14 DAY TRIAL // Dell has updated the XPS lineup with a new model, the desktop PC XPS 420, which has what it takes to deal with most of your multimedia requirements.
The less expensive XPS 420 configurations are powered by Intel's Core 2 Duo processors, but Ultimate Entertainment model comes with the Core2 Q6600 Quad-Core (8MB L2 cache,2.4GHz,1066FSB) CPU.
In the video department, the new model can be equipped with either nVidia or ATI cards, the 256MB Radeon ATI HD 2600 XT being the solution for cheaper models, while the 768MB nVidia GeForce 8800 GTX being the solution for the high-end and expensive Ultimate Entertainment.
All three XPS 420 configurations are fitted with 2GB of memory arranged in a dual channel configuration. As expected, the memory modules comply with the DDR2 standards.
The "Media Powerhouse" and "Performance and Productivity" solutions come with a 320GB Seagate hard drive, with SATA 2 interface and 7200 rotations per minute and the Ultimate Entertainment configuration comes with a whopping half a terabyte of storage capacity. Also, it's worth mentioning that the high-end model comes with a Blu-Ray unit, while the other two are fitted with a regular DVD unit.
Also, as the press release reads, "the exclusive Dell Xcelerator option muscles through one of the most time-consuming digital activities: grabbing video to go or prepping it to upload to social networking sites. Whether it's transcoding, transrating or transcaling video, the Xcelerator can get recorded video ready for portable devices up to 25 percent faster while reducing the burden of video conversion up to 86 percent."
"Our goal is to help people turn their digital lifestyle dreams into reality, whether it's viewing family moments and memories, telling your story with photos and videos, creating videos for social networking sites like YouTube, recording TV shows or converting vinyl album libraries to digital files," said Karen Plotkin, director of consumer desktop marketing.
Another eye-candy feature is the small color display integrated into the front panel that provides easy access to stored media, certain system functions and standard Windows SideShow "gadgets" without using the keyboard or mouse. Standard gadgets include date and time default screen, Audio Playback, Picture Slideshow, Video Playback and PC Monitor.
Last, but not least, the XPS 420 comes bundled with the Adobe Elements Studio, including Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 & Premiere Elements 4 software as well as Adobe Soundbooth CS3.
Apart from the XPS 420, Dell has also announced the SP2008WFP Display, a 20-inch viewing solution boasting a response time of 2ms (grey-to-grey). The unit also includes the 2.0 megapixel webcam with microphone. The SP2008WFP display is available immediately with a starting price of $280. Moreover, Dell also has a new all-in-one printer available, namely the 948 model. It features easy-to-use fax, scan, copy and print functions and photo printing options - with or without connection to a computer - including wireless, PictBridge, memory card slots and optional Bluetooth adapter to enable compatibility with select Bluetooth-enabled handheld devices or mobile phones. The Dell 948, available immediately and priced from $149.
Now back to the XPS 420 - configurations including the aforementioned display start at $1,500 and go up to $2,500.
