CPU: Intel Core i5-1230U
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
RAM: 16GB LPDDR5
Display screen: 13.4 FHD+ (1920 x 1200) InfinityEdge, Non-Contact
Storage: 512GB PCIe SSD
Ports: 2 x Thunderbolt 4
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
Digital camera: 720p at 30fps
The Dell XPS 13 hasn’t loved a 2023 refresh, so that you’re solely getting a Twelfth-gen Intel CPU – however that does not cease this from being among the finest ultrabooks available on the market, due to its glossy design, robust productiveness efficiency, and aggressive beginning value.
For
- Nice bodily aesthetics
- Good beginning value
- Strong efficiency
- Light-weight and transportable
Towards
- Controversial redesign
- Lack of bodily ports
- Webcam is not nice
CPU: Intel Core i5-1340P
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
RAM: 16GB LPDDR5
Display screen: 13.4-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200) OLED, 60Hz, Contact
Storage: 512GB PCIe SSD
Ports: 2 x Thunderbolt 4
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
Digital camera: 720p at 30fps
The second iteration of the Dell XPS 13 Plus adjustments little or no from the unique, however sports activities an upgraded Thirteenth-gen Intel CPU that may breeze by means of productiveness multitasking with ease. The refined design seems to be improbable, however the operate touchbar and borderless touchpad current some points.
For
- Glossy and classy design
- Beautiful OLED touchscreen
- Nice CPU efficiency
- Slim however sturdy
Towards
- Restricted port choice
- Touchbar and touchpad signify an accessibility difficulty
- Additionally has a sub-par webcam
If you happen to’re trying to purchase a compact laptop computer, there is a good likelihood that Dell could be your first port of name. The famend PC {hardware} firm’s XPS line of laptops has been on the block for a great whereas now, incessantly snagging spots among the many finest ultrabooks available on the market – and the very best laptops basically, for that matter.
For a time, the Dell XPS 13 was virtually indisputably the king of 13-inch ultrabooks, its solely actual competitors coming within the type of Apple’s 13-inch MacBook Air. Nevertheless, a controversial redesign in 2022 and the arrival of a separate ‘Plus’ mannequin from Dell has challenged its dominance within the compact laptop computer area.
The Dell XPS 13 Plus is actually a extra premium model of the unique XPS 13; it’s kind of pricier, a bit extra trendy, and boasts a touchscreen, however is in any other case fairly much like the present mannequin.
However in contrast to the XPS 13, the Plus variant received a re-up this yr with a {hardware} refresh that included an improve to Thirteenth-gen Intel CPUs – whereas the usual XPS 13 continues to be solely accessible with Twelfth-gen chips.
Nonetheless, each are significantly good ultrabooks, and in a vacuum I would really feel snug recommending the usual XPS 13 to anybody. However which one is really the higher laptop computer? Let’s discover out.
Dell XPS 13 vs XPS 13 Plus: Value
Pricing is a transparent win for the Dell XPS 13 right here – in spite of everything, the XPS 13 Plus is marketed as a barely extra premium variant of Dell’s basic compact laptop computer, so the upper value should not be a shock.
At its launch in 2022, the currently-available XPS 13 had a value of $899 / £854 / AU$1,898, however because it’s now over a yr previous you will incessantly see it promoting for lower than that. A fast look on the entry-level configuration accessible on Dell’s personal US web site reveals it promoting for a staggeringly low cost $599 on the time of writing.
In the meantime, the XPS 13 Plus begins at $1,249.00 / £1,198.99 / AU$2,398 – greater than double what you’d presently pay for a base-configuration XPS 13 within the States. There are additionally fewer regional customization choices, which is a disgrace.
Certain, you are getting energy with the Plus (the baseline i5 mannequin is not even accessible within the US proper now), however the XPS 13 nonetheless takes it by way of worth for cash, particularly on condition that some options – just like the disappointing 720p webcam and the dearth of bodily ports – are equivalent throughout each laptops.
