Dell XPS 13 Plus Laptop computer Overview: Beautiful, Highly effective, Radical

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Dell’s XPS 13 line of ultralight laptops has been wildly common for a number of generations now, so it is no surprise its bodily design hasn’t undergone many main modifications alongside the way in which. Nevertheless, the brand new Dell XPS 13 Plus (mannequin 9320) is a really totally different little beastie, from its outsized key caps and platinum glass palm relaxation in its typing deck, to what Dell is asking its “seamless glass, haptic drive pad” and its capacitive contact operate key row. With out query, the XPS 13 Plus’ drive pad haptics and seamless touchpad (or lack there of) are a reasonably radical departure from most conventional laptop computer designs. Although chopping to the fast on that subject, we do not suppose this design change is one thing that may require a lot finish consumer studying curve, because it’s typically well-executed. The truth is, we may see this being be a design innovation Dell builds upon for future merchandise as nicely. Sure, we personally like the way in which it seems to be and performs that a lot, although admittedly some could discover Dell’s daring industrial design departure jarring. 

Certainly, magnificence is within the eye of the beholder, because the saying goes. So whether or not the XPS 13 Plus’ understated design and super-clean traces are for you, is query you may need to reply for your self. That stated, although seems to be are solely a part of the equation, that is certainly one beautiful 13-inch clamshell laptop computer. Take a gander for your self in our hands-on preview video tour with Randall from Dell… 

Like most of the current crop of ultralight laptops we have reviewed, Dell’s new XPS 13 Plus has additionally been revamped beneath its hood as nicely, with Intel’s twelfth Gen Core Collection processors, aka Alder Lake. The remainder of this machine’s config is fairly normal fare with a number of notable highlights. On board our unit is 16GB of 5200MHz LPDDR5 reminiscence (soldered) and a 512GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD. It’s good to see Dell go the gap right here, not like Samsung’s Galaxy Book2 Professional that we just lately checked out, that is solely strapped with a PCIe Gen 3 SSD. The excellent news is, that SSD can also be socketed in a regular M.2 slot, so future upgrades are technically doable, and in contrast to Apple’s M1 and M2 MacBooks, a failing SSD is not going to brick your machine.

For connectivity, we’re handled to Intel’s Killer Wi-Fi 6 (AX211) Wi-Fi NIC with packet prioritization in addition to Bluetooth 5.2, and a pair of USB Kind-C Thunderbolt 4 ports. Sadly, that is the place the connectivity ends, as Dell has eliminated each the microSD card reader and the headphone jack from this laptop computer. Since most folk are rocking wi-fi buds as of late, the latter is not as a lot of a priority (particularly since Dell does embody a 3.5mm USB-C dongle) however the former is a bummer for anybody that likes to work commonly with digital cameras, like our group right here at HotHardware. 

Different accoutrements embody a 720p restricted webcam that is Home windows Hey succesful not less than, together with an ambient mild sensor that ought to enhance your image considerably. Though, nowadays of work-from-home, we had been hoping for 1080p decision to up that all-important video convention recreation. Lastly, on board can also be a modest 55 Whr battery (extra on this later) and a bundled 60 Watt AC USB Kind-C energy adapter with Categorical Cost that lets you replenish the machine from zero to 80% in lower than an hour. That is not as quick as some aggressive machines however nonetheless top-offs are fairly fast. 

Nevertheless, pop the highest and also you understand this is not the Dell XPS 13 of yesterday however one thing very totally different with nonetheless unmistakable XPS genetics. Our machine as examined right here weighs in at simply 2.7 kilos, but it surely feels very premium and strong within the hand, with a dense, inflexible building. And that is the place the similarities finish. 

The XPS 13 Plus’ keyboard has solely a faint trace of flex however once more it feels very premium, with a lot bigger key caps as a part of Dell’s zero-lattice keyboard design. There may be virtually no spacing between the keys and this can be a very comfy typing expertise, with fairly deep key journey and no mush. Typing on this machine is a complete pleasure, particularly in the event you’re an often inaccurate masher like me, and the educational curve to realize your private finest typing pace will doubtless not be very steep.

The XPS 13 Plus’ capacitive operate button row, then again, could also be a bit polarizing for some that commonly use these keys. This strip above the keyboard is mainly a backlit patterned space that has capacitive contact factors behind every icon. Customers can swap between operate or media keys, simply by hitting the operate button on the keyboard and the escape key. Nevertheless, it is the dearth of a key stroke suggestions which will take some getting used to. Personally, we did not suppose this was a giant downside in any respect, and once more we merely just like the clear design aesthetic this function affords. Nevertheless, these keys additionally keep repeatedly backlit, which additionally doubtless takes a small toll on battery life as nicely. 

And the minimalist design of the Dell XPS 13 Plus continues, sadly for some, on its facet edges as nicely. The machine has simply two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports. Whereas these ports do provide a copious 40Gbps of bandwidth, and Dell features a USB-C to USB-A dongle, in the event you’re charging the machine, this leaves just one spare USB-C port. And once more, Dell additionally eliminated the microSD card slot right here as nicely, in order that spare port should assist a card reader, must you want one. Regardless, nowadays of wi-fi peripherals and the like, it is much less of a priority and extra of one thing to remember if IO enlargement is excessive in your precedence checklist.  

Then once more, oh my OLED, that’s one beautiful Dell InfinityEdge show… 

The brand new Dell XPS 13 Plus is obtainable with 4 show configurations, starting from FHD+ (1920X1200) non contact and contact choices, to three.5K and 4K OLED contact shows. Our machine was outfitted with Dell’s 3.5K (3456X2160) OLED contact show possibility and it delivers 400-nits of HDR 500 inky saturation and pop with nice viewing angles. It additionally affords 100% DCI-P3 coloration gamut protection, a 100,000 to 1 distinction ratio, anti-reflective coating, and it is encased in Corning Gorilla Glass 7. In a phrase, that is one stunner of a show. From its tremendous skinny bezels, to its accuracy, good uniformity, and deep true blacks, this is likely one of the finest 13-inch shows we have laid eyes on shortly. 

Pulling in all of those industrial design improvements, glorious construct high quality, supplies and workmanship, the Dell XPS 13 Plus is one lovely skinny and lightweight laptop computer. However that is solely a part of the story, so let’s hearth this magnificence up for some efficiency testing, subsequent…