Dell XPS 13 Plus review: extra, in a good way

Dell XPS 13 Plus

MSRP $1,399.00

“The Dell XPS 13 Plus is the recent tackle laptop computer design I have been ready for.”

Professionals

• Irresistibly recent design
• Nice OLED display
• Useful efficiency modes
• Glorious haptic touchpad
• Webcam has been improved

Cons

• Will get heat on the underside
• No headphone jack
• Battery life lower than common

Be aware: This evaluate covers each the 2023 and 2022 variations of the XPS 13 Plus. Variations in between the 2 fashions are delicate however might be famous and referenced all through.

The Dell XPS 13 Plus is the type of laptop computer that can trigger head turns and double-takes. Not as a result of it’s gimmicky or uncommon – however as a result of it simply seems to be that good. It’s actually one of the crucial eye-catching laptops I’ve ever used.

However is it the most effective laptop computer you should buy? That’ll be a more durable case for the XPS 13 Plus to make to some folks, even when it dares to really feel like a peek at the way forward for laptops.

Video evaluate

Specs and configurations

As of proper now, Dell’s web site lists the XPS 13 Plus with simply the Core i7-1360P CPU. That provides a beginning worth of $1,399 with 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and the 13.4-inch FHD+ non-touch IPS show. Enhance to 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD, and select both the three.5K OLED or UHD+ IPS panel, and also you’ll spend $2,099. That makes the XPS 13 Plus a really premium 13-inch laptop computer.

The 2022 mannequin, which comes with the Core i7-1260P, just isn’t at present being offered by Dell. Nevertheless, for the time being, yow will discover it being offered by Greatest Purchase for as little as $1,100 with the identical base specs of 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.

Design

With one look, you’ll be able to inform somebody had a imaginative and prescient over at Dell for the XPS 13 Plus. That’s been true of the XPS line for years now, however you’ll be able to see why Dell gave this design a brand new identify. It’s well-deserving of 1.

Gone is the carbon-fiber weave palm rests that grew to become synonymous with the XPS model, buying and selling it in for a sleeker and extra standard aluminum floor all through. There are two shade choices out there this time: the darker “Granite” shade and the lighter Platinum possibility, each of which have a novel tint. Exterior the Dell brand on the again, although, there’s little or no that resembles earlier XPS laptops – at the very least not from the surface.

The machine is 0.6 inches thick, which makes it barely thicker than each the brand new XPS 13 at 0.55 inches (but to launch) and final yr’s XPS 13 at 0.58 inches. The M2 MacBook Air, after all, is kind of a bit thinner at simply 0.44 inches. It’s the same case for weight, the place the two.71-pound Dell XPS 13 Plus is barely heavier than different XPS fashions.

And but, the XPS 13 Plus actually feels moveable within the hand. Chalk it as much as the simplification of all of the visible parts, however the XPS 13 Plus very a lot seems like a compact little machine.

The keyboard and touchpad have additionally undergone probably the most radical redesign. I’ll contact extra on how they carry out later, however the look alone is actually hanging. The touchpad now makes use of a haptic engine, which allowed Dell to make it invisible. The perimeters seamlessly mix into the palm rests, making for an extremely minimalist vibe. The entire thing makes use of a single panel of Gorilla Glass 3 and feels extraordinary beneath your fingers.

It’s the same story with the keyboard. The “edge to edge” design means as few strains and partitions as attainable. It additionally means further massive keycaps lengthen vast.

And eventually, one of the crucial hanging and controversial decisions, the perform row of keys has been changed by capacitive contact buttons. Many people have had poor experiences with a lot of these buttons up to now on tech merchandise, however I attempted to maintain an open thoughts as I used the laptop computer as my every day driver. The contact buttons actually have a futuristic look – and are a giant a part of what makes the machine so distinctive.

The contact buttons have an engineering function, too. Eradicating the bodily perform row allowed Dell to make use of this further area right here to widen out the hinges, which the corporate says permits for higher cooling. The brightness of those keys, in the meantime, is managed by the ambient mild sensor on the lid by the webcam.

