Dell has begun refreshing its popular XPS lineup of desktops and laptops with the latest mobile processors and GPUs. These updates mostly focus on chip upgrades, suggesting only mild improvements to the series that shouldn’t make owners of last year’s models very envious.

Dell’s XPS 17 and 15 laptops will be available on March 2, a Dell rep confirmed to Ars Technica. Dell will offer each with up to an Intel Core i9-13900H but also support i5 and i7 options.

Intel’s 13th Gen H-series mobile chips don’t bring massive upgrades over their 12th Gen counterparts. The i9-13900H has six Performance cores, eight Efficient cores, 20 threads, and 24MB of cache. It supports clock speeds of 1.9-5.4 GHz. The i9-12900H we tested in last year’s Dell XPS 15 has similar specs but clock speeds of 1.8-5 GHz.

The new laptops also include updated GPUs. The 15-inch version supports up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 laptop GPU with 8GB of GDDR6 (40 W) or, eventually, Intel’s Arc A370M with 4GB of GDDR6. The XPS 15 has been maxed at the 3050 Ti (4GB GDDR6, 45 W) for a while, so this could be the graphics power boost some users have been holding out for.

The XPS 17, meanwhile, has a little more GPU muscle with up to an RTX 4080 laptop GPU (12GB GDDR6x, 60 W). The systems support up to 90 W, with help from Dell’s “Dual Opposite Outlet fan design” sending airflow in two directions, compared to the XPS 15’s 55 W.

Both laptops have 16:10 displays with FHD or 4K resolution and the option for OLED.

The XPS 15 will start at $2,949 (with an i9 / RTX 4070 / 32GB / 1TB / OLED), while the XPS 17 will start at $3,399 (i9 / RTX 4070 / 32GB / 4K display).

The XPS Desktop is also being refreshed. Like prior models, the 2023 XPS Desktop can be purchased with liquid cooling and is meant to be easily upgradeable with two DIMM slots, three PCIe expansion slots, four storage bays, and support for up to 450 W in graphics power.

The latest model supports up to a beefy i9-13900K, with eight Performance cores, 16 Efficient cores, 32 threads, and clock speeds of 2.2-5.4 GHz. The desktop currently supports up to an RTX 4090 (24GB GDDR6X), but Dell says AMD options will eventually be available.

The 2023 XPS desktop starts at $2,850 and started selling today.

Dell hasn’t yet shared any updates on the rest of its XPS lineup, namely the XPS 13 and XPS 13 Plus laptops and its XPS detachable.

You can check out a rundown of the latest XPS machine specs below.

https://arstechnica.com/?p=1920675

In a world of shiny clamshells and showy convertibles, laptop releases can feel repetitive. Some of the most successful, well-known designs don’t always see massive overhauls from one year to the next. Stick in the latest CPUs or GPUs, maybe claim a slightly cooler build, and call it a day (or year). After all, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?

The problem with that is, well, it gets boring. And for technology enthusiasts interested in developments that could change how we work, play, repair, and upgrade, it’s imperative that PC makers be willing to take risks.

The laptops below all tried something more adventurous than a components upgrade in 2022. We’ll break down the groundbreaking designs, ideas, and capabilities these systems seek to deliver—and whether or not the risks they took paid off.

Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3

Premium laptop shoppers are increasingly seeking screens with taller aspect ratios. But Lenovo took things in the opposite direction with its ThinkBook Plus Gen 3, a clamshell with a 17.3-inch, 21:10 primary display. Going even further, Lenovo didn’t let the extra-long deck that the display creates—16.3 inches long—go to waste. Instead, Lenovo popped a secondary, 800×1280 LCD next to the keyboard to create a laptop it claims is uniquely designed for multitasking.

We haven’t seen an ultrawide laptop since 2017’s Acer Predator 21 X curved-screen gaming PC. Acer’s laptop focused on boosting immersion for gamers by making games appear to wrap around them more than a flat-screen laptop. The 2022 ThinkBook, however, targets its stretched screen at workers obsessed with multitasking.

