Ahead of next week's 2020 CES, Dell has introduced a new version of its ultra-portable XPS 13 notebook that is based on Intel’s 10th Gen Core ‘Ice Lake’ processor. The new XPS 13 machines will offer higher graphics performance than predecessors powered by Intel's Comet Lake CPUs, but the latter offer more general-purpose processing cores. Meanwhile, Dell is also giving the XPS 13 a display upgrade to go with the new Ice Lake processors, reformatting the laptop to use larger 16:10 displays, with a resolution increase to match. Overall, the Comet Lake and Ice Lake versions of the XPS 13 PCs will co-exist on the market, so users will have a choice.

The Dell XPS 13 9300-series laptops are aimed at people looking for maximum performance in a rather unique 13.4-inch form-factor, so in addition to Intel’s Ice Lake CPU with built-in Iris Plus Graphics, they can pack up to 32 GB LPDDR4X-3733 of memory as well as an up to 2 TB PCIe SSD. To cool down the processor and ensure its consistent performance under high loads, Dell used a new cooling system with two fans, two heat pipes, and multiple air inlets. As for connectivity, the system has a 2x2 Killer Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth 5.0 adapter, two Thunderbolt 3 ports, a microSD card reader, and a 3.5-mm audio jack.

As previously mentioned, Dell is also using this opportunity to include a slightly larger display on their latest XPS 13 laptops. The newest edition of the laptop makes the move to 16:10 aspect ratio panels – an increasingly popular option for high-end laptops these days – with the overall panel size increasingly slightly to 13.4 inches diagonal. Dell in turn is offering two panels: a 1920x1200 panel with full sRGB coverage, or a 3840x2400 "Ultra-HD+" panel with support for 90% of the DCI-P3 space as well as HDR 400 certification. Both panels are Dolby Vision certified as well.

To outfit the XPS 13 with a larger panel, Dell has both worked to shrink the bezel around the panel as well as enlarging the laptop overall. The notebook comes in a black or white CNC-machined aluminum chassis that is 14.8 mm thick (vs. up to 11.6 mm) and weighs 1.2 kg – 1.27 kg depending on the touch support. The net result is that the laptop has a volume about 25% greater, mostly due to being 3.2mm thicker.

Traditionally for Dell XPS-branded laptops, the new XPS 13 boasts rather advanced multimedia capabilities, including a 720p webcam, 2W stereo speakers with Waves MaxxAudio Pro enhancements, and a far-field Microsoft Cortana-capable microphone array. As for security, the new XPS 13 has a Windows Hello-compliant fingerprint reader in the power button.

The new XPS 13 will come equipped with a 52 Wh battery rated for up to 19 hours of operation in case of models equipped with a Full-HD+ display.

Specifications of the Dell XPS 13 9300-Series
  General Specifications
LCD Diagonal 13.4-inch
Resolution 1920×1200 3840×2400
Brightness 400 cd/m² 500 cd/m²
Contrast Ratio 1800:1 1500:1
Color Gamut 100% sRGB 100% sRGB
99% DCI-P3
Features Dolby Vision Dolby Vision
Touch Support with or without touch Yes
Protective Glass Corning Gorilla Glass 6 in case of touch-enabled model
CPU Intel Core i3 1005G1 (4MB cache, up to 3.4GHz)
Intel Quad Core i5 1035G1 (6MB cache, up to 3.6GHz)
Intel Quad Core i7 1065G7 (8MB cache, up to 3.9GHz)
Graphics Intel UHD Graphics
Intel Iris Plus Graphics
RAM 4 - 32 GB LPDDR4X-3733 DRAM (soldered/onboard)
Storage 256 GB PCIe 3.0 x4 SSD
512 GB PCIe 3.0 x4 SSD
1 TB PCIe 3.0 x4 SSD
2 TB PCIe 3.0 x4 SSD
Wireless Killer AX1650 Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth 5.0 (based on Intel's silicon)
Killer AX500 Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth 5.0 (based on Qualcomm's silicon)
USB 3.1 2 × TB 3/USB Gen 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C
3.0 -
Thunderbolt 2 × TB 3 (for data, charging, DP displays)
Cameras Front 720p HD webcam
Other I/O Microphone, 2 stereo speakers, audio jack
Battery 52 Wh
Dimensions Width 295.7 mm | 11.64 inches
  Depth 198.7 mm | 7.82 inches
  Thickness 14.8 mm | 0.58 inches
Weight non-touch 1.2 kilograms | 2.64 pounds
touch-enabled 1.27 kilograms | 2.8 pounds
Launch Price Starting at $999.99

Dell’s new XPS 13 will be available in the US and select European countries on January 7 with prices starting at $999.99. In other regions, the laptop will hit the shelves in February. In addition to Windows 10-based versions of of the new XPS 13, Dell will offer Linux-powered models.

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Source: Dell

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  • Ryan Smith - Thursday, January 2, 2020 - link

    Yeah, the prior model was 302mm X 199mm. So the 2020 model has a slightly smaller footprint, it just got a fair bit thicker in exchange.
  • ava1ar - Thursday, January 2, 2020 - link

    Well, looks like same crap with configuration options, when there is no way get non-touch full hd model with 16Gb RAM. Dell, buy your crap yourself.
  • 69369369 - Thursday, January 2, 2020 - link

    Dolby Vision with an IPS display? I call BS.
  • jmunjr - Friday, January 3, 2020 - link

    Please make an XPS 17 with a 16:10 4K screen that opens 180 degrees please. Oh and make it as light as the LG Gram 17 too!
  • Retycint - Friday, January 3, 2020 - link

    The LG Gram makes compromises in terms of chassis rigidity/material in order to achieve the weight. That's not a bad thing per se, but I don't think Dell will go that direction of prioritizing weight above all else. The XPS 13 has remained at 1.2-1.3kg for years despite competitors moving towards the 0.9-1.2 kg range
  • GreenReaper - Friday, January 3, 2020 - link

    The wattage limits make this interesting. Single-core it looks like there's barely 5% in it. But if you want that extra ~19% multi-core perf from the cache and overall better silicon - and with four cores, you prooobably do - or the more graphics execution cores to benefit from the graphics upgrades, you're looking at the i7. But I suspect Dell may charge more than the premium Intel does vs. the i5.
  • isthisavailable - Saturday, January 4, 2020 - link

    Are they SERIOUSLY still shipping a $1000 laptop with 4gb ram? And a i3 with G1 gfx config? Plus if you want G7 gfx, you have to buy the i7 version. Thomas has never seen such BS
    Surface laptop 3 is far better than this overrated "best windows laptop".
  • isthisavailable - Saturday, January 4, 2020 - link

    And the surface laptop has a USB A port!
  • jcc5169 - Monday, March 9, 2020 - link

    Dell is still selling 14nm cpu technology and over-charging for it

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