It must be good news for XPS fans that Dell XPS is back! The new Dell XPS notebook series includes 14-inch, 15 inch and 17-inch three sizes, a massive debut. Being different from the previous notebooks, the new Dell XPS is defined as the flagship of audio-visual notebook.

Features of XPS notebook given by Dell:

• JBL / Waves of high-quality audio

• LED backlit display and B+RG full HD screen dedicated for 15-inch notebook

• Certified by Skype to support smooth HD video transmission

• Watch 3D movies, games and photos by connecting to big 3D screen

• Anodized aluminum shell with high strength and wear resistance

We are about to review XPS 14 series, Dell XPS L401X. We may remind of the previous XPS products which look strong and rigid. And Dell XPS L401X also adopts anodized aluminum top cover. Dell XPS L401X utilizes a 14-inch glossy screen with resolution of 1366 x 768. Though 14-inch Dell XPS L401X hasn’t used full HD screen, the glossy screen delivers better light transmission.

Classic XPS LOGO

Dell XPS L401X Webcam

Dell notebook is always designed in simple style. According to some details, we can find that Dell XPS L401X‘s edge is treated to be smooth while Alienware notebooks seem angular, which is the difference between audio-visual notebook and gaming notebook.

The chasis is still made of traditional plastic, plus a layer of silver paint, so that it looks somewhat metallic.

In terms of overall keyboard design, Dell XPS L401X continues the same style of Dell. And speakers are located above the keyboard on both sides while power switch and function keys are set in the center.

We also find the famous JBL logo on the upper left of the keyboard, which means the speakers of this notebook are produced by JBL. Through the actual lyrics, the speakers do performance well in medium high frequency.

It is necessary for a high-end product Dell XPS L401X to feature versatile. XPS L401X uses a backlit keyboard and the user can turn on and off the backlight by hand. There are two options of backlight intensity.

Dell XPS L401X can support a key to close the touchpad, so that users don’t worry about touching the touchpad when typing. The indicator will turn red in the closed state.

Logo and indicator at the back of keyboard

However, we think it unreasonable to place the hard disk indicator at the back for it requires user to lower down the screen to observe it. Maybe Dell considers that it is unimportant for most users.

It is sure that XPS is emphasized on the beauty of lines. We find that Dell XPS L401X has designed its two sides of interfaces in gorgeous curves. There are USB interfaces, audio interface, card reader interfaces, cable interface, etc.

The left side interfaces layout

The right side interfaces layout

There is also equipped with USB interface, power connector, and two digital video interfaces at the back. In addition to HDMI interface, Dell XPS L401X has a Mini Display port.

56Wh lithium ion battery

XPS Related Application Software

Function keys above the keyboard

DELL Audio created by Realtek is very complete audio control software. Just touch the right side of button to start it. Users can adjust the sound effects with it to help JBL play the best sound.

Dell Dock is a self-developed small software toolbar by Dell for users to put some commonly used program shortcuts on it. Just click for once to start it.

Windows Mobility Center is also a very useful tool for users to adjust the screen brightness, volume, or turn on or off the wireless LAN, Bluetooth and other equipment.

My WiFi enables people to share Internet access function. The reason why this Dell XPS L401X support MyWifi, mainly because the laptop has equipped with built-in Intel wireless card, which most of mainstream Intel wireless cards support MyWifi technology.

Dell XPS L401X sports powerful Intel Core i7 740QM processor, 4GB memory and 500GB hard drive. Besides, XPS L401X also ships with a NVIDIA GeForce GT 425M graphics card which could support 3D display technology.

CPUID Screenshots

Intel Core i7 740QM is a high-end four-Core processor, clocked at its base 1.73GHz, which can be achieved 2.93GHz through Turbo function. In addition, this processor featured quad-core eight-threading capabilities do an outstanding performance.

PCMark Vantage Screenshots

NVIDIA GeForce GT 425M belongs to mid-level NVIDIA graphics card. The reason why Dell XPS hasn’t equipped with high-performance graphics card is due to the product positioning of an audio-visual notebook. Meanwhile NVIDIA 400M Series support Optimus graphics Smart Switch and 3D Vision technology (except 415M/420M which does not support 3D technology).

Heat and Battery Life

We run FurMark in this machine to a full capacity and then use thermal imaging devices to detect the surface temperature.

Keyboard surface temperature

Body temperature at the bottom

Through the test, the maximum temperature of keyboard surface is 45.3 ℃, and the maximum temperature at the bottom is 55.5 ℃. Most of heat is concentrated in the central position of the keyboard where the high-performance chips are located.

Dell XPS L401X is equipped with 56Wh lithium ion battery. Through the evaluation of Windows 7, it lasts for 2 hours and 21 minutes in energy-saving mode. If in the condition of high-definition video playback, the battery can last about an hour.

