Dell made waves in the laptop market this week by unveiling a refreshed lineup of its popular XPS laptops ahead of CES 2024. The new laptops sport futuristic designs, next-generation Intel and Nvidia chips, and a host of AI-powered features.
Overview of the New XPS Laptops
Dell revealed revamped versions of its XPS 13, XPS 14, and XPS 16 laptops on January 4th, 2023. The new models feature the latest 13th Gen Intel Core processors and RTX 4000-series GPUs for a performance boost. They also come equipped with advanced AI capabilities enabled by Intel’s Neural Processing Unit (NPU) integrated into the chip.
Some key highlights of the new XPS laptop lineup:
- XPS 13 – Dell’s flagship ultraportable gets a brand new model number (XPS 13 9340) signifying an all-new design. It ditches the controversial XPS 13 Plus model from last year.
- XPS 14 and 16 – After a long hiatus, Dell brings back the popular XPS 14 and super-sized 16-inch models. Both are aimed at creative professionals.
- New Design Language – The new XPS laptops sport a refreshed aesthetic with edge-to-edge displays, woven glass fiber palm rests, and machined aluminum chassis.
- OLED and Mini LED Screens – High brightness displays with options for OLED or Mini LED panels on all models for superb image quality.
- AI Features – Intel’s dedicated NPU chip powers new AI abilities like background blur on video calls, auto framing, voice isolation, and intelligent noise suppression.
- Latest Connectivity – Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, Thunderbolt 4 ports, and 720p webcams keep the new XPS laptops up to date.
| Model | Screen Size | Resolution | Aspect Ratio | CPU | GPU | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XPS 13 | 13.4″ | 1920 x 1200 | 16:10 | Core i5-1340P | Intel Iris Xe | $1,099 |
| XPS 14 | 14″ | 3K (3072 x 1920) | 16:10 | Core i7-13700H | RTX 4050 | $1,449 |
| XPS 16 | 16″ | 3.5K OLED (3456 x 2160) | 16:10 | Core i9-13980HX | RTX 4060 | $2,499 |
The revamped XPS lineup ushers in the latest tech while retaining the gorgeous industrial designs that XPS laptops are known for. Read on for more details on the key changes and upgrades.
Goodbye XPS 13 Plus, Hello Redesigned XPS 13!
The short-lived XPS 13 Plus which launched in 2023 is already being replaced after just one generation. Its radical design eliminating function keys, moving the trackpad to under the display, and reduced ports was controversial among users.
Dell seems to have listened to feedback by launching the all-new XPS 13 9340 that retains the exquisite craftsmanship of the XPS lineup while incorporating fresh changes.
Key Changes
- Ditches the XPS 13 Plus design for a more conventional layout
- Brings back physical function keys
- Relocates trackpad back below the keyboard
- Slimmed down top and side bezels for a 91.9% screen-to-body ratio
- Cool new aerospace-grade aluminum and woven glass fiber hybrid palm rest
- Wider edge-to-edge display with 16:10 aspect ratio
- Clean redesigned keyboard deck and machined aluminum chassis
With its refined aesthetic incorporating a larger 16:10 display and comfier palm rest, the XPS 13 9340 looks like a winner while avoiding the missteps of its predecessor.
Latest 13th Gen Intel and RTX GPU Options
The internals have received a boost as well with up to a 13-core i7-13700H processor based on Intel’s latest Raptor Lake architecture. This unlocks optimized performance and AI abilities thanks to the integrated NPU.
Graphics get updated too with options for Intel Iris Xe or Nvidia’s new power-efficient RTX 4000 laptop GPUs. There are also options for 32GB RAM and 2TB SSD storage for enhanced multitasking and data capacity.
All-New XPS 14 and 16 Laptops Unveiled
In addition to the XPS 13, Dell unveiled the resurrected XPS 14 model while introducing an all-new 16-inch version – the largest ever XPS laptop.
These new models with their gorgeous OLED displays are aimed at creative professionals who need portable workstation-class performance.
XPS 14 9540 – Ultraportable Powerhouse
The XPS 14 strikes a balance between performance and portability with its slim 16mm profile and 3.5-pound weight.
It packs in up to a 12-core i7-13700H CPU, RTX 4050 graphics, 32GB DDR5 RAM, 2TB SSD, and a stunning 4K+ OLED touch display into this thin chassis.
