Dell will no longer make XPS computers

[6Foot2]

Link: Dell will no longer make XPS computers - Ars Technica

 

After ditching the traditional Dell XPS laptop look in favor of the polarizing design of the XPS 13 Plus released in 2022, Dell is killing the XPS branding that has become a mainstay for people seeking a sleek, respectable, well-priced PC.

 

This means that there won't be any more Dell XPS clamshell ultralight laptops, 2-in-1 laptops, or desktops. Dell is also killing its Latitude, Inspiron, and Precision branding, it announced today.

 

Moving forward, Dell computers will have either just Dell branding, which Dell’s announcement today described as “designed for play, school, and work,” Dell Pro branding “for professional-grade productivity,” or be Dell Pro Max products, which are “designed for maximum performance." Dell will release Dell and Dell Pro-branded displays, accessories, and "services," it said. The Pro Max line will feature laptops and desktop workstations with professional-grade GPU capabilities as well as a new thermal design.

 

Dell claims its mid-tier Pro line emphasizes durability, “withstanding three times as many hinge cycles, drops, and bumps from regular use as competitor devices.” The statement is based on “internal analysis of multiple durability tests performed" on the Dell Pro 14 Plus (released today) and HP EliteBook 640 G11 laptops conducted in November. Also based on internal testing conducted in November, Dell claims its Pro PCs boost "airflow by 20 percent, making these Dell’s quietest commercial laptops ever.”

 

Within each line are base models, Plus models, and Premium models. In a blog post, Kevin Terwilliger, VP and GM of commercial, consumer, and gaming PCs at Dell, explained that Plus models offer “the most scalable performance” and Premium models offer "the ultimate in mobility and design.”

 

By those naming conventions, old-time Dell users could roughly equate XPS laptops with new Dell Premium products.

 

“The Dell portfolio will expand later this year to include more AMD and Snapdragon X Series processor options," Terwilliger wrote. "We will also introduce new devices in the base tier, which offers everyday devices that provide effortless use and practical design, and the Premium tier, which continues the XPS legacy loved by consumers and prosumers alike."

 

Meanwhile, Dell Pro base models feel like Dell’s now-defunct Latitude lineup, while its Precision workstations may best align with 2025’s Dell Pro Max offerings.

 

Dell will maintain its Alienware line of gaming PCs and peripherals (Dell acquired Alienware in 2006).

 

Dell’s reasoning

 

In a press release, Dell looked to explain the changes, arguing that more “unified branding” will make it “easier and faster to find the right PCs, accessories, and services.”

 

The new marketing tactics also align with Dell's (and virtually every other PC brand’s) efforts to push so-called “AI PCs” onto consumers. Per Terwilliger:

 

Keen eyes may have seen this coming. In addition to overhauling the XPS lineup to a polarizing design—including a borderless haptic touchpad, lattice-free keyboard, and capacitive touch function row—in early 2024, Dell also discontinued the XPS 17, XPS 15, and XPS 2-in-1 detachable last year.

 

On the other hand, Dell’s XPS lines, as well as its business lines, have become popular go-tos for consumer and business users seeking reliable performance and pricing. For the unaffiliated, it may not have been immediately obvious why one should buy an XPS over a Latitude. But after a small amount of research and years of Dell pushing these differentiated lines, many technologists had become well accustomed to Dell's branding, what each line broadly represented, and the type of users each line targeted.

 

The new product line names are also pretty similar to one another and to the naming of the sub-tiers. Moving to Standard, Pro, and Pro Max branding with Base, Plus, and Premium sub-tiers may not immediately convey which products are for consumers versus businesses, creative professionals, budget shoppers, or big spenders.

 

It’s also hard to immediately see how this new branding would help clarify the AI capabilities of computers. Simultaneously, people remain skeptical about the need for AI features in their computers at all. For example, a survey of 6,000 people in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom that Intel conducted in November found that 44 percent of respondents see AI PCs “as a gimmick or futuristic technology," and 53 percent believe that AI PCs "are only for creatives or technical professionals.” New, less imaginative branding is unlikely to clear those doubts.

[Norphy]

Ok, I can get why Dell felt the need to tidy up their branding. Unless you’re familiar with the lines, you’re not going to know the difference between a Vostro/Inspiron/OptiPlex/Latitude/Dimension/Precision/XPS.

 

But having read that article earlier, I’m not even slightly convinced that what they’re replacing it with is any better.

