Dell XPS 13

Processor: Dual-core 3.5GHz Intel Core i7 RAM: 8GB Storage: 256GB SSD Screen: 13.3-inch IPS LCD, 3200 x 1800 touchscreen £1299, $1650 www.dell.com

This laptop’s claim to fame is that it’s the smallest 13.3-inch laptop on the market. Its slim screen bezel helps contribute to a svelte 304mm x 200mm x 15mm form that needs to be held to be appreciated. Dell’s diet design hasn’t left much room for batteries though, and the XPS 13 ran flat after a relatively brief six hours 34 mins.

That’s a little disappointing given that the frugal dual-core processor scores 315 in Cinebench, putting it in close company with the MacBook and Surface Book, yet these last much longer unplugged. Like Microsoft’s contender, the XPS 13’s screen is touch-sensitive, and it boasts a similar resolution and pixel density. Image quality is more in line with the ZenBook though, falling slightly short on colour and contrast compared to Apple and Microsoft.

Pros

Extremely portable thanks to a slim bezel; decent power and screen specs

Cons

Image quality is a little short of the best; mediocre battery life

We say

A highly portable package with little compromise other than battery life Overall score

You don’t see that many touchscreen laptops, but it can help to streamline photo browsing and culling