Dell XPS 16 Redesign Impresses, But the Keyboard Holds It Back

Verdict: A Near-Perfect Ultrabook With One Big Caveat

The Dell XPS 16 is a premium Windows laptop that combines a refined redesign, powerful Intel hardware, and a tandem OLED display, but its zero-lattice keyboard with shallow key travel makes it a compromise for heavy typists and power users focused on accuracy and comfort over aesthetics. From the first boot, it feels like a flagship: the CNC‑aluminum chassis, dark Graphite finish, and slim profile under four pounds give it the kind of presence that usually belongs to top-tier machines. Yet, despite the design gains and spec options that run up to a Core Ultra X9 388H with 64GB RAM and 4TB storage, the Dell XPS 16 keyboard keeps this machine from being the default choice for people who type all day. For creators, frequent travelers, and those who value style and screen quality, the trade-off may be worth it; for keyboard purists, it is still a sticking point.

Design, Display and Build: XPS Back to Its Best

This XPS 16 redesign abandons the older sloping profile for a clean rectangular look, and it suits the machine perfectly. The CNC‑machined aluminum chassis and Gorilla Glass surfaces give it stiffness and a premium feel that matches other high-end ultrabooks. At 3.65lbs and around 0.58in thick, it is impressively portable for a 16‑inch laptop and competes well with thin‑and‑light rivals. The OLED touchscreen is a highlight: a 16‑inch 3.2K tandem panel with a 20–120Hz refresh range and 400‑nit brightness, bringing deep blacks and lively colors that make both creative work and streaming look excellent. A quad‑speaker array with 10W peak output and an 8MP 4K HDR webcam add to the sense that this is a modern flagship. As one quotable summary: “Dell improved the build quality and design while putting an Intel Core Series 3 chip inside.”

Performance, Ports and the Usual Premium Ultrabook Tradeoffs

With the Series 3 Intel Core Ultra X7 358H, 32GB of dual‑channel LPDDR5x, and a 1TB PCIe 4 SSD, the reviewed XPS 16 configuration is built for demanding multitasking and creative workloads. Intel Arc integrated graphics keep it in the productivity and light‑creation lane rather than full‑fat gaming, but that matches the ultrabook positioning. The smaller XPS 14 shows what this platform can do: in image and video conversion tests it scores 263 points overall, close to similarly specced rivals, and delivers respectable IPS contrast at over 1,800:1. The tradeoffs are familiar for premium ultrabooks. Battery life and charging need work, and the XPS 16 relies solely on three Thunderbolt 4 ports plus a headphone jack. While you can adapt USB‑C to everything, other laptops in this tier offer HDMI, USB‑A, and SD slots on the chassis itself, which many users will find more practical.

The Dell XPS 16 Keyboard: Style Over Comfort

The Dell XPS 16 keyboard is where the redesign both shines and stumbles. Dell has kept the zero‑lattice layout: keys sit flush with no gaps between them, creating a sleek grid that looks modern and maximizes surface area. The company fixed past frustrations by restoring a physical function row, replacing the old capacitive strip with real keys, which is a clear usability win. However, the combination of zero lattice and just 0.8mm of key travel makes typing error‑prone for many people. The reviewer notes they were “prone to making errors while typing,” a common complaint among those who spend long days in word processors or IDEs. By contrast, the XPS 14’s zero‑lattice board feels light and crisp but has more deck around it and a slightly more forgiving action. Competing premium Windows laptop keyboards from other brands tend to offer deeper travel and clearer key separation, which feel more traditional and comfortable for touch typists.

Keyboard vs Rivals: How Much Compromise Is Too Much?

Among premium ultrabooks, the XPS 16 keyboard is one of the boldest departures from the conventional Windows laptop keyboard. While it might be the “perfect middle ground” for users who value a clean look and can adapt to the feel, it still trails rivals that prioritize typing comfort. Other laptops in the same price tier pair deep key travel with standard spacing, giving your fingers clearer landing zones during long emails or code sessions. At the same time, those machines often avoid some of Dell’s other tradeoffs by including ports such as USB‑A and HDMI directly on the chassis, instead of forcing reliance on Thunderbolt docks and dongles. In short, the XPS 16 redesign solves past grievances around the function row and invisible touchpad, and the hardware and screen are excellent. The remaining question is whether you are willing to accept a stylish but polarizing keyboard as the price of admission.