Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (9365)
Spicing up a leading laptop all over again.
For the past few years, Dell’s ever-evolving XPS 13 has been seen as one of the darlings of the laptop PC world. And the 2017 version looks to be no exception.
That’s because, for this year’s model, Dell has finally created a hybrid version of its leading laptop, and it’s as versatile and as beautiful as you’d expect. It comes with the same 11-inch frame and 13.3-inch size screen as its predecessor, but the new 2-in-1 design brings a new wrinkle to the XPS range without totally disrupting it.
In other words, Dell will still keep making the traditional version, so don’t worry, purists.
PRICED HIGHER
Dell is starting the XPS 13 2-in-1 at a slightly highish $2,299, compared to $1,899 for the regular laptop edition. The base 2-in-1 model comes packing an FHD (1,920 x 1,080) touchscreen with a 7th- generation Intel Core i5 processor with Intel HD Graphics 615, 4GB of RAM and 128GB of solid-state storage.
From there, you can expect the usual upgrades you’ve seen from the XPS 13 over the past few years — an Intel Core i7 processor (still Kaby Lake), a QHD+ (3,200 x 1,800) touchscreen, up to 16GB of memory and as large as a 1TB SSD. The top spec model costs $2,790 with various configurations in between to better suit different needs and budgets.
STILL SOLIDLY DESIGNED
Once famous for making sturdy but rather pedestrian-looking machines, Dell’s sense of design has skyrocketed in recent years, and the XPS 13 2-in-1 is a delight to behold. While keeping the same-same general look and feel of existing XPS devices, this model adds two hinges made of steel and encased in machined aluminium for additional durability.
The anodised aluminium lid and carbon fibre palm rest make a welcome return, all within the same 11-inch frame as the preceding model. In short, this is the XPS 13 you already know and love, but with some subtle, yet impactful changes.
The base model weighs in at just 1.24kg with higher spec models being slightly heavier. All models measure just 8mm at their thinnest point and 13.7mm at the thickest. All told, that’s a shaving to the tune of 2mm, which is impressive considering the laptop’s 2-in-1 trappings. The device is easily held in one hand, and its lightweight nature makes adjusting between its hybrid modes that much easier.
The XPS 13’s palm rest feels as comfortable and responsive as ever, as do the glass-covered trackpad and backlit chicklet keyboard (with a satisfying 1.3mm of key travel) — all carry-overs from the previous models.
However, one carry-over that we wish hadn’t is the webcam, which is still positioned in the baffling location of below the display near the hinge.
While Dell has wised up and centred the infraredequipped 720p HD webcam (hello, Windows Hello), it’s still going to show off our double chin during meetings. At the very least, you can orient the device in a tent position so that the webcam faces upright.
The last major feature about the XPS 13 to make it into the 2-in-1 iteration is that beautiful, nearly bezel-free InfinityEdge display. The returning IGZO panel is notched at either 1080p Full HD or Quad HD+ resolutions — depending on which model you choose — but either way, brings plenty of brightness (400 nits), contrast (1,000:1 ratio) and viewing angles (up to 170 degrees).
SPECS AND PERFORMANCE
In addition to the handful of things you can change about the XPS 13 2-in-1 before you hand over your cash at the checkout, Dell has loaded the machine with plenty of other goodies.
In wired connectivity, you have two USB-C ports (one being Thunderbolt 3, but both can charge), a nowsmaller microSD card reader and a 3.5mm headphone socket.
On the wireless front, the XPS 13 2-in-1 comes with the expected 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 with Miracast and Intel Smart Connect supported.
Now, all of this is powered by what Dell is calling upfront a ‘ lower-power’ processor, though both Core i5 and i7 options can reach 3.2GHz and 3.6GHz clock speeds, respectively.
That said, Dell has devised a dynamic power management system focused on temperatures that should work extra well with a laptop cooler when you need that extra oomph.
That power management should also help keep the included 46WHr battery powering the whole system for a little longer. Dell promises up to 15 hours of juice from the Full HD version of the XPS 13 2-in-1, while the Quad HD+ flavour will enjoy a still-lengthy 8 hours and 35 minutes — based on its own tests. Your mileage will, of course, vary depending on your usage.
A GREAT 2-IN-1?
We may be barely a quarter of the way into 2017, but Dell has already crafted one of the most impressive laptops of the year. With the public perception of 2-in-1 laptops far better than it was even just 12 months ago, it’s picked a good time to bring those features to its leading laptop.
The XPS 13 2-in-1 sacrifices almost nothing in achieving its new design, save for a smaller microSD card reader and a standard barrel connector for power. That said, despite its massive improvements and centring (at last), we’re still not exactly convinced about the webcam beneath the screen.
At the end of the day, we were thoroughly impressed by the nowhybrid XPS 13. Dell has managed to bring a new level of form and function to its most pleasing product for not much more cash to start than the traditional version. We can’t wait to see what it comes up with next.
“Once famous for making sturdy, but rather pedestrian-looking machines, Dell’s sense of design has skyrocketed in recent years. And the XPS 13 2-in-1 is a delight to behold.”