Behold: Dell's XPS 420 revealed
By Ryan Block 
posted Aug 22nd 2007 1:03PM
posted Aug 22nd 2007 1:03PM
- Core 2 Duo, Extreme, or Quad (up to 8MB) processor options
- Intel X38 Express chipset, DDR2 800 (up to 8GB)
- MiniView LCD 3 x 2-inch QVGA display (runs SideShow on the front, picture after the break)
- Dell Xcelerator - dedicated media coprocessor for transcoding video streams to MPEG-4 formats. Can cut encode time on a 2 hour HD movie in half and use far fewer CPU cycles.
- SATA II (with RAID 0 or 1 support)
- PCI Express x16, gigabit Ethernet
- (2) front USB, (6) rear, (2) internal; one front and rear 1394; one eSATA, frontal audio ports
- Default - shows time, date, month calendar, and system stats (including number of users connected)
- PC monitoring - Shows detailed system stats like CPU speed / temp, available RAM, fan speeds, and other info like Service Tag (so you don't have to keep that memorized anymore)
- Audio, video, or picture mode - controls media access and playback (duh)
And yet, the interior still isn't cleaned up. I'd like to see some Mac Pro-style wire invisibility in there.
Exactly what I was thinking. Loose wiring strung all over, connecting the cheapest possible components... same old Dell junk.
Surely the stupid little screen was suppose to draw our attention away from that.
You know, I could put up with the inside being a little messy, but its the Web2.0 version of the standard beige box. Dell need to get off their asses and either drop the XPS line and pull in alienware's stuff to fill the gap, or else start putting actual designers into the brand. I mean the XPS 700 series look pretty cool, who did that design, and where has their influence gone?
So why is the internal shot mirror imaged? It's making me dizzy.
It isn't reversed. It's a BTX mobo instead of ATX.
I just don't get the point of the slideshow thing. Seriously, look at the freakin' monitor!
Why? Why not?
I believe the point of sideshow is that you can concievably display certain data (calender, email, basic stuff) while the system is turned off, or in a sleep mode type state. Atleast that is how I understand sideshow...
Yeah, it is pretty worthless on the top of a mini-tower, but on the front of an htpc, on an mce remote, or on a bluetooth tethered mobile device side show will be a kickass addition. Imagine having your remote display relevant IMDB pages about the movie you are currently watching or being able to checkout EPG information without turning on your TV or even being in your living room.
would be cool if you could display vista gadgets on the little screen
or being able to watch porn without draining your laptop battery...
He He, you said 420!
hehehe 8-P
nah jk grow up the real point is this is going to be the illest computer ever dude!!
I am all grown up (45yo here) and I still think the name is funny.
Age and level of maturity are mutually exclusive my friend. Being 45 means nothing.
That being said, props on the 420 reference :D
The new Dell XPS, stoner edition.
Comes with integrated and detachable lighter. Also features a filter printer, and a microwave/blender/minifridge combo for those high tech munchies.
This computer should come with the finish off the XPS 1730
"...and other info like Service Tag (so you don't have to keep that memorized anymore)"
So when your computer breaks you can just not call it in.
Hopefully the power supply has been upped from 375 watts. What's the release date on this?
no cablecard option?
Cool it is BTX!!
It is odd how they are all of a sudden switching. Some computers at my school are BTX also.
No reefercard option?
Beware , the cpu is going to be noisy if its anything like the past xps. Another limiting factor is theres only 2 bays for hdds :(. Wish i'd built my own sys but funds suck right now.
Yeah, less drive bays than a Mac tower? What's going on here?
it can handle more than two drives... in addition to the dedicated hd bays, there are two bays that can either be used externally (one as a card reader, one as a floppy drive) or internally (two more hard drives). it can handle up to four hard drives. dell's had this sort of configuration for a while.
I didn't actually think Dell could have made their computers any uglier. Never underestimate the power of ugly.
Oh my! Look at all of the wires. I would be ashamed if I had been asked to design that piece of hardware and I could only come up with that.
gah i clicked the wrong comment LOL
what the shit? i totally clicked farfisa. alrighty, come to me ban hammer
Wow an 8MB... processor?
What is that, like, L2 cache? Speeeds, mon, we want speeeds!
i'd like to dual socket a quad core with 8MB.... =D
now that im commenting the right comment......
i'd like to dual socket that 8MB quad core =D
What, is Dell all poor now after the whole fiasco with the Dell M1330 lids? Come on, go hire that design team back. This thing looks hideous.
Hate to say this, but the weird ass room dehumidifier gaming system they offer actually looks cooler than this lamo box.
Very nice.
If I had to choose this or a 24" iMac... hmmm
You would be so stupid to take the 24" iMac, how could it even compare?
Don't be a hater! Power vs. style...
0 points for design.
Hey, I'd take it. I think it looks sweet...a BIG improvement over the 410...I wonder if you can overclock it?
Some DDR3 would be nice....
Wowzerz. I'm a big fan of the XPS 410 (which can be configured with a Q6600, 2 gigs of 800 ram, and a 768 8800 gtx, with a 3 year warranty for under 1600 with student discount).
but anyways, this computer looks pretty sick - I just REALLY hope its priced more like the 410 and not like the 700s. they should also offer a liquid cooling system as an option for another $160.
