Dell XPS

XPS ("Extreme Performance System") is a line of consumer-oriented high-end laptop and desktop computers manufactured by Dell since 1993, formerly part of Dimension, and since 2008 as a standalone brand.

History

In the early 1990s, Dell primarily targeted its products at businesses rather than consumers. In early 1993, Dell executives met to address how to pursue the emerging consumer market in the US (led by Gateway 2000, later known as Gateway), and decided to launch a new product line to compete with Gateway. At that time, Dell's annual revenue was less than $500 million, and founder Michael Dell was still directly involved in key decisions. Vernon Weiss, the product manager, led the project and managed product marketing, while Brian Zucker oversaw architecture and engineering.

In September 1993, the first two products in the XPS line were announced, initially as part of the Dell Dimension series. The first generation XPS systems were available in both desktop and tower configurations. The earliest known XPS PC, the Dell Dimension XPS 466V, was released in 1994,[1] which was a version of the preexisting Dell Dimension 466V. The new product line achieved commercial success, garnering significant media attention. For example, an XPS was featured on the cover of the October 1993 issue of PC/Computing.

From 1997 to 2001, the XPS line lost its leading position in the market as Dell steadily grew and the market continued to evolve over time. Dell then revamped the XPS line in 2005 to compete with Alienware (then a separate company) and Falcon Northwest. Correspondingly, Dell split its home desktop system into two lines (Dell Dimension and XPS), its consumer notebooks were also split into two lines (Dell Inspiron and XPS). Shortly thereafter, on March 22, 2006, Dell acquired Alienware, a move they had been considering since 2002.[2][3] Alienware maintained its autonomy in terms of design and marketing, but access to Dell's supply chain management, purchasing power, and economies of scale lowered its operating costs.[4] The new XPS line initially had the same specifications as those offered by the Alienware division.

In 2008, Dell introduced the "Studio XPS" line, which it marketed as a performance computer line, while Alienware was advertised for gaming. On June 2, 2009, the M18z gaming laptop was introduced as the first Alienware/Dell joint-branded system.

In January 2025, Dell announced its intentions to gradually phase out their existing lineup of computer brands in favor of a singular brand simply named as "Dell" as part of the company's shift towards the next generation of PCs with artificial intelligence capabilities.[5][6][7][8][9][10] The XPS brand (as well as the Inspiron brand) would be supplanted by the Dell laptop line designed for light gaming, education, and work.[9][10] However, on January 5, 2026, Dell announced that the XPS name would no longer be phased out and also unveiled the redesigned XPS 14 and 16, with Dell recommitting to the XPS brand.

Desktops

Laptops

Dell returned to develop their XPS performance line in 2010, releasing three new laptops in October of that year, which had many new features and improved specifications compared to previous models. These included JBL speakers with Waves MaxxAudio 3 technology, integrated 3D graphics, the first-ever Skype certification for video chat, and Intel i5 and i7 processors. Dell also offered a software-based X-Fi audio upgrade.[35]

Tablets

Special editions

Dell has introduced a handful of "speciality" models which were based upon particular models in the XPS series but had unique characteristics. These included custom cases and higher-performance parts (processors, video cards, etc.). Some of these models are considerably rare because they were produced in limited quantities and were either extremely expensive or giveaway only (as was the case of the XPS X-Men Edition, see below).

Awards

The Dell XPS 13 and 15 laptops won the COMPUTEX d&i awards in 2016[84][85]

Dell XPS 15 (9500): Best in Class, Rated 5/5

"The Dell XPS 15 is easily the best 15-inch laptop on the market, and in a lot of ways it's the best laptop period." — TechRadar[86]

Dell XPS 17 (9700): Editor's Choice, Rated 4.5/5

"If you were waiting for a bigger screen with this design, you're finally getting one (and getting the performance to match)." — Tom's Hardware[87]

Dell XPS 15 7590: The best laptops for 2020

"The XPS 15 is easily the best all-around 15-inch laptop on the market today, making it the ultimate video-editing laptop too." — Digital Trends[88]

External links

• Official Dell XPS Website
• Official Dell E3 Product Page (Requires Flash)
• Dell M2010 US Business configurator – may expire/change
• Dell UK store configurator; different options available. May expire/change
• Dell XPS Generation 2 FAQ. Subject to change