Intel-Powered Devices: Dell XPS 16 and Surface Pro for Business (2026)

Two new devices featuring Intel processors have been released: the Dell XPS 16 (2026) and the Microsoft Surface Pro for Business (2026). Both offer updated hardware and carry increased pricing.

Dell XPS 16 (2026)

Overview & Pricing

The 2026 Dell XPS 16 is a 16-inch laptop with a starting price of $1,750 (UK: £1,679, Australia: AU$4,100). The reviewed configuration, priced at $2,350, includes:

• Intel Core Ultra X7 358H processor
• 32GB of RAM
• Intel Arc B390 integrated graphics
• 1TB SSD
• 3.2K OLED touch display

The maximum configuration — featuring a Core Ultra X9 388H processor, 64GB RAM, and 4TB SSD — is priced at $3,550.

Performance

Benchmark results show strong multi-core and AI performance, with solid gaming capabilities at 1080p.

Benchmark scores for the reviewed configuration:

Gaming tests achieved 76 fps in Guardians of the Galaxy and 73 fps in Shadow of the Tomb Raider at 1080p resolution. Battery life was measured at 14 hours 3 minutes during a YouTube streaming drain test.

Design and Features

• Weight: 3.8 pounds (1.7 kg)
• Display: 16-inch, 3,200x2,000 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, OLED touch screen; reported peak brightness of 414 nits; covers 100% sRGB, 100% P3, and 97% AdobeRGB color gamuts
• Keyboard: Latticeless design with physical Function row keys
• Touchpad: Haptic with etched borders
• Ports: Three Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports and a headphone jack; no SD card slot, USB-A port, or HDMI port — and no adapter is included
• Upgradability: RAM is soldered; SSD is replaceable but no second M.2 slot is available
• Webcam: 8MP IR camera (1440p video) with Windows Hello support
• Speakers: Quad speaker system

Accessories and Options

A software bundle is offered, including Battlefield 6, Everwind, and a six-month subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud Photography or Adobe Premiere. No dedicated GPU upgrade option is available.

Comparison to Other Devices

The Dell XPS 16 is thinner and lighter than both the Dell 16 Premium and the Apple MacBook Pro 16.

• Lighter than: Dell 16 Premium (over 5 lbs) and Apple MacBook Pro 16 (4.7 lbs)
• Heavier than: Asus Zenbook A16 (2.9 lbs)
• Lacks: Dedicated Nvidia RTX graphics card
• Alternatives: Asus ProArt P16, Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i 16 Aura Edition, Apple MacBook Pro 16

Microsoft Surface Pro for Business (2026)

Overview & Pricing

Microsoft has released an updated Surface Pro for Business with Intel Panther Lake processors. The starting price increased from $1,700 to $1,949.99. The tested configuration costs $2,799.99 and includes:

• Intel Core Ultra 5 processor
• 32GB RAM
• 5G connectivity

The top configuration — with a Core Ultra 7 processor, 64GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and 5G — costs $4,699.99.

Design and Security

The Surface Pro is a Windows 11 Secured-core PC with TPM 2.0 and a Microsoft Pluton security processor.

The design remains largely unchanged from previous models, featuring a 13-inch display, aluminum frame, and kickstand. The SSD is user-removable.

Display and Connectivity

• Display options: 2.8K LCD or 2.8K OLED touch screen, both with 120Hz refresh rate
• Ports: Two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, one Surface Connect port
• Wireless: Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 are standard; 5G is optional

Performance and Battery

In benchmark tests, the Surface Pro with the Core Ultra 5 processor scored lower than competing laptops in most productivity and graphics tests.

Battery life was reported at 17 hours during local video playback — a strong result for a detachable device.

Accessories

• Flex Keyboard cover: $399.99 separately or $499.99 when bundled with the Slim Pen
• Surface Slim Pen: $129.99 individually; supports haptic feedback via Microsoft's Advanced Haptics API

Comparison to Other Devices

The iPad Pro with an M5 chip outperformed the Surface Pro in Geekbench and 3DMark benchmarks. However, the Surface Pro includes security features not present in the iPad Pro, including TPM 2.0 and the Pluton security processor.