Why did Dell purchase Alienware again? Their mainstream computers already look like crap...and now this (referring to the XPS). I thought Dell designs could not possibly get any uglier...but for some reason it keeps happening.
SO where exactly would the weed go in this system?
This effin thing better be effin silent. My last Dell (Duh-mention) gets louder over time. I just want a quiet Dell. Is that so difficult (other than powering off)?
I have an XPS 400 (the system preceding the 410) and it is near silent. I expect this one to follow suit
I'll never understand these comments about the looks of a system. If you want something pretty, get a MAC, set it on your desk and dust it off whenever you need to check your email or surf. But if you want to get work done or do some serious gaming then check out the specs and pull out your wallet for this baby. This thing will hold 8GB of DDR2-800 and has SATA II!! That's a wicked fast subsystem in my opinion.
420 is an appropriate name, since you'd have to be high to buy it.
Absolutely Amazing. You can already see the engadget fanboi's starting their incessant pungent queefing about how this sucks compared to their fischer price mac's.
It is amazing that you can be impressed with the same trash that has been shoved down consumers' throats since Windows 95. It's still a big, ugly, black tower. Do I prefer Macs? Yes, but I prefer them as an educated opinion. I'm not saying you have to agree, but come on! Think about it a little.
Shoved down our throat? What the hell are you talking about...I dont even own a dell.
The last time I bought a PC I had over 6 OEM's to consider with umpteen number of customizable options or components from different manufacturers. Its your deluded and lobotomized ilk who're trapped in this Mac vs PC unreality and saturates blogs like these with iTard comments. If I wanted toy or if I was into shiny "Oh it so pweeeety" things I'd buy a mac, and when I saw how much more other do I'd get insecure and become a fanboi.
Its your irrelevance that y'all cant stand which I think drives this sheep like behavior of worshiping a corporation.
I love Dell so much that I filed a federal law suit for fraud. "4yr warranty that they didn't honor"
Design teams getting fired everywhere?
any idea on release? i've been holding off on buying the 410 since i figured this was right around the corner!
Great...
Just when I thought I'd get an E6850 in a Dell for less than $1,000—this unnecessary design is just going to blow the price up to the point where you might as well spend an extra $200 and buy Alienware.
Is it called 420 because it's smokin' or becaus eyou have to be fucking stoned to buy a Dell?
Could anyone tell me if they will be making a duplicate rebranded small business version (like the 410/9200) ? Any ideas if this will be the case?
What is it about these boards that brings out the stupid in people? If you're already feeling defensive about your comments then you know EXACTLY who I'm talking to.
Any wild guesses on pricing or release dates? I heard the Dimension 9200 dies on Friday. It's the same machine as the X410, which makes me think this machine is right around the corner. Any confirmation anyone? (trash talk, mac worshippers, etc. need not respond)
Finally, an implementation of what I thought was the coolest vista concept. Does anyone know if this can do simple tasks without starting up the whole computer like I saw on a laptop external display concept?
I really expected a faster RAM.
Who gives a shit what it looks like! It either performs or it doesn't. If style is what really matters to you, then why bother with using a monitor? Just stick the sleekest, best damn looking box you can find on your desk and admire the hell out of it!
Damn weird layout dell use, though a lot easier to service..
Tis all shiny! It has lots of Rams to...rams are good..
xD
I don't understand why PC makers make PC's so fugly yet Apple make their comp's so nice and stylish.... why don't Dell poach a designer from Apple and make billions selling stylish apple lookin windows PC's????
I
Ok, so far I've seen people complaining that this system is:
a) too expensive
b) too ugly
c) not a Mac (unforgivable to some, I know...)
d) too loud
e) what have you
There is a very simple solution to all of these problems.
Stop whining about the pre-packaged options, and build your own.
No serious computer user should go through life without having built at least one system.
It's cheaper, more fun, you can make it look however you want to (though that might negate the cheap part depending on how far you go), and you can spec it out yourself.
Why can't they start putting AMD Dual Core 64 bit chips in their XPS line up. AMD kicks the crap out of intel processors.
where have you been living the last year? in a cave?
ah, if only I had the money
You guys all suck, build your own, damn it!
what operating system will the 420 have - will it accommodate XP
Dell has some strange ideas when it comes to functionality. Faster RAM, I can see. But MiniView to display a slideshow? And how much is Dell adding on for this stupid non-advantage to their already premium prices for less than premium third-world components? Overlooking how poorly thought out the location and size of the screen is - if the tower is under your desk, you can't see it and if on top of the desk, you'd have to stand to see it - out of a thousand computer users, how many really care what the temperature, CPU speed or percentage of RAM being used is?
Dell should concentrate on areas that need improving and are actually worth something to the majority of prospective purchasers - like maybe a reasonable power supply instead of the barely capable 375 watt PS that can't run the majority of the ATI or nVidia cards available. Or maybe even relocating their Customer Service desk from Mumbai or Manilla to the U.S.
Do any of you take part in the questionaires that Dell puts out. They are asking for this stuff, so be silent, and give it to them.
agree man DELL is frequently askin the question so they can take the customer feedback as well n in future can improves their model based on users feedback and choice.