So slim is the new XPS 13 that its USB Type-A and HDMI ports have disappeared. (We wondered if we could press the button just once to both turn the laptop on and log in, but holding it down that long turned the Dell off again.) The webcam works with Windows Hello for face recognition logins, and the power button at the top right of the keyboard doubles as a Windows Hello fingerprint reader.
Each of these systems has a full HD (1,920-by-1,080) non-touch display. The $999.99 silver-and-black base Dell XPS 13 ($784.78 at Dell) (Opens in a new window) model carries an eighth-generation Intel Core i5-8250U processor and somewhat skimpy 4GB of RAM and 128GB SATA solid-state drive $1,199.99 gets you 8GB of memory and a 256GB PCIe SSD. The latest XPS 13 steals the crown as our favorite high-end ultraportable. Today's XPS 13 model recaptures the glamour of the original version with an even trimmer design in a gorgeous rose gold finish with a soft-textured white palm rest made of woven glass fiber. It's undergone numerous component upgrades, faced fierce competition (the HP Spectre 13 and the Razer Blade Stealth come to mind), and arguably even gotten a bit long in the tooth, yet the late-2017 XPS 13 (9360) reigns as our Editors' Choice. Since its debut at CES in 2012, the Dell XPS 13 (starts at $999.99 $2,049.99 as tested) has racked up rave reviews as what the company calls the world's smallest 13-inch laptop. 4K display means shorter battery life than its predecessor.įlagships don't have to be big.
How to Set Up Two-Factor Authentication.
How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac.How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files.How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill.How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad.How to Block Robotexts and Spam Messages.And, the price is a bit too steep for the base Intel Core i5 version.īAG IT OR JUNK IT? Great ultrabook, but very costly. Yes, we would have loved pinch and zoom in the trackpad and at least one more USB port. Overall the XPS 13 is one of the best Ultrabooks that we have tried. For security, there is a fast access facial recognition which will open up only when faced with the owner's mug.
And at the end of all this, the device still manages to remain cool. On a full charge the XPS 13 is ready for at least six hours of heavy duty use. This Ultrabook took exactly 14 seconds to start up and under three seconds from sleep. We doubt if we have tested a louder, distoritionless 13-inch laptop, thanks to the Waves MaxxAudio speakers. However, you might have some trouble finding the right angle if you switch off the lights. Despite the glass, the HD screen does not reflect ambient light. The screen is edge-to-edge bonded Corning Gorilla Glass, which when not powered gives you the impression of looking into a tinted screen. But the killer feature is the backlight which comes on as you touch a key or trackpad and sleeps if there is no activity. The trackpad, however, is a bit too smooth and lacks grip. In fact, the rubber finish of the palm rest really makes it easy to type for long hours. There is just enough travel in the keys, which are not at all plasticky. We doubt if many others have a keyboard that is good to use. Open the lid and all-black interiors stare at you. And it is pretty lightweight at just 1.36 kg. We said fatter than the Ultrabook, but still the XPS 13 is just 18 mm at its thickest point. And, the carbon fiber base is something the others should also been looking to adopt. Though it is slightly fatter, the curved silver-grey metal body that will remind you of the Macbook Air. It tries to stick to the Intel standard almost to the last letter.
No one has to tell you that the Dell XPS 13 is an Ultrabook.
Specs: 13.3-inch Hi-Def (720p) True Life(1366x768) WLED Display Intel Core i5-2467M 4 GB RAM 256 GB SSD Intel HD 3000 graphics Bluetooth 3.0, Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6230 802.11 a/g/n 2 USB 1.36 kg weight.