The much-heralded Dell XPS line of premium laptops will be no more, as the PC maker rebrands its lineup of PCs and monitors in a major makeover that casts out decades of familiar names.
At a media showcase of its devices ahead of their launch in CES this week, Dell showed off a number of interesting products, from its rebranded laptops to top-end gaming PCs in its Alienware line of products.
The headlines, however, will be grabbed by the new Dell laptops. From 2025, there will be no more new XPS, Latitude or Inspiron devices, as Dell laptop owners are used to. Instead, they will get Dell, Dell Pro and Dell Pro Max.
High-end models like the XPS 13 will now be called Dell Premium. The Inspiron series, a popular choice for less demanding users, will be categorised as either Dell or Dell Plus.
Each category is further grouped into Base, Plus or Premium, depending on the component that will be installed into the machine, according to the PC maker, at the CES show in Las Vegas this week.
For example, the Dell 14 Plus is aimed at people who want a powerful 14-inch laptop. It comes with the latest Intel processor, a high-quality screen, and a solid sound system. Prices start from a competitive US$1,149 (S$1,545).
Here’s what the new monikers mean:
- Dell: Affordable solutions targeting cost-conscious consumers.
- Dell Pro: Tailored for enterprise users needing reliable performance.
- Dell Pro Max: Premium systems designed for professionals demanding top-tier performance, such as AI developers, content creators, and CAD users.
- Alienware: Offers gaming PCs for all budgets. The Aurora series provides solid performance at an affordable price, while the Area-51 is the top-of-the-line gaming PC system.
Dell Plus 32 4K QD-OLED with beamforming speaker system
The brand changes go beyond PCs to monitors as well. One example is the Dell Plus 32 4K QD-OLED monitor, whose name reflects the high-end display technology used.
This Dell Plus model sports all the bells and whistles that many busy professional users will want, going by what was on show at a media preview last month in New York.
The 4K monitor is lit by Quantum Dot OLED (QD-OLED) technology, delivering top-notch visuals. With 99 per cent coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut, it’s an excellent choice for photo and video editing.
Sporting a 120Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time, along with AMD FreeSync Premium, this is a “fast” monitor. For sure, it’s well-equipped for gaming.
It may not be as powerful as the Dell Ultrasharp monitors (yes, those are still called Ultrasharp), but what sets the new monitor apart is the active directional speakers that create a 3D surround sound environment without rear speakers.
The speaker system can pinpoint a user’s position and send left-right audio signals to the corresponding ears through beamforming. By introducing slightly different signals to each ear, it generates an immersive 3D soundstage, similar to the Creative’s Super X-Fi system, but without the need for ear measurements.
For users with multiple peripherals, the monitor includes convenient pop-out USB quick-access ports located at the bottom left corner. These ports allow easy connection of devices such as smartphones, thumb drives, or other peripherals.
The monitor is priced affordably at US$799.99 (S$1,080), promising excellent value for a high-performance large display. It eliminates the need for a separate sound system, helping you save both money and precious space on a cluttered desk.
Alienware gaming desktop with positive pressure cooling system
Notably, the name change for Dell PCs doesn’t affect its Alienware gaming products the same way as its laptops. So, the Alienware Area-51 and Aurora PCs will still be called Area-51 and Aurora.
That said, Dell is still doing some streamlining. The short-lived G-series gaming machines will now be folded into the Alienware brand.
In the new year, Alienware will feature the mid-tier Aurora series, designed for budget conscious enthusiasts seeking high performance, and the flagship Area-51 lineup, which delivers top-of-the-line specifications for elite gamers and professionals demanding the ultimate gaming experience.
On display during the media event last month was the new Area-51 gaming desktop, which sports the top-of-the-line gaming components, from liquid cooling for the best processor to the fastest graphics card. It’s encased in a cool-looking desktop PC chassis.
What makes it unique is the lack of a rear fan that draws out hot air from within the case. Using the surrounding fans to push more air into the enclosure creates positive pressure, allowing for faster cooling of the PC components.
Besides the cleaner look, positive pressure has a few other advantages, such as a cleaner system due to reduced dust accumulation and simpler maintenance. The price was not available at launch.
