Dell’s 13-inch convertible XPS 13 2-in-1 laptop computer has been around for a few years, however has historically opted for a hinged design that allowed you to fold the display screen proper again towards the keyboard, in order that you possibly can maintain it in your arms and use it like a pill.
However, in fact, retaining the keyboard connected meant that the XPS 13 2-in-1 was so much heavier than a standard pill, so this newest replace has lastly taken the plunge and opted for a removable design that means that you can fully separate the display screen and keyboard sections. You may then use the display screen panel as a light-weight pill once you wish to, and easily re-connect the keyboard when you have to get some actual work carried out.
That is a transfer that places the XPS 13 2-in-1 squarely up towards removable rivals comparable to Microsoft’s lately up to date Surface Pro 9. Dell has risen to the problem, although, as the brand new XPS 13 2-in-1 combines an admirably modern and slim design with a aggressive worth that offers the Floor Professional an actual run for its cash.
Dell/Pocket-lint
Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2022)
The revamped design of the XPS 13 2-in-1 is an actual winner, squeezing good mid-range efficiency and a horny 13-inch show right into a modern, slimline design. The value is enticing too, though battery life does go away room for enchancment.
- New removable design
- Slimline, light-weight pill mode
- Wonderful 3K show
- Aggressive worth
- No Ethernet
- No HDMI
- Modest battery life
Value and choices
- Show: 13-inch, 3K (2880×1920) with 500nits brightness
- Processor: Intel i7-1250U @ 1.1GHz (10-cores, 4.7GHz Turbooost)
- Graphics: built-in Intel Iris Xe
- Reminiscence: 8GB or 16GB
- Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB solid-state M2 NVMe
Costs for the XPS 13 2-in-1 begin at £1179 within the UK, for a mannequin with an i5-1230U processor operating Home windows 11 House, together with 8GB reminiscence and 256GB solid-state drive.
That interprets to $1249.00 within the US, which is much more aggressive as that worth features a bigger 512GB solid-state drive. US consumers of the i5 mannequin will even get Dell’s Folio removable keyboard included within the worth, whereas UK prospects should pay an extra £199.57 for it.
Fortunately, although, the Folio keyboard is included once you step as much as the i7 mannequin that we evaluation right here, which makes use of a 10-core Intel i7-1250U operating at 1.1GHz (with most Turboboost as much as 4.7GHz).
That mannequin additionally consists of 16GB reminiscence and 512GB storage, and prices $1399/£1679.04 with Home windows 11 House, or $1809/£1718.84 with Home windows 11 Professional. Fashions with an i7 processor additionally permit you to improve the solid-state drive to 1TB for an additional $150.00/£200, whereas prospects within the US additionally get a 5G possibility – albeit one which prices a fairly hefty $360.00.
Even so, these costs nonetheless examine favourably towards the present Microsoft Floor Professional 9, which prices $1899/£1899 with a specification just like that of our XPS 13 evaluation unit – plus Microsoft nonetheless prices additional for its removable keyboard.
Design
- Dimensions (hwd): 7.4 x 292.5 x 201.2mm
- Weight: pill – 736g; keyboard – 560g
- Ports: 2 x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-A and headphone adaptors included)
- Wi-fi: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth
The brand new XPS 13 2-in-1 makes impression straight out of the field, because the slimline pill part measures simply 7.4mm thick and weighs 736g – properly under the 9.3mm and 879g of the present Microsoft Floor Professional 9.
It does really feel slightly heavy to carry in a single hand, but it surely’s positive when you maintain it in widescreen (panorama) mode with each arms or simply relaxation it in your lap.
The slimline design does come at a value, although, because the XPS 13 2-in-1 solely has room for 2 Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports. There are two adaptors included within the field – a USB-A adaptor and a 3.5mm audio adaptor for headphones – which can be utilized with these Thunderbolt ports, however there is not any Ethernet for a wired community, and no HDMI for an exterior show (though we had been in a position to make use of one of many Thunderbolt ports to attach a 4K show that has a USB-C interface).
