One of the things I have enjoyed about covering Dell Technologies development over the past 25 years, is just about when I am sure I have figured out the company’s strategy, they make a surprising move that proves me wrong.

 A case in point is the most recent announcement at CES that the company is bringing its Dell XPS line back, a year after the company folded the line into the new naming they announced early last year.

So yes, the XPS line is back, which is heartening news for those of us who loved what XPS PCs had to offer and were still scratching our heads trying to figure out what was the new equivalent.

For those who haven’t yet had the pleasure of working on an XPS PC, I think of them as the direct equivalent of and Windows competitor to Apple's MacBook Pro.

What isn't surprising is the models that are going to be on offer from February - an XPS 14 and an XPS 16.

According to the presser, the new XPSs have been rebuilt from the ground up, with the company promising faster AI performance, striking displays, improved portability and longer battery life, while embracing sustainability through modular components and recycled materials.

The XPS are also seeing the return of the traditional function row for reliable, tactile feedback, and the glass trackpad is also getting a makeover. Rather than being fully seamless, there will be a subtle etching around the active area of the touchpad, helping users distinguish it from the rest of the palmrest. 

The one - and very welcome - change that was introduced on Dell's new line and which is being carried over to the XPSs is the focus on sustainability.

The new devices will also feature easy-to-remove keyboards and will have the distinction of being the first XPS devices to feature modular USB-C ports, which the company explained will make repairs simpler and extend the life of your PC. Dell Technologies noted that it has further incorporated recycled steel in the hinges, plus recycled cobalt and recycled copper in the batteries.

The XPS line has traditionally been the powerhouses of the company's line, at least just short of the mobile workstations that were the Precision models, and that doesn’t seem to have changed.

We have been reassured that both the XPS 14 and the XPS 16 will boast Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors and built-in Intel Arc graphics featuring 12 Xe cores – Intel's highest performing integrated graphics.

This, according to the company, will enable the the XPS 14 and XPS 16 to deliver 78% faster AI performance, and more than 50% faster graphics performance vs. previous generation. These processors also power Copilot+ PC experiences while enabling faster image editing, smooth video playback and lag-free gameplay. 

Now here is where things get interesting - and by interesting, I mean, a little more difficult to choose from.

The new XPSs will sport tandem OLED as an option to the XPS 14 and XPS 16, delivering cinematic quality with enhanced brightness, better efficiency, longer lifespan and improved colour stability.  These cutting-edge panels offer richer, more vibrant colours with ultra-high resolution, creating lifelike visuals.

For those who prioritise mobility and longer sessions away from an outlet, in other words, better battery life, the laptops will alternatively be available in the standard 2K LCD panels, which, the company asserted, will ''deliver crisp clarity and exceptional battery efficiency.'' As in, apparently, nearly all day, although no word yet on what the battery life of the OLED option may be.

While the 14 and 16 models will be leading the charge, they will be joined later in the year by a 13 inch version, which is intended to be the thinnest and lightest XPS device to date. Personally, I am not a big fan of 13 inch notebooks, prefering the larger screen for easier viewability. However, the reason for this move, apparently, is to offer more customers accessibility to the line, with the 13 inch being the least expensive offering.

Prices have yet to be confirmed, but hopefully, the favourable exchange rate at present will work in our favour and the new XPS devices will come in at a reasonable price.