Dell XPS 13 Review Roundup

The Dell XPS 13 is a compact laptop that offers a broad number of spec options in a slim package that's suitable for pretty much everything and can easily last for years – ideal for students and professionals alike. Let's take a closer look!

Features

The XPS 13 gets a new version once or twice a year, with new and updated features, so listing features is a bit of a waste. Suffice it to say that Dell keeps up on all the latest laptop specs, including a 4K touchscreen, up to 16GB of RAM, USB-C connections, and all the other latest feature that you could want...as long as you are willing to use Windows 10, which is fortunately much more stable than it was a couple of years ago.

Pros

• Reliable, fast, and compact
• Many model and spec options

Cons

• New models cut down on ports
• Webcam positioning can be problematic

Techradar

Techradar had a lot of praise for the Dell XPS 13's latest model, reporting that it improves on the already great early version by adding more security capabilities, better mics for voice commands, and of coures faster chips for better performance. There's also an option for a 4k display to really push things as far as they can go for this slim laptop. "For 2018, the new Dell XPS 13 is hard evidence that Dell has its ear to the ground for your feedback, judging by the newly centered webcam that now has infrared optics for facial login through Windows 10. But, of course, there will always be room for improvement, considering the newly centered webcam is still beneath the display, not above it. All told, we’re deeply impressed by the new XPS 13, thanks in large part to a new, stunning 4K Ultra HD display and a beautiful, new color option called Rose Gold on Alpine White. In fact, we’re so impressed by Dell’s design revisions that it’s once again earned TechRadar’s Best in Class award for laptops."

Laptop Mag

Laptop Mag has been a fan favorite of the XPS 13 for years now, admiring its design and lightweight performance, so of course they liked that the latest model is slimmer than ever before and has an alternate color scheme to choose from. However, they did note that this model had fewer ports than past version, which made some connections more difficult than before. "Unfortunately, when slimming the XPS 13 down to 0.46 inches, Dell had to ditch the standard, USB Type-A ports and full-size SD card reader that appeared on all the previous generations. On the left side of the XPS 13 9370, you'll find two Thunderbolt 3 ports, which can charge the laptop or connect to high-speed peripherals. There's also a Noble lock slot and a battery gauge, which shows the charge level on a series of five white lights. On the right, you'll find a 3.5mm audio jack, a microSD card slot and a USB Type-C port, which can output DisplayPort video. Both the Dell XPS 13 9360 and ThinkPad X1 Carbon have standard USB ports in addition to the Thunderbolt 3, while the HP Spectre 13 also lacks USB Type-A connectors."

Amazon Users

Amazon user reviews are scattered across the hundreds of models for sale on Amazon and vary considerably depending on many factors. Ultimately, however, they tend to be very positive regarding the top-notch features and slim design of the XPS 13. Some, however, complain about getting used to a new keyboard, which is a common factor when buying a new laptop. "This laptop is the BEST. It is super fast and allows me to get all my work done without having to get frustrated. It is extremely light and is perfect to carry from place to place. It is also great quality and I would highly recommend it."

Bottom Line

The XPS 13 is easily one of the best ultrabooks available, and has been a great pick for years. However, the latest model may cut down on ports a little too much for some users, so research is advised. Get all the latest Gadget Review laptop reviews.

The blog post Dell XPS 13 Review Roundup is republished from The GadgetReview Difference