Dell updates XPS 13 laptops with 11th Gen Intel Core and Thunderbolt 4

Dell didn’t wait long to take advantage of Intel’s latest processors. The PC maker has updated its XPS 13 laptop family for 2020 with 11th Gen Core chips, adding a few perks in the process.

The standard XPS 13, the Ubuntu Linux-based Developer Edition, and the 2-in-1 are all Dell’s first laptops to meet Intel’s Evo spec, guaranteeing a baseline level of performance. On top of 11th Gen Core processors ranging up to the Core i7-1185G7, the XPS 13 will have available Iris Xe integrated graphics, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and Wi-Fi 6. Evo also promises nine hours of battery life with a 1080p-level display and four hours of battery life from a 30-minute charge.

You’ll also get support for up to 32GB of RAM (now at 4,267MHz instead of 3,733MHz), a 2TB SSD, and a 4K touchscreen with DisplayHDR 400. Systems start with a Core i3, 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, and a 1,920 x 1,200 screen. A microSD slot and headphone jack come standard on the design, whose nearly bezel-free design will seem quite familiar.

Certain models have their own new features. The 2020 edition of the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 adds an infrared camera for Windows Hello logins. A future frost color will replace the arctic white option. And if you get frustrated with Microsoft or just want an easy Linux option, there’s now functionality to turn a Windows XPS 13 system into a Developer Edition where Ubuntu either sits side-by-side or replaces Windows entirely.

Read more: The best Dell laptops

Dell will make its 2020 XPS 13 lineup available in North America on October 1 starting at the customary $999 for a standard laptop, and $1,249 for the 2-in-1 variant. This isn’t the first laptop line with 11th Gen Core, but it may be one of the most important. The XPS 13 is considered a go-to laptop for its balance of speed, portability, and design, and it might maintain that reputation by moving so quickly to Intel’s newer CPUs.