10/14, 3:20pm
Toshiba unveils Win 7 PCs with no clutter
Toshiba on Wednesday updated its notebooks with Windows 7 and a rare promise among Windows PC makers. The company promises that all of its systems running the new OS, including its touchscreen models, will go without any icons on the desktop except for the default Recycle Bin. System performance should get a boost as the PCs will run as little software in the background as possible, in many cases only running anti-virus tools.
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05/06, 8:25am
Dell WiMAX Studio Notebook
Dell this morning said it had added a WiMAX choice for three of its higher-end home notebooks. The Studio 15, Studio 17 and Studio XPS 16 will all have a $60 or less upgrade that offers 4G speeds on either the Clearwire or Sprint 4G networks in Atlanta, Baltimore and Portland. In peak conditions, this lets the portables connect at up to 13Mbps downstream and 3Mbps upstream. Typical speeds are still faster than 3G with downloads between 2Mbps and 4Mbps.
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04/09, 10:20am
Dell XPS 630 Liquid Cooled
Dell today extended its more exotic cooling options to the XPS 625 and XPS 630. The two now have the option of replacing their fan-based cooling with an Asetek liquid cooling system that reduces the noise of the system while simultaneously increasing the possibilities for overclocking the main processor. Choosing the option is deemed particularly useful for all of the XPS 625 line as well as custom-ordered versions of the 630, as both AMD's Black Edition chips and Intel's Core 2 Extreme are unlocked and allow easier speed boosts out of the factory.
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01/09, 12:50pm
Dell Notebooks CES 2009
Dell today at a press conference at CES revealed the Inspiron Mini 10 (not yet pictured), its third netbook. While only slightly larger than the Mini 9, the new portable is more advanced than either the smaller model or the Mini 12, including through its display. The namesake 10-inch screen is sharper than on other netbooks and produces a 720p (1280x720) resolution closer to full-size notebooks. The system also incorporates a multi-touch trackpad that not only helps with scrolling and zooming but also the ability to jump to a home screen or automatically scroll the contents of a page.
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01/08, 12:35pm
Dell XPS 625
Dell today used CES to launch its first gaming desktop to use AMD processors in place of Intel's. The XPS 625 mid-tower shares the same custom-lit aluminum case as the XPS 630 but switches to an AMD 790FX-based mainboard and can be equipped with one of several overclockable Black Edition processors up to and including the 3GHz, quad-core Phenom II just introduced at the same time. All video card picks are equally AMD-based and scale up to dual Radeon HD 4850 cards in CrossFire mode.
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01/07, 8:45am
Dell Studio XPS Notebooks
Dell today held an early, low-key launch for its promised Studio XPS notebooks. The 13-inch Studio XPS 13 and 16-inch Studio XPS 16 are both treated as Dell's new upscale competition against the MacBook and come with a new black-and-silver trim as well as new, edge-to-edge display and a revamped keyboard unlike the company's other models.
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12/24, 2:55pm
Trigem LLUON B2
Averatec's Korean home brand Trigem on Wednesday introduced the LLUON B2, the company's first large-sized all-in-one computer. In contrast to the earlier, Atom-based A1, the new model is targeted more closely at the high end occupied by the iMac or XPS One 24 and carries a 26-inch, 1920x1200 display in an upscale black design. The system uses its extra room to carry a 2.66GHz Core 2 Quad desktop processor versus the mobile chips of some challengers.
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11/25, 4:35pm
Dell XPS 1340 coming soon?
A product page for the XPS 1340 notebook PC on Dell's website hints at the upcoming release of the laptop, which could happen as early as this week. While the product page is incomplete, it does reveal the notebook will have a 64GB solid-state drive that will fit into the bay sized for traditional 2.5-inch hard disk drives. It's the same SSD as Dell uses in the XPS M1330 in overseas markets, and the XPS 1340 is likely to be an update of the XPS M1330 model.
