Desktops

Some of you may have seen some basic details about the XPS 630 during CES 2008.  Shortly after that, we rolled out a teaser campaign for it, similar to ones we had done for the XPS One, the M1730, and the World of Warcraft notebook. This one was the most successful we've had in terms of registrations.

And to those of you who did register, you should be receiving an e-mail that looks like this very soon. Click on it to see a larger version of the image.

Here's the deal. From now until 2/27/08 at 5:59am CST, you can purchase a new XPS 630 gaming desktop with a $479 discount. Just click on the Game On button to configure the system. After the discount, the base system includes the following hardware for $1,299:

• Intel Core 2 Q6600 quad-core processor
• 2GB 667MHz DDR2 memory 
• Dual NVIDIA 8800GT cards with 512MB memory
• 320GB hard drive
• 16x DVD+RW drive
• 2-year limited warranty

More XPS 630 product details coming soon.

A couple of weeks ago, Lionel cleared up questions around our commitment to AMD. Today, we've introduced new AMD processor technology in our OptiPlex 740 desktop. Here's what customers can expect:

• We're the first to deliver new processors from AMD including those with a "B" as part of the model name that identifies them as long lifecycle processors that bring 12-24 month longevity that is essential to our business customers
• We will offer more energy-efficient AMD processors with "E" as part of the model name that can reduce energy consumption by 5-10 percent
• RAID 0 and RAID 1 support for performance or data backup hard drive configurations
• Capability to support AMD Phenom performance processors in the future

At the core of our OptiPlex desktop line of products is stability. Business customers want longevity so they don't waste time on routine image management and spend it on innovation. It makes sense for us to offer the AMD processors, in addition to other features that provide more stability, such as ImageDirect service and ImageWatch. You'll hear more from us on efforts to provide even more stability for our customers.

Stay tuned. In the coming weeks, Dell customers in all regions will be able to choose AMD processors on the OptiPlex 740.

I saw that PC Magazine's Joel Santo Domingo recently wrote a solid review of one of our Energy Star 4.0-compliant corporate desktop machines, the OptiPlex 755. In the review, he gave it 4.5 stars out of five and called it, "the hybrid SUV of PCs." They tested the larger desktop chassis version of the system, and liked the overall performance and the expandability options that we support vs. competition like the HP Compaq dc7800.

This is part of Dell's broader strategy of buiding energy-efficient products. We offer a series of Energy Star 4.0-compliant corporate notebooks, desktops and workstations. To learn more about the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star 4.0 guidelines, take a look at this PDF. Beyond that, we also offer several Energy Smart PowerEdge servers for small and large business customers who are looking for energy savings at the server level.

You've probably seen some of the reaction about this in places like Gizmodo, and now I can confirm it. Today, we're making it easy for Dell customers who want to make a difference. Anyone who wants to join us to fight AIDS in Africa can do so by purchasing any of our (PRODUCT) RED-branded PCs. For Dell, this initiative represents an important step in our ongoing commitment to fight the spread of HIV around the globe.

Dell (PRODUCT) RED products are all distinguished by bright red accents and (PRODUCT) RED branding. Each of these systems will come with a special version of Windows Vista Ultimate. Windows Vista Ultimate (PRODUCT) RED includes six unique desktop wallpapers, a screen saver, and two Windows Sidebar gadgets and a (RED)-themed Windows DreamScene.

Dell and Microsoft will make a combined contribution of $50 - 80 depending on the PC purchased to the Global Fund. Dell will contribute $5 for every (PRODUCT) RED printer sold. 100% of the contributed finds will go toward Global Fund-financed grants in Africa. To put it in perspective, the $80 contribution generated by the purchase of the (PRODUCT) RED XPS One with Vista Ultimate  is equivalent to more than six months of life-saving antiretroviral treatment for someone living with AIDS in Africa.

Update 1/24, 10:30am—Here's a cool photo from Davos with Bill Gates, Bono and Michael Dell to celebrate the launch of these products. You can click on it for an enlarged version.

Dell (PRODUCT) RED products are now available for order at www.dell.com/joinred. They will also be available in Best Buy stores throughout the United States by the end of the week. And beginning January 31, these products will be available through Dell in nearly 30 additional countries.

Now for some details about the (PRODUCT) RED systems. Clicking on the images below will give you a larger picture.

XPS One (PRODUCT) RED:

• This is Dell's all-in-one product that I've blogged about before. Starting price is $1,599—every purchase results in an $80 contribution to The Global Fund.

XPS M1330 (PRODUCT) RED:

• This is our award-winning sub-four pound notebook that regular Direct2Dell readers are pretty familiar with. Starting price of $1,149—purchase results in a $50 contribution to the Global Fund.  

XPS M1530 (PRODUCT) RED:

• This is the larger 15" version of the XPS M1330. Lots of the same design and feature enhancements with a larger display. Starting price oof $1,149—purchase results in a $50 contribution to the Global Fund.  

 Dell 948 All-in-One Printer:

• The 948 printer integrates fax, scan, copy, print and photo-printing capability together into an easy-to-use package without requiring a connection to a computer. Starting price of $149—purchase results in a $5 contribution to the Global Fund.

Saw that John Markoff mentioned this in the Davos Diary earlier today. It's true, we're working with Microsoft and Product Red to offer the XPS One in a slick red color, along with other products. More red details coming later this week,