https://gizmodo.com/dell-admits-it-made-a-huge-mistake-when-it-abandoned-xps-2000705053 [p] Skip to content Gizmodo * Latest * News * Reviews * io9 * Science * Deals * Downloads Newsletters Gadgets Dell Admits It Made a Huge Mistake When It Abandoned XPS Though not all its famed brands are coming back alongside a new XPS 14 and 16. By Kyle Barr Published January 5, 2026 Reading time 2 minutes The Dell XPS 14 and 16 sport similar seamless trackpads and keyboards, though they have thankfully brought back a phyiscal function row. The Dell XPS 14 and 16 sport similar seamless trackpads and keyboards, though they have thankfully brought back a phyiscal function row. (c) Kyle Barr / Gizmodo Read Later Read Later Comments (19) "It was obvious we needed to change," Jeff Clarke, Dell's chief operating officer, told a gaggle of smirking, self-satisfied tech reporters. After a year in the grave, XPS is back as Dell's "premium consumer" brand of laptops. Mea culpas aside, the next XPS laptop goes back to basics but still tries to keep some of the laptop's more outlandish elements. At last year's CES, Dell made the eyebrow-raising decision to ax all its legacy laptop brand names and instead opt for Apple-like conventions. Instead of XPS, we were forced to comprehend the differences between a "Dell," a "Dell Pro," a "Dell Premium," and a "Dell Pro Max." "This complicated brand we called Dell last year... was trying to cover this very large consumer space with lots of similar products," Clarke said. Now those non-XPS products are mostly dedicated to the base consumer and entry-level laptops, "no pluses, minuses, squares, or whatever the hell else we called them." Dell Xps 16 2The old logo is back as well. (c) Kyle Barr / Gizmodo "We won't chase every competitor down every rabbit hole," he added. What that means is we probably won't see any kind of handheld PC from Alienware, like that age-old UFO design showed off back in 2020. Just as well, Dell isn't remodeling its entire laptop lineup for a second time in two years. The company isn't bringing back brand names like Inspiron (which became mere "Dells) or Latitude (which transformed into "Dell Pro). According to Clarke, Dell Pro "still tests well." Whether or not you're happy with your Dell Pro Premium Plus Max Crunchwrap Supreme, the XPS line now includes 14- and 16-inch models sporting up to an Intel Core Ultra X7 or X9 chip for more GPU capabilities. The revised XPS also includes the brand name stenciled on the laptop lid. Otherwise, the notebook is getting back to basics. The 14-inch model starts at 3 pounds in weight and is barely more than 0.5 inches thick. Plus, it contains a 2.8K OLED screen as an option. Dell Xps 14 1The new Dell XPS 14 sports options up to a high-end Intel Core Ultra X9 388H CPU. (c) Kyle Barr / Gizmodo The new versions of XPS laptops no longer have the glowing "touch function" row keys of recent editions that proved terrible for the sake of accessibility. Dell has maintained the seamless trackpad and squared keyboard keys that help make the XPS laptops visually unique. If you're not a big fan of keyboards with no space between keys, you probably won't enjoy the XPS' big reunion tour. Whether or not this is Dell playing 5D chess and creating demand for XPS by taking it away, the next Dell XPS 14 starts at $2,050, while the 16-inch model will demand $2,200 starting Jan. 6. If you think that's high, that's because Dell revised its price point from $1,650 and $1,850, respectively. Just as Dell hinted to Gizmodo back in December, it's taking "targeted price adjustments" in response to the ongoing chip shortage. A new XPS 13 will come later this year. Gizmodo is on the ground in Las Vegas all week bringing you everything you need to know about the tech unveiled at CES 2026. You can follow our CES live blog here and find all our coverage here. This post was amended Jan. 5 at 8:30 p.m. ET to reflect pricing changes posted by Dell. Explore more on these topics CES 2026 Dell Laptops Share this story Copied! Join our Newsletters Subscribe and interact with our community, get up to date with our customised Newsletters and much more. Gizmodo [*] io9 [*] Earther [*] [ ] Subscribe now Leave this field empty if you're human: [ ] Live Updates From CES 2026 in Las Vegas Gizmodo CES 2026 Live Blog(c) Gizmodo Latest news Jan 11 5:51 pm The 2026 Golden Globes Are Tonight. Here's Everything You Need To Know Jan 11 5:14 pm Trump Administration Wants to Achieve 'Pax Silica' Through AI. 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