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11/19, 7:50am
Quad Core iMac in January
Apple is waiting on a special round of Intel chips to update its iMacs with quad-core processors, according to claims by PC makers. The California company is reportedly hinging its move on a new set of desktop Core 2 Quad processors due in January that are specifically power-optimized for all-in-one desktops, dropping the thermal peak power from a too-high 95W down to 65W. They would have the same performance characteristics as existing processors and include a 2.33GHz Q8200 with 4MB of Level 2 cache, a 2.66GHz Q9400 with 6MB of cache and a 2.83GHz Q9550 with the full 12MB of cache.
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11/17, 9:35am
Dell Studio XPS and 730x
Dell today quickly seized on Intel's Core i7 debut by launching two new systems, including one completely new line. The Studio XPS upgrades the regular Studio desktop with features friendly to gamers and high-end media with Core i7 processors and dedicated video as the baseline. They further exploit the new Intel hardware with three memory sticks that both up the minimum storage and also the available bandwidth.
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11/11, 10:30am
Dell XPS 430
Dell on Tuesday silently released the XPS 430, the latest incarnation of its mid-range media desktop. The new update to the glossy black tower system pushes it past 4GB of RAM for the first time and gives even the base XPS 430 a full 6GB of 1,066MHz DDR3 RAM (up from 800MHz DDR2) in stock trim. Also new are recent-generation Core 2 Quad processors at the baseline that trade some Level 2 cache for a faster 1,333MHz system bus.
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11/09, 11:00pm
Dell MP3 Player Scuttled
Dell's plans to relaunch into MP3 players have been shelved in what may be a permanent cancellation, according to claims made by the Wall Street Journal late Sunday [subscription required]. Alleged sources say that at least one miniature player scheduled to launch alongside a media jukebox and sharing suite from Zing has been delayed past its original fall target while the software alone goes ahead. The unnamed device is currently postponed "indefinitely" and so may not be released at all, the reported insiders note.
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10/30, 10:05am
Dell XPS One 24
Dell today upped the stakes for all-in-one PCs with the launch of the XPS One 24. The system ups the size of the PC to 24 inches and gives it a new, edge-to-edge 1080p (1920x1080) display with a 16:9 ratio that should make it ideal for watching Blu-ray movies at native resolution. The update also brings a major speed update with a 2.33GHz Core 2 Quad as well as the option of a GeForce 9600M GT for video that makes it a better fit as a gaming system or for heavy-duty HD video decoding.
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10/07, 9:45am
HP and shift to 13in 16-9
A design decision from HP could lead much of the notebook business to making small 16:9 aspect ratio displays, according to alleged tips from manufacturers. The American PC builder is purportedly set to focus much of its energy on portables with 13- to 13.9-inch LCDs in the significantly wider proportions starting from the fall, pulling much of the industry with it by making the extra-wide displays common. The shift is said to be prompted by the lower price of making 13-inch screens versus 14-inch equivalents with the same ratio.
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08/13, 3:15pm
Dell to End Separate XPS
Dell is phasing out its distinct XPS line in favor of its regular brands, the company has revealed today. While not explicitly saying it will discontinue the XPS label outright, the name will now be folded into the Inspiron and Studio systems as a high-end trim level. The stylized Studio line will effectively replace the XPS for most purposes, Dell's worldwide marketing chief Mark Jarvis says. The official doesn't provide a motivation other than to suggest the move is part of "brand consolidation" that trims the number of labels at Dell.
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07/25, 4:10pm
Dell Fixes NV Video Bugs
Dell this afternoon provided a list of its notebooks affected by a chronic graphics chip flaw as well as a firmware fix that should reduce the risk of the problem. The company is the first known PC vendor to do so and says that its new updates modify the fan behavior on each of the notebooks to make sure they remain cooler than normal and thus prevent the heat problems that trigger the failures.
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07/20, 9:40pm
Dell Studio 15 Review
Dell has often enforced a hard split between its entry-level (Inspiron) and high-end (XPS) home notebooks, but that distinction is blurred with the Studio series: the new line should in theory be the best of the breed with the more upscale design and performance of the XPS but the customization normally reserved for Inspirons. The Studio 15 achieves many of these goals, though whether it can lead its class or simply fair well among fellow Dell PCs can be found out in Electronista's full Studio 15 review.