The ThinkBook Plus Gen 3’s smaller screen lets users do things like show thumbnails while working in Photoshop, use a calculator, and take notes. It’s reminiscent of the ScreenPads that Asus has been using for a while in its touchpads and north of some laptops’ keyboards but less advanced.

Did it pay off?

The ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 is a fascinating exploration of the clamshell design that brought variety to laptop selection in 2022. Lenovo didn’t expect everyone to want this laptop or to ignite a wave of ultrawide laptops usurping 16:9 and 16:10 rivals. Since Gen 1, Lenovo’s ThinkBook Plus laptops have been about offering PCs with features that push the envelope and provide over-the-top features that most could live without.

But for the right user, the ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 presents a favorable way to work and organize multiple windows. It also challenges other companies to create designs that aren’t just striking but aim for distinct value.

We’d like to see Lenovo play with the ultrawide PC’s ergonomics. Since it’s so long, it can be hard to balance on a lap. We haven’t tried the machine but worry about our right hand accidentally brushing against the deck’s screen when typing or using the touchpad. The ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 isn’t a lefty-friendly design either.

But Lenovo has revived the idea of ultrawide laptops while bringing a new multiscreen option to users, presenting greater choice when it comes to balancing tasks.

https://arstechnica.com/?p=1904895

Dell continues tinkering with what it hopes to be a repairable laptop like the Framework Laptop. Last year, it showed off Concept Luna, a clamshell designed to easily disassemble for easy repairs, upgrades, and harvested components. This year, Dell showed the press an updated Concept Luna that could support more power while being even simpler to dismantle. The vendor is also exploring how to automate the process, from disassembly to parts diagnostics, on a broad scale.

Now more repairable (still unavailable)

Dell’s Concept Luna laptop is comparable in size to a Latitude with some Dell XPS 13 Plus-like stylings. In person, it looked similar to the Concept Luna demoed last year, including appearing to be a functioning PC. But Dell’s representative was able to open this year’s version up and pull out internal parts much more rapidly—well under 60 seconds.

The computer was easier to take apart because it doesn’t have screws (last year’s Concept Luna had four). Dell’s rep simply stuck a pin (it could be anything that fits, they said) into a hole in the security lock slot on the right side of the system’s deck.

That allowed Dell’s rep to pull off the keystone north of the keyboard and then slide the keyboard up and out. Once the system was open, the speakers, fan, motherboard, and battery were removed instantly thanks to pop-out modules, which, Dell said, are recyclable. The concept laptop also got rid of the cable connecting the battery, so there are no cables, adhesives, or other types of connectors.

Dell built Concept Luna with simple display upgrades and repairs in mind as well. Dell’s spokesperson promptly removed the system’s LCD by inserting a pin into a hole in a keystone south of the screen and then took off the keystone, releasing a latch underneath the piece, and plucked the display off the chassis.

There’s also potential for better accommodations for beefier components in the updated Concept Luna. Last year’s version used passive cooling, while the new one has a fan. The fans lock into the motherboard, keeping it in place.

There’s already a modular laptop you can buy

If swappable laptop parts in an easy-to-open chassis sound familiar, you may be thinking of Framework’s line of modular laptops. They’re not concepts; instead, they arguably offer the most readily available, repairable laptop design today. As we detailed in our Framework Laptop review, the computer is remarkably DIY-friendly, from swappable port bays to simple, detailed repair guides that only require a screwdriver.

A tech giant like Dell releasing something like Concept Luna could certainly give the younger Framework a run for its money, but Dell still isn’t talking about releasing a laptop with Concept Luna’s repairability. And it could ultimately decide not to.

However, in addition to advancing the laptop’s design this year, Dell also looked into automation techniques that could further this concept on a scale that could extend beyond a single product.

https://arstechnica.com/?p=1904072

I get it; not everyone finds monitors as exciting as I do. For most people, a little extra color or a larger range of tones don’t really differentiate one screen from another. So I don’t blame Dell for stuffing the UltraSharp U3223QZ 4K monitor with fluff like motion-activated controls, monstrous speakers, and a webcam with presence detection. But after weeks with the monitor, I found none of those extra features as exciting as the monitor’s IPS Black panel.

