Dell launches 14-, 15-, and 17-inch XPS notebooks

By Geoff Duncan October 21, 2010

Computer maker Dell is breathing new life into its premium XPS notebook line, introducing a series of new XPS notebooks available with 14-inch, 15-inch, and 17-inch displays. The systems all ship with Nvidia’s 3DTV Play software that enables users to watch 3D Blu-ray movies and play 3D games (at least on an separate Nvidia-compatible 3DTV) and sport Nvidia Optimus technology for transparent switching between dedicated and power-sipping integrated graphics. The systems also feature JBL speakers with integrated Waves MaxxAudio technology, and claim to have the first integrated webcams that can handle high-definition video streaming, making them the first notebooks to be “Skype-certified.”

Image used with permission by copyright holder

“The XPS brand has always been the standard-bearer for outstanding performance from Dell, and the new line of laptops is no exception,” said Dell consumer VP Sam Burd, in a statement. “No laptop PCs have ever sounded or looked so great.”

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The new multimedia-focused Dell XPS systems feature Nvidia GeForce 400M graphics (with aforementioned 3DTV Play and Optimus support plus 1 GB to 3 GB of video memory), options for Intel Core i5 and Core i7 processors, and a wide variety of configuration options, including integrated Blu-ray drives, up to 640 GB hard drives, a 9-in-1 media card reader, 802.11a/b/n or a/b/g/n Wi-Fi options, Bluetooth and GPS options, gigabit Ethernet, Mini DisplayPort and HDMI 1.4 output, and a TV tuner option. The 14- and 15-inch models max out at 8 GB of RAM but tha 17-inch unit can be cranked all the way to 16 GB. Music fans will appreciate that the 15-inch and 17-inch models sport 12-watt subwoofers, and folks who need to make their computers more individualized will want to check out more than 200 original cover designs available through Dell’s Design Studio.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The new XPS notebooks are available today through Dell’s Web site, with various configurations rolling out to retailers in different regions. Base prices for systems with Core i5 processors and 4 GB of RAM start at $899 for the 15-inch model, $849 for the 15-inch model, and $949 for the 17-inch system.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Dell

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Computing

Save $745 on the Dell XPS 15 with 32GB of RAM until Friday

A Dell XPS 15 laptop on an office desk next to a monitor.

Consistently a great place for awesome laptop deals, Dell continues that trend with a huge $745 off the Dell XPS 15. Even better, this particular model has a massive 32GB of RAM and an Intel Core i9 processor, so it’s sure to be powerful. Usually costing $2,594, it’s down to $1,849 for a limited time so we’re here to take a quick look at what it has to offer before you miss out.

Why you should buy the Dell XPS 15
From one of the best laptop brands around, the Dell XPS 15 is a great laptop for content creators, freelancers, or anyone who needs plenty of power. It has a powerful 13th-generation Intel Core i9-13900H processor teamed up with an impressive amount of RAM -- 32GB in all. That’s double what you’d usually get with many other laptops at this price with a much more powerful processor too. It might not be the latest but there’s plenty of oomph here.

Computing

Acer gets serious about 14-inch gaming laptops

acer nitro 14 16 2024 launch lifestyle 3

The 14-inch category of gaming notebooks is getting quite the traction. We recently saw the HP Omen Transcend 14, the company’s first attempt at making a compact yet premium gaming laptop, and a redesign of the popular Zephyrus G14 from Asus. Now, Acer is bringing two new models under its Predator and Nitro brandings.

The new Nitro 14 will be available with the latest AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS or the Ryzen 5 8645HS, which are the same chips as last year but with some added AI capabilities. The 14.5-inch display uses an IPS panel, and customers can choose between either a 1200p and a 1600p resolution model, both of which are capable of 100% sRGB coverage and a 120Hz refresh rate.

Computing

Stop what you’re doing and buy this 17-inch laptop right now

A woman video chats with her friends on an HP Envy laptop.

Do you need a new laptop but your budget is pretty tight? There’s a big discount on a HP 17-inch laptop at HP right now and it’s easily one of the best laptop deals for anyone keen to save money. Usually costing $500, you can buy this laptop for just $280 thereby saving $230. For a 17-inch laptop, that’s a huge discount so if you’re looking for a cheap desktop replacement, this is well worth checking out. It’s the latest example of what great value you can get from laptops these days. Here’s what you need to know about it if you need a little more convincing.

Why you should buy the HP Laptop 17z
Knowing what to buy when seeking a new laptop can feel pretty complicated. There are so many options around and when your budget doesn’t allow for something from the best laptops list, what do you do? Prioritize certain parts of the laptop and think deeply about what you need. Here’s a quick overview of why you should buy this particular HP 17-inch laptop.
You need a huge screen
Laptops typically focus on offering either 13-inch or 15-inch screens. 17-inch screens are available but they’re not as common meaning they aren’t discounted as frequently. With this laptop, you get a 17-inch HD+ screen. That means an increased resolution of 1600 x 900 which adds to the flexibility that comes here. You’ll have more screen space for juggling many windows or simply being able to see things more clearly. It also has 250 nits of brightness which isn’t high but isn’t bad going either.
You’re happy with a basic spec
The HP Laptop 17z isn’t the fastest of laptops but it’s just fine for typing up documents, browsing online and other basic but daily duties. Most people don’t need anything too fast other than gamers or video editors so this model will suffice. It has an AMD Athlon Gold 7220U processor along with 8GB of memory and 128GB of SSD storage. That’s all you need for daily usage.
You want reliability
Originating from one of the best laptop brands, the HP Laptop 17z is well-designed to be reliable and comfortable to use. It has a lift-hinge which elevates the keyboard for a more natural typing experience that is easier on your wrists. It also has an enlarged clickpad which is convenient while there’s HP Fast Charge support which gives you back 50% of power in about 45 minutes. Its keyboard also has a numeric keypad which is useful for entering plenty of figures quickly. It all comes together to mean this HP 17-inch laptop is more versatile than you’d expect for the price.