Dell XPS 12 review: with the launch of Windows 8, 'convertible' takes on a new meaning

A Windows 8 PC that can be used in a tablet mode? Those will come a dime a dozen this fall. But what's fascinating is how each PC maker has approached the challenge of mixing a touchscreen with a more traditional mouse-and-keyboard setup. For some OEMs, this means going the hybrid route, with 10- or 11-inch tablets that slot neatly into an optional keyboard dock. For others, it means a full-fledged PC with a slide-out touchscreen. And for a few, it means a laptop whose screen can fold down, leaving you with what can only be described as an oversized slate.

That's how we would describe the Dell XPS 12, a 12.5-inch notebook whose screen flips inside its hinge, allowing you to use the machine in tablet mode or, if you prefer, with the screen facing away from the keys. It starts at a relatively steep $1,200 but then again, this is a fairly premium machine we're talking about: it combines all the ingredients of an Ultrabook (lightweight build, Ivy Bride processor and a solid-state drive) with a 400-nit, 1080p, Gorilla Glass touchscreen. So what's it like to use this unique form factor? And how does it fare as a regular ol' Windows 8 PC? Let's see.

Continue reading Dell XPS 12 review: with the launch of Windows 8, 'convertible' takes on a new meaning

Filed under: Laptops, Dell

Dell XPS 12 review: with the launch of Windows 8, 'convertible' takes on a new meaning originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Oct 2012 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.