Dell unveils redesigned ‘XPS 13 Plus’ with haptic trackpad and capacitive function keys
Dell has redesigned the XPS 13, and it’s absolutely gorgeous.
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Dell has today announced a brand new XPS 13 “Plus” atCES 2022, featuring a reinvented simplistic design with extremely thin bezels, a large haptic trackpad, function touch keys, and more. It’s a major redesign of theDell XPS 13, one of Dell’s most popular products and indeed the king of laptop design.
This new design features a keyboard deck that spans the entire width of the laptop, with larger keycaps that provide a comfortable smooth, and efficient typing experience. Additionally, Dell has replaced the top row where the function keys would normally be with capacitive touch buttons instead.
While capacitive keys may seem gimmicky, Dell tells us they did it for a good reason: It gave them more room for thermals, which lets them run Intel’s new 28-watt P-series chip with 14-cores and 20-threads. Users can toggle between Function and Media keys in Dell’s software.
Dell has also updated the trackpad design, placing it under a long pane of glass below the keyboard which gives the appearance of an invisible trackpad. It’s alsopowered by haptics, meaning it doesn’t move yet still provides a satisfying click when you press down on it.
Everything about the XPS 13 Plus focuses on design. It has a 4-sided InfinityEdge 13.4-inch display with up to 4K resolution and OLED options available, two hidden upward-firing speakers underneath the keyboard deck, and two down-firing speakers for an excellent audio experience. It’s available in both Platinum and Graphite color options too.
Even the webcam is improved (though still 720P). Dell now has two cameras (one RGB, one IR), which gets better quality/resolution. Previously, the IR/RGB was combined into one camera resulting in about 20% loss of the pixels used for the IR portion and Windows Hello.
On the inside, we haveIntel 12th-Geni5 or i7 chips at 28W, making the XPS 13 Plus the most powerful XPS 13 ever. It also has up to 32GB RAM, 2TB PCIe storage, 2x Thunderbolt 4 ports, and ships withWindows 11Home or Pro, or Ubuntu if you opt for the XPS 13 Plus “Developer Edition.”
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Pricing has not yet been announced, with availability expected sometime in the Spring.
Dell’s new XPS 13 Plus pushes the limits of design with its super clean and minimalist look, setting a new standard for premium Windows 11 laptops.
Zac Bowden is a Senior Editor at Windows Central. Bringing you exclusive coverage into the world of Windows on PCs, tablets, phones, and more. Also an avid collector of rare Microsoft prototype devices! Keep in touch onTwitterandThreads
