PC Mag: Dell XPS ONE true iMac rival

Dell's just-introduced XPS ONE all-in-one desktop is a genuine alternative to the iMac for some buyers, according to a new review by PC Mag. The publication notes that while the Windows-based system is more expensive than a comparably priced iMac or Gateway One and carries similar limitations such as a single hard drive bay, the system is one of the few that can match the performance of traditional multi-piece desktops while preserving the minimalist style of an all-in-one. Dell does this while providing features that are absent on other all-in-ones such as a wireless keyboard with a touchpad and a user-accessible case, the magazine says.

The ONE is hamstrung by its limitation to a 20-inch display and Radeon HD 2400 but also includes features that Apple simply does not have, PC Mag adds, such as a standard HDTV tuner and an optional Blu-Ray drive for authoring and watching HD movies. While these can raise the price as high as $2,399 and may price it out of contention for those wanting the iMac's maximum 24-inch screen or lower $1,199 cost, the system is said to be worthwhile for premium owners who value the number of features over a low price.

"It is worth the money for the technology fan with deep pockets," says reviewer Joel Santo Domingo. "The XPS One shows once and for all that the future of desktop PCs is in the all-in-one form factor."