From PC World: What did you think about the XPS 13 Plus, the upgraded, streamlined version of Dell’s long-running ultraportable favorite? While opinions were divided among the Windows laptop faithful, Dell seems to be all-in on the new look with its touch-enabled function row and invisible trackpad. The latest version of the XPS 13, along with new redesigned XPS 14 and XPS 16, are all rocking the updated design language. In fact, it’s now standard: There’s no longer an XPS Plus model because this is just what all XPS laptops look like. Dell is showing off its 2024 flagship line at CES.
The laptops are sleek and tiny, as you’d probably expect. They’re so small that the larger options have been officially shrunk down: the XPS 15 and XPS 17 have morphed into 14 and 16, respectively, though the physical size of the 16:10 screens are only very slightly diminished. Both get the design language of the XPS 13 Plus, with the controversial illuminated touch strip function row and invisible haptic touchpad. But like their predecessors, the larger chassis allow for discrete graphics card options not available to the smaller 13-inch design.
The updated Dell XPS 13 retains the obvious focus on portability, with a flattened keyboard that doesn’t quite spill over the frame on both sides. It’s gorgeous, naturally, but if you didn’t like the shortened keyboard or the touch row on the Plus, dropping the suffix won’t change your mind. The 13.4-inch screen behind Gorilla Glass 3 starts as a 1920×1200 non-touch panel, which is nonetheless pretty good at 500 nits. The first upgrade is a 2560×1600 touch display, but it would almost be a crime not to splurge on the OLED touch option at 12880×1800 (which also gets Gorilla Glass Victus). All of them get quad speakers and an HD camera compatible with Windows Hello. There’s also a fingerprint reader on the power button.
Inside are the latest flavors of Intel Core Ultra 5 or Ultra 7 processors, 12 or 16-core depending on your package. RAM is offered in a disappointing 8GB to start, with 64GB maxed out. Storage begins at 512GB of PCIe 4 with a maximum of 4TB configurable at some point after the launch. Integrated Arc graphics are the only option, ditto for the twin Thunderbolt 4 ports. The battery is 55 watt-hours, and the whole package tips the scales at 2.6 pounds, offered in white or graphite colors.
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