By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla
High-end Ultrabook or cutting-edge Windows 8 Tablet? Dell’s XPS 12 is a little bit of both and a whole lot more.
Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system has been designed to be optimized for multi-touch screens but can also be used in traditional desktop mode. Yet, many users still need traditional desktop applications, a powerful portable computer and the ability use multi-touch functionality when needed.
The past year has seen an abundance of Ultrabooks with multi-touch capabilities as well as tablet PCs that can dock into accessory keyboards to emulate the experience of using a notebook.
Most of the more powerful Windows 8 Ultrabooks and tablets are priced above $1000, which makes it even more complicated for users looking to buy a new device. What’s the best value for money?
Users who want thinner Ultrabooks or dedicated tablets have a range of devices to choose from, but Dell’s XPS 12 is the most compelling ‘convertible’ device that has the best features of both form factors with little compromise. The XPS 12 looks like any high-end Ultrabook, it also feels solid and well built, specially the innovative rotating display and hinge mechanism that flips the screen back and forth.
Dell spared no expense with the XPS 12, it is exquisitely engineered and finished off with carbon fiber as well as Gorilla Glass for the display. As an Ultrabook, it is relatively light weighing 3.4 pounds.
The XPS 12’s unique flip-hinge design, something borrowed from earlier netbooks, easily transforms the notebook into a handy, albeit heavy, Windows 8 tablet. This makes the XPS 12 ideal for productivity in normal notebook mode, good for presentations when the screen is flipped back and ideal for entertainment in tablet mode.
The XPS 12 is a remarkably well-built and sturdy notebook. It has a nice textured finish around the keyboard as well as a backlit, island style keyboard that’s responsive and spaced just right.
The 12’ 2.5″ Full HD (1080p) 400-nit display screen is a key feature. Crisp, highly readable and responsive, it is the feature users will interact with the most in both notebook or tablet form. After comparing the XPS 12 to similar and even more expensive hybrids, the XPS 12 came up on top in terms of screen quality.
A range of 3rd Generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors can be customized when ordering the XPS 12. Dell is using fast SSD (Solid State Drive) storage starting at 128GB configurable to 256GB. 4GB or 8GB of RAM are available depending on the model.
Battery life is rated at 8 hours that is remarkable for something so compact. Dell has also outfitted the XPS 12 with a variety of ports including a 9-pin USB 3.0 port; one 9-pin USB 3.0 port with PowerShare and Windows debugging and a 20-pin mini-display port. The Dell XPS 12 starts at $ 1,199.99 and ranges up to $1,399.99
