Dell XPS Gets 3D Capabilites and Skype Certification

OK – so we know that Apple has released a new super-slim MacBook Air but Dell demands a share of your attention.

Please welcome the new 14, 15 and 17-inch XPS laptops!

So, they might look a tad chunky next to the anorexic Airs but each XPS comes with a backlit keyboard and brushed aluminium outers.

The XPS laptops are aimed at those “individuals who are passionate about art, film, photos, and value an immersive entertainment experience. Their daily lives are multimedia experiences that they share with each other, whether itâ€™s uploading photos, watching streaming video or listening to their favourite band play a concert on the other side of the world.”

So – these are multimedia biased lappy’s then yeah? 😉

A peek at the spec sheets seem to back this up – Intel Core i5 460M processors, Nvidia GeForce 420M graphics cards, 4GB of RAM and 500GB hard drives are the * lowest* options available – you can go on a spec spending spree depending on your budget.

Graphics can be taken care of by 1GB to 3GB Nvidia GeForce with Optimus GPUs and these machines are 3D-capable via Nvidia’s 3DTV Play software so paired up with the optional Blu-ray spinner you could watch 3D movies on your new laptop.

Sonics are dished out via the built-in JBL designed and certified speakers with integrated Waves MaxxAudio 3 processing technology. The new XPS’s have 12W subwoofers and boast up to 22W peak audio performance.

If you’re looking for light then it’s back to the Air as the 14-inch XPS weighs 5.35 pounds (2.4kg), and the 17-incher is 7.57 (3.4kg).

Perhaps the 720p-shooting webcam, the array of USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports and a HDMI 1.4 port might make up for that?

Where the new Air has been blessed with FaceTime capabilities the new XPS models are the industry’s first Skype-certified laptops with thanks to those HD video streaming webcams.

Available now, direct from Dell, the XPS 15-inch starts at Â£529 and the 17-inch one is another Â£100 on top.

Have a play around customising your XPS using Dell’s Design Studio.