Dell XPS (Xtreme Performance System)

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The Dell XPS is a high-end line of gaming computers sold by Dell. The "Xtreme Performance System", or XPS, dates back to 1993. At this time, Dell was more focused on corporate clients rather than consumers. It should also be noted that Gateway during that period was the number one high-end PC manufacturer.

1 Development
2 Current status
3 Included items with the current XPS systems
4 Criticism
5 Generations
6 References
7 External links

[edit] Development

In early 1993 it was agreed by Dell's staff that it needed to create products to serve the rapidly growing consumer PC market.^{[citation needed]} In September 1993, the first two XPS computers were announced,^{[citation needed]} marketed under the Dimension product name. These models sported newer technology than what Dell's competition offered at that time.^{[citation needed]} These computers were featured in the cover article in the October 1993 issue of PC Computing. The XPS continued to adopt the latest PC technologies available^{[citation needed]} while ensuring low prices for consumers.^{[citation needed]} By 2001, Dell had begun shifting towards numbered PC titles, beginning with the Dimension 4100 to replace the Dimension XPS-T. The last Dimension XPS products produced were Dimension XPS-B's which used the last of the Pentium IIIs, which ran at speeds in excess of 1 GHz, and using RDRAM. They were phased out with the introduction of the Dimension 8100, which was the first Dell desktop to use a Pentium 4. It was also the first desktop by Dell to not be beige (it was silver and black).

[edit] Current status

Dell refrained from using the XPS name for several years, until a new series was introduced in 2005, reviving the old title. Dell at the time was looking to expand its market once again,^{[citation needed]} and was looking to take away market share from Voodoo PC, Falcon Northwest, and Alienware.^{[citation needed]} In 2006 it was announced that Dell had purchased Alienware. During the Gen 1, Dell marketed high-end Dimensions and Inspirons as XPS computers, while keeping the low-end Dimensions and Inspirons as their current models. Beginning in the second generation, the XPS line has marketed as a separate entity from the Dimension and Inspiron lines.

[edit] Included items with the current XPS systems

Current XPS computers come standard with Intel Core 2 Duo processors, a 15-month anti-virus subscription, and Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium. The XPS notebooks come standard with TrueLife screens and Dell's "MediaDirect" that allows the computer to have, as Dell puts it "Instant-On Functionality."

[edit] Criticism

While the original XPS name meant the components used were high-end and well-suited for gaming, this is no longer the case. For example, both the XPS 200 and XPS M140 are limited to low-end graphics cards (Intel Integrated or low-end ATI or NVIDIA). These restrictions make both models unsuitable for any graphics-demanding application or task.

Rather than release totally new hardware, Dell simply rebadged Dimension systems as XPS computers. For example, the XPS 200 is the replacement for the Dimension 5100c, and is also sold as a 5150c. Also, the XPS 410 is the replacement for the Dimension 9150, and is also sold as the Dimension 9200. As well as this, it is said to be overpriced, even for a computer, Dell are selling them for approximately $5000 (Maybe more). Upon request XPS systems can be ordered without any pre-installed software and Operating Systems. However, FreeDOS is included (on a CD-ROM). Configuration instructions for these systems can be found here: Link as of February 4, 2007^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Generations

Since Dell revamped the XPS series in 2005, there have been six generations of systems. The first generation series, especially the XPS laptops, were marked as powerhouse systems.^{[citation needed]} Each new generation brings significant upgrades to system components, but rarely chassis design updates.

[edit] Current XPS desktops

XPS 210 - A small-form-factor case that is 67% smaller than the XPS 410. It does not use full-size PCI slots. The XPS 200 is aimed at being a low-impact machine, meaning it blends in better with the room's features. It is more of a multimedia computer than an actual gaming machine, despite the XPS name. The main difference between the XPS 210 and its predecessor, the XPS 200, is the upgrade to the Intel Core 2 Duo processor line. This makes the XPS 210 faster than the XPS 200.

XPS 410 - The intermediate model of the XPS series and bigger brother to the Dimension E510. It features a base configuration of an Intel Core 2 Duo processor. Other base options include the NVIDIA GeForce 7300LE, 7200RPM SATA-300 hard drive, and dual-channel DDR2 RAM. The case is nearly identical to that of the Dimension E510, with an additional 3.5" drive bay being added. The case is physically taller because of this. The power supply is also slightly more powerful than the Dimension E510 (375W vs 305W, respectively). The XPS 410 replaced the XPS 400.

XPS 710 - The new flagship model of the XPS series that features the new Intel Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Extreme processors, as well as Core 2 Quad processors. Other features include dual nVidia GeForce 7950 GX2 in Quad SLI mode, 7200RPM SATA hard drive, dual-channel DDR2 RAM and for the first time in an XPS desktop, an unique "leaning" aluminum case. The XPS 710 uses significantly larger power supplies than the other XPS models to accommodate higher-end video cards and overclocked CPUs.

XPS 710 H2C - The new computer has included a dual-stage radiator cooling technology, and a motherboard capable of overclocking its quad core intel Core 2 ExtremeQX6700. The H2C comes standard with dual nVidia GeForce 8800GTX cards running in SLI at a price of $5,499.

[edit] Previous XPS desktops

XPS 600 - The former flagship model of the XPS series that features an Intel dual-core Pentium D 950 processor, dual nVidia GeForce 7900GTX in SLI mode, 7200RPM SATA hard drive, and dual-channel DDR2 RAM. This case has not changed significantly over the past several generations, with the large aluminum plate on the front. Discontinued few days after XPS 700 launch and succeeded by XPS 700.