The U3223QZ has a lot to prove. For one, it debuted at the same MSRP as the 5K Apple Studio Display (starts at $1,600). Since then, Dell has made the price more competitive ($1,280 as of writing), but it’s still expensive for a 31.5-inch monitor. Dell’s U3223QZ is also one of the few monitors to use IPS Black technology, which is supposed to yield about twice the contrast as the typical IPS monitor. I confirmed this with a colorimeter and, more enjoyably, with my eyes.

The bonus features on the U3223QZ have their pluses. The speakers are louder than average and the webcam can automatically log you in and out. But for many people, it makes sense to save money and buy the version of this monitor without the webcam… and without a dedicated Microsoft Teams button.

Design

If you want an IPS Black panel, 31.5 inches is your largest option. All the panels are 4K, meaning the larger U3223QZ panel has a lower pixel density (139.87 pixels per inch) than its smaller sibling, the 27-inch Dell UltraSharp U2723QE (163.18 ppi). If that bothers you, we’ll remind you of Apple’s similarly priced Studio Display. It crams 5K resolution into a 27-inch (traditional) IPS panel (217.57 ppi), making the two UltraSharps’ pixel density seem paltry.

The U3223QZ has Apple-friendly hues and shapes, including thin bezels, a silver, trapezoid-like base, and a smooth plastic backside in gray. A variety of connectivity options help connect up to two computers simultaneously, but I preferred using USB-C with power delivery. That meant fewer cables running through the stand’s opening, which also helps with basic cable management.

Thicker lines

The U3223QZ has the thin bezels of Dell’s UltraSharp monitor lineup, but it still gives off chunky vibes. That’s because, in addition to slim bezels, the panel is framed by thicker top and bottom borders to accommodate the 1.3-inch speakers and camera (top) and the touch controls (bottom). It is the most visually striking monitor to grace my desk in a while.

Due to technical issues, I checked out two U3223QZ units. Both review units had cloth running across the speakers, and it seemed pretty tight, but that’s still a lot of fabric that could snag over a long period (the monitor has a three-year warranty). Each of my review units also had a pesky gap between the panel’s chassis and the speaker.

Meanwhile, the bottom-left corner of the monitor has touch controls for launching Microsoft Teams, starting or ending a call, adjusting the volume, and toggling the mic and camera on and off. The buttons only light up when a hand is nearby or when the mic’s mute or camera shutter is activated, which is a good thing because the bright lights are somewhat distracting.

The controls are not programmable, which is a shame for someone who doesn’t use Teams.

The U3223QZ’s stand supports -5 to 21-degree tilting, swivels 30 degrees to the left or right, and allows a 5.88-inch height adjustment. Admirably, the monitor gets lower than most, with just 1.5 inches between the desk and the monitor’s chin at the lowest setting. For comparison, the Samsung S80UA 4K monitor I have sits at least 2.75 inches above the desk.

https://arstechnica.com/?p=1881111

Dell’s XPS 13 laptop has been a staple among Windows ultralights, typically offering decent performance for the price, extreme portability, and good looks.

Apparently, that wasn’t enough for Dell, so it released the Dell XPS 13 Plus. Introduced this year (alongside a more traditional 2022 XPS 13), it’s a revamped version of the XPS 13 that puts performance over everything else.

Wild design choices allow the system to support a 28 W CPU. With the 2021 XPS 13 carrying a 15 W chip and the 2022 XPS 13 supporting up to a 12 W one, this is a notable achievement. But it’s also a case of function over form. To put it simply, using the XPS 13 Plus felt weird. From its tightly spaced keys and capacitive touch function row to its minimal port selection, questionable build quality, and extremely high temperatures, this machine can be frustrating to use for daily tasks.