Content creators will appreciate the vibrant 100% DCI-P3 color gamut and 500-nit peak brightness offered by the OLED panel. It outshines the 13-inch MacBook Pro’s aging LCD screen making the XPS 14 a compelling alternative.
XPS 16 9540 – Creative Powerhouse
If the XPS 14 still doesn’t offer enough screen real estate for you, the new XPS 16 9540 delivers desktop-class performance in a 4.4-pound chassis.
It shares the same styling cues and anodized aluminum build as the smaller models but packs serious pro-level hardware.
You get CPU options up to the Intel Core i9-13980HX which rivals the performance offered by Apple’s M2 Pro and can sustain higher clock speeds for longer. Dell calls this the “XPS laptop with the most performance ever.”
For graphics, Nvidia’s RTX 4060 GPU brings ray tracing and advanced AI capabilities like DLSS 3 frame generation. The XPS 16 9540 can readily tackle GPU-accelerated creative workloads like 3D rendering, video editing, animation, and effects in programs like Blender, DaVinci Resolve, Maya etc.
The showstopper is undoubtedly the 16-inch 3.5K (3456 x 2160) OLED touch display with 100% DCI-P3 color coverage and 500 nits typical brightness peaking at 800 nits. HDR content will look stunning on this expansive panel with true blacks and vibrant imagery.
With its desktop-class power, amazing display, and massive 94Whr battery, the XPS 16 9540 seems ideal for creative pros looking for a versatile production machine.
What About Pricing and Availability?
Official pricing for Dell’s 2024 XPS laptops start at $1,099 for the XPS 13, $1,449 for the XPS 14, and $2,499 for the top-end XPS 16.
They are expected to be available for purchase later this winter likely by the end of Q1 2024 once Intel ships mass volumes of its 13th Gen Core processors and Nvidia’s RTX 4000 GPUs become widely available.
Given the supply constraints plaguing the industry, don’t be surprised to see delays or shortages early on. But Dell seems to have timed its launch perfectly to capitalize on waning interest in the controversially designed 2023 XPS Plus model.
For shoppers turned off by experimental designs, the new XPS 13 9340 delivers refinement and tactile quality with its woven glass composite palm rest described as almost jewelry-like by reviewers.
Meanwhile, the XPS 14 and 16 promise drool-worthy OLED screens packing serious power for creators in slick, premium packages under 5 pounds.
Outlook for 2024: What Differentiates Dell’s New XPS Laptops?
While Apple, HP, and Lenovo have pushed creative laptops over the past two years, Dell’s new XPS series brings welcome competition. The additions of the XPS 14 and 16 provide alternatives missing from Dell’s portfolio while still keeping the XPS 13 as an anchor.
Powerful AI-Accelerated Performance
But what really makes the latest XPS laptops stand out is their extensive AI-enhanced features. Dell talked up machine learning abilities accelerated by the NPU baked into 13th Gen Intel Core chips during their announcement.
These silicon-level optimizations manifest into functional features like background noise suppression on video calls, auto image cropping, dynamic AI scene selection plus improved voice isolation. Dell also teased a new Dell Optimizer software update coming later in 2024 to build on these strengths.
Thanks to the NPU intelligently directing workloads, the new XPS laptops also promise all-day battery life even while multitasking compute-heavy creative applications. So creators get both strong sustained performance plus long runtimes from the 2024 XPS series.
Striking the Perfect Balance
When reviewers get their hands on final production units, expect commendations on Dell nailing the fundamentals. The revamped models don’t get overambitious but rather refine a proven formula.
You get the productivity-boosting 16:10 displays x ISPPAVB2 reviewers adore plus excellent keyboard, touchpad and port selection. Wi-Fi 6E ensures connectivity is up to date while the classic chassis design lightly enhanced with new materials visually distinguishes this generation.
In an era where radical but impractical experiments frustrate users, Dell’s 2024 XPS laptops hit the sweet spot between innovation and approachability according to early hands-on impressions.
Judging by initial reactions, Dell has successfully balanced appealing designs, blistering performance and forward-looking AI capabilities in the new XPS lineup. This family of premium laptops seems poised to continue winning over critics and customers alike when the latest models hit store shelves.
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