It helps the most recent Wi-Fi 6E for high-speed wi-fi, together with Bluetooth and – within the US solely in the meanwhile – there is a 5G possibility accessible as properly.
Dell’s Folio keyboard provides one other 560g, however that also leaves the overall weight at 1.3kg, which compares favourably to traditional laptops, comparable to Apple’s 13-inch MacBook Professional (1.4kg). Low-profile keyboards aren’t all the time our favorite, as they’ll battle with high-speed typing, however the Folio keyboard does really feel good and agency, and the keys journey properly, given the keyboard’s slimline design.
There is a backlight for the keys, and a big trackpad too. You too can use the keyboard’s rear panel as an adjustable stand that gives three totally different viewing angles, and once you’re on the transfer it might fold flat to supply wrap-around safety for the back and front of the display screen panel.
- Show: 13-inch, 2880×1920 decision, 3:2 facet ratio
- Webcam: 1920×1080 (entrance) 4K/3840×2160 (rear)
- Audio: Stereo audio system – 2 x 2 watts
The 13-inch show is barely smaller than the 13.3-inch Floor Professional, however offers the identical ‘3K’ decision (2880×1920) with a 3:2 facet ratio. The display screen additionally has a wholesome 500nits brightness, which offers a shiny, vibrant picture that may work properly for duties comparable to net looking and streaming video, or simply tapping away in Microsoft Phrase or Excel. And, whereas it is designed for normal workplace productiveness fairly than skilled design work, the display screen does assist 100 per cent of the sRGB color customary, so it must be appropriate for fundamental graphics work and photograph modifying if required.
The enticing show is backed up by a surprisingly good set of audio system. Regardless of the slimline design of the unit, the audio system produce a full sound that’s greater than satisfactory for casually listening to music or streaming video. There is not any headphone socket, however Dell does embody a 3.5mm audio adaptor that may permit you to join headphones or exterior audio system to one of many XPS 13’s Thunderbolt ports.
The XPS 13 2-in-1 even manages to squeeze in two high-quality cameras as properly – a ‘world-facing’ digicam that gives full 4K decision, and a entrance digicam that gives a transparent, sharp 1080p decision for video-conferencing.
Efficiency and battery life
- Strong mid-range processor efficiency
- Built-in graphics solely
- Energy: 45W adaptor with 49.5Whr battery
The twelfth era i7 processor is not going to interrupt any information, but it surely offers strong, mid-range efficiency that may permit the XPS 13 2-in-1 to deal with productiveness instruments comparable to Microsoft Workplace with no bother in any respect. It feels quick and responsive in pill mode too, easily rotating the Home windows desktop and my net browser as we change between portrait and panorama modes.
The XPS 13 2-in-1 scores 2,050 for single-core efficiency within the GeekBench 6 check suite, and 6,700 for multi-core, which places it proper alongside the same i7 processor used within the Microsoft Floor Professional 9.
Its reliance on built-in graphics implies that the XPS 13 2-in-1 is not a lot of a gaming rig, although – in actual fact, it flatly refused to run most of our 3D graphics exams. It ought to be capable to deal with 2D platform video games or card video games pretty properly, but it surely’s not likely outfitted for motion video games with fast-paced 3D graphics.
However when you cannot actually anticipate high-speed gaming motion, an ultra-portable machine comparable to this could present stronger battery life. It is noticeable that Dell’s website online avoids any point out of battery life, and even when utilizing probably the most power-efficient settings with the display screen set at 50% brightness the XPS 13 2-in-1 barely managed to final for a full six hours of streaming video.
In the event you’re not watching movies on-line all day lengthy then you definitely may be capable to stretch that out to a full eight hour working day, however battery life stays the one noticeable weak spot of the XPS 13 2-in-1.
Verdict
The modern, slimline design of the XPS 13 2-in-1 is each enticing and sensible, permitting you to rapidly change from a light-weight pill to a fully-featured laptop computer everytime you want. The show offers wonderful picture high quality for each work and play and its price ticket makes it implausible worth in contrast with Microsoft’s Floor Professional 9. Solely the modest battery life is prone to make potential consumers assume twice.
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