An 18in Windows 8 tablet that doubles
as an all-in-one PC
Windows 8 is designed for touchscreens as
well as keyboards and mice. This has led to some wacky PC designs that attempt
to fuse together these two different ways of using your computer. One of the
oddest products we’ve seen is the Dell XPS 18. It appears to be an all-in-one
desktop PC with an 18in screen, but the ‘screen’ detaches from the base and can
be used as a tablet.
Dell
XPS 18 All-in-one
It’s a PC
As an all-in-one PC, the XPS 18 is
underspecified.
It’s a bizarre idea, but the XPS 18 does at
least feel well made. We wouldn’t want to drop any computer, but the plastic
and metal frame feels reassuringly robust. The metal stand feels even sturdier,
yet it’s easy to tilt and swivel with one hand, unlike some other Windows
all-in-one PCs we’ve seen. The screen neatly attaches to the stand using a
magnetic connector, 50 it feels secure when used as an all-in-one PC, but
disconnects easily for use as a tablet.
As an all-in-one PC, the XPS 18 falls
short. The 1.9GHz Intel Core i3 processor and 4GB of memory make it just about
fast enough to use as your main computer, but other similarly priced
all-in-ones have faster processors and more memory. The Intel integrated
graphics chip isn’t fast enough for playing the latest games, but is fine for
older releases and titles with less demanding graphics.
Dell
XPS 18 as a PC
The 500GB hard disk is small compared to
the 1TB and 2TB disks round in cheaper PCS. Expansion options are strictly
limited, too, with an SD card slut, two U553 port and that’s it. There are no
Ethernet or HDMI connectors, so you’ll need to rely on the PC’s built-in Wi-Fi
for internet access and connecting to a second display. The latter can only be
done with devices that support Wi-Di, an Intel technology that lets you
wirelessly connect a computer to a monitor or T\/. Only a few monitors and TVs
have built-in Wi-Di support, though, and Wi-Di adapters cost around $92.4.
A Bluetooth keyboard and mouse set is
included, but both devices feel basic. The boxy shape of the mouse won’t suit
everyone. The keyboard has just enough travel and feedback for comfortable
typing, but the laptop-style layout means some keys, such as the cursor keys,
will be too small for touch typists.
It’s a Tablet
As a tablet it’s very heavy and awkward to
use.
Performance might be merely adequate for an
all-in-one PC, but the XFS 18’s specifications are fairly good for a tablet.
Some of the sacrifices made in terms of power make more sense when you use it
as a tablet too. Faster components would have made the PC bulkier and hotter,
for example, and would quickly drain the battery.
Dell
XPS 18 as a tablet
However, as E handheld device, the XPS 18
is awkward and cumbersome to use due to its size and weight. At 2.3kg, it’s
better suited for table-top use and there are two flip-out feet at the rear so
it can be propped up easily if necessary. It’s just about usable on a lap, but
due to its weight and the width of the display, we had to constantly shift it
about either for comfort, to see something on screen more clearly or to reach a
button or control. It’s far from ideal.
The 18in screen has a high resolution of
1920x1080 pixels, so 1080p videos are displayed full-size. It’s bright with
reasonably accurate colors, but the touch sensitivity wasn’t as accurate as we
would have hoped. There was a small lag between moving our finger and something
happening on screen. This wasn’t noticeable most of the time, such as when
browsing the web or playing board games, but it was much more annoying when
playing fast-paced games, such as the bundled air hockey app, where accuracy is
essential.
As expected for a computer with such a
large screen, battery life wasn’t great. It lasted around four hours and 45
minutes in both our light usage and continuous video playback tests. Although
this compares well to large desktop-replacement laptops, it’s far behind
ultra-portable laptops and more sensibly sized tablets. Dell does emphasize
that the XPS 18 is intended for use around the home, though.
The Dell XPS 18 is a well-made computer,
but as a tablet it’s very heavy and awkward to use, while the sacrifices made
to allow for tablet-style usage end up compromising it as an all-in-one PC. The
biggest problem is that we just can’t see the point of such a huge tablet. The
big screen does make it easy to share photos or play board games with other
people, but these things can be done just as well with other gadgets such as
smart TVs or smaller, cheaper and more usable tablets, such as the iPad4, which
also has a much bigger and better array of available apps. For most people, the
Dell XPS18 is just poor value. We’d rather use a normal PC and separate tablet.
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Specifications
·
Processor: Intel Core ị 3337U Processor
·
Operating System: Windows 8 64bit
·
Chipset: Intel Panther Point HM77 Chipset
·
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 4000
·
Memory: 8GB DDR3L 1600 MHz DRAM
·
Display: 18.4” Full HD 1080p (1920x1080) 16:9;
IPS panel
·
Storage: 500GB hard drive (5400RPM) + 32GB
mSATA solid state drive (SSD)
·
Networking: Intel Centrino Wireless-N 2230
combo w/ Wi-Di Bluetooth 4.0
·
Interface: 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x
headphone/microphone combo jack
·
Webcam: 720p camera with dual-digital
microphone array for Skype
·
Battery: 69Whr
·
Power Adapter: 65W AC adapter
·
Dimensions: 18.25 (W) x 11.17 (D) x 0.69 (H)
inches
·
Weight: 5.04 pounds
·
Manufacturer Warranty: 1 year
·
Pricing: $1,350 (as configured)
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