Dell outs XPS 14 with optional mobile broadband, XPS 15 with Kepler graphics

Dell's XPS 13 Ultrabook has been rather lonely since it launched in early 2012, but the company is introducing two new laptops to round out the updated XPS line. Today it announced the 14-inch XPS 14 and the 15-inch XPS 15, both of which feature the same aluminum chassis as the XPS 13 and run Core i5 or Core i7 Ivy Bridge processors.

The XPS 14 Ultrabook will be available in two configurations, both of which include a backlit keyboard and a 400-nit, 1600 x 900 display. The main difference between the two models is connectivity: the higher-end XPS 14 comes with integrated mobile broadband and uses Dell's NetReady "pay as you go" service to get online when Wi-Fi is out of range. Both versions come with up to 8GB of RAM and can be configured with a 500GB drive spinning at 5,400 RPM paired with a 32GB SSD or a standalone 512GB SSD, and the WWAN model comes standard with a 500GB drive with a free fall sensor on board. Another difference is graphics: the base model ships with Intel HD Graphics 4000, while the WWAN model offers an NVIDIA GeForce GT 630M GPU. Dell claims the notebook provides up to 11 hours of runtime, "the longest battery life of any Ultrabook." The XPS 14 starts at $1,099 and is available today. It just so happens that we've already taken the laptop for a full test drive: check out our review here.

Next up is the XPS 15, which weighs 5.79 pounds and sports a 1920 x 1080 Corning Gorilla Glass display. The laptop includes either a DVD-RW or Blu-Ray drive and comes with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. As far as graphics go, you get a choice of NVIDIA's GeForce GT 630M chip with 1GB of dedicated memory or GeForce GT 640M graphics with 2GB of RAM. Pricing starts at $1,299, and like the XPS 14 this laptop is available today. Check out our hands-on gallery below.

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Dell Expands XPS Laptop Family: Performance Without Compromise for
Mobility, Creation, Entertainment

-XPS 14 Ultrabook designed for consumers on the move with up to 11 hours of
battery life - the longest battery life of any Ultrabook

- XPS 15 boasts thin powerhouse performance for superior creation and
entertainment

-Thoughtful design and premium craftsmanship with machined aluminum and
edge-to-edge display

ROUND ROCK, Texas, June 26, 2012 – Dell today announced the expansion of its XPS laptop
portfolio with the XPS 14 and XPS 15 laptops. Joining the award-winning XPS 13 Ultrabook, the XPS 14 and 15 have the same beautiful, thoughtful design and craftsmanship in two additional screen sizes for consumers who desire connectivity, performance and entertainment, no matter where they are.

As part of Dell's flagship XPS brand, this array of laptops enables customers to choose the one that best suits their needs. The XPS 13 is highly portable and compact for today's most mobile users, while the XPS 14 provides long battery life and connectivity for those who need to get online wherever they are. The XPS 15 provides performance graphics and a brilliant display for multimedia creation and entertainment. All three laptops have enterprise-friendly features to intersect the design and performance desired by consumers with the security and services
required by IT departments. Additionally, The XPS 14 and 15 laptops are distinguished by vibrant displays with hardened Corning Gorilla Glass, and use the latest Intel technology, such as the latest 3rd Generation processors, and Intel Rapid Start, Smart Response and Smart Connect technologies, to enable users to be productive, connected and responsive anywhere.

"Following the success of our XPS 13, our customers wanted to see more of the XPS brand," said Sam Burd, vice president, Dell Personal Computing Product Group. "The XPS 14 and 15 laptops offer powerful performance, thoughtful design and a superb user experience, along with enterprise-friendly features so you can use them for work and for play."

