Skip to main content

Dell leaks more specs for upcoming XPS 12 2-in-1

dell leaks more specs for upcoming xps 12 2 in 1 01
Dell
The Dell XPS 12 was one of the first legitimately good Windows 2-in-1 devices. Its unique display swivels within its frame, making the switch between notebook and tablet as quick as it is intuitive. Yet Dell hasn’t redesigned the system since its release in 2012, and it’s now outclassed by thinner competitors.

A new model is coming to rectify that. We heard rumors of it early last month, when leaks indicated the new system would have a 4K, thin-bezel Infinity Display, and would ditch the swivel frame design for a more conventional keyboard dock. The leaks also said the new XPS 12 will feature a stylus, and 8MP rear-facing camera, a 5MP front-facing camera, and support both Thunderbolt 3 and USB Type-C.

Now, thanks to a post on Dell’s Malaysian website, we know even more. A “coming soon” post there indicates that the new model will connect to its keyboard dock with a magnetic connector, similar to the Google Pixel C and Microsoft Surface 3. Users will be able to choose from two keyboard dock options. One is extremely thin and light, while the other bulks up to add an extra USB Type-C port, two USB 3.0, and HDMI. The stylus will be an active digitizer pen, as well.

The other specifications outline the XPS 12 as a high-end system. A 1080p screen will be standard, while the 4K model will use IGZO technology and pack 352 pixels into every inch. Core M processors provide hardware power, RAM will be available in 4GB or 8GB quantities, and M.2 SATA solid state drives will provide storage. The battery will have 30 watt-hours of capacity, which frankly seems a bit small – I doubt the new model will significantly outperform the old one in battery life tests.

We still don’t know how much the new XPS 12 is going to cost, but given the specifications, it seems likely it’ll be in the neighborhood of $1,000 to start, and $1,300 or more for the deluxe, 4K model. That’s a lot, but it’s in line with other premium 2-in-1s – don’t get your hopes up if you have less than a grand to spend.

Availability also remains an unknown. But, given that this came from a “coming soon” page, it’s reasonable to expect we’ll see it this holiday season.

Editors' Recommendations

Matthew S. Smith
Matthew S. Smith is the former Lead Editor, Reviews at Digital Trends. He previously guided the Products Team, which dives…
Apple Mac Mini M2 vs. M1: don’t make a buying mistake
Apple Mac Mini M1 sitting on a desk.

Apple's new Mac Mini M2 promises better performance and features at a lower price. But with the next-gen machine now out and making the rounds, you can score a deal on a last-gen Mac Mini M1. Which should you buy?

With the same external design and similar port selection, the Mac Mini M2 looks like an internal-only upgrade to Apple's mini desktop. There are some significant differences compared to the M1 model, however, and they can make a huge difference in performance.
Pricing

Read more
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 vs. Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5i: which 2-in-1 is best?
The screen of the Surface Pro 9 on a table.

Microsoft's Surface Pro 9 represents the latest version of what's become the industry standard for detachable tablet 2-in-1s. It's also one of the best laptops, period. Meanwhile, Lenovo's IdeaPad Duet 5i is an audacious new competitor, going up against an established machine.

There's one major factor differentiating the two: the price. The IdeaPad Duet 5i is significantly less expensive (and configurable) than the Surface Pro 9. Does that give it enough of a leg to stand on?
Specs and configurations

Read more
Why DisplayPort 2.1 could become a big deal for PC gaming in 2023
Cable management on the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8.

DisplayPort 2.1 became a much bigger talking point than expected when AMD revealed its upcoming RX 7900 XTX and RX 7900 XT GPUs. It's the latest standard from DisplayPort, a revision to the 2.0 spec released in 2019, and it's a natural inclusion for next-gen GPUs. There's just one problem -- Nvidia's behemoth RTX 4090 still uses DisplayPort 1.4a.

Although the 1.4a spec is still more than enough for most people, the inclusion of DisplayPort 2.1 does give AMD an advantage this generation. No, I'm not here to sell you on 8K gaming -- in some parts of the world, 8K may not even be possible -- but for a crowd of competitive gamers and VR enthusiasts, DisplayPort 2.1 could mark a major shift.
An update four years in the making
The EVGA RTX 3050 XC Black includes three DisplayPort connections and a single HDMI. Jacob Roach / Digital Trends

Read more