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In only eight months since Windows 8 launched, there have been more than 100 different PC designs from traditional desktop, AIO (all in one) models, laptops with and without touch screens, tablets and hybrids combining full keyboard and tablet only touch functionality.
The Dell XPS -18 is a new genre called an AIO portable desktop. It’s in small company with Sony and Asus sporting similar features but it currently has the best mix of features.
Why? It’s the smallest and by far the lightest sporting an 18.4-inch LED backlit touch display with full HD 1920 X 1080 resolution viewable from any angle thanks to the IPS display technology.
It’s thin, with rubberized borders for easily carrying around (you can buy an optional sleeve) and has two spring loaded pullout legs for easily standing it up wherever you takes it, in addition to the heavier base it can come with.
The internal battery lasts just over four hours, enough for a family movie and more than one hour of multiple touch screen play. Up to four people, for example, can play different instruments on the same screen in the simplistic FingerTapps Instruments. Or how about some air hockey action for two? The XPS-12 can lie flat for shared “table-top” games, with slightly perceptible incline…a small price for minimal sizing and stylish design.
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There are any options from Dell when buying online making the XPS-18 price start at $899 all the way up to $1,399. I found $1,299 with fast 3rd Gen Intel Core i5, 8 GB RAM, 500 GB hard drive integrated with 32 GB solid state drive enough to make the XPS good enough as a travelling desktop that thinks it’s a tablet.
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Wireless mouse and keyboard are included in the package. It has a front-facing 720p Webcam, and support for 802.11n wireless, Bluetooth 4.0, two USB 3.0 ports Intel Wireless Display.
I would recommend the sleeve with carrying handle if you are going to move the XPS-18 around the house or further.
How good of a desktop is it? It’s slightly slower than a full Intel Desktop, using Intel’s “U” less power-hungry laptop CPU, but not noticeable when used for everyday applications. The Intel HD graphics are surprisingly good for casual gaming but you would have to turn off some features on heavy duty graphics intensive games.
But that’s not the point of the XPS-18.
It has much functionality filling in between an immovable desktop, a laptop and a tablet, with a higher than average price on a very do-it-all screen size.
For more information to customize your order go to: http://www.dell.com/ca/p/xps-18-1810/fs
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