Surprise! Dell releases XPS One today
In the labs: Dell XPS One
(Credit: CNET Networks, Inc.)Update: our Dell XPS One review is live.
Dell sent us a Dell XPS One for review last week and asked us to hold off publishing the review until it releases its first all-in-one PC next Monday. Then--surprise!--Dell gets a little trigger-happy and puts it up for sale today. (Estimated ship date isn't until November 27.) Rich Brown is writing feverishly; look for our full review later today.
What can we tell you now? The design of the thing doesn't look all that different from Dell's LCDs, with a black screen bezel and angular base. It's available in four preconfigured models, but one size fits all--your only screen option is a 20-inch wide screen. Pricing for the four models ranges from $1,499 to $2,399, and surprisingly for Dell systems, you're not given anything in the way of customization options other than adding a printer, software, or other accessories to your order. Common to all four machines are the following: 2GB of RAM, a hybrid analog/digital TV tuner, Vista Home Premium, Adobe Elements, 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. The two lower-end models feature the Core 2 Duo E4500 CPU, and the two higher-end models feature the Core 2 Duo E6550 while also upgrading the integrated graphics to a 256MB ATI Radeon HD 2400 Pro card. The highest-end model also trades in the DVD burner for a Blu-ray burner. Hard drive capacities range from 250GB to 500GB.
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I hope this is just the first of a continuing line; Dell is so fickle in what they'll release and/or stick with over time. 'Cause it'd be nice to have a wider range of screen sizes as with the iMac, and it would be even better for the style-conscious, not so tech savvy group this is obviously aimed at to have a dead simple and fairly good security solution on-board from jump, like Windows OneCare. But as it is, what a wonderfully bold statement in both the looks AND capability department. Hope their marketing is up to the challenge, maybe with an Apple-esque "Think Better" campaign? ;)
At least the previous gen iMacs were Bang & Olufsen-worthy as catchy kiosks in a foyer or lobby somewhere.
Leave it to Dell to show Apple how to do style.
This is what happens when you take the Sony/Microsoft path to success; you get complacent with your achievements and then you rest on your laurels.
You can't sit still in this market, Apple. Better companies deserve your recognition. And they will rightfully take it.