Dell just revealed the next step for its iconic XPS laptop line: a shiny new XPS 13, the first of a new generation to use Qualcomm's powerful new Snapdragon X1 Elite chip.
This is a big change for Dell, which has historically only used Intel processors in its popular and long-running XPS series of laptops. XPS fans have long speculated about an XPS 13 with a Ryzen CPU from AMD, but instead we have Qualcomm, a chipmaker that has been making waves with its impressively powerful new Snapdragon chips.
In our 2022 Dell XPS 13 review, we labeled it one of the best ultrabooks on the market, an accolade that still holds today with newer models. We also praised the excellent Dell XPS 13 Plus when we reviewed it last year, as well as the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 touchscreen hybrid.
Based on the press materials we've been shown, it looks like the new 3K inches, which I can personally attest looked beautiful on the XPS 13 Plus. It will come in classic Platinum and Graphite colorways.
XPS: now with more AI power
Of course, that Snapdragon X1 Elite chip (specifically the 12-core Elite . Thanks to a built-in Qualcomm Hexagon neural processing unit (NPU), it also has enhanced capabilities to handle machine learning workloads; In other words, it can run local AI tools better.
AI is the current hot topic in the computing world, and chips like the Snapdragon X1 Elite are vital as more and more software tools begin to implement machine learning functionality. I'm not just talking about AI art generators; Everything from Windows 11 to Adobe Photoshop is getting an AI-powered boost right now. The X1 Elite chip is capable of 45 trillion AI operations per second (TOPS), surpassing Apple's new M4 chip by 7 TOPS.
Backing that chip in the new Dell XPS 13 is up to 64GB of RAM, a high-speed Gen4 SSD with up to 4TB of storage, and integrated Qualcomm Adreno graphics. Add a 1080p webcam and the XPS series, which generally has excellent battery life, and you have a potential MacBook killer on your hands.
That's not all, friends.
However, Dell wasn't content with just revealing a new product today: we also have two new Inspiron laptops, the Inspiron 14 and the Inspiron 14 Plus. Both come equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon
They're also a first for Dell, which has never dabbled in Qualcomm's previous CPU offerings in its Inspiron range. Despite being less powerful than the Elite chip, the Snapdragon X Plus brings the exact same Hexagon NPU and Adreno GPU to the fight, promising excellent performance at a lower price. We also saw a couple of new Latitude laptops for business users.
It's not just about laptops either; Dell also included some new peripherals in the reveal, namely the Silent Keyboard, Silent Mouse (both wireless), and Wired Collaboration Keyboard. These are all stylish office-friendly kits, and both keyboards come with a dedicated Copilot key for those looking to make better use of Microsoft's helpful AI assistant.
These new product reveals are part of a concerted wave of new laptop and desktop systems from major players in the computer hardware market. These 'AI PCs' signify the beginning of a new era of computing, an era driven by machine learning. As a long-time XPS lover, I'm excited to get my hands on this latest model.
