The capacitive touch function row on the Dell XPS 13 Plus is one of the laptop's most controversial features. Here's what you need to know about its reliability and real-world usability.
How It Works
Dell replaced physical F1-F12 keys with a touch-sensitive LED strip. Press the Fn key to toggle between function keys and media controls, or lock your preferred mode with Fn + Escape.
The touch row also includes traditionally physical keys: Escape, Delete, Home, End, Print Screen, and Insert.
Documented Issues
Dell has acknowledged several problems:
- Sleep wake failures: Touch responsiveness may fail after waking
- Ghost touches: Accidental key presses from overlapping fingers
- Temperature sensitivity: Keys may become unresponsive when hot
- Complete failures: Some units experience row failure after extended use
Dell's Fix
BIOS updates have addressed many issues:
- BIOS 2.17.0+: Adds self-initialization after sleep
- Sensitivity adjustments: Reduce ghost touches through firmware
- Most users report significant improvement after updating
The Reality
Beyond reliability, the fundamental design presents challenges:
- No tactile feedback means you must look to confirm presses
- Touch typing habits require adjustment
- Some users adapt in weeks; others never do
Who Should Be Cautious
This design may frustrate:
- Developers relying on function keys
- Spreadsheet power users
- Anyone with shortcut-heavy workflows
Recommendation: Test in person before purchasing if possible. Update BIOS immediately on any new unit.
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How we researched this
Where this comes from: this answer draws on the product's published specifications and the reviews ShopSavvy collected for it, alongside prices from ShopSavvy's price data.
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