Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 Evaluate: A Floor-like Slate for Much less

The most recent XPS 13 two-in-one from Dell seems and feels lots just like the Floor Professional from Microsoft. Sure, there are a lot of different Home windows tablets with clip-on keyboards, however the Floor is the unique and nonetheless greatest recognized, so it is the one you are most probably to match with this. 

I’ve all the time been a fan of the XPS line normally, and particularly the XPS 13 clamshell laptops. This two-in-one model has among the identical aesthetically minimalist touches and mod-feeling matte aluminum physique. Even higher, it prices a superb deal lower than a comparable Floor Professional, relying on the way you configure every system. 

A Floor Professional 9 with a Core i5 CPU, 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, together with the keyboard cowl, is $1,578. A equally configured XPS 13 two-in-one, additionally with the keyboard cowl, is $1,299. And that is with a much bigger 512GB SSD, too. An actual comparability is hard as a result of the Floor Professional 9 would not supply a pairing of Core i5 and 512GB, whereas the XPS 13 two-in-one affords solely 512GB and 1TB storage choices. Costs may change commonly with restricted time reductions and offers. (As of this overview, the Floor Professional 9 is providing a free keyboard cowl for a restricted time, a financial savings of $179.)

There’s additionally an ARM-based Floor Professional 9 (the mannequin we reviewed) that makes use of Microsoft’s SQ3 chip as a substitute of 1 from Intel and provides 5G assist, however there is not any comparable XPS two-in-one choice for that. 

Keyboard and kickstand sins

However configured as intently as attainable, there’s a fairly large worth distinction. Nonetheless, I am nonetheless undecided I might go along with the XPS two-in-one over the Floor Professional 9. Why? As a result of the 2 issues the Floor has perfected about pill/laptop computer hybrids, the kickstand and the keyboard cowl, usually are not fairly as perfected right here. 

And that is a disgrace as a result of the 13-inch 2,880×1,920 display screen is vivid and rich-looking. It is rated for 500 nits brightness, and in follow it makes for an excellent TV/film streaming system when mendacity in mattress. The Floor Professional helps a quicker 120Hz refresh price, versus simply 60Hz right here. That may imply smoother video, but in addition have an effect on battery life. Having the next, or variable, refresh price is a pleasant characteristic to have, however most individuals will likely be proud of a 60Hz display screen. 

However the keyboard cowl, which Dell calls the XPS Folio, is a letdown. I am going to begin with the excellent news: It is simply $100 additional, not the prison $179 Microsoft expenses for its keyboard cowl. However in contrast to the Floor keyboard, which may angle up on the again for a extra ergonomic expertise, the Dell model sits flat in your desk and that is it. The precise keys are massive, flat, edge-to-edge-style keys, which is an efficient use of restricted house, and in reality, it feels extra like a strong laptop computer keyboard than the Floor model. However, the dearth of any form of incline choice made it really feel awkward. 

A far greater sin is how the kickstand is integrated into the XPS Folio itself, as a substitute of being constructed into the pill. Meaning to prop up the XPs 13 two-in-one, you want the complete keyboard cowl connected, even for those who simply wish to prop the pill up like a standalone display screen. Whereas the Floor Professional permits for nearly limitless kickstand angles, the again of the XPs Folio slides down into three magnetic stops, and it is completely attainable none of them will really feel precisely proper to you. 

Fanless efficiency 

When you get previous these design foibles, the XPs 13 two-in-one is a good performer for a U-series Core i5 Home windows system. It is fanless, which makes it completely silent and helps battery life, even when it is a theoretical limiter on total efficiency as a result of the warmth must be regulated. 

A present M2 MacBook is quicker, as is the Core i7 XPS 13 Plus and the latest Core i5 XPS 13, however not by an enormous quantity. I would name this a superbly high quality PC for mainstream duties and even some picture or video work. 

Battery life can also be almost 7.5 hours on our on-line video streaming check. Once more, nowhere close to what another laptops with greater batteries can pull off, however nonetheless superb if you are going to be doing loads of video streaming. 

This see-sawing record of pluses and minuses depart the XPS 13 two-in-one in a wierd place. The value is correct, contemplating the elements, equipment, design and efficiency. However in among the high quality of life points, it falls behind the costlier Floor Professional line, and you will have to determine if the worth tradeoff is value it for the kickstand and keyboard variations.