Dell, Intel Unveil XPS 13 Ultrabook

Dell has officially added to the Ultrabook hype at this year’s International Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

The PC maker’s vice chairman, Jeff Clark, joined Intel CEO Paul Otellini Tuesday evening to introduce Dell’s new XPS 13 Ultrabook during Intel’s keynote address. "It's defining what this category is all about," Clark said of the XPS 13. "This product is an example of the collaboration between our two companies."

Dell’s new XPS 13 Ultrabook touts a 13.3-inch high definition, "near frameless" display. The new device weights just under three pounds, measures less than a quarter-inch at its thinnest point, and runs on Intel’s second-generation Core i5 or i7 processors. Battery life is slightly under nine hours.

The XPS 13, unsurprisingly, includes a variety of features from Intel, the chip giant that spurred the Ultrabook phenomenon back in May and has continued to be one of the form factor’s biggest advocates. Intel HD 3000 graphics and Intel Rapid Start technology are highlights of the new device. Intel Smart Connect technology is also included, allowing the XPS 13 to "wake up" periodically to update calendars and email.

The PC maker also took strides to ensure the new XPS 13 would appeal to both a consumer and corporate audience. For enterprise users, the XPS 13 comes equipped with security features including standardTrusted Platform Module for BitLocker Data Encryption and optional ProSupport after-sales service and configuration services, such as customer imaging and asset tagging.

IT-friendly features such as these will become increasingly important as the consumerization of IT – or the influx of personal devices being used in corporate environments – continues to accelerate, said Mike Rosenstein, director of global commercial product pricing at Dell.

"What's embedded there is serving two customer sets, serving that end user with a great experience and allowing the IT professional to accomplish their goals," Rosenstein told CRN. "We put forward technology that if done well can meet both needs."

On the consumer side, security is still a predominant feature of the XPS 13. One year of theft protection with Computrace LoJack for Laptops Theft Recorvey Service is included, which helps users track, locate and recover a stolen notebook. Remotely deleting sensitive data is also possible.

Dell’s announcement comes on the heels of similar Ultrabook unveilings this week at CES from rivals including Lenovo and HP.