the new hybrid portable, the computer giant is adding touch features to a pair of existing all-in-one desktop PCs to take advantage of the latest OS.

Sean Portnoy

By for Laptops & Desktops |

dell-XPS-Duo-12-touch-ultrabook-convertible-laptop-tablet-windows-8

Even though Microsoft isn't officially launching Windows 8 until October 26, its hardware partners are racing to announce their new systems that will run the operating system. Yesterday, Sony revealed its Windows 8 roster, and earlier in the week, Lenovo unveiled its lineup.

Now it's Dell's turn. The computer giant may be reeling in the age of smartphones and iPads, but it hopes to turn things around with three new systems, one of which seems to be the form factor du jour. The XPS 12 Convertible Touch Ultrabook (pictured above) combines laptop and tablet features, with a hinged design that lets you flip it from laptop to slate. It comes with a 12.5-inch full HD display, and for its $1,199.99 base configuration, you get an Intel Core i5-3317U Ivy Bridge processor, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB solid state drive. Other configs include a $1,399.99 version with Core i7-3517U CPU and 8GB of RAM, a $1,499.99 model that doubles the RAM and SSD capacity (while keeping the base i5 processor), and the $1,699 full enchillada with Core i7, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB SSD.

dell-XPS-One-27-desktop-pc-computer-windows-8

Dell is also rolling out a pair of its all-in-one desktop PCs that have been augmented with touch capabilities for Windows 8. The XPS One 27 (pictured) comes with a large 27-inch screen with 2,560x1,440 resolution (what Dells dubbs "quad HD"), Intel Core i5-3330s Ivy Bridge processor, 6GB of RAM, 1TB hard drive, DVD burner, and built-in Wi-Fi. With specs that are otherwise pedestrian, the XPS One 27's high cost -- $1,599.99 -- is all about its spacious display. 

For shoppers on a budget, the Inspiron One 23 offers a 23-inch display with 1,920x1,080 resolution, though only an Intel Pentium G645 processor. It also includes 4GB of RAM and 500GB hard drive, and like the XPS One 27, comes with a DVD burner and built-in Wi-Fi. But unlike its bigger brother, the Inspiron One 23 only costs $779.99.   

Of course, the existing Dell lineup will also start shipping with Windows 8 in the coming weeks. Are the new models enough to turn Dell's fortunes around? While they keep pace with competitors' offerings, they certainly don't go out on a limb like Sony's new Tap 20 "tabletop" PC. Let us know what you think in the Talkback section below.

Topics: Dell, Laptops, Tablets, PCs, Windows

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Talkback

24 comments
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  • Dell Win 8 PCs

    The new line up is so boring but that is what dell is capable of. No surprises here. All their executives are busy counting how many toilet breaks their staff are taking that they have no time for mundane tasks like creating a great product. All those seen not toeing this line are summarily dismissed. This company is a joke!!
    saskin08
    Reply Vote

  • Dell Win 8 PCs

    The new line up is so boring but that is what dell is capable of. No surprises here. All their executives are busy counting how many toilet breaks their staff are taking that they have no time for mundane tasks like creating a great product. All those seen not toeing this line are summarily dismissed. This company is a joke!!
    saskin08
    Reply Vote

  • A 27" touchscreen would be appreciated.

    It seems nobody is making a 27" Touchscreen, instead they seem to be making 27" All in Ones. Surely a 27" Touchscreen would be of interest for those of us who don't want to change our PC but want a decent sized touchscreen for Windows 8.

    Also, compared to an "All in One", a Touchscreen Monitor would be a lot easier to manufacture so I don't understand why nobody is making them.
    mitch@...
    Reply Vote

    • Dell Touchscreen

      http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=320-1819&~ck=baynoteSearch&baynote_bnrank=0&baynote_irrank=0

      Here's a 21" touchscreen by Dell.
      Jordan Burke
      Reply Vote

      • Jordan Burke can I take your order please

        Is that with a small or medium fry? ...we have a extra large drink for only five cents more......end of story regarding touch screens usefullness..............
        Linux_Lives
        Reply Vote

      • Yeah it's a great monitor.

        My son has that monitor and it rocks. Not only is it a great monitor, but it's stand allows it to be pushed to a horizontal position so you can use it like a tablet.

        Considering what I paid for my sons I'm surprised everyone doesn't have one.
        Pastabake
        Reply Vote

    • Just how close would you sit to a 27" screen?

