Expect Apple/Sony type features in the new XPS line... (speculation)

I expect the XPS to have backlit keyboard(almost 100% positive), maybe some kind of magnesium casing(speculation), an ATI card(speculation), and i'm thinking that based on the studio's inclusion of a "dock" and dell's recent advancements in multi-touch screens(ala software update to the tablet note book) that we may even be looking at some custom dell multi-touch esqe trackpads!

This is speculation, but based on the current industry trends, dells general application of backlit keyboards(the new studio line, the upcoming E latitudes..., etc.) you can bet your as$ backlit will be included. Also, the latitude series has had magnesium casing for some time(and it would be an improvement over the prev/current gen aluminum), sony is including more premium materials in their upper systems(the SR is magnesium, the Z is carbon fiber), etc etc.

Dell follows the industry, they typically copy other succesful designs(as well as create trends of their own, and the innovative apple typically copies sony(look at the history of the keyboard, what inspired the macbook air(it was a sony!), etc.. So as such, you can expect Dell to adopt some cues from sony and apple.

More evidence of this can also be seen in the new inclusion of a Dock(ala OS X or stardock) on their new studio line as well as the general implimentation of a mini remote control(the studio and XPS now include one)...much like the macbook and macbook pros of the past have included(now it's optional...cause apple are cheap *****es...but i digress)

 

I completely agree.

I am positive we'll see some announcement on or soon after August 4 when Centrino 2 package is complete in a sense.

 

the Backlit keyboard would be so awsome on my xps, the others i wouldnt mind about, i prefer my mouse and keyboard 10 to 1 against a touch screen.

But really, the only way of knowing is by waiting and keeping an eye out for new models.

But thats the thing with technology, you buy your super modern lappy witch probably cost you a bit too much, and a week later you learn that its allready outdated!

So for those who insist on waiting for the new model, dont worry, if you like something and it fits your needs you should get it, and a couple of years will pass and you will be able to replace it for the very advanced new model witch WILL become outdated some way or another, its just how these things work.

 

What a useless topic...., I'm gonna rip and criticize your so called "analysis" just because... I don't feel like it's anything surprising or "hmmm, thats interesting, I never thought of that". I decided to add a few points that may be of interest to your otherwise droll/obvious/repetitive/disorganized speculation on the obvious.

The Studio has a backlit keyboard. The INSPIRON Studio. Its obvious the new XPS line will have a backlit keyboard too. Maybe the Studio did it because of Apple's Macbook, but as far as Dell is concerned, Studio has it, so XPS obviously will have it. Maybe custom colors for backlight too. If you mention custom LED backlit color because its an XPS line, that would have added some "hm, I never thought of that" factor into it.

Another obvious one, the M1530 is composed of Magnesium as well. In fact, the M1530 is made out of Magnesium alloy that consists of Magnesium, Aluminum, and more.

Just to add on something that is actually not so obvious. I have read an article that has been removed with a pic of the potential XPS refresh and there is a possibility of carbon fiber used as a material for the surface where the keyboard is near the palmrests.

This is probably the one and only thing that is worthy of discussing about especially due to recent events and is the ONLY point in your article that is not repeated. Why in the world did you not add more depth and greater evidence and analysis to this point? Its the only good one in your article thats not blatantly obvious and debatable. Even still the XPS always have used a Nvidia graphics card and based on how all the other Montevina refreshes with graphics cards side with the Nvidia 9600M GT.... you can bet Dell will offer Nvidia as an option as in the official SEC statement, all current and future production no longer have the "die packaging" issue as the G86 and G84 series have. ATI may be offered as an option, but the higher, more expensive, and greater performance option will always lie with Nvidia.

Ok, the "dock" and Multi-touch trackpad have NOTHING to do with each other. Why did you include them both in the same sentence?

The Dell Dock is made by Stardock. Did Stardock steal the idea from Apple? Maybe, but whatever happened, its different and the "dock" concept has been out for a long time ever since linux. Dell could've copied from Ubuntu for all we know. No signs point to copying Apple in this respect.

As for multi-touch esque trackpads.. what exactly is multi-touch "esque", define it. Otherwise its either multi-touch, or no multi-touch. Highly doubt it will happen since Dell will have to pay royalties to use the technology. I'm pretty sure Dell doesn't want to do that. It is highly doubtful. If they were to incorporate any Muti-touch technology, it would be when Windows 7 draws closer. Perhaps next years refresh.

You just reworded, rephrased what you just said earlier. Sigh... how repetitive/droll. At least group the sentences together instead of splitting them up.

Once again, you just split up your "speculation" idea. At least you added some new analysis, though flawed at best. XPS M1530 already has magnesium allow as I indicated above. Once again, another reptitive/droll point, except this time, + inaccurate analysis.

Sony is a bit late on that if its just incorporating it into its SR line. So this merely shows Sony may have copied Dell, not the other way around.