Keyboard and touchpad

After I first noticed the XPS 13 Plus at CES, I used to be unconvinced in regards to the typing and touchpad expertise. Neat look, sure, however sensible? I wasn’t positive. Particularly, I had reservations in regards to the haptic suggestions touchpad, which felt decidedly “off” in my brief time with it.

However now not. After some tuning by Dell, the sleek monitoring that I’ve come to like on haptic touchpads works nice now. I turned down the sensitivity to 25%, as you are able to do in Home windows 11, and located a candy spot that completely simulated the type of bodily click on mechanism that you simply get with a {hardware} touchpad. Gestures work nice, too.

Typing on the XPS 13 Plus feels just like previous fashions. You get 1mm of journey, delivering clicky and satisfying keystrokes that really feel each agency and cozy. After all, the broader key caps are wonderful, making the format really feel spacious. I did discover that for me, personally, the palm rests had been a tad small for my bigger fingers. It’s not egregious, however I used to be often irritated by the sharp edges of the chassis digging into my palms.

As for the capacitive perform row buttons, additionally they really feel extra responsive right here within the remaining product. Regardless of my hesitation, they labored.

Ports

The Dell XPS 13 Plus contains simply two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, and that’s it. No headphone jack. No microSD card slot. No nothing.

You, like most individuals, in all probability have a visceral response to having issues taken away from them, even when it’s to make for higher tech in the long term. That’s the case with the headphone jack, and I actually had among the identical emotions myself.

Dell isn’t the primary laptop computer producer to make this break, nevertheless it may be probably the most high-profile case. In a world the place even Apple has stored the headphone jack within the MacBook Air, it feels just like the XPS 13 Plus is venturing out into the unknown.

And but, I attempted to maintain an open thoughts. Over the course of my time utilizing the XPS 13 Plus as my major pc, I solely got here throughout one state of affairs when I discovered myself wanting to make use of a wired audio supply. My wi-fi earbuds had died, and I wished to take heed to some music whereas working. Luckily, Dell throws a USB-C to three.5mm adapter proper within the field, so after I dug it out, my considerations had been put to relaxation.

It’s a slipshod answer, positive. However in a pinch, my minor drawback was solved, and I went again to utterly forgetting that this laptop computer didn’t have a beloved headphone jack.

Now, possibly if I used to be touring quite a bit or working in surprising tech environments, that would change. I actually have sympathy for many who need to hold analog audio connections round for numerous causes. That’s very true because the machine solely comes with two USB-C ports.

As for wi-fi connectivity, the XPS 13 Plus comes with assist for the newest Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2.

Webcam and audio system

Now that all of us use them much more than we used to, although, a nasty webcam is now not a minor challenge. And everyone knows that cameras have at all times been the Achilles heel of the XPS laptops.

Sadly, the Dell XPS 13 Plus nonetheless makes use of a 720p decision digicam, although this time, Dell has separated the precise digicam from the IR sensor, which is used for Home windows Howdy. This has allowed for some enhancements in picture high quality, particularly in each low-light and high-exposure conditions. To my shock, it’s a much more usable webcam for video calls than earlier XPS 13 fashions, even when it does lack the sharpness that you simply get in 1080p cameras.

It’s the same case with the audio system. They’re higher, simply nonetheless not superb. Dell now makes use of a four-speaker setup to offer the audio a bit extra oomph, and I may hear the distinction instantly. The whole lot is clearer, and apart from the shortage of bass, these audio system create an honest sound stage for the occasional film trailer or YouTube video. So, it’s an enchancment, however I’m not fairly able to name these “good” audio system.

Efficiency

The “Plus” on this laptop computer’s identify is meant to consult with improved efficiency. Leaning in on how Intel has divided up its new line of chips (with distinct U- and P-series chips), Dell is pointing to the XPS 13 Plus because the extra highly effective possibility, utilizing a 28-watt chip as a substitute of a 15-watt chip. The unique mannequin used the highest-end Intel Twelfth-gen possibility, the Core i7-1280P, which comes with 14 cores (6 Efficiency cores and eight Effectivity cores) and a 4.8GHz max frequency. My evaluate unit paired this CPU with 16GB of 5200MHz RAM.