Dell XPS 13 vs XPS 13 Plus: Design and options
This one may come all the way down to a query of style, for the reason that 2022 redesign of the basic XPS 13 was a divisive one for a lot of followers of the product line. For what it is value, I feel the brand new XPS 13 design nonetheless seems to be fairly rattling superb, and the acute portability on provide right here is difficult to argue in opposition to.
The XPS 13 Plus focuses closely on aesthetics, with a wholly flush keyboard, an invisible touchpad, and the operate keys changed by an LED-backlit touchbar. It is an instantly hanging design that I praised in my overview.
Sadly, whereas the keyboard felt good for me to make use of, the dearth of correct operate keys and the edgeless touchpad are fairly severe accessibility points for visually impaired customers. I personally did not like that there was no bodily suggestions in your fingertip once you hit the sting of the touchpad, which generally led to me swiping inaccurately.
That being stated, the Plus does characteristic a touchscreen (whereas the common XPS 13 doesn’t), which makes shortly navigating Home windows 11 loads simpler. The display screen basically is loads higher on the Plus, a vibrant OLED panel with colours that actually pop. The usual XPS show is not any slouch with its 16:10 facet ratio and FHD+ decision, however the premium display screen on the Plus is a transparent winner in that division.
Each laptops undergo badly by way of port choice, with only a measly pair of Thunderbolt 4 USB-C connectors – not a USB-A or HDMI port in sight. You will must put money into a USB-C dock if you wish to use a number of peripherals with both of those laptops. And Dell, for heaven’s sake – you may’t slap a cruddy 720p webcam on a $1,000+ ultrabook. 1080p needs to be the norm by now, absolutely?
Dell XPS 13 vs XPS 13 Plus: Efficiency
Okay, this spherical is not actually a good combat – the XPS 13 Plus will be configured with a robust Intel Core i7-1360P, which comfortably cruises previous the Twelfth-gen Intel chips accessible within the common XPS 13.
By way of uncooked efficiency, the XPS 13 Plus I reviewed beat out its XPS 13 predecessor by round 40-50% on common throughout a wide range of workloads, and was even able to dealing with some (very mild) gaming. That is to not say that the XPS 13 is a weak laptop computer – it could actually nonetheless deal with workplace or college productiveness workloads with ease – however the Plus is just the extra highly effective machine.
In fact, it is a much more costly laptop computer, and the 2022 XPS 13 we reviewed solely packed an Intel Core i5-1230U processor, so keep in mind that the pricier i7 configurations can be loads nearer in efficiency to the i7-equipped Plus. By way of bang in your buck, I would truly argue that the XPS 13 is the higher laptop computer – you may presently choose one up for half the worth of an XPS 13 Plus, and it does provide higher than half the efficiency of the newer XPS.
Dell XPS 13 vs XPS 13 Plus: Last verdict
On the finish of the day, each of those are among the many finest Dell laptops on the market. It is a very shut one, however I will give this combat to the Dell XPS 13 – primarily primarily based on how less expensive it’s than its Plus sibling, regardless of nonetheless providing stable efficiency and a great bodily design.
That being stated, at this level the XPS 13 and the XPS 13 Plus have diverged fairly broadly, to the purpose the place I’ve to marvel if evaluating them like that is even truthful.
The Plus has cemented itself as a premium alternative of ultrabook for the discerning skilled, flaunting its trendy design that screams ‘costly’ and providing a few of the finest efficiency you will discover in a super-compact laptop computer. In the meantime, the usual XPS 13 is settling into extra of a midrange ultrabook function, with its lowered value and barely older elements marking it out as a sensible choice for college students or workplace employees who need a light-weight Home windows laptop computer that will not break the financial institution.
So whereas the general winner (if we’re going purely by class wins) is the Dell XPS 13, the very fact is that each of those laptops can be excellent for various individuals. As for which one is best for you, nicely… how wholesome is your pockets wanting?
