Dell pulled the wraps off a new notebook officially today called the XPS 15z. This machine is aimed right at the Apple MacBook Air and is going after the users wanting high style and a very thin profile in their notebook. The 15z features GeForce graphics and a slot-loading optical drive. An optical drive is something that some machines give up in an effort to be thin.

The XPS 15z notebook starts at $999 and can be ordered today. The notebook has Core i5 and Core i7 processors from the second generation of the Core line available. The computer weighs in at 5.54 pounds and is under an inch thick. Dell claims the 15z is the thinnest 15-inch PC on the planet -- it has a resolution of 1366 x 768 standard with a 1920 x 1080 resolution screen as an option. 

The notebook can be had with up to 8GB of RAM and uses the Intel HM67 chipset. Two GPUs are offered on the 15z with the GeForce GT 525M with Optimus technology and 1GB of RAM -- the same GPU is also offered with 2GB of RAM. Power comes from an 8-cell 64WHr polymer battery.

The notebook has a 1.3MP HD resolution webcam with digital array mic for video chat and recording. Wi-Fi 802.11 a/g/n is integrated along with Bluetooth 3.0 and Intel Wireless Display tech. The XPS 15z has HDMI 1.4, Mini DisplayPort, and Ethernet ports. It has three USB 3.0 ports and an eSATA port. A 9-in-1 memory card reader is integrated as well. The chiclet keyboard is backlit and spill resistant. The trackpad supports multi-touch with gestures. 

The dimensions of the notebook are 0.97" x 15.15" x 10.25".

Engadget got hands on the new XPS 15z for a review. The first thing Engadget reports is that the 15z is actually a bit thicker than the 15-inch MacBook Pro (remember Dell said thinnest PC). Engadget thinks the machine is decent enough and will win some shoppers, but it's not a game changer and corners were cut to get the low price.