For 2023, Dell went with Intel’s Thirteenth-gen CPUs. The brand new mannequin I reviewed outfitted the 28-watt Core i7-1360P, not fairly the highest-end processor within the lineup with simply 12 cores (4 Efficiency cores and eight Effectivity cores) with a 5.0GHz max frequency. The variety of threads drops from 20 to 16. You may configure the brand new machine with the Core i7-1370P, which has 14 cores and 20 threads and runs as much as 5.2GHz. RAM velocity elevated to 6000MHz.

However in relation to the laptop computer itself, don’t get fooled by the advertising hype, occurring from each Dell and Intel, on this case. The XPS 13 Plus is lots highly effective, nevertheless it’s not any extra of a performance-driven laptop computer than final yr’s XPS 13. In actual fact, the upcoming XPS 13 is the one which has been downgraded to a lower-wattage CPU. There’s a bigger story to inform there, however suffice it to say: The XPS 13 Plus isn’t dramatically extra highly effective than different laptops of its dimension.

Within the default Optimized mode, the XPS 13 Plus truly leans towards a cooler, quieter expertise. Inside temperatures by no means received too sizzling, which has typically been a difficulty with different XPS laptops. However bear in mind: With many laptops transitioning towards a bigger, 14-inch display dimension with a bit extra room for cooling, the XPS 13 Plus (and commonplace XPS 13) isn’t probably the most highly effective machine to make use of this chip, as examined in nearly each benchmark I threw at it.

The excellent news is the leap from Eleventh-gen to Twelfth-gen Intel chips was fairly vital in multi-core workloads, and the leap to the Thirteenth-gen CPU is simply as impactful in a few our benchmarks. So, you’ll doubtless be proud of the efficiency right here, even with some pretty heavy multitasking, and even mild content material creation. Not precisely a machine you’ll need to spend all day modifying 4K video on, however no laptop computer of this dimension actually is. Be aware that the 2022 mannequin didn’t sustain with its 28-watt Twelfth-gen competitors, and actually, the 2023 mannequin with the Thirteenth-gen CPU is slower in some circumstances. This simply emphasizes that the XPS 13 Plus isn’t the speediest laptop computer round although it’s quick sufficient for many customers.

Slightly than bump the display dimension as much as 14 inches and introduce some discrete graphics, the XPS 13 Plus is left as a succesful laptop computer, however one which feels prefer it’s overselling its capabilities. Know what you’re entering into, although, and also you’ll discover loads of efficiency for a laptop computer of this dimension.

Sidenote: I assumed it was a extremely odd transfer when it was introduced. On the time, I assumed a 14-inch mannequin would make extra sense, particularly since you would possibly put in a 45-watt CPU and a discrete graphics card, which is what a variety of laptop computer producers have been doing lately. However after seeing what Apple has accomplished by splitting its personal lineup between the M1 MacBook Air and M2 MacBook Air, you’ll be able to see that Dell was going after a really comparable lineup. Even the costs nearly line up identically. 

Dell emphasizes the out there Efficiency mode discovered within the My Dell utility, which has been engineered to unlock much more efficiency. Within the 2023 mannequin, I noticed a 19% enhance in multi-core and a 4% enhance in single-core efficiency in Geekbench 5. The distinction was much more pronounced in Cinebench R23, with a 33% enhance in multi-core and a 13% enhance in single-core. Each firm (and machine) handles these efficiency modes in another way, and it’s not remarkable to see that type of delta in efficiency modes, however the XPS 13 Plus actually takes better benefit of this Efficiency mode than the common laptop computer.

The second-biggest distinction I noticed between these modes was in Handbrake, the place Efficiency mode resulted in a 23% quicker video encode. That’s a critical uptick, though not as a lot because the 45% enhance within the earlier mannequin, displaying simply how a lot efficiency is left on the desk in Dell’s Optimized mode. Should you’re sitting all the way down to do some work in an software that requires some heavier lifting, switching modes is actually definitely worth the time it takes to open up the app.

As a result of it makes use of a 28-watt processor, the internals of the XPS 13 Plus truly share quite a bit in widespread with earlier entries within the lineup. It makes use of two followers, some warmth pipes, and a few small vents within the backside lid and by the hinge. And total, I desire the XPS 13 Plus’ method to balancing warmth and efficiency, although the underside of the laptop computer will get very heat. It was sufficient for me to not need to apply it to my lap for too lengthy, even in Optimized mode.

