Dell Inspiron XPS Released (Pics)

Dell Computer's latest addition to its notebook family of products is the Dell Inspiron XPS. Targeted at serious gamers and enthusiasts, the Inspiron XPS features higher levels of processor performance and graphics capabilities, a customized look, and for the first time on a Dell notebook, an onsite upgradeable graphics option. Color kit options allow gamers to to personalize their machines. The Inspiron XPS will list at $2,849.00.

Dell Inpsiron XPS featured with the Cipher design

Dell Inspiron XPS front-side view

Performance

The Inspiron XPS will include Intel(R) Pentium 4 (3.4 GHz) or Pentium 4 Extreme Edition (3.4 GHz) processors and the recently launched ATI MOBILITY(tm) RADEON(tm) 9700 with 128MB of memory, giving the system enough muscle to play today's popular games. The Inspiron XPS will also feature subwoofer sound, an integrated DVI port, Gigabit Ethernet(a), four USB 2.0 ports, IEEE 1394 and fast hard drives.

Upgradeable Graphics, Dedicated Support

Offered for the first time on Dell notebooks, the Inspiron XPS will feature a graphics upgrade option for enthusiasts who want to stay at the top of their game with leading-edge technology. And, getting the graphics card upgrade is easy. The customer purchases the upgrade, available at a later date, and a Dell technician will be dispatched to install the graphics card at the customer's home. The service is based on the customer's schedule which eliminates the need to send the system back to Dell and experience unnecessary downtime.

Additionally, Inspiron XPS customers will have dedicated tech support manned by experienced technicians, oftentimes gamers themselves, who are knowledgeable and able to troubleshoot, diagnose and handle the most demanding inquiries. Dell also works with hardware vendors and game developers so that specific issues can be resolved.

Unique Look

New for Dell, the Inspiron XPS is designed to look distinctly different than other systems in the line. The notebook will come with one of three exclusive personalization QuickSnap color kit options that customers can use to cover the entire back of the product including Cipher (green and purple), Skullz (black-and-white skull-and-bones) and Plasma (red and black). In addition, each system will come with an exclusive backpack designed for the XPS.

"We tasked our Inspiron XPS development team with creating a notebook that pulled out all of the stops to achieve an ultimate level of mobile performance," said Gretchen Miller, director, Inspiron product marketing, Dell. "The result is a product that looks great and packs a performance punch. The Inspiron XPS is capable of taking on the requirements demanded by gamers and enthusiasts and will be supported by some of the best technicians in the industry."

For more information about the Inspiron and Dimension XPS, go to www.dell4me.com/XPS.

Additional technical information for the Inspiron XPS

-- Intel(R) Pentium 4 and Pentium 4 Extreme Edition both at 3.4GHz

-- 512MB to 2GB DDR RAM at 400MHz

-- UXGA UltraSharp(tm) Wide Aspect Display (15.4-inch)

-- ATI MOBILITY(tm) RADEON(tm) 9700 128MB

-- 10/100/1000 Ethernet(a), integrated 56K(b) v.92 capable modem

-- Optional integrated Wi-Fi (802.11b/g or 802.11a/b/g) and BlueTooth capability

-- DVD+RW/+R(c)

-- Choice of Hard Drives: 60GB (7200 RPM), 80GB (5400 RPM)

-- Integrated subwoofer

-- Ports include four USB 2.0, one S-Video Out, one IEEE 1394 port and integrated DVI port

-- One PC Card slot

-- 96-watt Hour Lithium Ion battery

-- Optional second hard drive and floppy disk drive

-- Included choice of 1 QuickSnap(tm) Color Kit cover

-- Exclusive XPS backpack

 

I dont know about others, but the price on this seems extremely steep. I'm not a gamer, but seems to me that there are several other models out there that will serve the "extreme" gamer perfectly for a significantly lower price.Just my opinion.

 

Jeff, I couldn't agree more. This notebook is definitely not going to be bought by the mainstream buyer. It's targeted more at gamers that just have to have the best of the best. You know, the kind that go to LAN gaming parties and cart their tweeked out desktop along with them....instead they can take this 10 lb machine. Dell is competing with such companies as Alienware with this computer, and when you consider the fact Alienware charges $3,500 for a similar notebook this machine is actually cheap. Relatively speaking that is [ ]

 

I am sorely disappointed that THIS is considered the Mobility Radeon 9700's first design win. [V]
I sincerely hope the other ODM's take a different path to their final product. If all "gaming notebooks" based on the M11 are going to be as attractive as this monstrosity because of user-replaceable graphics cards then I might as well ante up the cash for a machine now!

Regards,

kenny

 

What a load of BS...

The Alienware Area-51m seems to me to be better machine, and for less money. I don't know where you came up with the 3,500.00 you mentioned. I priced one a just over 2400 a few minutes ago.

You need to go visit their site if you are looking at a machine along these lines.

Pay particular attention to the somewhat misleading marketing too. Dell says "The First Upgradable Graphics Notebook from Dell" and while this is technically correct because of the "from Dell" declaration, Alienware has it too - and before Dell came out with it.

I don't work for Alienware and do not own any Dell laptop computers, just a desktop. I have to support a lot of their desktops/laptops because many of my customers consider it a "crap shoot" when calling Dell for support these days; therefore, I no longer recommend their products for anyone thinking they may need support.

So, if I were to buy one of these, my money would go to Alienware.

Just my .02

Bobby