 

Dell

Dell Plus

Dell Premium

Dell Pro

Dell Pro Plus

Dell Pro Premium

Dell Pro Max

Dell Pro Max Plus

Dell Pro Max Premium

 

Is a Dell Pro Premium better than a Dell Pro Max? I do think they need to more clearly differentiate their product lines but this ain’t the way to do it.

Edited January 6, 2025 by Norphy

[Roberto]

Ok, I can get why Dell felt the need to tidy up their branding. Unless you’re familiar with the lines, you’re not going to know the difference between a Vostro/Inspiron/OptiPlex/Latitude/Dimension/Precision/XPS.

 

But having read that article earlier, I’m not even slightly convinced that what they’re replacing it with is any better.

 

Dell

Dell Plus

Dell Premium

Dell Pro

Dell Pro Plus

Dell Pro Premium

Dell Pro Max

Dell Pro Max Plus

Dell Pro Max Premium

 

Is a Dell Pro Premium better than a Dell Pro Max? I do think they need to more clearly differentiate their product lines but this ain’t the way to do it.

 

I feel like they're trying to copy Apple somewhat, except of course that Apple only ever carry a few SKUs of each product so its easier to figure out what is going on.

[dmj]

Based on my personal experience with their laptops, I might have chosen a different term for their entry-level model, but it's not one I'd use on Edugeek for fear of a ban.

[DalekSec]

For ease of understanding:

 

[Rob_D]

For ease of understanding:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]72876[/ATTACH]

If anything, that's more confusing that Norphy's list.

[DrCheese]

So the Latitude 5000 series we buy currently is now the

 

"Dell Pro Plus"

 

https://www.proplus.co.uk/

 

:|

[Dos_Box]

I've had a couple of XPS laptops over the years and all have been very solid. I'm currently on a Vostro as it has LOTS of connectivity options (also becuase my old laptop died during lockdown and the Vostro was the only one at a 'reasonable' price at the time).

Their renaming strategy seems to resemble that taken by Intel recently with a mass of confusing brading options.

Still, at least it's not like HP and their Many-Digit-Model-Numbers approach some time back.

[GrumbleDook]

Now, do I want a Dell Pro Plus Max, or a Dell Max Pro Premium Plus?

 

Dellplus Promax Premium? Sounds more like an antacid!

[Arthur]

 

According to the video above, Dell will also use model numbers so you will be able to ID them that way.

 

Edited January 7, 2025 by Arthur

[hardtailstar]

So the Latitude 5000 series we buy currently is now the

 

"Dell Pro Plus"

 

https://www.proplus.co.uk/

 

:|

 

It'll keep you awake......

 

Gone are the days I used Pro Plus after getting in from an all nighter and going to work a few hours later

 

My 2015 Dell XPS has lasted 10 years and if I can get to the bottom of its current issues then it should last a few more. I cant upgrade to Windows 11 its not liked the CPU and support for Windows 10 ends later this year....

 

Given the naming titles, I think someone at Dell is an Apple fan.....

[MrEprise]

I've had a couple of XPS laptops over the years and all have been very solid. I'm currently on a Vostro as it has LOTS of connectivity options (also becuase my old laptop died during lockdown and the Vostro was the only one at a 'reasonable' price at the time).

Their renaming strategy seems to resemble that taken by Intel recently with a mass of confusing brading options.

 

Like you, I also bought a Vostro a little while ago for similar reasons being lots of connectivity and the ability to upgrade RAM and Storage. I notice they've not said what they're doing with the Vostro brand though, or will they quietly discontinue it again?

 

Still, at least it's not like HP and their Many-Digit-Model-Numbers approach some time back.

 

I have 4 different HP laptops here within arms reach. 2 of them have slightly more logical model names/numbers such as EliteBook 840 G6 and 250 G7. Then there are the 2 cheaper (and near identical) models I've had to buy in - where budget was tight, which have silly model designations such as 14s-dq0509sa & 14s-dq0518sa.

[Dos_Box]

Now, do I want a Dell Pro Plus Max, or a Dell Max Pro Premium Plus?

 

Dellplus Promax Premium? Sounds more like an antacid!

 

Yes Ceaser?

[Rob_D]

Like you, I also bought a Vostro a little while ago for similar reasons being lots of connectivity and the ability to upgrade RAM and Storage. I notice they've not said what they're doing with the Vostro brand though, or will they quietly discontinue it again?

 

Looks like the Vostro line was merged with Inspirion back in June. https://www.dell.com/en-uk/lp/vostro-update

 

I either way can't imagine they'd be left out of the "great renaming" and would assume that most of the Vostro Skews would wind up as Dell Pro somethings.