As a performer, the XPS 13 Plus has its pluses. But as a go-to laptop, some design choices may push you toward other powerful thin-and-light laptops.

Touch Bar-esque function row

Dell hasn’t given up on soft-touch input above its laptop keyboards. You can find a similar setup on the 13-inch MacBook Pro, though every other MacBook has gone back to real keys. Dell’s take on the capacitive touch row is more limited than Apple’s Touch Bar, though.

It’s not programmable, for one. It can display Esc, media keys (including a handy mic mute button that lights up), brightness controls, the Windows Project button, and some navigational keys. Alternatively, pressing Fn makes the function row display Esc and F1–F12, and you can lock that layout in place by holding down Fn + Esc.

Dell didn’t introduce a Touch Bar-like top row just to be different. Because the keys use capacitive touch, they’re 1.4 mm thick instead of the 3.2 mm of vertical space that would be required with traditional buttons. This decision saves space and allowed Dell to move the hinges to wider points for improved system cooling, the company said. But when pushing the laptop to max performance for sustained periods, the function row got so warm that it was uncomfortable to touch.

The function row isn’t an area that sees frequent innovations, and I appreciate that Dell redesigned it in the name of performance rather than just as a gimmick. But as someone who prefers mechanical keyboards, it’s hard to love capacitive touch input. During my weeks with the laptop, I occasionally mispressed keys in the top row when I probably wouldn’t have if it had standard buttons. Rarely, I accidentally brushed the row lightly, registering an input or two, when I was trying to use the number row.

Since the function row has set controls, there’s no need to customize it. But it still feels like there’s room for more functions. For instance, there are no rewind or fast-forward media controls, and unlike many recent ultralights I’ve tested, there’s no button or light on the keyboard to tell you that the webcam is off. There’s also no light indicator for when the volume is muted.

I found the function row’s bright illumination distracting at times, but it’s impossible to turn it off. An ambient sensor near the webcam automatically adjusts the row’s brightness based on the lighting in the room.

That said, there are far worse things than a ho-hum function row, especially if the rest of the keyboard is fantastic. Unfortunately, it isn’t.

https://arstechnica.com/?p=1875417

Even as an iterative update to an existing computer, Dell’s XPS 15 9520 is pretty mild. It’s super-iterative. The only thing that separates it from the XPS 15 9510 we reviewed last year is that it swaps the 11th-generation Intel processors for 12th-gen versions. Everything else, from the design to the screen to the GPU, is the same (unless you count changing the foreshortened Windows 10-era rectangle logo on the Windows key to a square Windows 11-era logo).

So we won’t spend much time redescribing things about this laptop that we have already mentioned. Weighing just a bit over four pounds, this is still a computer made for people who want more power than a 13- or 14-inch laptop can provide, but who still care enough about size and weight that they don’t want to graduate to a full-size desktop or a bulky gaming laptop.

It still has a nice slim-bezel screen, a huge trackpad, a comfortable keyboard with firm-but-not-too-firm keys and a pleasing amount of travel, and Thunderbolt and USB-C ports for accessories and charging (plus a single SD card reader and a headphone jack). A fingerprint reader, face-scanning Windows Hello-compatible IR camera, and a 720p webcam and speakers (serviceable-but-middling in both cases) round out the basic amenities.

It is worth reiterating some of the finer technical points for people who don’t want to fish them out of a year-old review. The two ports on the laptop’s left are Thunderbolt 4, while the port on the right is plain-old USB-C. It retains a pair of RAM slots for removable DDR5 memory modules (an upgrade from last year’s DDR4), plus an extra M.2 2280 slot for a second NVMe SSD. The system’s 130 W power brick uses a USB-C connector, but it’s still technically proprietary—you can charge the laptop at a slower rate with any old USB-C charger, but you may still need to use Dell’s for full power and performance.

