Explore the next chapter of technology with the new Dell XPS Laptops, designed for ultimate performance and premium design.
Dell's XPS line of laptops has long been my go-to choice for an easy laptop recommendation. With an affordable starting price, multiple display options, and an ultra-slim build, it's often been a viable option for the average consumer looking for something with a premium feel and increased performance. With the announcement of the 2024 laptop lineup , the XPS no longer seems like an obvious recommendation
Dell has redesigned its XPS laptop lineup in the style of the former Dell XPS 13 Plus. When it launched in 2022, the XPS 13 Plus was a 13.4-inch laptop that was priced higher than its non-Plus counterpart. The XPS 13 Plus and its 2023 predecessor took extreme design measures, including a capacitive touchpad, a unique keyboard, and a borderless touchscreen display to get more out of their processor. These divisive features are now mandatory on an XPS laptop. The new XPS 13, 14, and 16 all look like the XPS 13 Plus. But Dell no longer calls this design “Plus.” It’s now just the standard design of a regular XPS laptop.
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Additionally, the XPS 17 is being retired, while the XPS 15 will be available for another six months with limited Nvidia graphics until that too is discontinued. The XPS 2-in-1 is also being retired. With the 2024 changes, the starting price for Dell's popular laptop line is now higher than before. The new XPS 13 will start at $1,300. The previous XPS 13, which launched in 2022 with a 13th-gen Intel processor, started at $849. By retiring the XPS detachable and focusing all XPS laptops on the XPS 13 Plus model, Dell is going from three 13-inch XPS options to one (with several configurations available).
Technically, the 2024 XPS lineup has better starting prices for those interested in larger displays. The XPS 14 will start at $1,700 and the XPS 16 at $1,900. The 2023 XPS 15 launched with 13th-gen processors for $2,949, while the XPS 17 (9370) started at $3,399. However, the new XPS 14 and XPS 16 will launch with integrated Intel Arc graphics. The XPS 15 launched with a discrete Arc A370M GPU, and the XPS 17's starting price included an RTX 4050 mobile GPU. (Dell has yet to release pricing for the new laptops beyond the initial pricing.)
Dell's new XPS laptops feature smaller screens than previous models, with the largest coming in at 16.3 inches. Despite the slight increase in pixel density, the size range has shrunk slightly, now ranging from 13.4 to 16.3 inches without detachable screens.
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The refreshed XPS series offers a unified design, but the change to the keyboard is a mixed experience. Users have to adjust to the rubber-dome keys that remain uncomfortable, without the ability to program the Copilot. The absence of traditional function keys on the XPS series disappoints typing enthusiasts, while the capacitive touch alternative in the function row offers additional adjustments but requires a period of adjustment.
The XPS series presents challenges in terms of technology development, as the lack of a keyboard shell and the touch-sensitive button features create usability issues. However, the limited impact on a keyboard series gives hope for future improvements, such as improved programming.
As for the touchpad, it remains wide and coated in aluminum, while the pressure-sensitive technology offers natural feedback. The touchpad's appearance may be controversial, but its ease of use and natural click when pressed provide a positive user experience.
Finally, Dell is aiming for more efficiency and longer battery life with the new Intel Meteor Lake processors. While no specific numbers are provided, a 10-20% improvement is reported, while other features such as variable refresh rate of the display for enhanced performance are also listed.
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The XPS, with its high price and striking design, focuses on processor power and loses accessibility. The series makes room for a new, consumer-friendly ultraportable, while the evolution in a more refined direction requires critical evaluation of performance, cooling and battery life to compete effectively in a competitive ultraportable laptop market.
Source of information: arstechnica.com
