Dell Revives XPS Lineup with New 14 and 16 Laptops

Dell has officially reversed its controversial rebranding strategy by reviving the iconic XPS laptop lineup. Announced at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the move comes after a year of simplified naming schemes that resulted in consumer confusion and a decline in market share. The company introduced the XPS 14 and XPS 16, featuring practical design changes that address previous criticisms regarding usability and aesthetics.

The new notebooks focus heavily on correcting the mistakes of the previous generation. Notably, Dell has abandoned the divisive capacitive function row in favor of traditional physical keys. Additionally, the chassis has been redesigned to be lighter and thinner, drawing comparisons to Microsoft's Surface Laptop. Both devices are powered by Intel’s latest Panther Lake processors and feature advanced OLED display technology. Dell plans to expand the lineup later this year with the release of an ultra-thin XPS 13, aiming to offer a more affordable entry point into the brand.

Following a year of significant market share decline, Dell has returned to the familiar XPS branding. Last year, the company eliminated its distinct PC brands, including XPS, in favor of a simplified naming convention. The strategy was intended to make the lineup easier to navigate, but it ultimately created confusion among consumers and was viewed as a marketing failure.

At CES, Dell signaled a renewed commitment to the brand by emblazoning the XPS logo prominently on the new machines, replacing the generic Dell name used previously. This shift represents a strategic pivot for the company, acknowledging the value of the XPS heritage. The return of the brand is accompanied by a promise to double-down on features that fans appreciated, while fixing the elements that hindered the user experience.

The new XPS 14 and XPS 16 feature a redesigned chassis that prioritizes practicality. One of the most significant changes is the return of a traditional function row. Dell removed the odd capacitive buttons that were prone to disappearing in bright sunlight, replacing them with standard physical keys.

While the company retained its "invisible" trackpad design—which sits flush with the wrist rest—it has added a light border around the edges. This addition allows users to physically feel where the trackpad begins and ends, solving a major complaint regarding navigation precision.

Other hardware specifications include:

• Intel Panther Lake Core Ultra Series 3 processors
• Tandem OLED display options
• Reduced weight and thickness across the board

The redesign has allowed Dell to shave significant weight from the new models. The XPS 14 now weighs approximately three pounds, which is a half-pound lighter than its predecessor. The larger XPS 16 has seen an even more dramatic reduction, weighing in at 3.6 pounds—a full pound lighter than the previous generation.

These changes have altered the visual profile of the laptops as well. The new cases make both machines look more like Microsoft’s Surface Laptop, characterized by a subtle and clean aesthetic. While the design language has shifted, the internal specifications remain high-end, positioning the devices as premium competitors in the laptop market.

The new XPS 14 and XPS 16 were initially listed for sale on January 6. The starting prices are $2,050 for the XPS 14 and $2,200 for the XPS 16. According to a Dell representative, these launch prices reflect high-end configurations and are not entry-level models.

Dell has confirmed that cheaper configurations with lower specifications will become available in February. Furthermore, the company teased the return of the XPS 13 later this year. This upcoming model is set to be Dell’s thinnest and lightest notebook ever, and the company claims it will be cheaper than the XPS line has been in the past.

What changes did Dell make to the new XPS laptops?
Dell restored the traditional physical function row, added a light border to the invisible trackpad for better visibility, and reduced the weight of the devices. The XPS 14 is now three pounds, and the XPS 16 is 3.6 pounds.

What processors power the new XPS 14 and 16?
Both systems are powered by Intel’s new Panther Lake Core Ultra Series 3 chips and offer tandem OLED display options.

How much do the new laptops cost?
The XPS 14 starts at $2,050 and the XPS 16 starts at $2,200. Lower-spec, cheaper configurations are expected to be released in February.