The Dell XPS 13 had a spot on our checklist of the perfect laptops out there for years. Final yr, it misplaced its spot as a result of the design and options had been at a standstill and Dell did not trouble to replace its processors. Nevertheless, its variant, the XPS 13 Plus, did get up to date in 2023, and now we all know why.
You are taking a look at nothing however show once you raise the lid on these XPS fashions.
Dell has taken the XPS 13 Plus’ trendy, minimalistic design and unfold it to the remainder of the XPS lineup. Gone are the XPS 15 and 17, changed by the brand new XPS 14 and XPS 16. The XPS 13 Plus is now simply the XPS 13. XPS is the corporate’s premium PC line, and these new fashions are predictably costly: costs for the XPS 13 begin at $1,300 (about £1,025 or AU$1,930 transformed), the XPS 14 at $1,700 and the 16 at $1,900.
The brand new sizes are streamlined with tone-on-tone machined aluminum our bodies (created from recycled supplies, naturally), ultrathin bezels across the shows, a contact perform key row that lights up once you need it and goes darkish when you do not and a seamless glass touchpad with haptic suggestions. All of them look implausible, although we discovered the haptics labored inconsistently on earlier variations, so this is hoping issues have improved now that the design is unfold throughout all the line.
The keyboard is surprisingly snug regardless of the tight spacing.
For the XPS 13 Plus, Dell developed a real edge-to-edge keyboard that did away with the lattice separating the keys. That keyboard design is now on all of the XPS fashions, though there are speaker openings on the sides on the 14- and 16-inch sizes. You would possibly assume the practically non-existent spacing between the keys would result in mispresses, however the keycaps are literally wider so it is actually not a problem. The capacitive contact perform row above the keyboard appears to be like good and may simply be switched between media hotkeys and performance keys.
Microsoft Copilot key on the prepared.
The brand new XPS line will use Intel’s Core Extremely processors with a processor, built-in graphics and a neural processor, or NPU. The NPU will assist speed up AI duties, however maybe extra importantly, it would lengthen battery life by taking some load off the extra energy hungry CPU and GPU. Dell additionally added a Microsoft Copilot key on the decrease proper of the keyboard for quick entry to the AI assistant.
All three sizes are available graphite or platinum.
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The XPS 13 might be out there with Intel Arc graphics, which promise to be higher than we’re used to seeing from built-in graphics. Nonetheless, when you have hopes of video or photograph modifying, design or primary STEM work or perhaps a little gaming, the XPS 14 could have the choice for Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 discrete graphics; the XPS 16 will go as much as an RTX 4070.
To go together with all that energy, Dell will supply a number of show sorts on all of the XPS fashions together with FHD- or QHD-resolution LCDs with a variable refresh charge from 30Hz to 120Hz — the previous helps save battery life, the latter smooths out quick movement — and a 3K OLED. And Dell lastly swapped out its 720p webcam above the show for a 1080p one.
The brand new XPS 13, 14 and 16 are anticipated to be out there quickly, however no precise launch date was introduced.