Dell has updated the XPS 13 laptop family with Intel’s 11th Gen Core processors and Thunderbolt 4.
Dell didn’t wait long to take advantage of Intel’s latest processors. The PC maker has updated its XPS 13 laptop family for 2020 with 11th Gen Core chips, adding a few perks in the process.
The standard XPS 13, the Ubuntu Linux-based Developer Edition, and the 2-in-1 are all Dell’s first laptops to meet Intel’s Evo spec, guaranteeing a baseline level of performance. On top of 11th Gen Core processors ranging up to the Core i7-1185G7, the XPS 13 will have available Iris Xe integrated graphics, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and Wi-Fi 6. Evo also promises nine hours of battery life with a 1080p-level display and four hours of battery life from a 30-minute charge.
You’ll also get support for up to 32GB of RAM (now at 4,267MHz instead of 3,733MHz), a 2TB SSD, and a 4K touchscreen with DisplayHDR 400. Systems start with a Core i3, 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, and a 1,920 x 1,200 screen. A microSD slot and headphone jack come standard on the design, whose nearly bezel-free design will seem quite familiar.
Certain models have their own new features. The 2020 edition of the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 adds an infrared camera for Windows Hello logins. A future frost color will replace the arctic white option. And if you get frustrated with Microsoft or just want an easy Linux option, there’s now functionality to turn a Windows XPS 13 system into a Developer Edition where Ubuntu either sits side-by-side or replaces Windows entirely.
Dell will make its 2020 XPS 13 lineup available in North America on September 30 starting at the customary $999 for a standard laptop, and $1,249 for the 2-in-1 variant. This isn’t the first laptop line with 11th Gen Core, but it may be one of the most important. The XPS 13 is considered a go-to laptop for its balance of speed, portability, and design, and it might maintain that reputation by moving so quickly to Intel’s newer CPUs.