Dell next week plans to begin shipping its first workstations and servers able to run quad-core Intel processors in a two-socket configuration.

The upgraded system will feature quad-core Intel Xeon processors for Dell's two-socket servers -- the PowerEdge 1900, 1950, 2950, 2900, SC1430 and 1955 blades. Customers also will be able to configure its two-socket Precision 690 and Precision 490 with the Xeon processors, Dell said. The single-socket Precision 390 supports the Intel Core 2 Extreme quad-core processor.

Brad Anderson, a senior vice president at Dell, said in a statement that the introduction of quad-core processing will enable customers to migrate from "higher cost systems with four or more sockets used for enterprise applications to two socket systems with better performance and lower power consumption."

The news comes as part of a long string of product announcements from Dell on Wednesday.

The company also announced:

-- Next-generation Latitude notebook and Precision mobile workstations, both with new designs and security- and performance-related features.

-- Third-generation Dell-EMC midrange storage array, which introduces dual mode Fibre Channel and iSCSI technology.

-- PowerVault disk portfolio updated with the addition of PowerVault MD1000, which Dell says offers storage expansion for the PowerEdge servers.

-- Two OptiPlex desktop computers. The OptiPlex 740 is Dell's first business desktop to offer AMD processors. OptiPlex 320 features Intel processors.

-- Mono and color laser printers. New color printers include the Laser Printer 3010cn, the Laser Printer 3110cn and the Laser Printer 5110cn. The new monochrome printer portfolio includes the Laser Printer 5310n, Laser Printer 5210n and the Multifunction Laser Printer 1815dn.