Dell debuts updated XPS 13 with Intel 10th-gen processors, Intel's Iris Plus graphics, 16:10 screen, larger touchpad, available January 7 starting at $999
(this one goes to 32!) Richard Lawler / Engadget : The Morning After: Dell's new XPS 13 stands taller Firstpost Tech : Dell updates XPS 13 laptop with 10th Gen Intel ‘Ice Lake’ processor before CES 2020 Devindra Hardawar / Engadget : Dell's new XPS 13 is all about style Pranob Mehrotra / XDA Developers : Dell XPS 13 gets a 2020 refresh with 10th Gen Intel Ice Lake chips and Ubuntu-based Developer Edition Chaim Gartenberg / The Verge : Dell's latest XPS 13 has a new design with a bigger display and Ice Lake chips Anton Shilov / AnandTech : Dell's 2020 XPS 13 (9300) Gets Ice Lake & A 13.4-Inch Ultra-HD+ Display Brian Fagioli / BetaNews : Dell announces XPS 13 (2020) Developer Edition with Ubuntu Linux and 32GB RAM Napier Lopez / The Next Web : Dell's XPS 13 gets even better with thinners bezels and a bigger keyboard Sam Rutherford / Gizmodo : The Newest Dell XPS 13 Is a Tiny Laptop That Promises Incredible Battery Life Eric Abent / SlashGear : Dell XPS 13 gets a tempting upgrade for CES 2020 Paul Thurrott / Thurrott : Dell Debuts New XPS 13 Ahead of CES Joshua Goldman / CNET : HP Spectre x360 13 (late 2019): HP Spectre x360 13 (2019) review: An incredible shrinking 2-in-1 Valentina Palladino / Ars Technica : Dell updates popular XPS 13 laptop with 16:10 screen, IR camera Sean Endicott / Windows Central : Dell's new XPS 13 has a four-sided 16:10 InfinityEdge display Athima Chansanchai / Windows Experience Blog : CES 2020: Dell introduces a smaller, thinner XPS 13 and a new Alienware gaming monitor Pradeep / MSPoweruser : Dell announces redesigned XPS 13 with latest Intel processors and thinner bezels Larry Dignan / ZDNet : Dell launches new XPS, targets ‘ultra-premium’ market with Latitude 9510 Andrew E. Freedman / Tom's Hardware : Dell XPS 13 Gets 10th Gen Chips, Loses Bottom Bezel Sherri L. Smith / LaptopMag : Dell XPS 13 (2020) hands-on review Matt Milano / WebProNews : iOS Support Coming To Dell Mobile Connect Stan Schroeder / Mashable : Dell fixed the most annoying thing about its XPS 13 laptop Tweets: Richard Lawler / @rjcc : I'm not sure that removing the bottom bezel on the new XPS 13 will be a good thing, but I'll wait until I can try it out https://twitter.com/... Devindra Hardawar / @devindra : The new XPS 13 basically has the look of the 2-in-1 I loved so much https://twitter.com/... @killyourfm : Fingerprint reader support on Linux. The time has come!! Awesome! https://twitter.com/... Jay Cuthrell / @jaycuthrell : Seeing an @ubuntu 18.04 LTS preloaded option for the new XPS 13 is awesome work by @barton808 and team. My older XPS 13 (circa 2016) running 19.10 is my personal daily driver. #iwork4dell http://www.techmeme.com/... Tom Warren / @tomwarren : Dell has a new XPS 13 for CES this year. It has a bigger 13.4-inch display with a 16:10 aspect ratio. Hmmmm interesting https://www.theverge.com/... pic.twitter.com/Mew6KlvNoC Thanks: @smashdawg
Context & Ripple Effects
Dell is bringing the clamshell XPS 13 in line with the 2-in-1 redesign from May 2019, which already moved the webcam above the screen, reworked the keyboard, and enlarged the touchpad. The 2020 refresh extends that design language to the standard model and swaps the 16:9 panel for a taller 16:10 13.4-inch display.
The timing is deliberate: the January 7 launch lands just before CES 2020, making the XPS 13 one of the first shipping showcases for Intel's 10th-gen Ice Lake processors and Iris Plus graphics. The $999 starting price holds the line set by the 2018 refresh, keeping the entry point stable across three generations.
First-order effects
- Buyers get a taller 13.4-inch 16:10 screen, larger touchpad, and Ice Lake silicon at the same $999 entry price, with an Ubuntu-based Developer Edition offering up to 32GB RAM aimed at Linux developers.
- Intel gains a flagship retail vehicle for Ice Lake and Iris Plus right as CES coverage peaks, putting its integrated graphics in front of mainstream ultrabook shoppers.
Second-order effects
- Rival premium ultrabook makers are pushed to match the 16:10 aspect ratio and shrunken-bezel design language or cede the style argument, since Dell explicitly positions the XPS 13 against Apple's MacBook lineup.
- The Tiger Lake refresh later in 2020 shows the cadence this sets: each Intel CPU generation now triggers an XPS 13 respin at the same $999 anchor, compressing the useful life of the prior model.
Third-order effects
- If the pattern holds, premium laptop competition shifts from raw spec sheets to industrial-design differentiators — aspect ratio, keyboard deck, touchpad size — refreshed annually around Intel's processor cycle rather than multi-year platform jumps.
The trend: Premium ultraportables are converging on taller 16:10-class displays and redesigned input areas, with Dell refreshing the XPS 13 annually in lockstep with Intel's CPU generations at a fixed $999 entry price.