Dell unveils 'most powerful' XPS computer and claims world's smallest 17-inch laptop

The company also introduced a new model of its Alienware gaming laptop, the Area 51m R2

(Credit: Dell)

Dell has revealed an update to its XPS range of laptops. As well as the 13-inch XPS 13, the range will now include a redesigned XPS 15 and an all-new XPS 17.

The XPS 17, which has been on a 10-year hiatus, is the world’s smallest 17-inch laptop according to Donnie Oliphant, Dell’s senior director for XPS products.

With its return comes a new design intended to improve airflow, all packed into its 19.5mm-thin chassis which weighs 2.11kg.

The XPS 17 can be maxed out with a 10th Generation Intel i9 Core processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 graphics with Max-Q design.

The laptop has a 3840 x 2400 pixel 4K+ resolution (although you can change that to a regular 1900 x 1200 pixel display) which supports HDR in a 16:10 aspect ratio. The company is also claiming a 20-hour battery life for the machine.

The Dell XPS 17 (Credit: Dell)

The XPS 17 ranges with regards to RAM and storage, with the lowest model offering 8GB of processing capability with 256GB of storage while the highest offers 64GB of RAM and 2TB of storage.

Ditching older ports, the XPS 17 has four USB-C Thunderbolt 3 ports and an SD card reader as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack.

It will be launching on 11 June with pricing yet to be confirmed.

The Dell XPS 15, next to the 2019 model (Credit: Dell)

The XPS 15, meanwhile, has the “longest battery life of any 15-inch laptop” according to Dell, with a claimed 25-hour lifespan. Both laptops are charged via USB-C, rather than the legacy ports found on older models.

Much like its larger sibling, this laptop has a similar HDR, 4K+ screen which can also be swapped for the lower-resolution should users want it, but it’s internals are not as flashy.

While it still offers the 10th Generation Intel processor, the maximum graphics capability of this laptop only goes up to Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1650 Ti.

On the side of the device is two USB-C Thunderbold 3 ports, a USB-3.1 port, and an SD card reader, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Happily, the computer also ships with a USB-C to USB-A adapter, for those with older peripherals. This is housed in an 18mm body, which weighs 1.83kg.

The XPS 15 will be available to buy from 14 May, with a price tag of £1,599.

The Alienware Area 51m R2 (Credit: Dell)

Dell also upgraded its Alienware gaming laptops, with the second generation of its Area-51m device called the Area 51m R2. While it appears the same on the outside, inside are new Intel processors, Nvidia GPUs, more RAM, and better resolution displays.

The new model starts at $3,049.99 in the United States, but prices are yet to be confirmed in the UK.