Exclusive images: This is Dell's upcoming lineup with Elite X & Intel Ultra CPUs

A few months ago, Microsoft announced that 2024 would be the year of AI computing. While back then, no one knew what to expect, that announcement also included the brand-new Copilot Key, which is pretty familiar by now. With this standalone change, the Redmond giant has changed (and probably will continue to do so) the way each desktop & laptop keyboard looks like.

The company also mentioned that its partner OEMs (Lenovo, HP, or Dell) would release devices sporting the new Copilot Key. Lenovo actually released its new YOGA lineup back in March, and all of the new devices included the Copilot Key.

Now it’s Dell’s turn: its upcoming lineup, which includes the new Inspiron 14 7441 Plus, the brand-new XPS 13 9345, and other models with slight refreshes, integrates the Copilot Key. Thanks to our trusted sources, we have exclusive images of these devices.

Dell’s first Elite X laptop looks thinner than ever

As the age of AI computing can’t come soon enough, we’ll start with the new Inspiron 14 7441 Plus. Its specs have been leaked quite recently by Geekbench Browser (via Windows Latest), and it seems that it will have a Snapdragon X Elite, with 16 Cores.

The leaked specs also mention that the Inspiron 14 7441 Plus will be released with the Windows 11 24H2 Preview Build, which will reportedly add the new AI Explorer and many other AI capabilities.

It will be interesting to see how the AI Explorer runs at just 16 GB, as this is the base RAM the Inspiron 14 7441 Plus will be equipped with. However, this new laptop is Dell’s first official foray into Elite X territory, so it’s safe to say this is an upcoming Windows AI device.

While the 7441 Plus’s design language is similar to that of the classic Inspiron, the whole body looks a lot sleeker, maybe significantly slimmer than before. The rounded edges ensure a comfortable hold when carrying it, while the port selection includes two USB-C, one USB-A, and a microSD card slot. And let’s not forget the new addition to the keyboard, the Copilot key.

It’s definitely not a gaming or creative-work laptop, but it will do just fine for business and productivity, especially with the fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button. The most interesting addition is the front camera array, which will surely be Windows Hello-ready. From our images, it also seems to include multiple other sensors, making it a true workhorse when it comes to videoconferencing.

XPS 13 goes Plus?

On the other hand, the new XPS 13 9345 not only sports the brand new Copilot Key, but it is very similar in design to the Dell XPS 13 Plus, which was released last year, in 2023. The well-known XPS design is already a staple, most boasting it as the true MacBook contender from the Windows side.

However, if the 13 Plus has an impressive 13th Generation Intel Core i7-1360P (12 cores, up to 5.0 GHz), and 32 GB LPDDR, the new Dell XPS 13 9345 is AI-ready and might be equipped with either Elite X or an Intel Ultra processor.

If we are to take any hints from the leaked specs for the Inspiron 14 7441 Plus, is that Dell is embracing the Qualcomm fever, so the former option might be the one. But we’ll have to wait and see.

Fortunately, we won’t have to wait that long. Microsoft is planning to release the 2024 Update to Windows 11 later this year, and in anticipation, many OEMs, including Dell, will release their new devices by then. Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that Qualcomm is set to break into the PC CPU market by the end of this summer, so we’re estimating a release of these new devices around August/September.

As for the other specs, the Dell XPS 13 9345 will most likely be an upgrade from the XPS 13 Plus. Remember, the upcoming AI Explorer is quite demanding, requiring a minimum of 16 GB to work, but considering that most XPS laptops start at 16 or 32 GB, this won’t be an issue.

The design, however, is unchanged. Apart from the new Copilot key, the XPS 13 9345 has the sleek, ultramobile look of its older brother, making it a winner for many. Sadly, we’re still left with only 2 USB-Cs and, despite all the feedback, that incredibly cool but also incredibly annoying touch-sensitive row for the function keys.

The keyboard is classic XPS-styled, this time with the new Copilot key integrated neatly next to the alt key. And yes, the no-borders trackpad isn’t going anywhere, but that’s a good thing as it proved to be extremely accurate and reliable in the past.

There’s no price mention yet, but considering last year’s hefty prices and the fact that the new XPS 13 9345 will most probably be the most powerful 13-inch device with an OLED screen and incredible build quality, it won’t be cheap, that’s for sure.

With some of these new lineups emerging, we’re seeing a new trend settling in: minor changes with a major focus on AI. That’s not to say that this will be the case with all the new releases from 2024, but is AI enough for most to buy a brand-new PC? Share your take in the comments below and we’ll continue the talk.