Dell on Thursday upgraded its XPS 13 ultra-thin laptop with Intel’s recently introduced Kaby Lake-U processors. The new notebooks keep the chassis and display panel options, but sport faster CPUs, speedier memory, a Killer 1535 802.11ac WiFi card, as well as a higher-capacity battery. Dell plans to offer new XPS 13 notebooks in rose gold, gold and silver colors starting from October 4, 2016.

Since Intel’s 7th generation Core i-series Kaby Lake-U processors are drop-in compatible with platforms supporting the Skylake-U chips, the new Dell XPS 13 uses exactly the same chassis as the Dell XPS 13 introduced a year ago and based on the previous-gen CPUs. That means, we are talking about systems made of machined aluminum and carbon fiber, which are 9 – 15 mm thick and weigh 1.2 – 1.29 kilograms. Display panels of the XPS 13 also remained the same: users can choose between a QHD+ (3200×1800) panel and an FHD (1920×1080) panel with or without touch support.

Meanwhile, the new 7th generation Intel Core CPUs run at higher frequencies s compared to their predecessors, feature considerably improved video encoding/decoding engine, refined graphics as well as Speed Shift v2 technology. As a result, the upgraded XPS 13 will deliver higher performance and better responsiveness at the same power than the predecessors. Otherwise, as with the past generation of systems, Dell is offering from 4GB to 16GB of LPDDR3-1866 memory.

Yet another improvement of the upgraded Dell XPS 13 is Rivet Networks' Killer 1535 802.11 2×2 Wi-Fi + BT 4.1 controller that promises to add some useful features with the help of refined software.

Finally, the 2016 XPS 13 also comes with a 60 Wh battery, up from 56 Wh battery on the previous-generation model. Dell claims that thanks to the new battery and power optimizations of the platform, the FHD version of the XPS 13 will work for up to 22 hours and the QHD+ machine will run for up to 13 hours on one charge.

Dell XPS 13
  XPS 13
2015
XPS 13
2016
CPU Intel Core i3-6100U
(2.3 GHz dual-core 15W)

Intel Core i5-6200U
(2.3-2.8 GHz dual-core 15W)

Intel Core i5-6300U
(2.4-3.0 GHz dual-core 15W)

Intel Core i7-6500U
(2.5-3.1 GHz dual-core 15W)

Intel Core i7-6600U
(2.6-3.4 GHz dual-core 15W)
Intel Core i3-7100U
(2.4 GHz dual-core 15W)

Intel Core i5-7200U
(2.5-3.1 GHz dual-core 15W)

Intel Core i7-7500U
(2.7-3.5 GHz dual-core 15W)
GPU Intel HD 520 (24 EU) Intel HD 620 (24 EU)
Memory 4-16 GB dual-channel LPDDR3-1866 4-16 GB dual-channel LPDDR3-1866
Display 13.3" 1920x1080 sRGB
13.3" 3200x1800 sRGB
Storage 128 GB SATA SSD, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB PCIe SSD
Battery 56 Wh 60 Wh
Wireless Connectivity Intel 8260 802.11 2×2 Wi-Fi + BT 4.1 controller
Dell 1820A 802.11 2×2 Wi-Fi + BT 4.1 controller
Rivet Networks Killer 1535 802.11 2×2 Wi-Fi + BT 4.1 controller
Ports Thunderbolt 3 x 1 (Type-C)
USB 3.0 x 2
Headset
SD Card Reader
Dimensions 304 x 200 x 9-15 mm
11.98 x 7.88 x 0.33-0.6 inches
Weight 1.2 - 1.29 kg
2.7 - 2.9 lbs
Price $799+

Other specs and features of the new Dell XPS 13 are the same as those on the 2015 model: PCIe SSD on higher-end models (the entry-level one still carries a 128 GB SATA drive), one Thunderbolt 3 port (hence, one USB Type-C receptacle), two USB 3.0 ports, an SD card reader and audio connectors.

Dell will begin to sell its XPS 13 in silver, gold and rose gold colors on October 4 starting at $799. Traditionally, the company will also offer XPS 13 Developer Edition based on Ubuntu 16.04 LTS starting at $949. 

Source: Dell

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  • willis936 - Thursday, September 15, 2016 - link

    In the table it says the XPS 13 2015 has 4-16 GB of memory. I was under the impression it was 4-8 GB.
  • Reikon - Thursday, September 15, 2016 - link

    16 GB was available on the high end version.
  • ik9000 - Thursday, September 22, 2016 - link

    yep, mine has 16GB.
  • spikebike - Thursday, September 15, 2016 - link

    The Skylake (2015/2016) XPS 13 has an option for the i7+Iris 540 graphics which is a substantial upgrade over the (non-iris) 520. Any idea if the new XPS 13 will have a similar option? With 3200x1800 you want all the GPU you can get. Sadly the 3200x1800 about halves the battery performance and is rather reflective, not matte.
  • Brett Howse - Thursday, September 15, 2016 - link

    Likely when the Iris Kaby Lake parts come out. Usually it's the base graphics on the first release of a new U series. The Iris one didn't come out for quite a while after the Skylake XPS 13 launched.
  • ik9000 - Thursday, September 22, 2016 - link

    and the IRIS canes your battery life. Only worth it if you need the extra grunt. If not you'll get a few extra hours without HD vs IRIS.
  • poohbear - Thursday, September 15, 2016 - link

    waiting for the day the i5 mobile CPUs to be quadcores like their desktop counter parts. You'd think by 2016 they would've figured out how to do that....guess i'll stick with my i5 4200 till then.
  • poohbear - Thursday, September 15, 2016 - link

    oh and u have the i7 listed as a dual core as well, is that correct?
  • blzd - Thursday, September 15, 2016 - link

    The i7 dual cores actually perform quite well and are able to be used at full performance on battery. They're designed more for battery life and to avoid thermal throttling.

    BTW those mobile i5 quads were released Sept. 2015 I just saw.
  • ik9000 - Thursday, September 22, 2016 - link

    not with the IRIS graphics in a 15W TDP. There isn't enough thermal headroom and they both throttle out - see here: http://www.ultrabookreview.com/10395-dell-xps-13-9...

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