Dell XPS 420

[Chris Gohlke]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://news.digitaltrends.com/news/story/14580/dell_rolls_out_xps_420_desktop' target='_blank'>http://news.digitaltrends.com/news/story/14580/dell_rolls_out_xps_420_desktop</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The XPS 420 MiniView display uses Microsoft's SideShow technology the offer supplemental information and interface independent of Windows on a separate 3-by-2-inch 320 by 240 display. The SideShow screen can be used to show standard information like a clock and system status, but can also display images and video, music playback information, a Webcam image, and more. SideShow support is built into Vista, so as additional SideShow-enabled widgets and applications come out, XPS 420 users will be able to take advantage of them. The XPS 420 also features a rubberizes top panel (so your electronic toys don't slide off) and an internal cable management system to make add-ons and upgrades easier. "</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/cgg-dell-10292007.jpg" /><br /><br />Nice to see some thought going into case designs. I had not heard about SideShow yet, but seems like a great feature, but it is not clear from the pictures if the screen is movable, otherwise that looks like an awkward position. Also, they could probably add a few USB ports to the top for good measure.

[Dyvim]

Sideshow sounds like a great idea to have on the outside of a notebook so that you can see some essential info without having to open up and fully boot up your notebook. But on a desktop computer, it just sounds like "Why? Because I Can Charge More For My Product this Way!"

[Jason Dunn]

SideShow is one of those things that will need some early attempts at before the companies hit upon the really killer implementations. So bravo to Dell for taking the first step! It's very rare for them to innovate with their hardware - they usually follow the pack.

[Crocuta]

If the window were dedicated to some particular thing, like the date and time or whatever, then it would seem gimmicky to me, but since it will be programmable to display whatever anyone wants to build an applet for, I can see some use for it even on a desktop. It's hard to tell from the photo, though, what angle the window is at. If it's really on top and facing upward, then that wouldn't be very useful. If you can see it while sitting with the system on a desk next to you, then it has potential. Overall, this looks like an attractive system to me. It's a nice balance between the ultra high end XPS models (that cost way too much) and the solid low end PCs that Dell is famous for.