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07/03, 12:25pm
Dell Studio 15 Hands On
Electronista has just received Dell's new Studio 15 notebook for testing, and it's clear from the outset that the system will be a decided step up from not just the Inspiron line but also the XPS M1530 reviewed just a few months ago while offering features and performance that simply haven't been an option for much of the gaming-oriented XPS system's lifespan.
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07/02, 4:00pm
PDF gets ISO certification
The PDF format has officially been granted ISO certification, the latter organization has announced. Although its original creator and main proponent, Adobe has handed control of the format over to ISO, which is now in charge of both publishing the specifications for PDF 1.7 and updating and developing later versions. The transfer may be most significant for third-party developers, who will have open access to PDF, making it easier to support in graphic and word processing apps.
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06/25, 4:45pm
Dell intros 8800M upgrade
Dell recently began offering the GeForce Dual 8800M GTX upgrade kit to users who purchased the company's XPS M1730 notebooks before the end of January. The chip can now be purchased separately and turns the portable PC into a more viable gaming and entertainment platform, with features such as smooth HD video playback, dual DVI ports, and a maximum 2560x1600 external resolution support. Before now, and since January, the only way to get the XPS M1730 with the 8800M GTX was to order it as an option in a new notebook.
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06/21, 7:15pm
Dell Extends XP Sales
Dell today issued a last-minute stay on its XP cut-off date and has posted notice that it will continue selling some of its systems with the older Windows operating system until June 26th at 7AM Eastern, or four days before Microsoft's mandatory date for switching most computers to Vista. The extension applies to three variants of the Inspiron 530 desktop that start from $549; a special version of the XPS 630 gaming system also comes with Vista Ultimate but makes XP Professional the default installation.
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06/18, 2:25pm
Dell XP Downgrade
Dell is charging some customers as much as $50 to switch from Windows Vista to XP on their systems, according to the company. Buyers picking a system from the company's Vostro business line can choose to install XP Professional instead of Vista Business but must pay an additional $50 beyond the price it takes to upgrade to Vista Business itself. Users face a reduced fee for the downgrade if moving from Vista Ultimate but still pay more than for the upgrade to a higher Vista edition than what comes preloaded on the system.
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06/15, 9:00pm
Dell Inspiron Studio Leak
Dell's next new PC line should bridge the gap between the Inspiron and the high-end XPS line, says new leaked documents obtained by Engadget. The Inspiron Studio will visually mimic the XPS M1530 but add the customization options of the Inspiron 1525 line, extending from the multi-colored lid options to a new set of palmrest art prints designed by artist Mike Ming. The look is intended to take the Inspiron upscale while leaving the existing Inspiron lineup to budget systems.
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05/19, 9:30am
Dell XPS gets 320GB 7K HDD
Dell on Monday became the first PC builder to ship a new generation of hard drives with updates to its XPS notebook line. Each system will have the option of a 320GB Seagate Momentus 7200.3 drive that should bring desktop-like performance without a significant hit in storage; the 7,200RPM speed and doubled 16MB of cache should all but eliminate the bottlenecking that often occurs during game loading and other intensive tasks. The disk also provides a level of shock protection to avoid damaging the disk in most falls.
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05/14, 12:35pm
Dell denies XPS phase-out
Dell has no plans to eliminate its XPS line of computers, a company representative says. On Monday the Wall Street Journal reported that Dell intends to phase out four of its XPS gaming systems, on the basis that they are eating into sales of its newly-bought Alienware division. Dell is said to be in tough financial circumstances, having lost its former dominance in PC sales to chief rival HP. In April the company revealed plans to fire at least 8,800 people, and close its desktop manufacturing plant in Austin, Texas.
