Dell shores up the XPS One 27 for Windows 8

The XPS One 27, on display at this summer's IFA show in Berlin.

(Credit: Stephen Shankland/CNET) Dell's XPS One 27 was already a strong high-end Windows all-in-one. This updated version, with a touch screen, a new adjustable stand, and the same 2,560x1,440-pixel resolution, looks like one of the most compelling Windows 8 desktops.
The starting price of the XPS One 27, $1,599 ($1,399 without a touch screen), is highly competitive among other 27-inch Windows 8 all-in-ones. It's also a clear swipe at the other 2,560x1,440-pixel 27-inch all-in-one on the market, Apple's 27-inch iMac.
For that $1,599, Dell will provide a third-generation Core i5 3330s CPU, 6GB of RAM, and a 1TB hard drive. Step-up models bring in features like a Blu-ray drive, a dedicated Nvidia graphics card, or a Core i7 CPU, but all of them come with a large, high-resolution display.

Dell's XPS One 27 has a new adjustable stand.

(Credit: Dell)

Of the other 27-inch Windows 8 all-in-ones announced so far--the $1,899 Acer Aspire 7600U, the $1,699 Samsung Series 7, the updated version of the $1,370 Lenovo IdeaCentre A720, or the $1,219 Vizio CA27T-A4, none has a 2,560x1,440-pixel screen to match the XPS One 27.
Dell has also added a double-hinged support arm to the XPS One 27, giving it more adjustability than the original XPS One 2710, but not quite as much as the Lenovo unit, which can recline a full 90 degrees. Among its ports, Dell has also added both HDMI in and out.
The only real question mark I can see for this Dell is the fact that it's a Windows 8 PC. The high-resolution display will likely attract imaging professionals as well as those who just want an all-in-one a big, fantastic-looking display, and those serious users may be put-off by having Microsoft's touch interface forced upon them. For those users, the XPS One 2710 remains an option for now.
Home entertainment buffs might also wish that Dell made a Blu-ray drive option available to the lower-price tiers. Right now you can only get Blu-ray in the XPS One 27's $2,499 version.
Dell has begun accepting preorders for the XPS One 27. The company says the XPS One 27 will start shipping to customers "soon after Windows 8 is officially available on October 26."