When an experiment like the Dell XPS 13 Plus comes out, you know a company like Dell is testing the waters for a major change to their core lineup. That’s just what we’re seeing at CES 2024 this week — the core 2024 Dell XPS 13 is here (with some other sizes in tow), and it’s arriving with the look, feel, and feature set of the Dell XPS 13 Plus, with some new AI features to boot. How much you like that will depend almost completely on how much you like the redesigned keyboard and touchpad.
The XPS line has been Dell’s mainstream laptop for a while, carefully balancing performance, portability, and design. That continues this year with a new look and feel, and an overhauled lineup of sizes. The XPS 13 returns, and is joined by the XPS 14 and XPS 16, replacing the 15-inch and 17-inch laptops that were available previously.
All three laptops have the same sleek look and feel as the Dell XPS 13 Plus, including the major changes to keyboard and trackpad. The flat, zero-lattice keyboard (with no spacing between the keys) is now standard, along with the full-length glass trackpad layered over the aluminum chassis. The function/media keys are now capacitive touch, and, maybe the most controversial change, the right Ctrl key has been reassigned to a key that launches Microsoft’s new Copilot AI assistant, which is plugged in to just about the whole Office productivity suite. How much you like that I suppose might depend on how much Excel work you can get Copilot to do for you!
The 2024 Dell XPS lineup features laptops powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra processors, which boast an integrated AI acceleration engine and a neural processing unit (NPU). The NPU can take heat off the CPU when running AI processes on the laptop, which should reduce battery drain. According to Dell, battery life should improve 10-20% this year.
For when the battery does get low, Dell claims that the laptops will include an ExpressCharge feature, supporting rapid battery charging to 80% in just 60 minutes.
The standout in the 2024 Dell XPS lineup is the XPS 16. This 16-inch laptop boasts Intel Core Ultra processors, supporting up to an NVIDIA RTX 4070 GPU and 80W charging. Additionally, the XPS 16 is NVIDIA Studio-validated, ensuring optimal performance for tasks like 3D rendering and video editing.
Balancing performance and portability, the 14-inch 2024 Dell XPS 14 is 21% lighter. Despite packing similar features to the larger XPS 16 and also being NVIDIA Studio-validated, it supports up to an NVIDIA RTX 4050 GPU. The 2024 Dell XPS 14 targets users in need of a high-performance laptop that can keep up with their on-the-go lifestyle.
Both the XPS 16 and XPS 14 models offer OLED touch display options.
The 2024 Dell XPS 13 claims the title of the thinnest and lightest laptop in the lineup. Buyers can select from FHD+, QHD+, and 3K OLED touch display options. Although the smaller form of the XPS 13 limits its performance capabilities compared to larger models with GPUs, Dell assures users of exceptional visuals, catering to those in need of a machine with a high-resolution display and multitasking capabilities.
2024 Dell XPS 13, 14, and 16 pricing and availability
The 2024 Dell XPS 13 will start at $1,299, the XPS 14 will start at $1,699, and the XPS 16 will start at $1,899. The whole lineup should become available sometime in the first few months of this year, so expect a firmer release date to be announced soon.