Dell today unveiled the XPS 11, which it characterized as "the world's thinnest, lightest and most compact convertible on the market."

While the 11.6-inch touch screen does not detach from the XPS 11, it does fold back on itself thanks to the 360-degree rotation device. You can then use the XPS 11 as a tablet, navigating by touch or via the included high-precision pen.

The XPS 11, which Dell unveiled at Computex in Taipei, will be released "later in 2013," but details about price and exact availability were not disclosed.

The Windows 8-based XPS 11 will run up to 4th generation i5 processors with Intel HD 4400 graphics. Dell promised "instant on" functionality thanks to device's SSD.

Dell said the XPS 11 has a "tablet-first design with laptop functionality." There's a backlit keyboard for when you need to type, as well as touch and voice-control capabilities, and access to Dell's PocketCloud apps.

With its 2,560-by-1,440 display, the XPS 11 includes what Dell said is the first and highest resolution Quad HD convertible ultrabook; "bright, crisp and sharp for fine detail for everything from images to text."

The Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11 offers a similar form factor. "The Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11 is a good Windows RT convertible to have around if you want a tablet-like experience, but absolutely need a keyboard. Its flips and acrobatics help usability, but ultimately this is a laptop with a good mix of tablet functionality," we concluded in our review.

Back in April, meanwhile, Dell released the XPS 18, which falls somewhere between a large-screen ultrabook and a dedicated all-in-one desktop PC. "The Dell XPS 18 lets you bring a full Windows 8 PC around the house or office corridors with you. It won't fit on an airline tray table, but it will fit on the dining room table, on top of the desk in the den, and on the nightstand next to your bed," PCMag found.

The XPS 10, meanwhile, boasted "one of the longest battery life test results we've seen," and earned our Editors' Choice for Windows RT tablets.

Further Reading

Laptop Reviews