Connect with us

Microsoft

Dell XPS 18 Is a Mobile Tablet Workstation For Your Home

Published

on

There are tablets and phablets, and now Dell is hoping to carve out a new tablet computing category with its XPS 18, which the company is calling a portable all-in-one. In essence, the XPS 18 is an 18-inch tablet that can be used as a traditional all-in-one (AIO) PC, like Apple’s iMac, or as a tablet as it has its own internal battery that can go for about 4 to 5 hours on a single charge.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

The Dell XPS 18 is a powerhouse though and bests many tablets on specs. Dell will be offering a variety of configurations for the tablets with Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 processors and a range of hard drive capacities and solid state drive options. The tablet weighs 4.87 pounds and runs Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system so it’s a desktop-class computing machine that can handle any task you throw at it.

The tablet itself feels solid and sturdy. Made with strengthened glass for the touchscreen front and a soft-touch paint coating over a metal backing.

Metal back panel with soft-touch coating for grip. Back also has vent slits for fan cooling.

Metal back panel with soft-touch coating for grip. Back also has vent slits for fan cooling.

Dell says that it should be able to withstand daily use when toted from room to room. The company didn’t disclose any drop tests, but in early promotional materials, children were shown playing with the tablet so hopefully it holds up to the children test. The tablet itself can be used in a number of different configurations thanks to two prongs that prop out on the rear.

Slim side profile

Slim side profile

The first configuration is a more upright configuration, which is similar to how a monitor or TV would look. It’s slightly angled, but stands tall.

Upright mode

Upright mode

A second configuration would be more flat, but with a slight angle angle. This is similar to a tabletop tablet configuration.

Horizontal tabletop mode

Horizontal tabletop mode

And the third configuration would be in tablet mode, being carried around or laid flat on a surface.

Magnetic connectors on optional stand.

Magnetic connectors on optional stand.

There’s an optional stand accessory that magnetically attaches to the XPS 18 to charge. When the tablet and the stand make contact, a charging indicator light on the front would turn on.

Charging light turns on when docked to the optional stand.

Charging light turns on when docked to the optional stand.

The stand itself costs around $50 and turns the XPS 18 into an iMac-like rig. It’s attractive and elegant when holstered to the stand.

Stand can be angled and tilted.

Stand can be angled and tilted.

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Michael

    03/13/2013 at 11:42 am

    Need to see what it looks like in someone’s hand so I have some size context…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.