      I have 23" screens, and i have to stretch to reach them at a natural seating distance ...
      daboochmeister
      Reply 1 Vote

      • Seriously?

        You don't get a 60" screen so that you can sit so far away it looks like a 19".
        Pastabake
        Reply Vote

  • Dell gets it

    A fairly reasonably priced 23" with multi-touch -- a Windows 8 animal. The 27" seems big and expensive -- there are probably better choices in that double-the-price market.

    Yeah W8 is fast, but without touch all you're getting is a souped up W7 with a bunch of colored squares that get in the way. With touch, its your smartphone on steroids -- and will be a seamless experience from mega-desktop to tablet to phone. And I'm an Android guy.
    TomMariner
    Reply Vote

    • The price is great on the 23" but I question the use of Touch on a desktop.

      For a Kiosk type app, this would be great but for actual use at home/work? I guess the need to go to the gym and work out would be greatly minimized.

      I would think a supplemental input device (something like a multi-touch mouse or multi-touch pad) would make more sense. The idea of having my hands always going from the mouse to the screen to the keyboard to the screen back to the mouse seems like a loose loose to me. The mouse and keyboard are located closely together while the screen can be 1-2.5 feet away with much of the distant at an uncomfortable distance up. This seems like an ergonomic nightmare.
      Bruizer
      Reply Vote

      • That was my thought as well....

        Why exactly would someone want a touch enabled *desktop* PC?
        Hallowed are the Ori
        Reply Vote

      • touchscreen

        Indeed, Logitech has win8 mice and even a touch pad that render a touch screen for a home pc unnecessary and keep win8 an enticing upgrade.
        Ntz Phyr
        Reply Vote

      • You should go to the gym

        You love the iPad which is more than 1lb but you have problems holding your hand up? Wimp.
        toddbottom3
        Reply 1 Vote

      • Maybe you're just not ready for it ...

        but I can bet that as soon as you see the things your mates are doing with theirs you'll be wanting one.

        Seriously though, it makes manipulating maps, images etc so much easier than if you have to use a mouse and keyboard.
        Pastabake
        Reply Vote

  • Their ultrabook hybrids will collect dust on

    the shelves at those ridiculous prices. And the complete lack of innovation at this crucial time has got to be very scary for Dell shareholders. Dell what were you thinking? Where are your consumer focused 11" and 13" tablet/ultrabook hybrids that are $599 and $699? Where is your $199 7" x64 W8 tablet and your $299 10" x64 W8 tablet? I thought you'd want to be relevant again. This would be your path. You are no where near it. Complete and utter failure. Expect poor sales all around for these.
    Johnny Vegas
    Reply Vote

  • Because that Dell Duo sold so well last time around.

    For the same price Dell is pushing this Duo for, I could get an 11" MacBook Air and a $199 7" Nexus 7 or Kindle Fire.
    dave95.
    Reply Vote

    • You could do that

      But then you'd be stuck with a MacBook Air which is a horrible computer.
      toddbottom3
      Reply Vote

      • You must be using an old MBA

        Mine is fantastic.
        Michael Alan Goff
        Reply Vote

  • Not a fan of the revolving screen...

    I agree with most of what everyone else has said, but would add that I'm not a fan of the revolving screen on the XPS 12. If the screen popped off it'd be much more appealing. Furthermore, the price seems a bit high.

    Most likely I'll stick with a couple of Surface RTs for Christmas. If they turn out not to be powerful enough, maybe I'll upgrade to a Surface Pro sometime later.
    newyorkcitymale
    Reply Vote

  • craptops

    I am hoping to get a trademark on the name craptop to describe hybrid tablets. I just don't see the point in them. I own an iPad that I use in my home music studio and also for general net surfing, reading, entertaining etc. For those functions it is great. For business travel I take a dell laptop with a 17 screen. I have tried netbooks, but the small keyboard/screen just isn't useful for managing and organizing large amounts of data into reports, spreadsheets, and other business documents. Putting a keyboard on tablet seems to cripple the portability and ease of use that you get from a tablet, while providing an equally crippled version of a decent sized laptop. The market may prove me wrong, but i see things as a non-starter. For the generation older than me the Edsel is the epitome of a product that failed to live up to the hype. I think this generation will use the Surface ( the dell/acer/lenovo hybrids will be totally forgotten) as their shorthand for the epitome of fail.
    krossbow
    Reply Vote
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