Dell XPS 13 Review: A Solid Ultraportable Workhorse with Limitations

The Dell XPS 13 (2024) emerges as a bold step forward in the ultraportable laptop market, blending elegance, power, and innovation. A continuation of Dell’s celebrated XPS lineup, this model is a tantalizing mix of refinement and ambition, featuring the Snapdragon X Elite chip, AI-driven efficiency, and an ultra-minimalist design. It’s a machine that teeters between an industry game-changer and a polarizing experiment, echoing the same audacity we associate with the groundbreaking M1 MacBook Air.

At first glance, the XPS 13 resembles the XPS 13 Plus, with its capacitive LED-lit function row and invisible touchpad. These design choices, while sleek, might divide users. Yet beneath its slim, elegant chassis lies a potent performer, boasting MacBook-rivaling battery life and configurations that cater to power users and casual professionals alike. Whether you opt for the FHD+ IPS or the stunning 3K OLED display, visuals remain bright and crisp, perfect for work and leisure.

Dell XPS 13 (2024) Review

However, this isn’t a story of unblemished triumph. The Snapdragon-powered laptop showcases stellar performance and portability but stumbles with compatibility issues on Windows 11, particularly for gaming and some legacy apps. It’s a reminder that Windows on Arm still has growing pains.

Still, the XPS 13 impresses where it matters most—delivering a top-tier experience for everyday productivity, excellent build quality, and enough innovation to keep its legacy alive. While not flawless, the 2024 Dell XPS 13 remains a strong contender for one of the year’s best laptops.

Dell XPS 13 (2024) Review

The Reviewing of Dell XPS 13 (2024)  is the epitome of ultraportable elegance, blending power with portability for the modern traveler. Weighing just 2.59 pounds and measuring a sleek 0.55 inches thick, this laptop slips effortlessly into any bag, proving itself the perfect companion on a weekend getaway or business trip.

Its Snapdragon X Elite chipset delivers remarkable performance, effortlessly handling multitasking and demanding applications while ensuring that battery life extends to impressive lengths.

Though its 13.4-inch LCD screen isn’t quite as dazzling as OLED, it still delivers a bright and crisp experience with a 1920 by 1200 pixels resolution, ideal for productivity.

While the webcam and sound quality may not be groundbreaking, the XPS 13 compensates with its razor-thin design and fast performance, making it a top contender for those seeking style and substance in a portable laptop.

Also Read, HP Pavilion x360 Review

Dell XPS 13 Review: Design & Built

The Dell XPS 13 (2024)review is here,  It’s a sleek ultrabook that combines minimalist design with premium build quality. Weighing just 2.59 pounds and measuring 14.8 mm thin, it’s highly portable and ideal for daily use. Its machined aluminum and Gorilla Glass construction ensures durability, while the Platinum and Graphite finishes resist fingerprints and scratches.

The edge-to-edge keyboard provides a unique typing experience with bouncy, responsive keys, though the tightly spaced layout may require adjustment. The Gorilla Glass touchpad, integrated seamlessly with haptic feedback, is innovative but less intuitive for some users. The device’s 3K+ OLED touch display option offers stunning visuals, while the 1920 x 1200 IPS panel provides excellent clarity and battery efficiency.

Sound quality is exceptional, thanks to quad speakers with Dolby Atmos and 360-degree spatial audio. The downward-firing speakers deliver robust, immersive sound without compromising the design. However, the XPS 13’s port selection is limited to two USB Type-C ports, and the lack of an audio jack may inconvenience professionals.

Drawing inspiration from the XPS 13 Plus, the device’s invisible touchpad and touch-based toolbar contribute to its futuristic look but can feel less practical. Despite these quirks, the XPS 13 excels in portability, performance, and style, making it a top choice for users seeking a premium ultrabook.

Dell XPS 13 (2024) Review: Performance A Solid Ultraportable Workhorse with Limitations

The Dell XPS 13 (2024) Performance review is here, and it continues its legacy as one of the most popular ultraportable laptops, especially for users seeking a Windows alternative to Apple’s MacBook Air. It is powered by the Snapdragon X Elite and paired with the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H,  the XPS 13 delivers strong performance for most everyday tasks.

From browsing the web to running spreadsheets, this laptop breezes through general productivity workloads with ease. It’s also notable for its exceptional multi-core performance, especially when compared to the MacBook Air M3, making it a solid choice for those who need a bit more power in their day-to-day operations.

During testing, the XPS 13 handled multiple open windows and media playback without breaking a sweat, maintaining cool temperatures at 94 degrees Fahrenheit — an impressive feat for a laptop this slim. Geekbench and Cinebench tests reveal strong single-core performance, although the multi-core results leave room for improvement.