We tested the model with the 3456×2160 OLED display, which sits in the middle of the entry-level 1920×1200 IPS panel and the top-end 3840×2400 IPS panel. It’s nice to have the option for people who prefer OLED’s infinite contrast, but the slight graininess (especially visible when looking at flat, textureless fields of white or color) and oversaturated colors are the prices you’ll pay. The screen’s max brightness of 404 nits and its 100 percent sRGB and 99.4 percent DCI-P3 gamut coverage (as measured by an i1Display Studio colorimeter) are all good, though.

https://arstechnica.com/?p=1875958

The Dell XPS 13 Plus laptop released this year was billed as the fancier version of one of the most well-known thin-and-light laptops, the Dell XPS 13. The XPS 13 didn’t necessarily need a fancier version, but added features like a capacitive touch function row and support for a higher wattage CPU gave Dell enough justification to produce a new SKU carrying the “Plus” moniker. Ironically, though, early versions of one of the highest configurations of the XPS 13 Plus have a problem that’s surprising for a laptop with its background.

A Dell representative confirmed to Ars Technica today that an “early batch” of Dell XPS 13 Plus laptops with OLED screens “may become loose because of problems with the third-party adhesive used.” The issue was reported on yesterday by The Verge.

According to the rep, “only a small number of screens will detach” from laptops of the impacted batch. Dell wouldn’t provide an exact number of units affected, but the laptops in question seem to include the first XPS 13 Pluses sent out to reviewers and early purchasers. Dell’s rep said that once the issue with the adhesive was discovered, Dell corrected its production process, so other units should not be affected. Units with LCD-LED screens are unaffected, Dell said.

Ars Technica has an XPS 13 Plus from the suspect batch, but there haven’t been any issues with the display in our two weeks with it. The only obvious quality concern with the laptop is a creaky hinge.

Dell’s spokesperson said the company is directly contacting customers who bought an OLED Dell XPS 13 Plus from Dell’s website and may be impacted. Dell said it will also contact those who purchased a Dell XPS 13 Plus from a retailer and then registered the PC with Dell.

“If a customer has not registered their system, the first time they contact Dell technical support, the unique service tag associated with their computer will identify to Dell technical support that the system should be repaired or replaced,” Dell’s spokesperson said. “For customers who believe their computer is affected or if you have any questions, please contact Dell customer support.”

Dell said it is also working with retail partners to replace units Dell sold to them. As noted by The Verge, at least one shopper has claimed via Reddit that their order was already recalled before being shipped out.

Although we’ve had no issues with our OLED-based XPS 13 Plus over the past couple weeks, others haven’t been as lucky. As noted by The Verge, scouring the web brings up an alarming video of the XPS 13 Plus shamelessly plopping its screen off in the middle of a Best Buy. There are similar reports on Reddit and other sites, including claims of the screen failing or becoming virtually unusable or touch input not working.

As is typical for Dell laptops, the XPS 13 Plus has a one-year warranty in the US.

https://arstechnica.com/?p=1877214

A recently published Dell patent, spotted by Patently Apple, shows the company exploring the ability to wirelessly charge devices on a laptop’s surface. We’ve seen similar concepts from Apple, which has already won patents for similar technologies. However, instead of simply dropping your iPhone on the laptop’s surface and letting it charge, Dell’s patent application describes a “wireless charging clip” that can attach to the PC and then be used to charge devices placed on top of it.

The patent (number 20220239124) was filed in early 2021 and was published Thursday. It doesn’t guarantee a future product or feature, but it gives us a peek into what the company is considering.

The wireless charging clip has a surface with a charging coil and a ferrite sheet beneath. The clip would be connected to the PC by magnets.

According to the patent application, the wireless charging clip uses “charging circuitry configured [to] supply inductive power to charge an auxiliary device when the device is placed on top of the first surface, and a connector through which input power is received” from the system that has the charging clip installed.

Apple has been exploring bringing inductive charging into its devices for years. The US Patent and Trademark Office has already awarded Apple patents that use the surface, trackpad, or lid of a MacBook to wirelessly charge Apple products.

