As would be expected in the build up to the launch of new mainstream processors from Intel, both Dell and Asus are planning to debut new versions of some of their more popular notebooks. The XPS 13 and ZenBook UX303 will both be refreshed with new Skylake hardware in the near future, with some of the first already appearing on European retailer websites.

While both GSX Digital (now pulled) and LASystem’s listings (via Liliputing) feature the hardware in question, they are “out of stock” for now, so don’t get all excited and hop on to order them just yet. However we can shove some more coal into the hype train’s engine, as these new notebooks have some very tasty specifications.

Dell’s new XPS 13 is listed as coming fitted with a 13.3-inch, 3,200 x 1,800-resolution touchscreen display — which is edging towards 4K standards — powered by a sixth-generation Skylake Core i7-6500U CPU, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. Battery life is said to be around the 56 watt-hour mark.

Connectivity wise it will pack a USB 3.0 port, a mini-DisplayPort and a 3.5mm headphone and microphone connector, though there are no ethernet or HDMI ports.

In comparison, the ASUS Zenbook UX303UB features the same CPU, memory and storage size, but its 13.3-inch display is a more traditional 1080p. This will likely bring down its price tag significantly compared to Dell’s offering, so expect it to undercut on price. However it will come with the option of a Nvidia Geforce 940M GPU as a replacement for the default Intel HD graphics.

It’s not clear whether this will be more powerful than what Dell’s system is offering, but it seems unlikely considering the XPS 13’s higher native resolution.

Do either of these system refreshes sound enticing as an early Christmas present for yourself?

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