Dell XPS 13 Review (2024)

The laptop excels in lighter tasks but struggles when pushed to sustained heavy workloads, such as video editing or CPU-intensive processes. Extended stress tests show thermal throttling, meaning that under continuous high loads, the CPU performance drops significantly.

While it handles general productivity tasks well, the XPS 13 isn’t a powerhouse for gaming or graphic-intensive work. The integrated Intel Arc GPU is competent for light tasks but falls short in demanding 3D applications, making this laptop less suitable for gaming or tasks that require robust graphics processing power. For gaming enthusiasts, cloud gaming services like GeForce Now or Xbox Game Pass may offer a better experience.

Despite these limitations, the XPS 13 stands out in the ultraportable category due to its premium build quality, impressive battery life, and smooth user experience. Adding AI Copilot integration and Windows 11 features like AI-powered Copilot keys and Image Creator showcases Dell’s commitment to pushing the envelope in usability and creativity. However, the security issues with AI Recall might raise concerns for privacy-conscious users.

Also Read, Apple Macbook Air M1 Review

Dell XPS 13 Review:  Specs

Header Cell – Column 0 Dell XPS 13 (2024) (starting/tested)
Price $1,299
Display 13.4-inch (1,920 x 1,200) non-touch ISP 60-120Hz
CPU Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100
GPU Qualcomm Adreno
Memory 16GB
Storage 512GB
Ports 2x USB-C
Dimensions 11.6 x 7.8 x 0.6 inches
Weight 2.6 pounds

 

Dell XPS 13 Review (2024): Battery Life

Dell XPS 13 Review

The Dell XPS 13 (2024) is redefining battery performance in the laptop market, setting a new benchmark for longevity and efficiency. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, this lightweight powerhouse is perfect for professionals and students seeking unmatched portability and all-day reliability.

Unparalleled Battery Performance
In rigorous tests, the Dell XPS 13 clocked a staggering 19 hours and 41 minutes of continuous web browsing at 150 nits of brightness. This feat places it leagues ahead of competitors, such as the MacBook Air M3 (15:13) and Dell XPS 14 (8:56). Whether you’re working on-the-go or attending back-to-back meetings, you can confidently leave your charger behind.

Real-World Use Cases
Daily tasks, such as typing and light productivity, barely dent its power. After an entire workday, it retains around 40% battery life, allowing half a day of additional usage without recharging. Video streaming tests also showcase its endurance, lasting an impressive 17.5 to 23 hours, making it ideal for binge-watching or multimedia projects.

Snapdragon-Powered Excellence
Dell has combined Qualcomm’s advanced Snapdragon platform with an efficient design, resulting in a laptop that surpasses competitors like the Asus Vivobook S 15 and even rivals top MacBook models. While battery life may dip with high-performance activities or external monitor usage, its overall stamina remains unmatched.

Also Read, Honor MagicBook X14 Pro

Dell XPS 13 Review: Benchmark

Benchmark Score
Geekbench 6 CPU Single 2028
Geekbench 6 CPU Multi 7224
Geekbench 6 Open CL / Compute 8386
Cinebench R23 Single 1346
Cinebench R23 Multi 5233
Cinebench R23 Multi 30 min loop 4390
PugetBench for Premiere Pro 177
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1920 x 1200, highest) 15
4K Export (Adobe Premiere Pro 15) 10:08

Dell XPS 13 (2024) Verdict

The Dell XPS 13 (2024) stands out as a mixed bag, delivering exceptional battery life and a compact design, but with notable limitations. Powered by the Snapdragon X Elite, it showcases fast performance and remarkable power efficiency, making it one of the best laptops in the XPS 13 lineup to date. Its battery life is a highlight, lasting a full workday or school day with ease and up to 19 hours of continuous web browsing or video streaming.

However, the XPS 13 doesn’t come without compromises. Its controversial design and minimal port selection might deter some users, and the keyboard layout could take time to adjust to. While it handles general productivity tasks well, it falls short for intensive workloads like 3D modeling or video editing due to thermal limitations.

Priced at $1,299, the Dell XPS 13 offers solid value for students and professionals seeking a lightweight, portable device for daily use. Despite lacking the performance edge of some competitors, its ridiculously long battery life and reliable performance make it a worthy consideration for those prioritizing portability and endurance.

In conclusion, while the Dell XPS 13 (2024) isn’t without its flaws, it remains a fantastic choice for users who can look past its design quirks and focus on its strengths: outstanding battery life, portability, and a sharp display. For everyday productivity, it’s still a strong contender.

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Md Rashid
Md Rashid

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