Dell XPS ("eXtreme Performance System") is a line of consumer-oriented high-end laptop and desktop computers manufactured by Dell. The XPS mainly competes against computers such as Acer's Aspire, HP's Pavilion and Envy, Lenovo's X1, Samsung's Sens, and Apple MacBook Pro. History The XPS name dates back to 1990 when Dell was more focused on corporate business than consumers. Gateway (then known as Gateway 2000) was the number one in the high-end consumer market. In early 1993, there was a staff meeting to address how to pursue this emerging market. At this time, Dell's annual revenue was less than $500 million and Michael Dell was involved in most decisions. At this meeting, it was decided to launch a new high-end product line to compete with Gateway. Vernon Weiss was assigned as product manager to spearhead and manage the marketing of the new product. He worked with Brian Zucker who led the architecture and engineering effort. In September 1993, the first two versions of the XPS line were announced, initially as part of the Dell Dimension series. The first generation of the XPS system was available as either a desktop or a tower case. This new product line was so far ahead of the competition that it was featured on the cover of the October 1993 issue of PC/Computing. For the next three years, with Weiss and Zucker continuing to evolve the product line, the XPS systems beat the competition in over 100 magazine reviews and covers, being the first to adopt the latest PC technology available and bring it to the consumers at an attractive price. From 1997 to 2001, as Dell grew into a large corporation, the XPS systems lost its position as the leading-edge performance machines as more high-end computers with the latest performing hardware started to appear from other manufacturers, with the XPS essentially relegated into just a line for fast computers. In 2005, Dell revamped the XPS line to compete with Alienware (now owned by Dell) and Falcon Northwest. Dell had considered buying Alienware from 2002, but did not take any action until March 22, 2006 when they purchased the company. Alienware maintained its autonomy in terms of design and marketing. However, Alienware's access to Dell's supply chain management, purchasing power, and economies of scale lowered its operating costs. The revamped XPS line initially had the same specifications as those offered by the Alienware division. Also in