Dell Offers Up XPS 18 Portable All-In-One, PC Form Factors Continue to Evolve
Just last week, ASUS announced the Transformer AiO, an all-in-one that converts to a (very large) tablet for on-the-go computing; today, Dell is following suit with the release of the Dell XPS 18, which is also a portable AIO PC.
The XPS 18 is powered by up to an Intel Core i7 (Ivy Bridge) processor and up to Intel HD 4000-series graphics. The display is 18.4 inches (1080p full HD), and there’s a 720p HD webcam and dual-array microphone on the front for video chatting. Users can opt for up to 8GB of DDR3-1600MHz RAM, and storage options include up to a 512GB mSATA flash module and 500GB SATA hard drive.
Dell XPS 18
There’s also an 8-in-1 card reader, a pair of USB 3.0 ports, a USB 2.0 port, and headphone and mic jacks. Other features include a killer wireless networking card, WiDi, Bluetooth 4.0, and Waves MaxxAudio Pro. Dell throws in a Tangerine wireless mouse and keyboard combo, too.
The XPS 18 has two different stand options and purports to last 5 hours on a single battery charge. The AIO starts at $899.99, although it’s important to note that the base specifications are significantly less high-end than the maximum options mentioned above.
The concept of a smallish AIO desktop that can be toted around tablet-style is intriguing, to say the least. It completely turns the notion of a tablet PC on its head; whereas there is much debate over tablet form factors, most of that chatter centers around one’s preference for a smaller (7-inches or so) tablet versus a larger (9-10 inches or so) device. The XPS 18 and its ilk are full-fledged PCs, and they’re comparatively huge: The Transformer AiO is 18.4 x 11.57 inches, and the XPS 18 appears to measure 18.4 inches on the diagonal.
It remains to be seen whether or not this AIO/tablet design will catch on, but in any case it’s an example of how hardware makers are reimagining what a tablet PC is and how big or small it should be.
The XPS 18 is powered by up to an Intel Core i7 (Ivy Bridge) processor and up to Intel HD 4000-series graphics. The display is 18.4 inches (1080p full HD), and there’s a 720p HD webcam and dual-array microphone on the front for video chatting. Users can opt for up to 8GB of DDR3-1600MHz RAM, and storage options include up to a 512GB mSATA flash module and 500GB SATA hard drive.
Dell XPS 18
There’s also an 8-in-1 card reader, a pair of USB 3.0 ports, a USB 2.0 port, and headphone and mic jacks. Other features include a killer wireless networking card, WiDi, Bluetooth 4.0, and Waves MaxxAudio Pro. Dell throws in a Tangerine wireless mouse and keyboard combo, too.
The XPS 18 has two different stand options and purports to last 5 hours on a single battery charge. The AIO starts at $899.99, although it’s important to note that the base specifications are significantly less high-end than the maximum options mentioned above.
The concept of a smallish AIO desktop that can be toted around tablet-style is intriguing, to say the least. It completely turns the notion of a tablet PC on its head; whereas there is much debate over tablet form factors, most of that chatter centers around one’s preference for a smaller (7-inches or so) tablet versus a larger (9-10 inches or so) device. The XPS 18 and its ilk are full-fledged PCs, and they’re comparatively huge: The Transformer AiO is 18.4 x 11.57 inches, and the XPS 18 appears to measure 18.4 inches on the diagonal.
It remains to be seen whether or not this AIO/tablet design will catch on, but in any case it’s an example of how hardware makers are reimagining what a tablet PC is and how big or small it should be.