XPS Gen 3 - Circa October 2004 - Included Pentium 4 Processor 550 with HT Technology (3.40GHz, 800 FSB), Microsoft Windows XP Professional, dual-channel DDR2 SDRAM, 7200 RPM SATA hard drive, Sound Blaster Audigy², and Logitech MX500 Optical Mouse. The video card was the then-brand new ATI Radeon X800XT (PCIe x16).

XPS 400 - This model was available during late 2005 and the first half of 2006. It was replaced by the XPS 410, which is nearly identical with the exception of an optional Intel Core 2 Duo processor and slightly different audio and video card options.

XPS 200 - This model was available from late 2005 to the end of the 3rd quarter of 2006. It was replaced by the XPS 210, which is nearly identical to its predecessor. The main exception in this case is the upgrade to an Intel Core 2 Duo processor and other minor adjustments.

[edit] Current XPS laptops (as of 2007)

XPS M2010 - The new flagship XPS laptop available in black that features a unique case that resembles a desktop and has a 20.1" widescreen. The XPS M2010 originally came with an Intel Core-Duo T2500, T2600, or T2700 dual-core processor but now since Intel released their new Core 2 Duo line the M2010 comes with a T7200 (2.0 GHz), T7400 (2.16 GHz), or the T7600 (2.33 GHz), ATI Mobility Radeon X1800, 7200 RPM SATA hard drive, and between 2 GB and 4 GB of DDR2 SDRAM. Dell's aim in building this model was to blur the lines between laptops and desktops. It also has an integrated 1.3 Megapixel camera, a DVD-R RW/CD-R RW burner and comes with a one-year warranty.

XPS M1710 - The higher-end mobile XPS computer available in black or red that features a 17" widescreen, Intel Core 2 Duo processors, NVIDIA GeForce Go 7900GS or 7950GTX video cards, 7200 RPM SATA hard drive, and DDR2 SDRAM. The Inspiron E1705/9400 offers similar features, notably the Core Duo or Core 2 Duo processors, 17" screen, and the NVIDIA GeForce Go 7900GS for a lesser price (about $1000 less than the M1710). The M1710 does offer unique user- and software-changeable LED lighting in the touchpad and fan outlets/inlets, as well as the lid.

XPS M1210 - A high performance ultra-portable (12.1" screen) notebook featuring a new case design, Intel Core 2 Duo processor technology, an optional dedicated NVIDIA GeForce 7400 Go video card and an optional integrated web camera (1.3 megapixel). The M1210 also has optional WWAN (wireless wide area networking) features supporting 3G broadband services. Unlike other 12" notebook computers, the M1210 features a built-in optical drive rather than an external.

[edit] Previous XPS laptops

XPS M140 - The lower end model XPS computer that has a chassis identical to an Inspiron E1405 laptop. This model features a choice of several Intel mobile processors, 14.1" widescreen and between 512mb to 2 gb of RAM. This model being more media-oriented than gaming currently does not feature a dedicated graphics card. This model has been replaced by the E1405, a 14.1" laptop physically similar the M140. It features the newer Intel Core Duo processors and Intel's 945 chipset. It is no longer classified as an XPS laptop, however.

Inspiron XPS - The first XPS laptop, this computer was a very heavy computer starting at 9.06 pounds without power supply (which added an additional 2.5 pounds). It was offered wither either a 3.4 GHz Pentium 4 desktop processor, or the Pentium 3.4 Extreme Edition, 1920x1200 15.4" LCD, and subwoofer integrated into the bottom of the case. Earlier models came with an ATI Mobility Radeon 9700, and later models with the Mobility Radeon 9800. Dell promised graphics card upgradability, but only delivered the small 9700->9800 step for 9700 owners (at a $399 price tag, including technician to install it), and never delivered the promised upgrade to the 9800 owners. The system was marketed to gamers. It was physically identical to the Inspiron 9100. This computer was later replaced by the Inspiron XPS Gen 2 and ultimately the current XPS M1710.

Inspiron XPS Gen 2 - This successor to the Inspiron XPS, had replaced the desktop Pentium 4 with a Pentium M processor, which provided almost the same level of performance. It featured a 17" widescreen display at the same resolution as the first generation. Due to the use of a mobile processor, this laptop was thinner and lighter than most other high performance gaming notebooks of its time. It has a design very similar to the current XPS M1710.

[edit] Special editions

Over the life of the XPS line, Dell has introduced models which include contemporary cutting-edge features. The first example was the XPS 600 Renegade released in early 2006, which included an Intel Pentium D Extreme Edition dual-core 955 processor that was overclocked at the factory from 3.73 GHz to 4.26 GHz. Despite the overclock, Dell honored Intel's warranty for the processor. The case featured an air-brush paint job completed by Mike Lavallee. Most notably, the machine was the first commercially available system to feature a Quad-SLI configuration, with four custom NVIDIA GeForce 7900GTX 512MB graphics cards. The XPS 600R had a price tag over US$10,000.

The company offered an X-Men special edition XPS gaming desktop. This computer is based off of the next generation XPS desktop. No specifications on this model except that it is only available by entering the Dell X-Men contest, and that it sports an X-Men painted case.

In May of 2006, the company announced the XPS 700. The XPS 700 chassis is a 56 pound, 24" x 22" x 8.5" aluminum enclosure with bright LED lights in eight selectable colors. The base configuration included high-speed SATA drives and a one-killowatt power supply.

In November of 2006, the company announced the XPS 710.

Also, at CES 2007, Dell announced a few new products, including a specially painted XPS M1710, and an XPS 710 "H2C". This is a special liquid-cooled version of the XPS 710, available with quad-core factory-overclocked processors and comes standard with an NVIDIA GeForce 8800GTX graphics card.

[edit] References

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