Dell Rolls Out Windows 8 PCs for Pre-Order

When it rains, it pours. Windows 8 is set to launch toward the end of this month, but PC manufacturers are already announcing systems that will come with Microsoft's new OS. Among them is Dell, which today announced that the Dell XPS 12 convertible laptop and the Dell XPS One 27 and Dell Inspiron One 23 all-in-one desktops are available for pre-order in the U.S. on its site. Systems will ship on Oct. 26.

The Dell XPS 12 convertible laptop, which was , is not the first time Dell has dipped its toe into the waters of convertible devices. Its first foray was the back in 2010. The XPS 12 is being touted by the company as two products—a laptop and a tablet—in one. It converts from laptop to tablet via a flip-hinge design. The 12-inch system sports a full HD display and pricing starts at $1,199.

The Dell XPS One 27 is actually not a new system in Dell's lineup (we last May), but Dell has updated the 27-inch all-in-one PC with a 10-finger capacitive touch screen to take advantage of Windows 8's touch functionality. It retains its hinged-arm design, as well as its high-resolution display. Pricing for the system starts at $1,599.99 for the base configuration.

The Dell Inspiron One 23 all-in-one desktop also comes with a touch-enabled sceeen, albeit one that measures 23 inches and offers a 1,920-by-1,080 resolution. The One 23 will be available with Ivy Bridge CPUs at a starting price of $779.99.

For customers with current Inspiron and XPS systems, Dell says it's offering a Windows 8 option. The same Windows 8 option will also be available for select Latitude and OptiPlex models. What that option entails was not clear as of this writing, but we will follow up with details as they become available from the company.