Dell outs new XPS 12 2-in-1, XPS 15, revamped XPS 13

Dell has announced a revamp of its XPS laptop range, including the launch of a 12" convertible boasting the market's first 4K resolution display.

Announced just after Microsoft's Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book reveal, Dell's revamped XPS family begins with the all-new XPS 12. Based on the same tablet-laptop convertible hybrid concept as the Surface Book, the two-in-one device is the first on the market to feature the option of an Ultra HD consumer 4K display panel. The tablet portion can operate independently of the laptop docking portion, with the two connecting using a magnetic catch - and closing fully, unlike the unique hinge of the Surface Book. More familiar is the kick-stand at the rear, looking for all the world like the one included on the Surface and Surface Pro line-up, which is part of the Dell Premier Folio case bundled with all XPS 12 units.

For those looking for a more traditional laptop, the revamped XPS 13 - claimed to be the smallest 13" laptop on the planet - now features an even smaller bezel on the 'InfinityEdge' display, Skylake processor options, up to 1TB of SSD storage and 16GB of RAM, and a claimed 18 hours and 14 minutes of battery life per charge when built with a Full HD display.

Finally, for those looking for more power the larger XPS 15 offers the same InfinityEdge display and design as its smaller stablemate but with more screen real-estate and an UltraSharp Ultra HD display. Quad-core Skylake processors are available, Dell has confirmed, along with the option of Nvidia GeForce GTX 960M discrete graphics with 2GB dedicated VRAM. Both mainstream XPS models also include Thunderbolt 3 ports, in addition to the usual inputs and outputs.

The company has also announced new accessories for the family: the Dell Thunderbolt Dock TB15 allows the units to connect to up to three Full HD or two Ultra HD external displays; the Dell Dock WD15 offers connectivity to two Full HD displays, Ethernet, audio, and USB via a USB Type-C cable; the Dell Power Companion adds a 12,000mAh or 18,000mAh external battery to the XPS 13 and 15 for ten and nine extra hours of use respectively; the Dell Adapter USB Type-C to HDMI/VGA/Ethernet/USB3.0 dongle does exactly what its name suggests; the Dell Bluetooth Mouse WM615 'transforms from comfort to ultra-portability'; and the Dell Active Pen, exclusive for the XPS 12, is the company's equivalent to the Surface Pen.

UK pricing and availability for the new machines and accessories have yet to be confirmed, with US RRP starting at $999 for the XPS 15, $799 for the XPS 13, and $999 for the XPS 12.