Dell refines XPS 13 and 15 notebooks, introduces new XPS 12 hybrid

Frank Azor, general manager of Dell XPS, said in an interview with VentureBeat that the 13-inch XPS model has the “smallest footprint for a 13-inch laptop on the planet”. It is based on an Intel Core M processor and optionally features an Intel RealSense camera to support tools such as Windows Hello.

Last month, the Dell XPS 12 had surfaced in leaked images, revealing a few of its technical specifications, which indicated that the 2-in-1 tablet would compete with Microsoft’s upcoming Surface Pro 4 and Apple’s recently launched iPad Pro tablet with a 12.9 inch screen.

Dell says the XPS 12 becomes available on November 5 in the U.S. That 4K panel offers a stunning 352 PPI and is rated at 400 nits with a 100 percent sRGB color gamut.

Incorporating select aspects of the Latitude line, the XPS laptops are most manageable, and come with best-in-class security features for commercial appeal.

The lack of regular inputs also means that the XPS 12 isn’t compatible with a number useful Dell add-ons, such as the Dell Power Pack.

Second, the XPS 12 includes only Thunderbolt 3 connectors. The tablet portion can operate independently of the laptop docking portion, with the two connecting using a magnetic catch – and closing fully, unlike the unique hinge of the Surface Book.

There are two display options: a QuadHD+ (3,200 x 1,800) touchscreen model and a full HD (1,920 x 1,080) anti-glare non-touchscreen model.

For a starting price of $999, consumers can get an XPS 12 with a 6th-Generation Intel Core M5-6y54 processor, 1080p display, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD.

The 2015 version of the Dell XPS 15 has Intel Skylake processors for better battery life, alongside a discrete Nvidia GeForce 960M graphics accelerator.

This is essentially a larger XPS 13, and that’s okay.

The XPS line offers powerhouse performance in aggressive form factors, and the new XPS 15 is the pinnacle of that design philosophy. There is a $1,299 configuration, which gives you that 4K display and bumps up the internal storage to 256 GB. Battery life is up to 17 hours with a FHD display, SSD, and 84 WHr battery.

I expect the XPS 12 will be the cheapest of the three and retail for between £650-£750. This port can also charge the notebook and carry USB 3.1 communications. The XPS 13 is available now. Welcome Dell XPS 13 ultrabook.