As Dell Technologies expands its consumer portfolio in India with the launch of the new XPS 13 and Alienware 15 laptops in Delhi, Exhibit caught up with Anurag Arora, Vice President, Consumer and Small Business, Dell Technologies India, to discuss the return of the XPS brand, Dell’s AI strategy, the positioning of the new Alienware 15, and what defines a premium laptop in the AI era.
EX: With this launch, Dell is bringing back the XPS brand while also making Alienware more accessible. What has changed in the market that prompted this move?
AA: In 2026, Dell made a decisive return to its consumer roots with a sharper focus on product breadth and customer choice. Today, our objective is to offer devices across multiple price points for different consumer needs. We’ve expanded our portfolio with products built for productivity, entertainment, and gaming. We had announced at CES that XPS would return, and we’re delighted to bring it back to India.
EX: Are consumers actively seeking AI capabilities in laptops today? Many AI features still seem browser-based, while NPUs remain underutilised.
AA: Every consumer uses AI differently. Our research shows that customers are increasingly looking for AI-ready laptops because they want devices that are future-ready. Whether they’re using AI for productivity, gaming or education, AI has become an important purchase consideration.
Beyond applications, AI also enhances the overall user experience. It can optimise battery performance, intelligently adjust display settings, or improve camera framing during video calls. These everyday enhancements are driving demand for AI PCs.
EX: The XPS has always been viewed as Dell’s answer to the MacBook. How do you convince someone deeply invested in Apple’s ecosystem to make the switch?
AA: Every competitor has its own strengths, but with XPS we’ve focused on delivering an uncompromising premium experience. Design is a key differentiator. The moment you see or hold the XPS, you understand its premium positioning.
It features a 2.5K touch display, which many competing products don’t offer, along with 100% DCI-P3 colour coverage, making it an excellent choice for content creators and professionals who require colour accuracy. Combined with its premium build and backlit keyboard, we believe the XPS stands apart in its segment.
EX: The new Alienware 15 appears to be your most accessible gaming laptop yet. How did you balance pricing with the signature Alienware experience?
AA: Our goal was to deliver the complete Alienware experience to a wider audience. Alienware has nearly three decades of gaming heritage, so we wanted to retain everything the brand is known for—from its engineering and design to its thermal performance.
The laptop features advanced cooling, ensuring sustained performance during intensive gaming sessions. It also includes Stealth Mode, allowing users to switch to a quieter, more productivity-focused profile when required. We believe it’s an ideal machine not just for gamers, but also for students and creators.
EX: So you’re targeting more than just gamers?
AA: Absolutely. Today’s gamer is often also a creator and a student. That’s why we’ve designed Alienware to cater to multiple use cases. We’ve also made it available with both AMD and Intel configurations, giving consumers more flexibility.
EX: Battery life, portability and performance often pull in different directions. How have you balanced those priorities with the new XPS and Alienware 15?
AA: With Alienware, we’ve focused on making gaming more portable without compromising capability. The laptop weighs just 2.25kg and is only 22.95mm thin, making it easy to carry while still delivering a true gaming experience.
Its Cryo-Tech cooling system, supported by over 2,100 air vents, ensures thermal efficiency even during demanding workloads.
For the XPS, portability was a major priority. It weighs just 1kg while offering up to 17 hours of battery life. Combined with its premium display and touch capabilities, it strikes a strong balance between mobility, battery life and performance.
EX: Five years from now, what will define a premium laptop? Better silicon, AI, battery technology, or something else?
AA: While we don’t comment on our future roadmap, I’d say all of those factors will matter. AI, battery life and computing performance will collectively define premium experiences.
In many ways, that future is already here. Our latest consumer portfolio reflects that philosophy, with AI-powered devices across different segments, from premium productivity to gaming and content creation. Whether it’s the ultra-light XPS or the more accessible Alienware, we’re already building for what consumers expect from the next generation of PCs.