Dell began selling its XPS laptops again today, a move that reverses the company's January 2025 decision to discontinue the line. The revival includes 16- and 14-inch XPS laptops, marking a return to a product line known for its consumer ultralight laptops.

Jeff Clarke, vice chairman and COO at Dell Technologies, announced the return at a press event in New York City previewing Dell's CES 2026 announcements. "It was obvious we needed to change," Clarke said, acknowledging the misstep of abandoning the XPS branding, along with Latitude, Inspiron, and Precision PC lineups, a year prior. These reputable brands were initially replaced with Dell Premium, Dell Pro, and Dell Pro Max series, each offering base, Plus, and Premium models.

The company's previous restructuring aimed to streamline its product offerings, but the decision to eliminate the XPS line was met with criticism from consumers and industry experts alike. The XPS laptops had established a reputation for thin, lightweight designs, modern features, and decent performance, making them a popular choice for consumers seeking portable and reliable computing solutions.

While Dell is resurrecting the XPS series, the Latitude, Inspiron, and Precision lines will not be returning. The company will continue to sell Dell Pro models, maintaining a tiered structure within its computer lineup. This strategic adjustment reflects Dell's attempt to balance a simplified product portfolio with the recognition of established brand equity.

The return of XPS signifies a shift away from the industry's current focus on "AI PCs," which emphasize artificial intelligence integration at the hardware level. While AI capabilities are increasingly prevalent in modern computing, Dell's decision to revive a well-regarded product line suggests a continued demand for traditional laptop designs that prioritize portability and user experience. The implications of AI in PCs are still developing, with ongoing debates about the balance between on-device processing and cloud-based AI solutions.

Dell's current focus involves re-establishing the XPS brand in the consumer market. The company has not yet released specific details regarding future updates or new features for the revived XPS laptops.