Dell XPS L401X Specs:

Processor Type Intel Core i7 740QM

Processor Frequency 1.73GHz

The Maximum Frequency of 2930MHz

Three-Level Cache 6MB

Memory Capacity 4GB

Memory Type DDR3 1066MHz

Hard Drive Capacity 500GB

Hard Drive 7200, SATA

Drive Type DVD Burner

Screen Size 14-inch

Screen Ratio 16:9

Screen Resolution 1366 × 768

LED Backlight Technology

Graphics Chip NVIDIA GeForce GT 425M

2GB Memory Capacity

128bit Memory Interface

Related Search:

Dell XPS L501X Notebook Review

Dell Studio XPS 15 Released

As we know, the Dell XPS M1210 and Dell XPS M1710 have unique design and excellent performance; we can describe it as “supper” laptops. While a newest member of Dell XPS series: Dell XPS M2010, it is a superior laptop. Dell XPS M2010 comes with a 20 inches screen and a detachable keyboard which is a surprise for every one.

The reason why the Dell XPS M2010 is excellent and superior, it is because that Dell XPS M2010 features too many “concept” designs. Dell XPS M2010 is not only a notebook but also a PC desktop. Now we have a look of this unique laptop.

Dell XPS M2010 comes with a 20.1-inch WSXGA LCD screen with the resolution of 1680 × 1050 pixels. But in fact, a WSXGA screen may not be able to meet the requirement of a laptop with 20.1-inch screen as the Dell XPS M1710 has come with a 17-inch screen with 1920X1200 pixels. So it is a little pity for its screen.

Dell XPS M2010 can be amusing specifically in horizontal viewing angles as well as vertical viewing angles.

It is precisely because XPS M2010 features a large screen, so its weight creates a record in the notebook world in recent years. The weight of 18 pounds is heavy enough for us to carry it. Well, we can easy to carry the laptop with its framework, which can save you more energy.

The most significant feature for XPS M2010 is its exterior design. It comes with a charcoal gray exterior design, which will give us a soft-leather like texture. When Dell M2010 is closed, it is just like a business leather bag, and only the logo “Dell” on the laptop can prove it is a laptop.

M2010 is equipped with a full-size and removable Bluetooth keyboard. When the laptop is closed, the keyboard will be locked on the laptop and can not be removed from it, so there is no need to worry about that the keyboard will be shaken from the XPS M2010. Moreover, the keyboard is equipped with a battery. When the Bluetooth keyboard is removed from Dell XPS M2010, the keyboard will be powered by its own battery, and when the keyboard is connected with Dell XPS M2010 laptop, the laptop will provides the power to the keyboard. Generally speaking, the transmission range of Bluetooth is about 10m, it can meet the use of 18-inch (about 05.m) operation area.

XPS M2010 also comes with a multi-functional Bluetooth mouse, I guess it is a Logitech mouse as it comes with Logitech’s Setpoint technology. There is wheel button on one side of the mouse, and it supports the Logitech Setpoint technology.

Both the Bluetooth keyboard and mouse are performing excellent and without any delay actions. They are perfect to playing games.

As the Dell XPS M2010 is large, there is more space for some special equipment. Dell XPS M2010 comes with 8 built-in speakers as well as the subwoofer. So the quality of the sound is definitely better than that of most laptops. M2010 is also equipped with a rotatable 1.3 million pixel camera, which is easy for family use and video conference.

XPS M2010 has lots of interfaces; it is equipped with USB2.0 ports, which is one more than other laptops. The DVI-HDCP interface allows M2010 to connect with other video devices directly. In addition, M2010 has built-in Intel Wireless 3945ABG network card that supports 802.11b / g and Bluetooth 2.0 wireless transmission.

On the left side of XPS M2010, you will see 2 USB ports, microphone and headphone jack.

On the right side of XPS M2010, there is FireWire port, two memory card readers and an ExpressCard expansion slot.

On the rear side of Dell XPS M2010, there is RJ11 port, RJ45 port, DVI output, S-Video output, 2 USB ports and DELL unique audio jack.

What’s more, the Dell XPS M2010 is pre-equipped with Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 operating system; it has an excellent performance for multimedia applications. Besides XPS M2010 has built-in multimedia shortcut keys, it has a remote controller for you to choose the all the applications of Media Center.

For most readers, they are more concerned with its configuration and performance of XPS M2010, the XPS M2010 is handled by Intel Napa platform, using a Core Duo T2400-T2600 processor and the latest Radeon Mobility X1800 graphics card. It comes with a 4GB memory, RAID system consisting of two 120GB hard drives.

Now we have a look on the scores of the Dell XPS M2010.

Super PI tests CPU operation rate, the time is the less the better.

Now the score of 3DMark05 is shown as follow, the score is on the top of the test.

And we test Dell XPS M2010 with PCMark05; the score is still the best.

Test XPS M2010 with Windows Vista.