Dell launches XPS 13 with quad-core 8th-gen Intel chips, announces mixed reality headset

Dell has kicked off its IFA show in style, becoming the first company to unveil a laptop powered by Intel’s upcoming 8th-generation Core processors, announcing an update to its XPS 13 Ultrabook with the new CPU on board. The company also announced a new “mixed reality” headset and a new line-up of Inspiron laptops.
The XPS 13, which for years has been a dual-core laptop powered by Intel chips, will double up on cores, gaining quad-core status from later in September. Dell is claiming a 44% performance increase over the current generation of XPS 13s.
Related: All the latest from IFA 2017
The 13.3-inch laptop will be powered by the upcoming Intel Core i7-8550U CPU, which feature a maximum clock speed of and 4GHz. 8th-generation laptop chips are based on the same Intel “Kaby Lake” technology seen in 7th-gen processors, but with double the cores.
We haven’t yet tested a laptop powered by 8th-gen Intel Core, but all signs are pointing towards a much better multi-tasking experience on Ultrabooks that have previously slightly struggled in this regard.
The updated XPS 13 will be priced at £1199 when it arrives September 12 in the UK. Dell says “additional configurations” will be available from October, which means quad-core i5-8250U chips will be coming later.
Related: Best laptops for students

The Dell Inspiron 13 7000 will also be getting 8th-gen chips
The new 8th-gen processors are also coming to Dell’s new Inspiron 7000 series of laptops that include 2-in-1s and regular laptops of 13-, 15-, and 17-inch sizes. The two new machines come in Dell’s standard silver or Pink Champagne and will start from £749 for 13-inch models and £949 for the 17-inch model.
Dell Visor
Meanwhile, the new Dell Visor is the latest headset compatible with Windows Mixed Reality. There’s a flip-up visor (hence the name), and can even be bought with a pair of Visor Controllers. More info about the Visor will be revealed during Microsoft’s IFA press conference on Friday.