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05/12, 11:35pm
Dell XPS gaming PCs EOL'd
Next month Dell will begin phasing out four of its popular XPS gaming systems, in favor of the high-end PCs that are part of its recently acquired Alienware PC line. The surprising move is part of its continued turnaround efforts--along with an expected design overhaul in its Inspiron line-- after slipping behind rival HP in overall PC sales and struggling to achieve profits in consumer PCs, the Wall Street Journal reports. With the focus on the Alienware line, Dell says that a combined gaming design and development unit will focus on the seven current Alienware models, which has lost some "mojo," according to one analyst. Dell also noted that the gaming market, which focuses machines with high-end processors and GPUs priced at nearly three times the price of the average consumer PC, is strategically important because gamers' purchasing decisions influence other PC buyers.
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05/09, 3:55pm
Dell XPS 420 Quad Penryn
Rounding out its week, Dell today has slipped in additional processor picks for its mid-sized XPS 420 tower. The system for the first time has Intel's recent 45 nanometer, Penryn-based Core 2 Quad chips and use either a 2.5GHz or 2.66GHz model as an upgrade to the 2.4GHz, 65 nanometer chip that starts out the line. The choices are the first four-core chips based on the cooler, faster architecture since the 3GHz Core 2 Extreme was introduced to the desktop.
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04/11, 10:50am
Dell XPS M1530 LED Screen
Making the change months after it appeared with the launch of the M1330, Dell has updated the XPS M1530 with its first advanced display options. Higher-end versions of the system can now be equipped with an LED-backlit version of the 1440x900 screen. The addition both improves the color accuracy of the performance system's display and also promises to extend battery life over the cold cathode fluorescent (CCFL) screens found on most notebooks today. Dell doesn't supply battery life estimates, though previous LED systems have typically gained between 20-30 minutes of extra run time.
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04/10, 11:15am
Dell Retail in Canada
Dell this morning revealed that Canada would be the next to see the fruits of its retail initiative. Beginning late this week, the company will sell several of its desktop and notebook models in multiple large retailers for the country, including Best Buy, Future Shop, and Staples. The exact mixture of systems will vary by store but should include the Inspiron 530, its slimline 530s equivalent, and the XPS 420 for desktops; notebooks will include both the Inspiron 1525 as well as the XPS M1330 (pictured) and M1530.
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02/26, 8:00am
Dell XPS 630
Dell today took the wraps from the XPS 630 (site live soon), its bridge between the mainstream XPS 420 desktop and the higher-end XPS 720. The tower computer is designed to run affordable components but is also made for headroom as gamers look to improve their systems; every model has a mainboard capable of dual video cards (either AMD's CrossFire or NVIDIA's SLI) as well as a 750-watt power supply capable of handling both the video cards as well an overclockable Intel processor and high-speed RAM from Corsair.
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02/15, 3:05pm
Penryn XPS M173
Dell is now offering customers the option to include an Intel Core 2 Duo "Penryn" processor select XPS M1730 notebooks. Users can select the Core 2 Duo T8300 at 2.4GHz or T9300 at 2.5 GHz 45nm CPUs with the 17-inch M1730. The former is included in the unit's price, while the latter is a $125 upgrade. The T7800, running at 2.6GHz, is a $400 upgrade option. Introduced in January, the 45-nanometer Core 2 notebook platform is based on the same Penryn architecture as the desktop Core 2 and Xeon parts. The smaller, denser chips also make room for media instructions and larger caches.
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02/11, 3:55pm
Dell Wireless USB
Dell today quietly slipped in one of the first widely available Wireless USB options into its portables. Both the Inspiron 1525 as well as the entire XPS gaming notebook line can now fit an internal adapter that supports the new standard. The technology uses ultra wideband to connect a system to a wireless USB hub or directly to the newest mix of external hard drives, printers, and other peripherals. The short-range technology is claimed to be as fast as wired USB 2.0.
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02/08, 6:20pm
UPEK, Viewsonic, Dell
In brief: MacNN has posted reviews of the UPEK Eikon Digital Privacy Manager and Viewsonic VX2245wm LCD display, while our sister site, Electronista, has reviewed the Dell XPS M1530. The Eikon Digital Privacy Manager by UPEK features 128-bit encryption for fingerprint processing, making it an ideal secure option for home and small business users, as well as users who insist on using File Vault to protect their data.
