Dell Debuts High-End XPS Laptops for Business Users

Earlier this week, Dell used the platform of the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to tout the newest entries in its consumer line of Inspiron laptops. Now, Dell's showing off its latest and greatest high-end laptops for business users -- the Dell XPS 13 (shown above) and XPS 15. All the new XPS models feature Intel's fifth-generation Broadwell U Core chips. Dell says that with these high-powered chips, the new laptops should provide better graphics performance and much longer battery life -- up to 15 hours -- which is a few hours more than what’s offered in most laptops. Both versions will come with the full Broadwell U complement, from the 2.1 GHz Core i3 on the less expensive models to the top-of-the-line 3.2GHz Core i7 version.
The XPS laptops currently come with Windows 8.1 by default. In addition, sources expect availability next month of a special "developers edition" equipped with Ubuntu, probably Ubuntu 14.04.
When it comes to storage, users will have a choice of 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB SSD.
A Virtually Borderless Display
One very unique feature of Dell's XPS 13 is the option for an UltraSharp Quad HD+ infinity display, with 5.2mm bezels and 5.7 million pixels. Dell said this will make "movies and presentations burst with eye-popping color and precise detail" and referred to it as the world’s first virtually borderless infinity display.
The XPS 13 measures from 15mm thick in the rear down to 9mm in front. Its left side has a single USB 3.0 port, a mini-DisplayPort interface, a headphone jack and AC power jack. The right side has one USB 3.0 port and a SD card slot. A standard high-definition webcam is at the bottom of the screen.
"I recently switched from a MacBook Pro to Dell XPS 13 and couldn’t be happier," said Scott Stedman, founder of Brooklyn, N.Y.-based Northside Media Group. "The touch screen is a game-changer and has transformed the way I work. It allows me to pivot between business development and design throughout the day. While I’m responsible for growth and operations, right now we are deep in product development for a new Web app set to launch in 2015, and the XPS has allowed me every tool to navigate these varied responsibilities."
Best Display in a 15-Inch Laptop
Besides having a larger display, the XPS 15 comes with an UltraSharp 4K Ultra HD touch display, with more than 8 million pixels. According to Dell, the 4K Ultra HD screen option is the highest-resolution panel currently on the market in a 15-inch laptop. Each of the two new laptops also comes with an aluminum upper half, and a carbon fiber base. The XPS 15 weighs in at 2.6 pounds.
The XPS 13 will be available beginning January 6 on Dell.com in the U.S. starting at $799.99. The XPS 15 with the 4K Ultra HD display will be coming soon on Dell.com in the U.S, for a starting list price of $2,349.