Dell Power Supplies

The Dell XPS is a high-end line of gaming computers sold by Dell. The "Xtreme Performance System", or XPS, dates back to 1993. At this time, Dell was more focused on corporate clients rather than consumers. more...

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It should also be noted that Gateway during that period was the number one high-end PC manufacturer.

Rise of the XPS

In early 1993 it was agreed by Dell's staff that it needed to create products to serve the rapid-growing consumer PC market. In September 1993, the first two XPS computers were announced. These models sported technology that was more modern than what Dell's competition currently offered at that time. Because of this, these computers were the cover article in the October 1993 issue of PC Computing. The XPS continued to adopt the latest PC technologies available while ensuring low prices for consumers.

Current status

Despite the XPS's loss of publicity and promotion, the series was revamped in 2005. Dell at the time was looking to expand its market once again, and was looking to take away market share from Voodoo PC, Falcon Northwest, and Alienware. Ironically, in 2006 it was announced that Dell had purchased Alienware. During the Gen 1, Dell marketed high-end Dimensions and Inspirons as XPS computers, while keeping the low-end Dimensions and Inspirons as their current models.

Included items with the current XPS systems

Current XPS computers come standard with Intel Core 2 Duo processors, a 15-month anti-virus subscription, and Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition. The XPS notebooks come standard with TrueLife screens and Dell's "MediaDirect" that allows the computer to have, as Dell puts it "Instant-On Functionality."

Criticism

While the original XPS name meant the components used were high-end and well-suited for gaming, this is no longer the case. For example, both the XPS 200 and XPS M140 are limited to low-end graphics cards (Intel Integrated or low-end ATI or NVIDIA). These restrictions make both models unsuitable for any graphics-demanding application or task.

Rather than release totally new hardware, Dell simply rebadged Dimension systems as XPS computers. For example, the XPS 200 is the replacement for the Dimension 5100c, and is also sold as a 5150c. Also, the XPS 410 is the replacement for the Dimension 9150, and is also sold as the Dimension 9200.

Upon request (not available through the website) Dell notebooks can be ordered without any software pre-installed and Dell will issue a so-called Windows refund, typically a discount or refund towards the "Windows inclusive" price or a merchandise credit.

Read more at Wikipedia.org