Dell XPS 13 Improvements 2021

Question

Hello All!

I am *really* interested in buying a Dell XPS 13 with 32 GB of RAM and UHD+.

I am wondering what the anticipated improvements are going to be for the next, upcoming XPS 13 models (later this year? Early 2022?).

I am hoping for PCIe Gen 4, so I can have an NVMe with amazingly fast read and write speeds. Also, an i9 processor - oh that would be awesome! I think with the above specs, I'd have my dream laptop.

Has anyone heard anything about what Dell's plans are for the XPS 13? Do we know when we can expect their next amazing version of the XPS 13 to be released?

My credit card is in my hand and waiting....

Tiny

ejn63 · Accepted Answer

The XPS 9310 is a relatively recent release, so it's unlikely you'll see another 13" XPS until either very late this year (more likely early 2022).

No, you'll not see an i9 CPU in a 13" ultra-light -- even a 15" chassis can't keep such a CPU running within thermal limits without a bulky design (put one in a 15" XPS or Macbook for example, and it'll throttle to the point where it's slower than an i7 CPU).

Intel's next round of CPUs should finally make it fully to a 10 nm die -- that line (Alder Lake) is due in late 21 or early 22, which is very likely when you'll see the next XPS 13 released.

It's also when you're likely to see the requisite chipset support for PCIe 4 -- which Intel has begun releasing, but only for full-power CPUs -- not the lower power ones used in the XPS 13 just yet.

Carefully consider the trade-off of a UHD screen in a system this size as well - it will very severely cut battery runtime (there's only so large you can make a battery in a system this slim, and the UHD screen is a power-hungry device).

Tiny_Tech · Answer

What an outstanding answer.  Lots of useful information and things to consider.  Thank you very much!   Tiny

GonzoP · Answer

FYI it seems that the XPS 13 9310 actually supports PCIe gen 4 if you are willing to replace the drive, even though it lists gen 3 for storage in all documentation.

https://www.dell.com/community/XPS/Does-XPS-13-9310-i7-1185G7-support-PCIe-Gen-4-SSD-speeds/m-p/7821256/highlight/true#M79958

https://old.reddit.com/r/Dell/comments/m041if/xps_13_9310_with_samsung_980_pro_pcie_gen_4_ssd/

ECharles · Answer

In addition, there is always a newer model right around the corner. Wait until January/February and the next model is probably only 6 months away, so maybe you should wait for that.

My strategy is a but different. Instead of buying what I need now, I buy what I'll need tomorrow and, quite frankly, I've found that I'm using computers far longer than normal.

I recently assigned 4 D430 (2007) computers to a project that I'm working on that required internet access only. They are all running Windows 10 quite happily - the limitation is the 2Gb of memory.

I'm still using a Lenovo X220 (2011) as my "guest" computer in my house and my daughter-in-law is using my other X220 for a university class - both with i7 and 16gb.

My current two 9360s (i7/8Gb) should keep me going for the next couple of years as will my Precision 5530 (i9/32Gb).

Why do I buy top spec? The 5530 for example (now 2 years old) is about as fast than the top spec current 9310 with the latest i7.

My point? Buy a new computer when you need one. Buy the best spec you can afford and it will serve you well for many years.

Tiny_Tech · Answer

Thank you for your very well-thought-out, insightful reply!

Tiny_Tech · Answer

Very good to know!  I certainly am all for upgrading the NVMe.  I´m a big fan of the Samsung 980 Pro 1 TB.  It would be a brilliant addition to an XPS 13.

Dhanvinsh94 · Answer

I also do have expectation but with the new alder lake I guess it holds to buy this in 2022. i7 is good enough especially with several updates in alder lake. I just hope that Dell doesn't limit cpu wattage to 15 watts even in high performance modes

XPS

Dell XPS 13 Improvements 2021

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