Dell XPS 13 Review: An Ultrabook For Business Pros Discussion

[Jerry Jackson]

Overview

The Dell XPS 13 ultrabook is a unique hybrid of a premuim consumer laptop and a thin-and-light business notebook. Loaded your choice of either an Intel Core i5 or Core i7 processor and a blazingly fast solid state drive, this little laptop might just give Apple a run for its money. 

Read the full content of this Article: Dell XPS 13 Review: An Ultrabook For Business Pros

Related Articles:

• Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook Fan Speed Fix Available
• Dell Latitude E6420 vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T420: 14-inch Business Notebook Battle
• Dell Precision M4600 Review: Mobile Workstation Muscle
• Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook Arrives at CES
• Dell Latitude E6320 Review: Strong and Capable
• Dell XPS 14z Review: One Sleek 14-inch Laptop
• Dell XPS 15z Review: A MacBook Alternative?

[booboo12]

I don't get it. They try to make great design choices like the use of CF and Aluminum, but fail to sweat the details in key areas like the screen and touchpad. Those are arguably two of the most important "interaction points" of a laptop, yet they blow it. Smart.

Speaking of touchpads, why on earth haven't these PC makers just given up on the clickpad? The only company who can get it right is Apple, and they've likely patented the hell out if it to make it nigh impossible for everyone else to get close. Why bother? All it does is frustrate consumers who likely weren't even looking for a one piece "clickpad" in the first place. grrr.

[Mitlov]

I'd also rather have a well-executed traditional touchpad (with dedicated left and right mouse buttons, something Apples have always lacked) instead of a clickpad. Just me. The clickpad on my MBP is good for multi-finger gestures, but awful for simple ol' right-clicks. And the right-click is essential to the Windows OS.

[Mr.Mischief]

I'd buy a 15" version with an IB processor.

@Jerry Jackson: Awesome review! Looks great, the review and the ultrabook.

[Bronsky]

With Asus (of which I am not that fond) shipping a 1080p IPS display in its new Ivy Bridge 13" Ultrabook, Dell's 13" ultrabook will not be able to compete for my business dollar or that of my firm unless it seriously steps up its game. I also agree about the trackpad and keyboard comments above, adding the absence of a HDMI out is also a negative, inspite of the addition of a display port. Even Lenovo is rumored to be upgrading its X1 with an HD+ display. Hopefully, Dell sees the market trend and pays attention to the display on its refreshed XPS 13, making it worthy of the venerable XPS brand.

[cknobman]

Lets see:

High price
Crappy display
Max 4gb ram (really???? I cant upgrade to 8 ever!!!??)

Typical Dell, severe compromises/flaws and tries to charge a premium.

[Mitlov]

Lets see:

High price
Crappy display
Max 4gb ram (really???? I cant upgrade to 8 ever!!!??)

Typical Dell, severe compromises/flaws and tries to charge a premium.

No argument on #2 from what I've read (haven't seen it in person).

But #1 and #3? It's starting price of $999 is three-quarters the MacBook Air 13's starting price of $1300. And the MacBook Air also maxes out at 4 gb ram.

[Mr.Mischief]

High price
Crappy display
Max 4gb ram (really???? I cant upgrade to 8 ever!!!??)

Mitlov addressed the other misconceptions, but on the screen...

The review states that the screen is your average, fairly low res, 13" screen. Not that it's "crappy" and "a flaw".

According to notebookcheck.com, the screen is average. Notebookcheck also ranks the XPS 13's screen(68%) virtually the same as the Asus Zenbook UX31(66%). The Macbook Air 13 only scored 75%.

[ZaZ]

I don't think the screen is all that bad and I've seen it, but the Gorilla Glass makes it more reflective than a glossy screen. Angles are below average too. On the plus side, the sound is quite good for an Ultrabook. The warranty, which includes accidental coverage, is excellent. Though warranty upgrades are more expensive.

[IKAS V]

Low crappy screen res I can live with in a small laptop whats unforigivable is the poor quality screen, the rest of the package looks amazing with the touchpad being the only other negative.
Great review as always