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02/08, 5:05pm
Dell XPS M1530 Review
With the exception of very expensive workstations, few of Dell's 15-inch notebooks have really been desirable. The XPS M1530 may change this with a genuinely attractive design and performance normally passed over by most Windows PC manufacturers. However, does the new design match up with the the performance of what lies inside? Click ahead for the full XPS M1530 review, which finds that Dell has come a long way since the days of its more generic notebooks -- albeit with a few clear flaws that some users may want to avoid.
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02/07, 9:20am
Dell Penryn in XPS M1330
Dell on Thursday quietly upgraded its 13.3-inch XPS M1330 notebook, making it the first system from the Texas company to include Intel's new Penryn 45 nanometer notebook processors in the US. Although it starts with older 65nm chips in base trim, the gaming-oriented system now has the option of a 2.4GHz, 2.5GHz, or 2.6GHz Core 2 Duo with the extra Level 2 cache (up to 6MB), lower power draw, and generally higher performance of the new Intel hardware.
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02/06, 1:55pm
Dell XPS 730 H2C Details
Information about Dell's XPS 730 H2C has slipped out ahead of its full announcement, says Engadget. Spotting the PC inside Dell, a tipster confirms that the new high-end gaming desktop will have four externally-accessible drive bays as well as slightly reworked interior watercooling. The system will also be based on Intel's most recent X-series mainboard platform and should support DDR3 memory as well as NVIDIA's triple SLI technology that permits as many as three distinct video cards to provide an extra boost to 3D games.
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02/05, 1:45pm
Apple and Dell Penryn Soon
Both Apple and Dell are likely to release notebooks based on Intel's Penryn 45 nanometer processors at or near the same time, according to multiple reports. While HP has been one of the quickest major PC builders to adopt the new Core 2 Duo variants for its upgraded Pavilions, a new claim by CNET suggests Dell will announce its own speed increases within a week. Exact changes were not provided, though the report suggests the updates are most likely to arrive first for high-end XPS notebooks rather than the lower-cost Inspiron line.
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02/05, 11:40am
Dell XPS 630 Teaser
Dell today provided a very early teaser for the XPS 630, its upcoming gaming desktop. Showcased in a very limited form at CES, the mid-tower is now known to bear a stronger resemblance to the range-topping XPS 720 with wide open venting for cooling high-performance parts. External colored lighting should also be present and more conspicuous than for the top-end system.
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01/31, 12:00pm
Dell XPS M1330 Linux in US
Dell this morning followed through on its promise last week and began offering the XPS M1330 with Linux in the US. The system is the first XPS in the country to come preloaded with Ubuntu Linux and brings features that were not previously options with Dell's Linux systems, such as an LED-lit display and a slot-loading DVD burner.
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01/29, 3:55pm
XPS M1730 Gains 8800M GTX
Dell has upgraded its XPS M1730 desktop replacement notebook to include two of NVIDIA's GeForce 8800M GTX graphics chipsets in SLI. The custom-order option eclipses the dual 8700M GT that was previously Dell's fastest option and makes a top-spec XPS M1730 one of the fastest portables available for gaming. The Texas PC maker boasts that a top-spec XPS rivals the 3D performance of even high-end desktops and is 49 percent faster than the next-best option for synthetic tests such as 3DMark06.
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01/23, 12:50pm
Dell XPS M1330 with Linux
Dell today continued its releases with word of its first notebook outside of the Inspiron 1420 to carry Linux. The XPS M1330n is the first high-performance system from the PC maker to come with Ubuntu instead of Windows and adds features that have previously been off-limits to earlier systems running the OS, including the option of a 64GB solid-state drive, a 320GB rotating disk, as well as a display with a webcam and an LED-backlit display. DVD playback support is already installed rather than requiring an add-on software pack, Dell adds.