Again, it’s not certain that either Dell or Apple will release a laptop that supports reverse wireless charging in some form. After all, we’ve seen products like Apple’s AirPower wireless charging mat fail to make it to market before.

Listing image by Dell

https://arstechnica.com/?p=1870630

Dell is extending its love for Linux to the Dell XPS 13 Plus. The Developer Edition of the laptop has been Ubuntu 22.04 LTS-certified, Canonical announced today. That means the laptop will be sold starting in August with the latest version of Ubuntu, and owners of the XPS 13 Plus Developer Edition can download Ubuntu 22.04 LTS today (even if they bought it with Windows 11) for guaranteed performance.

The XPS 13 Plus Developer Edition is the first 22.04 LTS-certified laptop, joining only some Raspberry Pi devices in certification. However, Dell has been certifying some of its XPS laptops, as well as other machines, for Ubuntu for generations. HP and Lenovo also have Ubuntu-certified systems.

Of course, Ubuntu certification means all the components will “work as expected,” as Canonical’s announcement today put it. Further, Ubuntu LTS certification means the device will have support for at least 10 years. Ubuntu’s release cycle page states that LTS (long-term support) releases include 10 years of “Base Package” maintenance and security updates.

“Certified devices also include specific software or drivers that differ from the default distribution where required. These are defined in a meta-package that automatically [installs] the optimal configuration of packages, drivers, and kernel to deliver the best experience on that device,” Canonical’s announcement said.

“These changes make up the factory images used by partners like Dell but are also upstreamed to the main Ubuntu distribution, so that certified devices receive the appropriate meta-package, even when users install Ubuntu themselves.” 

Ubuntu 22.04, announced in April, brings a new version of the Gnome 42 Linux desktop environment that promises “increased desktop performance with triple-buffering, more control over… power management settings,” Canonical said. Other changes include new workspace layouts and touchpad gestures and more customization options, like cross-desktop dark style. 

Since 2013, Dell’s Developer Edition laptops have been aimed at coders, and the XPS 13 Plus Developer Edition represents the 10th generation.

Dell’s XPS 13 Plus generally includes a visibly redesigned machine, including a MacBook-like capacitive touch strip replacing the function row and other tricks to enable the use of a 28 W, rather than 15 W, CPU. The XPS 13 Plus Developer Edition laptop goes up to an Intel Core i7-1280P with six performance cores (1.8-4.8 GHz), eight efficient cores(1.3-3.6 GHz), and 20 threads.

Ars Technica may earn compensation for sales from links on this post through affiliate programs.

https://arstechnica.com/?p=1868128

Apple’s Studio Display, a 27-inch 5K IPS panel that offers USB-C connectivity, a polished finish, and some Apple-style perks, is a solid display. But what if you’re a Mac owner who doesn’t need 5K, or what if you don’t want to spend $1,600 on a monitor? What if you need to work across operating systems and want a stylish display with a unique boost in image quality?

Enter the Dell UltraSharp U2723QE ($655 MSRP as of writing). Dell’s USB-C-equipped UltraSharp line is a popular option for Mac and Windows users, though the U2723QE comes at a premium over other displays in the lineup because it introduces LG Display’s IPS Black technology, which aims to deliver twice as much contrast as the average IPS screen. You might not be able to tell 5K from 4K, but it’s easy to see the rich contrast the U2723QE delivers over standard IPS monitors, including the Studio Display.

For those seeking a 27-incher with enough extra oomph to make a difference but not completely break the bank, the U2723QE presents an attractive combination of good looks, superior image quality, and enough connectivity to drive a seriously productive setup.

Design

Apple’s Studio Display is not for everyone. In fact, it’s mostly for those who need a monitor with a 5K resolution, such as graphics or publishing professionals. At 4K resolution, the 27-inch U2723QE has a pixel density of 163.18 pixels per inch (ppi), compared to the equally sized Studio Display’s 217.57 ppi. But with limited 5K content currently available, most non-professionals will be OK with “just” 8.3 million pixels.

https://arstechnica.com/?p=1856071