Dell’s “Cool” mode helps fairly a bit, and I truly discovered myself staying there for almost all of my day-to-day work. It restricts efficiency fairly a bit, however the one time I felt the slowdown was in video calls whereas doing different work concurrently.

Nonetheless, the floor temperature is a frustration, particularly if you examine it to Apple’s MacBooks. These laptops, both the M1 or M2 mannequin, do such an unbelievable job at staying cool and quiet – it’s exhausting to not keep away from making that comparability.

Battery life

As we seen whereas doing laptop computer opinions in 2022, units powered by Intel’s Twelfth-gen chips aren’t precisely battery champions. Most see a discount from earlier generations, which is a disgrace. The XPS 13 Plus, with its 55-watt-hour battery, matches this development. Thus far in 2023, Intel’s Thirteenth-gen chips haven’t appeared to make an enormous enchancment, and certainly, the newest XPS 13 Plus dropped in battery life.

The laptop computer lasted simply 5.25 hours on a single cost whereas operating net shopping macros that cycle by way of web sites in Google Chrome, in comparison with the 2022 mannequin at eight hours. Subsequent, I tossed an area 1080p film trailer on a loop, and the battery died after 6.75 hours (9.25 hours on the earlier model). These outcomes are under common for a laptop computer of this sort, even one with a 4K OLED touchscreen. You’re certain to get a pair extra hours from the bottom mannequin with its decrease decision display, however I haven’t examined it but myself.

Apparently, the XPS 15 lasts quite a bit longer. Laptops just like the Lenovo Yoga 9i fare a bit higher as effectively, as does the HP Spectre x360 13.5. And, after all, the MacBook Air lasts for over twice so long as most of those Home windows laptops, as much as 18 hours in these identical exams.

Show

The XPS 13 Plus makes use of the identical 13.4-inch 16:10 panel as utilized in earlier variations of the XPS 13 — and it’s implausible. Mine is the 3456 x 2160 decision OLED panel, although you’ll be able to go for the 3840 x 2400 IPS show for the very same worth. The latter possibility isn’t OLED, nevertheless it’s a bit brighter and sharper. The OLED mannequin tops out at 375 nits, which actually isn’t the brightest panel on the planet. But it surely’s lots shiny, even whereas working by a window or beneath harsh overhead lighting.

Even in the event you had been to go for the decrease decision base mannequin, nevertheless, you’d be getting a stable display. The mannequin I reviewed has wonderful shade saturation (100% sRGB, 95% AdobeRGB) and shade accuracy (Delta-E of 0.85). And, after all, as a result of it’s OLED you get absolute blacks for distinction that commonplace LED panels simply can’t compete with. That makes it an exquisite display for watching TV reveals or movies on-line.

And the bezels, after all, are as skinny as ever, together with up high the place the webcam is. Even in comparison with the MacBook Air (which has a big notch), these bezels are simply tiny — and it seems to be beautiful.

A showstopper

It’s clear that Dell is onto one thing particular with the XPS 13 Plus. Greater than another laptop computer I’ve reviewed up to now couple of years, that is the one folks need to cease me and see. Whereas the usual XPS 13 will doubtless be the extra standard possibility due to its worth and extra standard keyboard and touchpad, the XPS 13 Plus feels much less like a wild experiment and extra like a delicate nudge to the remainder of the trade in a brand new path.

There are some alternate options to contemplate, nevertheless. The Dell XPS 13 9315 is an effective various because it’s cheaper and has a extra conventional keyboard and touchpad. It’s much less highly effective with 15-watt U-series CPUS, although, whereas offering significantly better battery life.

Should you’re on the lookout for a barely bigger, extra highly effective laptop computer, I’d advocate contemplating a 14-inch laptop computer such because the Asus Zenbook Professional 14 Duo, Lenovo Yoga 9i, Lenovo IdeaPad Slim Professional 7, and the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED. Lastly, the M2 MacBook Air continues to dominate the XPS 13 Plus in battery life and protecting floor temperatures cool.

However all in all, if you would like a show-stopping, cutting-edge laptop computer, there’s nonetheless nothing fairly just like the XPS 13 Plus.

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