The return of Dell’s XPS lineup at CES 2026 was centred on lightweight performance, and that will remain a key focus for its new offerings. Coming in at 1.49kg and 1.79kg, respectively, the Dell 14S and 16S offer another choice for users seeking both style and substance, with their form factor catering to different demands.
The 14-inch laptop, ideal for productivity on the move, touts 97 percent higher multitasking performance versus the previous generation (or so the company claims), while its bigger sibling balances a heavy workload with immersive entertainment by clocking a 59 percent improvement over last-generation devices. Both models run on the latest Series 3 Intel Core processors, up to the Ultra 9 386H, and feature built-in AI acceleration and up to 50 TOPS of NPU (Neural Processing Unit) power.
Alternatively, the 14S and 16S can be outfitted with AMD Ryzen AI 400 Series CPUs, alongside two display options each: a glossy OLED touchscreen and anti-glare OLED non-touchscreen FHD+ configuration (1,920 x 1,200 pixels) for the former — accompanied by a 60Hz refresh rate, 300-nit peak brightness, and the ComfortView eye-care technology — and a FHD+ touchscreen and QHD+ (2,560 x 1,600 pixels) standard panel for the 16S. The FHD+ iteration tops out at a 60Hz refresh rate and 400 nits of brightness, compared to 120Hz and 500 nits on the latter.
Other notable features include Dolby Atmos-tuned speakers and Smart Amplifier technology for clearer dialogue, richer sound, and louder volume, on-device Copilot+ capabilities that grant access to various AI-powered tools, and a 24-hour productivity battery life for the 14S (up to 18 hours of streaming) and a 26-hour streaming battery life for the 16S (up to 14 hours of productivity).
The Dell 14S and 16S are available for purchase now, with AMD Ryzen AI 400 Series processor options coming later this month. Both models start at S$2,199 and S$2,349, respectively, for their base configurations (16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage).
Over on the gaming front, the Alienware 15 marks the latest addition to a portfolio comprising the 16 and 16X Aurora class, and the flagship Area-51 models. Weighing in at 2.25kg, it offers four chip options: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050, RTX 4050, RTX 5050, and RTX 5060, which can be paired with the Intel Core 7 (Series 2) 240H and Intel Core 5 (Series 2) 210H processors, or the AMD Ryzen 7 260 and Ryzen 5 220 CPUs.
The device also boasts a WUXGA panel (1,920 x 1,200 pixels) and a 165Hz refresh rate, alongside a peak brightness of 300 nits and AMD FreeSync technology for smoother, tear-free gameplay. In terms of heat management, the laptop is equipped with a tower hinge that allows 180-degree opening for optimised rear exhaust airflow, and a Cryo-Chamber cooling solution designed for greater air intake.
Additionally, users can expect a stealth-mode hotkey that swaps Performance to Quiet mode, user-replaceable GDDR5 memory and SSD storage, and a port array comprising an RJ45 Ethernet port, HDMI 2.1 support, two USB-A ports, and two USB-C ports (one with charging support).
The Alienware 15 will be available from 15 May, with pricing starting at US$1,299 and US$1,349 for the AMD and Intel models, respectively.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Kevin Low
