Dell Unveils OptiPlex XE For Retail, Healthcare

Dell OptiPlex XE

Dell on Tuesday introduced the Optiplex XE desktop for retailers, the healthcare industry, and original equipment manufacturers.

The system is designed to withstand high heat, dust, and 24-hour operation. The desktop fits easily into medical carts, video rental kiosks, retail point-of-sale systems, and other custom deployments, Dell said.

The OptiPlex XE is built to operate in enclosed spaces and can withstand heat up to 131 degrees Fahrenheit with an optional ducting kit. Standard port covers offer basic dust protection, and an optional dust filter is available to help reduce downtime associated with dust removal.

The OptiPlex XE supports Microsoft Windows 7, Vista, and XP, along with POSReady and Ubuntu Linux. The latter is available only in China.

The system comes with a variety of peripheral connectors, including PS/2, Serial RS-232, VGA, and up to seven USBs. Powered USB and powered serial connectors are available as options.

To reduce downtime, the desktop is available with built-in system monitoring capabilities. In addition, Broadcom's TruManage service is available through Dell for remote systems management.

Security options include full disk encryption, chassis intrusion alerts, and RAID 1 support. The desktop's power supply is rated as 88% efficient and the system meets Energy Star 5.0 standards.

Besides selling direct to customers, Dell offers the OptiPlex XE to original equipment manufacturers, which can choose to customize and resell the system under a different brand. The desktop has a 3.5-year lifecycle and prices start at $709.

Dell in December upgraded the OptiPlex line with smaller systems for space-constrained organizations. One system, the OptiPlex 780, is 22% smaller than the smallest desktop in the previous generation. The 780 mini-desktop replaced the 760. Prices for the series start at $329.