XPS 14: Outstanding Performance

Designed for mobile users, the XPS 14 comes in two main configurations. The XPS 14 Ultrabook features a highly-durable machined aluminum chassis with innovative silicone base in a compact, thin, 20.7mm design. With a brilliantly bright 14-inch 400 nit HD+ edge-to-edge display, a backlit keyboard, and optional performance graphics, the XPS 14 is ready to perform all day in nearly any environment, with up to 11 hours of battery life – the longest battery life of any Ultrabook. Customers can enjoy the ample storage of a traditional hard drive with the responsiveness of a solid state drive with a 500GB hard drive and 32GB mSATA card, including Intel Rapid Start and Smart Response technology. Rapid Start delivers fast boot-up and hibernate response times, while Smart Response quickly recognizes and caches the most frequently used files and applications, allowing customers to access critical information quickly and easily.

The XPS 14 option with integrated mobile broadband sports a premium, black leather back so
there is no signal interference with the built-in antennas, allowing users to connect virtually
anywhere, anytime. Connecting via mobile broadband is simple with Dell NetReady mobile
broadband service. Providing connectivity on a session-based model, Dell NetReady is a "pay-asyou-go" service that allows connection where Wi-Fi may not be available.

XPS 15: Superb Content Creation and Entertainment

The XPS 15 is a thin powerhouse offering the performance, graphics and screen resolution for
creativity and entertainment. With a stunning, vivid, edge-to-edge display that's up to 75 percent brighter than standard panels, powerful NVIDIA graphics as standard, backlit keyboard, and optional integrated slot load Blu-ray disc drive, watching videos or creating content is pure enjoyment. Customers can also store their multimedia content with up to 1TB of storage, and still enjoy the responsiveness of a solid state drive with a 32GB or 128GB mSATA card option.

The stunning design of the XPS 15 is driven by the desire for a beautifully crafted system
constructed for performance. The machined-aluminum chassis provides strength and durability
with the top cover precision cut from a single block of aluminum, and the silicone base feels coolto-the-touch. The hardened Corning Gorilla Glass screen is impeccably strong yet aesthetically pleasing with the near-frameless edge-to-edge design.

Peace of Mind and Support When it Matters Most

To give XPS customers peace of mind, every XPS product sold on Dell.com comes with America's Best Standard Protection plan. In addition to the Limited Hardware Warranty, the plan includes In-Home Service after Remote Diagnosis, Premium Phone Support with extended availability, one year of Accidental Damage Service, and one year of theft protection with Computrace LoJack for Laptops Theft Recovery Service as standard. Accidental Damage Service is a safeguard for unexpected drops, spills or power surges that may occur. Computrace LoJack for Laptops Theft Recovery Service helps track, locate, lock down and recover a stolen system, and can even remotely delete sensitive data.

Enterprise-Friendly Portfolio

Dell has made it easier for IT departments to choose laptops that offer the security and services they value in a fit and finish executives and employees now demand. Optional enterprise-friendly features include:

-Dell ProSupport is available for Dell business customers and provides end users and IT
professionals with various remote and on-site technical support for complex hardware and
software needs that include access to ProSupport specialists.

-Trusted Platform Module (TPM) offers user and machine security with BitLocker Data
Encryption for network-based client computing.

-Configuration Services include customizing BIOS settings, loading an image, and applying
asset tags prior to shipping to streamline the process of deploying XPS laptops to
employees wherever they may be located, while ensuring consistency throughout the IT
environment.

Designed With the Environment in Mind

Understanding its customers' need to purchase responsible products, Dell designed the XPS 14 and 15 laptops with the environment in mind. Its energy-efficient LED displays have no mercury or arsenic and Dell eliminated harmful toxins such as Brominated Flame Retardants and Polyvinyl Chloride (BFR/PVCs). The laptops are shipped in many locations with sustainably harvested bamboo packaging material, and they can be configured to be ENERGY STAR qualified, helping customers reduce energy costs. When the time comes, Dell offers multiple recycling options (learn more at Dell.com/recycling).

Pricing and Availability:

The Dell XPS 14 (starting at $1,099), and the XPS 15 (starting at $1,299), are both available today in the U.S. on Dell.com and in select countries worldwide.

Michael Gorman and Zach Honig contributed to this report.