Dell has finally admitted its mistake in getting rid of the XPS brand last year, a move that was widely criticized by many as a step backwards for the company's flagship consumer devices. The iconic laptop brand stood for excellent design, quality engineering, and top-notch performance, which were the reasons behind its consistent success in best Windows laptop guides over the past decade.
However, when Dell decided to rebrand XPS with "premium" instead of sticking to what made it great in the first place - the actual name XPS - it felt like a big mistake. The term premium is meant to signify something better than average, but replacing XPS with that word was like throwing away its best part. The company's strategy to simplify its product portfolio by getting rid of budget and entry-level models left many customers waiting for a proper redesign of its top-tier Premium laptops, which weren't expected until 2026.
Fortunately, it seems Dell has learned from its mistakes. At CES 2026, the company is bringing back its iconic XPS brand, starting with the new XPS 14 and XPS 16 models. This includes an all-new version of the XPS 13, which will be the thinnest and lightest model to date, as well as complete overhauls for the XPS 14 and XPS 16.
Dell is also acknowledging some of the criticism it received in the past by returning to segmented touchpads instead of seamless all-glass slates and ditching capacitive function keys for good 'ol buttons. The company's new naming strategy will simplify its product portfolio, with XPS once again being the company's flagship consumer brand.
The CEO, Jeff Clarke, has stated that "great products win," which seems like a straightforward approach to fixing past mistakes. By bringing back its iconic XPS brand and addressing criticisms head-on, Dell is poised for a major comeback in the consumer laptop market. The company's willingness to admit its mistake and learn from it will likely resonate with customers who have been waiting patiently for their beloved XPS devices.
The return of XPS at CES 2026 marks an exciting development for PC enthusiasts, and we can expect more updates on this story as the event unfolds.
However, when Dell decided to rebrand XPS with "premium" instead of sticking to what made it great in the first place - the actual name XPS - it felt like a big mistake. The term premium is meant to signify something better than average, but replacing XPS with that word was like throwing away its best part. The company's strategy to simplify its product portfolio by getting rid of budget and entry-level models left many customers waiting for a proper redesign of its top-tier Premium laptops, which weren't expected until 2026.
Fortunately, it seems Dell has learned from its mistakes. At CES 2026, the company is bringing back its iconic XPS brand, starting with the new XPS 14 and XPS 16 models. This includes an all-new version of the XPS 13, which will be the thinnest and lightest model to date, as well as complete overhauls for the XPS 14 and XPS 16.
Dell is also acknowledging some of the criticism it received in the past by returning to segmented touchpads instead of seamless all-glass slates and ditching capacitive function keys for good 'ol buttons. The company's new naming strategy will simplify its product portfolio, with XPS once again being the company's flagship consumer brand.
The CEO, Jeff Clarke, has stated that "great products win," which seems like a straightforward approach to fixing past mistakes. By bringing back its iconic XPS brand and addressing criticisms head-on, Dell is poised for a major comeback in the consumer laptop market. The company's willingness to admit its mistake and learn from it will likely resonate with customers who have been waiting patiently for their beloved XPS devices.
The return of XPS at CES 2026 marks an exciting development for PC enthusiasts, and we can expect more updates on this story as the event unfolds.