Hands On with Dell's XPS Mobile Concept PC

It took us a half hour to find Dell's booth at CES, hidden away in the cheap seats with such neighbors as Doberman Security and Freedom Laser Therapy. But our long hike through the crowded hallways was worth it, since Dell was showing off the XPS Mobile Concept PC, which was taken offstage so quickly after Michael Dell's speech yesterday that we almost thought it was a cardboard mockup. Well, now that we've seen it up close, we can confirm that it's definitely not cardboard. It's a fully functional prototype PC, weighing in at 18 pounds, with a 20-inch display, sporting 8 speakers, and running Windows XP Media Center Edition. It's got a Bluetooth keyboard along with a matching Bluetooth remote, has DVI output for adding additional displays, and supports both dual hard drives and dual-core processors. The Properties dialog of My Computer identifies it as an Inspiron M2010, though we don't know if that model name will stick, and lists its processor as a dual-core 2.1GHz Intel T2600. We still don't know whether Dell is ever going to make any of these for public consumption (though there are apparently "a few" like this with "more to come" according to the Dell rep in the booth). But one thing we do now know: it's real and it works.

[Tom @ Jan 6th 2006 7:00PM]

so its just a big n powerfull laptop? with a different design?

[Einhanderkiller @ Jan 6th 2006 7:51PM]

Looks good, in my opinion.

[Tom @ Jan 6th 2006 8:04PM]

How is it powered? Internal power supply or external brick?

[v8v @ Jan 6th 2006 8:50PM]

"Looks good, in my opinion." Jeez. Let me guess, Einnie, you also think you look good in saddle shoes and have burnt orange shag carpeting?



That thing is hideous. Looks like a cheap Samsonite briefcase when closed and like a hot plate, opened.

[Peter McCaffrey @ Jan 6th 2006 8:50PM]

its sort of between a desktop and a desktop replacement...

[Zebi @ Jan 6th 2006 9:21PM]

I do think its kinda cool - seems more palletable than most of the 17'' laptops and more useable in the real world - my wrists are getting chaffed on the edge of my laptop as I speak!

[martin @ Jan 6th 2006 9:29PM]

This isn't brand spanking new and innovative just so you all know.



Samsung has a similar product: http://www.dynamism.com/m70/

[Steve S @ Jan 6th 2006 10:11PM]

Works for me. I don't need a small size notebook but I do want a large screen, powerful pc that I can move around my house easily. Currently I use a 17 widescreen notebook. This one looks even better.

[Tskyline5 @ Jan 6th 2006 10:46PM]

I like it...a portable desktop PC. It would be nice for a college student or anyone else who moves a lot. It's one of the coolest products that Dell has come up with, in my opinion.

[sdwells @ Jan 7th 2006 2:33AM]

in my opinion this is the way the market is heading, smaller all in one desktops. however the computer built into the back of the screen alternative that many other companys make seem a little better than this model.



unless they magicaly can make this desktop/laptop run on a battery for longer than 30 minutes then i see no reason for it to be in the design of a laptop because it wouldn't truely be moble.

[David T @ Jan 7th 2006 4:01AM]

I duno how big the market is for these kinds of things, but it's certainly very useful for college or travelling professionals. Cheaper than a comparable laptop, and powerful too, but semi-portable. i'm sure it's not battery powered - and there's no point for it to be so - there's no way i'm putting that on my lap!



a good idea, not worrying about what sort of bag it'll fit in, too! but i'm kinda worried about chaffing it if i put it on the overhead bin in a plane.

[lizocka @ Jan 7th 2006 5:35AM]

..... built in cup holder ............ cool

[pgk @ Jan 7th 2006 8:31AM]

I like the fact that the screen reads "Wont's see me". Perhaps a foreshadowing of its future? -pgk

[Pikl @ Jan 7th 2006 8:34AM]

I think this thing looks amazing. Better than that bland grey piece o' crap Samsung made. Lookie thar, Samsung made a "notebook" with a detacheable screen... wheee...



Completely different. Unique concept, but that isn't the "same thing" as the Dell XPS mobile concept. I really like the detacheable wireless keyboard, and I hope that it's got onboard recheargeable batteries that recharge when the keyboard is attached.



The sound system is incredible on that thing. It has eight speakers on the monitor itself, and that "cup holder" just so happens to be the biggest laptop subwoofer I have EVER seen. You will note that, in addition to audio, we have a 20.1" screen, as opposed to the Samsung's small 19". Likely, that display is powered by Nvidia's Geforce Go 7800 GTX. Maybe they've got the 512 MB version of it mobilified?



Nyeh. Who knows. Cool, kickass-looking laptop, but it isn't quite portable enough. That's Dell taking "gaming as seriously as you do." I dunno about the XPS desktop lineup, but man, if they ship that, then... that certainly deserves applause it won't get from hordes of anti-Dell, AMD-loving, Apple-loving folks.



Oh well.

-Pikl

[report81 @ Jan 7th 2006 10:56AM]

Maybe as a TV replacement, but it probably guzzles to much power!?



I'm interested how much just for the keyboard, and what's the battery lasting time of that keyboard?!

[Kyle Nilson @ Jan 7th 2006 12:11PM]

While this is not marketed at the average consumer, it would be great for consultants and IT/server support people.



Consultants frequently need to use powerful computers for programming, presentations, financial analysis, etc. The large monitor size is a huge plus. Besides, many of them bring along their own computers to complete initial work and demo their services. Plus, nothing screams business class like a 20in Dell.



IT people have to run around with computers all the time and often need large screen real-estate to view running processes on an entire network. Again, 20in Dell. The fact that the computer is so huge makes it easy to upgrade and self-repair.



Again, most people have no use for it. A select few would kill for one.

[plonk420 @ Jan 10th 2006 11:18PM]

looks lame closed, but looks amazing open. maybe theft deterring? ;)

[OldSchoolChicken @ Jan 24th 2006 2:18PM]

I don't think that circle in the middle is a sub, the little circle underneath is. I own a Dell 9300, and it has a sub under it that looks the same. That circle on top might be the "Blue Ray compatible" DVD and CD burner they mentioned.

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[Derek @ Jan 28th 2006 9:07PM]

I was at CES and according to the Dell Rep the battery life is suppose to be around 4 hours, possibly six.