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01/23, 11:25am
Dell PRODUCT Red PCs Soon
Dell plans to take contributions to the PRODUCT (Red) charity to a handful of its computers, the company confirmed today. Without expanding on full details, the Texas PC builder says it will release special editions of its XPS M1330 and M1530 notebooks as well as its XPS One all-in-one desktop that are given a special red color scheme. U2 lead musician and (Red) co-founder Bono has contributed to a custom design for the systems, Dell says. Each will also have a special (Red)-themed desktop and Windows Vista gadget sidebar.
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01/18, 3:20pm
Dell XPS Notebook Shocks
Dell is not publicly acknowledging a series of complaints that some of its aluminum-clad notebooks are sending minor electric shocks to users, according to numerous complaints from the company's support forums. Systems with the metal trim, which primarily include the XPS M1330 and M1530 as well as the Inspiron 9400, are said to deliver jolts when users touch the aluminum while grabbing the side or using the trackpad. As some systems have shipped with two-prong power plugs, the affected notebooks lack a proper ground and promptly send some electricity to the user instead of through the outlet.
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01/08, 4:20pm
Dell 16-inch Notebook
A new concept notebook unveiled at CES by Dell reveals the likely direction for future displays for the company itself as well as other portable makers. Confirmed by the company's official blog, the unnamed PC is built around a 16-inch display that follows a 16:9 aspect ratio closer to many HDTVs than the tall, 16:10 displays found on most widescreen notebooks. The LCD also reaches a 1920x1080 resolution that exactly matches the output needed for 1080p movies, such as those offered on Blu-ray. Dell currently offers Blu-ray as an option for multiple Inspiron and XPS notebooks.
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01/05, 2:05pm
NiXPS View, Edit, Library
NiXPS has quietly released new versions of its key software, which is geared toward supporting Microsoft's XPS document format. View 2.0 allows users to browse XPS files, flipping through pages at will using either a table of contents or the thumbnail view. A Quick Search function highlights all results on a page when searching for keywords or phrases. Edit 2.0 lets users both edit and view XPS files, and offers functions such as merging and extraction, conversion to the PDF format, and the creation of personalized mail and other documents from previous XPS files.
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12/21, 3:40pm
Dell XPS M1530 HD Displays
Dell has answered what it says is a common request and has today added more display options to its XPS M1530 gaming notebook. While the original 1280x800 version of the 15.4-inch display is still available, the Texas system builder now has the option of either a 1440x900 or 1680x1050 resolution screen at the same size. The new resolution should both a larger work area in the same space as well as a sharper image for HD movies played from the optional Blu-ray drive.
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12/10, 11:10am
Dell XPS 420 CableCard
Dell has quietly slipped in the option for a CableCard tuner into its XPS 420 desktop. The addition gives the option of single or dual ATI TV Wonder adapters that will tune HD cable broadcasts without requiring a provider's set-top box for its copy protection features. Either option can record shows, with the premium dual option allowing users to watch one program while recording another at the same time, Dell notes.
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12/06, 9:25am
Dell to Sell at Best Buy
Dell on Thursday revealed that it will begin selling its computers at Best Buy stores in the US, marking one of the company's most significant ventures into retail. The Texas PC builder will offer both desktops and notebooks from its Inspiron and XPS lines; this includes the iMac-like XPS One, according to the company. Outside of the all-in-one computer, the focus of the initial release will be on more affordable systems and should top out at the XPS 13.3-inch XPS M1330 in white; the 14-inch Inspiron 1420 will be available with a black lid while the AMD-based, 15.4-inch Inspiron 1521 will ship in black or blue hues. The Inspiron 530/531 tower and its 531s slimline version will also be carried at the stores, Dell notes.
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12/04, 9:20am
Dell XPS M1730 Warcraft
Dell on Tuesday offered a late present to gamers with the XPS M1730 World of Warcraft Edition. The system is restyled to fit the theme of the online role-playing game while also providing many extras: the lid is given either Alliance or Horde artwork and is matched by a logo for the game on the inside. The 17-inch desktop replacement comes preloaded with the core game, the Burning Crusade expansion pack, and customized screen savers and background images; it also comes with the full Warcraft III and its expansion pack.
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