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Upgrading your Windows laptop? This Dell checks all the right boxes for me

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Dell 16 Premium ZDNET's key takeaways The Dell 16 Premium starts at $1,800.

This is a premium laptop capable of handling heavy workloads, especially graphic design, thanks to its top-notch hardware.

However, it does share some of the same issues as its predecessor, like its tendency to run warm and power-hungry battery. View now at Dell

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I've been dying to get my hands on the latest Dell 16 Premium, mainly because it is a follow-up to the Dell XPS 16, a laptop that I reviewed back in early 2024 and one of my favorite devices I've tested for ZDNET so far. Although the name may be different, it is a similar computer with key upgrades in all of the right places. However, it shares many of the same issues.

Also: The best laptops you can buy: Expert tested

At a glance, the Dell 16 Premium looks nearly identical to the XPS. The zero-lattice keyboard triumphantly returns, stretching nearly end to end. Each key has a nice springiness to it, providing a fast yet comfortable typing experience. Above that is an LED capacitive touch panel where you'll find the Function and Media keys, a hallmark of the XPS series' design.

Some familiar designs

Because it's a glass panel, the Function keys don't provide any sort of physical feedback, which, to me, is totally fine. Most people don't interact with the Function keys frequently, like they would with the QWERTY keyboard, so the haptic feedback isn't missed here.

Also: Upgrading to a Windows 11 laptop? This Lenovo with a tandem OLED display I tested is a win

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