Dell is doing something almost unheard of in the tech world: admitting a mistake. After a disastrous 2025 that saw PC market share plummet following a sweeping (and confusing) rebranding effort, the company is bringing back its iconic XPS laptops. The move, announced at CES 2026, signals a major course correction and a renewed commitment to the brand that once defined premium Windows laptops.

The decision to eliminate the XPS line last year was widely criticized, with many industry observers labeling it an unforced error. The aim was simplification, but the result was a muddled product lineup that alienated loyal customers. According to The Verge, the reversal is "welcome news for its fans," and a sign that Dell is ready to "double-down on the brand in ways it never did before."

New XPS 14 and 16: Design and Specs

The resurrected XPS lineup includes the new XPS 14 and 16, both sporting a redesigned aesthetic and upgraded internals. Dell seems to have listened to customer feedback, addressing key pain points from previous models. Gone are the capacitive function buttons, replaced with a more practical traditional key row. The "invisible" trackpad, while retained, now features a subtle light border, providing tactile feedback on its boundaries. These design tweaks address long standing usability complaints.

Beyond the user interface improvements, Dell has also managed to shave off weight and thickness. The XPS 14 now weighs approximately three pounds, a half-pound lighter than its predecessor, while the XPS 16 comes in at 3.6 pounds, a full pound lighter. The design language appears to take cues from Microsoft's Surface Laptop, resulting in a cleaner, more minimalist aesthetic. Under the hood, both models are powered by Intel's next-generation Panther Lake Core Ultra Series 3 processors and offer optional tandem OLED displays.

XPS 13 Revival and Pricing

Dell didn't stop there. The company also teased the return of the XPS 13 later this year, promising it will be the thinnest and lightest notebook Dell has ever produced. Excitingly, Dell has suggested it will be cheaper than XPS models of the past, potentially opening the brand to a broader audience. The new XPS 14 and 16 are available starting today, January 6th, with prices beginning at $1,650 and $1,850, respectively. The move shows Dell's commitment to the XPS line, even emblazoning the logo on the new machines, a move TechCrunch reports would have been unthinkable before their recent misstep.

"The new XPS laptops aren't just a return to form; they could be the start of a new chapter for Dell."

— Raj Patel, Automatica Press

Dell's decision to revive the XPS lineup represents more than just a product refresh; it's an acknowledgement of past missteps and a renewed focus on customer needs. In a market increasingly dominated by mobile devices and cloud computing, the return of a beloved laptop brand could be just what Dell needs to regain lost ground and reaffirm its position as a leader in the PC space. The new XPS laptops aren't just a return to form; they could be the start of a new chapter for Dell.