Dell Finally Makes a 2-in-1 XPS 15, Comes With Intel’s New Radeon Chipset

Following the launch of its next-gen XPS 13 design, Dell is today announcing a major upgrade for its XPS 15. Not too long ago, the company unveiled a 2-in-1 variant of the XPS 13, and now it’s coming out with a 2-in-1 variant of the larger XPS 15.

Dell’s 2-in-1 XPS 15 comes with the next-gen InfinityEdge display with thinner bezels around the 4K UHD display (you can still get the FHD display if you don’t want to spend much). The new device is apparently the world’s “smallest and thinnest 15.6-inch 2-in-1” device, too. Being a 2-in-1, you can now use the XPS 15 in four different modes, much like every other 2-in-1 device in the market.

Windows Intelligence In Your Inbox

Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday — and get free copies of Paul Thurrott's Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (normally $9.99) as a special welcome gift!

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

The new XPS 15 is one of the first laptops to boast Intel’s new 8th gen Core processors built-in partnership with AMD. Intel’s new processors built in partnership with AMD are supposed to offer high performance without compromising the thin profile of devices like the XPS 15. As such, the new XPS 15 2-in-1 packs the 8th gen Intel Core i5/i7 processor with Radeon RX Vega M GL graphics with 4GB of HMB2 RAM. The i5 variant (i5-8305G) is clocked at 3.8GHz and comes with 6MB Level 3 cache, while the i7 variant (i7-8705G) is clocked at 4.1GHz and comes with 8MB of Level 3 cache. Both of the variants come with 20 compute units and quad-core chips.

Much of the XPS 15 remains the same with this year’s update, though. The design of the device remains unchanged, although it’s highly likely Dell will end up bringing the next-gen XPS 13 design to the XPS 15 sometime in the near-future.

There is, however, one other big change: removal of all the USB Type-A ports. Dell seems to be going all in on Type-C this year, and the company is getting rid of all the classic Type-A ports and replacing them with Type-C ports on the new XPS 15. The company removed the Type-A ports from the XPS 13 this year as well, but removing the Type-A ports from the XPS 15 simply just doesn’t make sense as the device is still 16mm thick — which should theoretically be enough to fit in at least a single Type-A port. Ah well.

Dell is launching a new Active Pen along with the XPS 15 2-in-1 today. It includes tilty sensitivity support and 4096 pressure sensitivity points just like the Surface Pen and costs $99. The new pen will go on sale on April 6 in the United States, and other countries will start getting it by 12th June. As for the XPS 15 2-in-1, Dell will start selling the device sometime this Spring, starting at $1299. A specific release date should be revealed closer to the time.

Tagged with

Share post

Please check our Community Guidelines before commenting

Conversation 10 comments

  • Wizzwith

    09 January, 2018 - 1:50 pm

    <p>Why, why does every OEM still seem to be stuck on these 16:9 screens?&nbsp; They all insist on leaving these&nbsp;large bottom bezels which is&nbsp;just wasted&nbsp;space when it could be filled in with some more screen.&nbsp; They don't need to go all the way to 3:2 like MS, but at least use a 16:10 screen (Apple's been doing that forever). Especially on 2-in-1's.</p>

    • jimchamplin

      Premium Member
      09 January, 2018 - 2:24 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#236342"><em>In reply to Wizzwith:</em></a></blockquote><p>Amen.</p>

    • Daishi

      Premium Member
      09 January, 2018 - 2:57 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#236342">In reply to Wizzwith:</a></em></blockquote><p>There's a reason all the OEMs making machines with low bezel screens "waste space" with a "huge" bottom bezel. Its not because they've all gone mad and are just simultaneously making the same inexplicable design choices. It's because that's where all the components that make the screen work are and they have to work with the constraint of the components being used.</p>

  • shameermulji

    09 January, 2018 - 2:23 pm

    <p>Now this is a laptop. Time to start saving.</p>

  • Tallin

    09 January, 2018 - 5:21 pm

    <p>That marketing picture at the top bugs me. The ones on either end are closed opposite to how they would actually be closed if you continue the pattern. Makes it look like it magically turns into a screen on the back when you close it.</p>

  • SenorGravy

    09 January, 2018 - 7:05 pm

    <p>Was onboard and super excited…until I read it only had USB-C ports. </p><p><br></p><p>Jeez. I have a 2016 MacBook Pro and living the dongle life is just maddening. It's sad to me that PC OEM's have to ape even Apple's bad ideas. </p><p><br></p><p>Second, I would gladly give a little bezel away up top to get rid of those ridiculous bottom bezel cameras.</p>

    • IanYates82

      Premium Member
      10 January, 2018 - 8:52 am

      <blockquote><a href="#236451"><em>In reply to SenorGravy:</em></a></blockquote><p>Even just one USB A port would be enough. To take one out and someone says "oh, it's on this usb key. Just plug it in" and you have to explain dongles and why this is still a great laptop… Grrr </p><p>Are the USB C ports thunderbolt capable? </p>

  • jpwalters

    Premium Member
    10 January, 2018 - 1:49 pm

    <p>This one has me curious. Was thinking about the Surface Book 2, but this at least gives me pause.</p>

  • brettscoast

    Premium Member
    10 January, 2018 - 2:14 pm

    <p>Good write up Mehedi</p><p><br></p><p>Looking forward to seeing how this new Dell XPS15 performs with the new 8th gen intel chipsets in them and whether or not the integrated Radeon Vega graphics leads to much greater sustained CPU/graphics performance, only time will tell I guess. Your point about the removal of the type A ports is very valid considering this is not an ultra portable system but more a dedicated desktop replacement workhorse system designed for more demanding workloads. I do wish they would offer a couple of different color choices (besides black carbon fibre &amp; maybe rose gold) considering these are expensive premium devices consumers are paying good money for. Cannot fault the screen quality (full HDUHD 4K) which are generally excellent on these Dell XPS systems. </p>

  • illuminated

    12 January, 2018 - 12:29 pm

    <p>Is webcam still at the bottom of the screen? Hate this on current XPS.</p>

Windows Intelligence In Your Inbox

Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Thurrott © 2024 Thurrott LLC