Dell XPS 13 2-in-1: One of the best notebooks becomes foldable
8.4.2017
Translation: machine translated
Dell hit the bull's eye last year with the XPS 13. Now the smart device is available in a revised form with a 360° rotatable display. Can it top its predecessor?
At first glance, little has changed. Anyone familiar with the XPS 13 notebook would hardly be able to distinguish the new 2-in-1 device at a cursory glance. But if you take a closer look, you will notice a few key differences. Nevertheless, Dell is primarily competing with the Lenovo Yoga 910 or the HP Spectre x360 as its own namesake.
Equipment, display and pre-installed software
The most striking change compared to last year's XPS 13 is the fully foldable display. Thanks to the 360° mechanism, the Dell can be transformed into a tablet in an instant. Unlike the Lenovo Yoga 910, which measures almost 14 inches, the XPS remains quite handy.
No fans are installed. The device is therefore completely silent. A feature not to be underestimated. However, you also only get an Intel mobile processor (i5 or i7). Although it can clock up to 3.2 or 3.6 GHz thanks to Turbo Boost, it does not maintain this performance for long due to the fanless design. This makes it a lot less powerful than notebooks with Intel processors, which still have a U at the end.
You can choose between 4 and 8 GB of RAM and between 128, 256 and 512 GB of SSD - depending on the model.
Practical for watching videos
.
A few programmes from Dell and Microsoft Office are pre-installed, otherwise the device is pleasantly bloatware-free. That's how I like it.
The QHD+ display measures 13.3 inches and has a resolution of 3800x1200 pixels. Not quite 4K, but that's not really a topic given the size. The cheapest model only has a Full HD display. The QHD+ variant is razor-sharp and offers enough space to work on Windows. The colours could be a little richer, but overall I'm very happy with it. The almost borderless design does the rest.
Superficialities
Optically, the small Dell laptop has a lot going for it. The workmanship is flawless and I particularly like the texture of the palm rest. It looks like carbon fibre but is actually plastic. On the outside, you get the tried-and-tested XPS design that has been in use for a few years now. Simple, elegant and timeless. You can't tell the 13.3 inches from the neat design at all. The perfect size for me and, together with the pleasantly light weight, I would even prefer the Dell XPS 13 to my Lenovo Yoga 910. If only it weren't for the mobile processor.
Ports
Although there is no longer a USB-A port, the packaging includes an adapter cable for the two USB-C ports. Both also serve as a power connection. The SD card slot has given way to a micro SD slot. The headphone socket and Thunderbolt are still there. In my opinion, a completely superfluous button for an LED battery indicator is new. Yeiii 😑.
Performance and battery life
The XPS boots quickly, but noticeably slower than the Lenovo. It should also be mentioned here that the power button on the side is small and narrow and feels a little hard to press. Why not just have a nice round button like the predecessor? Anyway. Once the device has started up, everything runs smoothly and smoothly. The mobile processor is not noticeable at first. Only with computationally intensive programmes such as the Adobe Premiere video editing software does the device seem a little slower than the competition from Lenovo and HP. However, the difference is not as noticeable as expected. The Dell masters normal office use and the occasional indie game without any problems.
The battery is relatively long-lasting, not least because of the economical processor. However, it is clearly inferior to Lenovo and HP. However, the XPS easily lasts a normal working day and there is also the compact charger.
Keyboard, trackpad, touchscreen
The keyboard is a pleasant size for such a small device and there is nothing wrong with the typing feel. In contrast to the Lenovo Yoga 910, the right shift key is pleasantly wide and, more importantly, in the right place. On the other hand, the arrow keys are tiny and I often hit Page Down or Page Up. The umlaut keys also seem cramped. A bit tedious, but you can live with it.
The trackpad responds relatively reliably. Gestures work perfectly and the surface is well dimensioned. However, there are occasional input errors. I accidentally zoomed several times, even though I wanted to scroll normally. Or it reacted a little too slowly. Overall, however, it is easy to work with.
The touchscreen works reliably and with Dell's Active Pen (not included) you can even draw on it or practise your handwriting.
Conclusion: It doesn't work without compromises
The XPS 13 2-in-1 is an impressive device. Elegant design, almost borderless display, wonderfully light and compact. The performance is amazing, especially in combination with the fanless design. The 360° display ensures flexibility and the tablet mode is likely to be an attractive way of working for many, especially with a pen. The biggest points of criticism: the steep price, the imperfect trackpad and the omission of the more powerful Kaby Lake U processor. The silent design would probably no longer have been possible. However, the XPS 13 2-in-1 is still a worthy alternative to the Lenovo Yoga 910 or the HP Spectre x360.
If you prefer another manufacturer
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Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chBeing the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.
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