Dell has launched two new machines to join the ranks of its “award winning” XPS range of notebooks; the XPS 11 and the XPS 15. Dell also updated the XPS 13 Ultrabook to include a 4th generation Intel Core processor. The famous US PC maker also launched several new tablets, the Dell Venue 8 Pro and Dell Venue 11 Pro running Windows 8.1, and the Dell Venue 7 and Dell Venue 8 “affordable” Android-based tablets.
Sam Burd, vice president Dell Personal Computing Group said about the new products; “The new Dell Venue tablets and XPS laptops give customers the stellar experience they expect from us, with performance that allows them to work how they want, when they want, in a design they’ll be proud to show off and own.” These devices do have quite a lot of cutting edge desirable technology in them; let’s have a look through what has been launched.
Dell XPS 15 featuring Quad HD+ display
The Dell XPS 15 is the world’s first 15.6-inch laptop available with a Quad HD+ display at a 3200 x 1800 pixel resolution (also available with a touch option and in a 1080p screen option). This machine is configurable with a 4th Generation Intel Core i5 or i7 quad core processor and NVIDIA discrete graphics options. The XPS 15 includes a 32GB mSATA SSD paired with up to 1TB HDD, it is also available with a single SSD up to 512GB in size. This “multimedia powerhouse” weighs in at 2Kg. On sale from 18th October, prices start from $1499.
Dell XPS 13 – Haswell update
As mentioned in the intro this is a simple but worthy update to the popular 13-inch Ultrabook already on offer from Dell. The update is based around Intel’s latest 4th generation processors. This machine will be available with i3, i5 and i7 CPUs. Its 1980 x 1080 screen can be specified with a touch option. Choose 4GB to 8GB of DDR3/1600 memory, 128GB or 256GB SSDs configs. This updated XPS 13 will be available from November, prices from $999.
Dell XPS 11 2-in-1 convertible
Dell says that the “XPS 11 is the world’s thinnest, lightest and most compact 2-in-1 Ultrabook available today”. It weighs just 1.13Kg and mixes tablet and laptop functionality using a 360 degree rotating hinge design. Dell says that the backlit keyboard built-into the device “provides a superb experience from lap to bag”. The XPS 11 boasts an 11.6-inch Quad HD (2560 x 1440) display. PCWorld describe its design as “similar to the Lenovo Yoga 11S”.
Again this laptop uses 4th generation Intel Core processors and in this thin and light you can choose either an i3 or an i5 chip. The XPS 11 is equipped with 4GB of RAM and you can choose between 80GB and 256GB of SSD storage. Shipping in November, this 2-in-1 will be priced from $999.
Dell Venue Pro Windows 8.1 tablets
The Dell Venue 8 Pro and Dell Venue 11 Pro Windows 8.1-based tablets will be 8 and 11-inch devices as you would expect. The 8-incher uses a 720p screen while the 11-incher, pictured below, uses a 1080p screen.
These tablets employ the new Intel Atom Bay Trail quad-core processors. However the Dell Venue 11 Pro can also be specified with an i3 or i5 processor. This larger tablet also comes bundled with an active stylus and has specially designed keyboard cover options (one including extra battery power) and a dock available.
The Dell Venue 8 Pro and Dell Venue 11 Pro will be available from 18th October priced from $299 and $499 respectively.
Dell Venue 7 and Dell Venue 8 Android-based tablets
These new Android tablets are designed by Dell with “an upscale fit and finish,” and wide viewing angles. Dell has also chosen to use Intel architecture on these Androids “for speed, responsiveness, and battery efficiency”.
These 7 and 8-inch HD screened Android tablets use Intel Atom Z2760 (Clover Trail) processors. They will be available from 18th October, priced at $149 and $179 respectively.