As for the carbon fiber, that has to be the best point and like I said earlier, yes, there is a high chance that the XPS will incorporate carbon fiber due to the shots of the potential xps refresh and the article that I read that was taken down. I wonder why..

Uh, ok, the M1530 is really unique. All I see is the MSI Wind UMPC copying Dell for it's XPS design. Dell does offer configurations similar to other manufacturers, but thats the same for all companies. Its not like they all can just drop Intel, or kick Nvidia.

Ok, so Apple copies Sony... nothing related to Dell.

Whatever it takes to beat the competition. Apple had a backlit keyboard, probably what inspired the Studio to have one too.

Once again, same point again. Consider organizing yourself a bit.

Previous Dell model's also had optional remotes you could get. HP also had them too on their previous lines. The XPS is not the first to have a travel remote you know. Once again, inaccuracy.

Not a bad point. You seem to know a lot about Apple. You... have a Macbook? jk.

 

thebigpants27, what do you think will happen with the prices of Dell's XPS laptop refresh?

I learned of the Dell XPS m1330/m1530 only recently, where preset notebook prices ranged from $800~$1600. The original price would get upwards and over $2000, which would be rediculous by today's specs (imo).

Do you think that the XPS notebook line will jump back to their original pricing area with the imminent upgrades? Now that they have Alienware notebooks to fulfill the gamers needs, I would think the XPS would be best kept in the price range it currently is in. That's just me talking wishfully, though.

On one hand I could get a great XPS notebook right now for a decent price. On the other hand, I *may* be able to get a refreshed XPS notebook for a bit more, but I don't know when and if it will be released. I know for sure that I won't spend upwards of $2,000 for the Montevina/better GPU. And by then, I probably won't have the choices at their current prices today.

/thoughts

Sorry for getting off-topic.

 

To Forte regarding the uniqueness of the M1530, the M1530 is just a larger version of the M1330 which appears to be a direct rip off of the Sony SZ series. So I would have to say that the M1530's design is not unique at all.

 

They are both the XPS line, both the same design, I just liked mentioning M1530 just because I like mine.

Anyways, comparison shots. M1330 direct rip off of Sony SZ? lol. Look at the Sony SZ's antenna. If anything, the Sony SZ from the keyboard view looks like a ripoff of the new Inspirons. There is a reason why the M1530 tops the Sony SZ at NBR.

Sony SZ




M1330

 

Compare that with your last image. And the Sony SZ was around for much longer than the new Inspirons.

And:
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/01/23/review_dell_xps_m1330/

 

1. The 1330 already has a Mag alloy chassis. The base, and the lid.... That wouldn't be anything new...

2. i think he was referring to a docking station, not the Stardock application....

The rest of the points raised are fairly obvious... Like the backlit keyboard...


Personally, with the role of the XPS taken up by the studio in terms of specs, I would like to see the XPS line relaunched as a showcase of sorts, with bleeding edge tech rolled out on it.. .OLED/plane projection displays, projected keyboards, a la vaio zoom, USB 3.0, carbon fibre chassis, BD burner, maybe even fuel cell batteries offered as an option...

What's the harm in dreaming??

 

I hate the way Apple and Sony laptops look, I sure hope they don't take any design cues from them. Well acctually, Apple's MacBook Pro is pretty cool looking (if you cover up the Apple logo with a sticker), but I can't stand Sony laptops at all. Sony laptops are like want-a-be Apple laptops which I find to be pretty lame. I don't really think Dell copies other companies designs. I think the XPS M1330 was a very original laptop when it first came out. And Dell's recent laptops (Inspiron 13, Studio laptops, XPS M1530) have all been based on that design for the most part. If anything it's Sony who copies Apple's designs. Apple has always had minimalistic laptops (at least since the PowerBook G4), while Sony has more recently went into that trend.

A backlit keyboard is pretty much guaranteed since the lowerend Studio has it. At first backlit keyboards where only for gaming keyboards, but it seems they are really spreading into mainstream keyboards.

 

Did I say Sony copied from the new Inspirons? No.
Does one picture resemble a whole laptop? No.

Even still, the Sony SZ may have some parts similar to, but is still not close enough to the M1330 to warrant a direct ripoff.

No, he's referring to the Dell Dock, which is the stardock application. Dell Studio does not come with any sort of docking station or has any compatible docking station of its own whatsoever. Notice his post refers to the same kind of dock that OSX has. Yes, he is referring to the Stardock application.

Like I said in my first post, its all stating the obvious, no real speculation with the exception of the ATI GPU.

I like this dream.

 

so, when, august 4th?
I couldn't find any info/leaks about the release date for the refreshed 1530, is there anything for sure?

 

There isn't anything confirmed as of yet. As far as i've heard, nothing is really offcially known about the upcoming XPS series, dell had leaked info about the studio line and inspiron months prior to release, but it has been pretty tight lipped in regards to the XPS line. So they are playing it pretty close to the chest, maybe something incredible in store for the consumers. I feel like a mid august release is possible, but not aug. 4th(although the official montevina release is sometime around that), maybe august 15....