For CES 2018, Dell has introduced with it not solely the newly revamped Dell XPS 13, but in addition a brand-new tackle its bigger mannequin: the Dell XPS 15 2-in-1. This revision not solely options extra highly effective innards throughout the board, however never-before-used inputs for an much more trendy really feel.

Contemplating we already fairly favored the earlier XPS 15 mannequin, giving it a 360-degree hinge and an elective 4K Extremely HD show powered by Eighth-generation Intel Core processors with AMD Vega graphics built-in ought to solely sweeten the deal. We’ll reserve full judgment for an entire overview, however know that Dell has fairly a flexible powerhouse on its fingers.

Value and availability

Dell will start promoting the XPS 15 2-in-1 for $1,299 (about £957, AU$1,653) to begin within the US this coming spring. 

That value will get you an XPS 15 2-in-1 with a 15.6-inch Full HD contact show powered by an Eighth-gen Intel Core i5-8305G processor with Radeon RX Vega M GL graphics, 8GB of DDR4 reminiscence and a 128GB solid-state drive (SSD).

From there, Dell presents all kinds of configuration choices, like a 4K Extremely HD (three,840 x 2,160) touchscreen to an Intel Core i7-8705G processor with Radeon RX Vega M GL graphics. 

Dell may also up the RAM capability to 16GB in addition to the SSD storage capability to as a lot as 1TB. In fact, Dell has but to disclose the pricing scheme of those higher-end choices.

Design and really feel

Frankly, there isn’t a lot that’s visibly completely different concerning the XPS 15 2-in-1 from the smaller XPS 13 2-in-1 that Dell launched ultimately 12 months’s CES, past its clearly bigger dimensions. Dell appears to have discovered a design that works and is sticking to it.

You’re getting the identical silver-colored anodized aluminum lid and base with the carbon fiber keyboard relaxation that has launched on prior XPS 15 fashions, this time with aluminum hinges that rotate 360 levels. 

Nonetheless, one thing concerning the keyboard feels notably completely different, however extra on that in a second.

At any fee, Dell clearly has made some severe revisions, because it’s claiming this machine to be the smallest and thinnest 15.6-inch 2-in-1 laptop obtainable at present. At simply zero.35 ~ zero.63 inches (9 ~ 16 mm) skinny and 13.9 inches (354mm) extensive, Dell might maintain onto that declare for a while.

The laptop computer weighs four.three kilos (1.97kg) to begin, with higher-end choices seemingly so as to add a couple of ounces. To us, the laptop computer doesn’t really feel a lot heftier than a 13-inch MacBook Professional – spectacular for a 15-inch laptop computer with a touchscreen.

Given this laptop computer’s dimension and lightness, we’re stunned by the collection of ports Dell has managed to make obtainable throughout the XPS 15 2-in-1: two Thunderbolt three and two USB-C three.1 – all of which help charging and DisplayPort – a microSD card reader and a headset jack. (It’s unhappy to see the USB of previous chew the bullet, however maybe Dell held off lengthy sufficient.)

What has made this extremely diminutive dimension potential is two-fold.

First is Dell’s use of its next-generation InfinityEdge show with a brand new 1,500:1 distinction ratio that makes blacks all however disappear on the display screen. This practically bezel-less show body permits a laptop computer that’s simply 13.9 inches extensive to deal with a display screen that’s 15.6 inches extensive diagonally. Beneath stated display screen is a 720p webcam paired with an infrared lens for safe Home windows Hey login – and it’s centered similar to the brand new XPS 13.

Second is a brand-new keyboard know-how that enables the bottom to be thinner than what was potential earlier than (it additionally makes for extra room inside for stronger thermal administration). This new keyboard tech is called maglev – sort of like these bullet trains in Japan, however utilized at a a lot, a lot smaller scale. This maglev keyboard employs rare-earth magnets beneath the keys, moderately than domed membraned switches like most laptops, mimicking the texture of a bodily key response however with solely zero.7mm of journey.

After typing on the keyboard for just some moments, that shorter journey is clear: it’s undoubtedly not a 1:1 simulation of normal laptop computer keyboard habits. The keys are extra inflexible of their response, and don’t permit for shifting between keys as shortly as we’re used to – or at the least how we’re used to.

It’s powerful to bear judgment down upon the keyboard with out extra testing, however what’s clear is that it’ll current a studying curve to customers. How lengthy it’ll take to recover from stated curve is tough to say. At any fee, it’s a formidable innovation that’s allowed for a mightily skinny and light-weight system with a comparably massive display screen.

All informed, the glass-coated, Microsoft Precision touchpad stays unchanged and is as pleasant to make use of as ever.

Efficiency

This new keyboard know-how additionally allowed Dell to introduce extra thermal headroom for the XPS 15 2-in-1 parts, in addition to a brand new kind of insulation from Gore. This insulation directs warmth out of the system higher than different options to permit parts to function at greater temperatures.

The brand new Intel-meets-AMD processor that Dell has positioned contained in the XPS 15 2-in-1 makes liberal use of this further headroom, because of a brand new sensor hub that determines efficiency primarily based on the use case at hand with regard to cooling and energy. This sensor hub works in tandem with software program on the processor to make these selections for you as you’re utilizing the laptop computer.

The top result’s a 15-inch laptop computer with a stable quantity of headroom with which to carry out both extra severe duties, like photograph and video enhancing, in addition to extra reasonable duties without delay. To not point out some gentle gaming, judging by Intel and AMD claiming Nvidia GTX 1050-grade sport efficiency from its collaborative processor.

Rounding out the providing is Killer 1435 802.11ac (2 x 2) Wi-Fi and Bluetooth four.1 for wi-fi connectivity.

Whereas we will’t say for certain what all of those modifications has afforded the XPS 15 2-in-1 by way of energy, we on the very least know Dell has laid the groundwork for one helluva performant laptop computer, which can be used as a pill. Oh, and Dell claims it could last as long as 15 hours on battery – we’ll simply see about that in our full overview.

Early verdict

It’s this editor’s private choice to keep away from most 15-inch laptops on account of their dimension, however the Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 might very properly change that. In any case, it could as properly be a 13-inch laptop computer, because of the most recent InfinityEdge show.

That stated, we’re as delay by the texture of the brand new maglev keyboard as we’re impressed by the innovation that has allowed such an approachable 15-inch system. Whereas it’ll actually current a studying curve, for the way lengthy? And, how will it really feel, say, per week or two after buy?

So, whereas we’re mightily impressed by the ‘smallest and thinnest 2-in-1 system of its dimension,’ thanks in no small half to a vastly expanded energy profile (however principally its dimension and really feel), we’re left with a couple of hanging questions. Keep tuned for a full overview later this 12 months.