Dell XPS is back and very different
Dell is bringing back the XPS brand in a big way, and this time the focus is on ultra portable power instead of traditional gaming muscle. At CES 2026, Dell unveiled the new XPS 14 and XPS 16 laptops, with an XPS 13 model coming later. The big twist is that none of these machines offer a discrete GPU option. Instead, Dell is betting entirely on the integrated graphics in Intel’s new Panther Lake processors.
For PC gamers and hardware fans, this is a pretty bold move. XPS has long been a go to recommendation for premium Windows laptops, and in some configurations it could double as a solid gaming machine. Now Dell is saying that the latest Intel integrated graphics are strong enough that many users will not need a separate graphics card at all.
So what is actually new here, and what does it mean for performance, battery life and light gaming on the go
Panther Lake power instead of discrete GPUs
The most interesting part for performance focused users is Dell’s choice to completely skip discrete GPUs in these first XPS 14 and XPS 16 models. No Nvidia or AMD options, just Intel Panther Lake with its upgraded integrated GPU.
Intel claims that the Panther Lake iGPU is up to 77 percent faster than the previous top integrated graphics found in Lunar Lake. Lunar Lake was already surprisingly capable for casual gaming and GPU accelerated workloads, so Panther Lake looks like a serious step up in efficiency and performance.
What this means in practice:
- Lighter and thinner machines: Without a separate GPU and its cooling needs, Dell can keep these laptops extremely slim at around 14.6 mm thick.
- Less heat and noise: One unified chip usually means simpler cooling and less fan noise during everyday tasks.
- Good for light gaming: Integrated graphics will not replace a dedicated gaming laptop, but should handle esports titles and older or less demanding games at reasonable settings.
- Better battery life: No discrete GPU drawing extra power means more runtime, especially when combined with Dell’s new battery tech.
For serious AAA gaming at high settings and high refresh rates, these XPS models are not a replacement for a proper gaming laptop with a mobile RTX or Radeon GPU. But as fast all round machines that can still run games like Valorant, League of Legends, CS2 or indie titles on the side, they could be very appealing.
New battery tech and compact design
Dell is also introducing new high density battery cells that help the XPS line push battery life to another level. The company says it is the first to ship 900ED battery cells in laptops, compared to roughly 700ED in most current designs. That is more than a 20 percent jump in energy density.
This allows Dell to keep the laptops both small and long lasting. The XPS 14 is actually more compact than the 13 inch MacBook Air while offering more screen area and a larger battery.
- Battery capacity: Both the XPS 14 and XPS 16 come with a 70 watt hour battery.
- Claimed battery life: Up to 40 hours of local video playback and up to 27 hours of streaming video on the XPS 14.
- Thickness: Both models are just 14.6 mm thick.
It is a bit odd that the XPS 16 sticks with the same 70 watt hour battery as the smaller 14 inch model, but that may simply be a limitation of the new battery tech at launch. Either way, you are looking at very strong battery life for productivity, media and light gaming compared to many traditional gaming laptops which often sacrifice runtime for raw GPU power.
The design itself gets some thoughtful changes too. Dell is dropping the controversial capacitive function row and bringing back physical keys at the top of the keyboard. The glass trackpad area also gets subtle etching so you can feel the edges instead of guessing where the usable area stops. Build quality remains a major focus, with premium materials and a very sleek, modern look.
Tandem OLED displays and pricing
Another standout feature is the optional tandem OLED display technology. In this setup two OLED layers are stacked one on top of the other. The goal is to create a brighter and more durable panel while keeping the advantages of OLED like deep blacks and great contrast.
Dell quotes full screen brightness of around 400 nits for these panels which is better than most desktop OLED monitors. That is especially nice for HDR style content and games that support richer visuals. The trade off is that OLED screens usually consume more power than standard LCDs, so you can expect some reduction in battery life with the OLED option. Dell has not given exact numbers yet.
As with most high end XPS models, these laptops are not cheap. Starting prices are:
- XPS 14 from 2049.99 US dollars
- XPS 16 from 2199.99 US dollars
Both are available starting today in these initial configurations. The upcoming XPS 13 will share the same premium design language and focus on thin and light portability, with Dell calling it the thinnest and lightest XPS ever at under 13 mm thick.
For PC gamers and hardware enthusiasts, the new XPS line is an interesting sign of where mobile computing is heading. Integrated graphics are getting strong enough that premium productivity and creator laptops can skip discrete GPUs entirely, while still letting you enjoy many popular games on the side. If you need a true gaming beast, you will still want a dedicated gaming laptop or desktop with a proper GPU. But if you want a high quality portable machine that can run your everyday work and casual gaming from one slim chassis, the new XPS lineup powered by Intel Panther Lake is well worth keeping an eye on.
Original article and image: https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/gaming-laptops/dell-resurrects-xps-brand-with-slick-new-laptop-thats-smaller-than-a-macbook-air-lasts-40-hours-and-relies-on-intels-panther-lake-chip-for-gaming-grunt/
