Dell Axing XPS Desktops to Focus on Alienware

[Buck47]

Dell is preparing further changes on its strategy as it may be looking to streamline the products it offers to gamers and PC enthusiasts. According to an article from the WSJ, Dell will be phasing out its desktop XPS line to focus on similar high-end models offered under the Alienware brand.

This is a contradicting move however in light of the very recent launch of the XPS 730 H2C desktop system last week. This new model brought a number of refinements and upgrades to the XPS desktop which for a $5000+ price tag can get you factory-overclocked Intel Core 2 Extreme processors, a Nvidia nForce 790i powered motherboard, quad GPU graphics, custom water cooling and chassis, among other things. This kind of configuration goes in hand with similar products offered by subsidiary Alienware, and thus cannibalization of sales is highly likely. Dell has yet to officially pronounce regarding this move however.

Meanwhile, Alienware seems to be preparing a "low-cost" $1700 system based on an AMD platform. A surprising choice for a gaming system nowadays, the AMD Phenom X4 processor is no slouch as it is often publicized however. For that price, Alienware will equip a quad-core Phenom X4 9550 (2.2GHz), 4GB of memory, an ASUS motherboard, and an ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2 graphics card.

TechSpot

[Richard Dower]

I never like DELL for anything, though there Laptops are ok.

[hecktic]

all I buy from Dell is business products and maybe Monitors... but thats it..

almost all the XPS models are overpriced anyways..

[itznfb]

almost all the XPS models are overpriced anyways..

way cheaper than alienware though.

[gallardo]

They're all overpriced because they target people who don't know how to build their own PC. I can make a better PC than that 1700$ Alienware even with Romania's prices (almost 30% higher than US).

[hecktic]

way cheaper than alienware though.

yeah but I only look to Allienware for mobile solutions anyways...

for Desktops, I look to XtremeSystems haha

[SoulsCollective]

Was waiting for this. Made no sense them competing amongst themselves.

[BlueAqua]

I've been able to get on some really amazing deals through Dell. I bought an XPS 700 Desktop for cheap and it was pretty good. I have an XPS laptop that I really like, it's a beast. The amount of deals that you can get on a Dell definitely outweigh the amount of deals you can possibly get on an Alienware. I think it's good to have two separate labels. However if they can make more money just with Alienware, it makes sense to chop the XPS Desktop line.

[stayfrosty]

Not that id ever buy either, but just my personal opinion that the Alienware cases are some of the most ugly inanimate objects to ever come out of a deisgners head... EVER.

[stocius]

Not that id ever buy either, but just my personal opinion that the Alienware cases are some of the most ugly inanimate objects to ever come out of a deisgners head... EVER.

Yeah, I agree. The lappies are OK but they don't thrill me.

[Syn.]

Not that id ever buy either, but just my personal opinion that the Alienware cases are some of the most ugly inanimate objects to ever come out of a deisgners head... EVER.

You mean to say that they are a bit.... alien?

[inCore]

You mean to say that they are a bit.... alien?

The only thing which Alienware does well is the cable management. Other than that, my friend spent 6,000 USD on a computer and they gave him a stock Intel Heatsink. This was a Pentium 4 which they apparently overclocked to 3.8 GHz. This by itself is surprising, seeing as another user complained that the on button didn't work and later found out that Alienware had connected the cables incorrectly inside the case - makes you wonder how they overclocked it, must be some real genius engineers that overclock without power.

My Dell XPS laptop wasn't really overpriced, seeing as it's 12" and was one of the first with a Geforce Go 7400. I think you'll find that other brands are much more overpriced, such as some of the premium model Sony VAIOs. But in terms of desktops, you're right.

[itznfb]

Yeah, I agree. The lappies are OK but they don't thrill me.

i love the latitude series. runs cool, lasts long. and incredibly cheap. you can always find a deal like 30% off or $800 off or something.

[Papu]

i love the latitude series. runs cool, lasts long. and incredibly cheap. you can always find a deal like 30% off or $800 off or something.

new xps range 1330 and 1530 are stunning i have one myself i hope they arent dropped

the XPS desktops having seen one in real life are actually fantastic machines really nice solid cases , hybrid cooling and very sleek leds in the front , if i was given one i could not resist

that being said they are a little overpriced and its a shame to see them go as it will force people who wont buy alienware and cant selfbuild to do something silly like buy a mac

[3NZ0]

I can see where the move came from, internal competition.

Their desktop xps case looks awesome though and is very quiet.

I would like to see the xps m13/530 range merged with the inspiron line. The only true laptop that deserves the xps badge is the m1730. The other two are not even remotely worthy of the name.

[Papu]

I can see where the move came from, internal competition.

Their desktop xps case looks awesome though and is very quiet.

I would like to see the xps m13/530 range merged with the inspiron line. The only true laptop that deserves the xps badge is the m1730. The other two are not even remotely worthy of the name.

i disagree :P
the 1730 looks allot more like an inspiron where as the 1330 and 1530 are much better in terms of accessories like fingerprint scanner and webcam and the awesome media buttons at the top the 1730 is kinda tacky with all the leds and carbon hood.

[mrcape]

Ditch the corny Alienware cases and the whole stupid brand actually. Aliens are so 1996. Just sell the same gear in a nice classy looking aluminum case.

Not that I care what happens to Dell, but they are going backwards on this one.

[ak_47_boy]

Dell was one of my favorite laptop manufactures. Second only to the unbeatable IBM. Of course for gaming you would need to go with the dell XPS.

I would never buy an alienware. Name is ridiculous, stupid paint, just not something i want to be a part of.

[Sparky]

I like dell laptops. They've always served me well. More than I can say about Compaq or HP. Even my newer HP laptop at work screws up randomly

[kodiak kid]

I was 100% Dell...Until I went to buy a new lappy... Dells price was $1890 +tax (after an instant $560 off)...

the EXACT same configuration (+ 2 more gigs of ram and a 8600M GT vid card NOT underclocked) to my door for $1530. After that, I'll never go back to dell!