If you need another indicator of how unusual this year has been for PC hardware, look no further than Dell’s latest update Dell’s XPS 13 Evolves now featuring Intel’s newly announced Core Ultra 200V processors. This marks the third major overhaul of Dell’s popular ultraportable within the past year. Initially, Dell introduced the original Core Ultra chip in April, followed by a Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ variant in July. As with most PC hardware, patience often pays off.
Introducing the Intel Core Ultra 200V Processors
The latest Core Ultra 200V processors come equipped with a powerful 48 TOPS (tera operations per second) neural processing unit (NPU) specifically designed for AI-related tasks. Alongside this, the processors boast significantly improved performance and efficiency cores. Intel also claims that the new integrated Xe2 GPU is a substantial upgrade—32 percent faster than the previous Core Ultra, 16 percent faster than AMD’s HX 360, and an impressive 68 percent faster than Qualcomm’s 12-core X Elite chip.
x86 Compatibility and Memory Limitations
One significant advantage of the Core Ultra 200V being an x86 processor is its seamless compatibility with applications, free from the issues encountered with the Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ XPS 13. Users won’t face the same app compatibility and performance challenges that were notable in the Snapdragon version. However, the one downside is that, unlike previous Intel-powered XPS 13 models, the new system’s memory cannot be upgraded—Intel’s Core Ultra 200V processors come with built-in RAM, which is fixed and non-upgradeable.
New Tandem OLED Display Technology
In addition to the upgraded processor, Dell has introduced a new tandem OLED display technology in this XPS 13 model. This innovation involves stacking two OLED panels on top of each other, resulting in enhanced brightness and improved visual quality. The laptop also offers impressive battery life, with Dell claiming up to 26 hours of video streaming on its 1080p+ display.
Pricing and Availability
The XPS 13 with Intel’s Core Ultra 200V processors is now available for pre-order, starting at $1,400. This latest revision of the XPS 13 promises to deliver a blend of cutting-edge technology and robust performance, setting a new standard for ultraportable laptops.
