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@@ -4,7 +4,29 @@ Dell's XPS 13 laptops are some of our favorites. The latest version did not wow us like past releases, but the XPS line remains thin, light, powerful enough, and an all-round good deal for a premium laptop. -For years now Dell has produced a 2-in-1 version of the XPS 13 that was essentially the laptop, but with a 36-degree hinge. This year, however, Dell has done something different with the 2-in-1 +For years now Dell has produced a convertible, 2-in-1 version of the XPS 13 that was essentially the laptop verion, but with a 36-degree hinge. This year, however, Dell has done something different with the 2-in-1, offering a detachable keyboard with a tablet screen that has more in common with the Surface Pro 9 than the XPS 13 laptop. + +In some ways the XPS 13 2-in-1 bests the Surface Pro at its own game, but in other, potentially important ways it does not. + +### tk What Works + +I've been testing Dell XPS 13s for seven years now. I even bought one years ago (the last developer edition with a nose cam alas) but my first impression of the new 2-in-1 version was: this is not an XPS 13. After weeks of using it, I still stand by that. There is much to like here, but thinking of this as an XPS 13 does this hybrid laptop-tablet a disservice. This is something else entirely. + +Dell sells the XPS 13 2-in-1 in a variety of configurations, starting at $999, but that does not get you the keyboard folio, which is a $100 add-on. You definitely want the keyboard too, without it the XPS 13 is considerably less useful (mostly do to Windows 11's tablet limitations). + +Call the starting price $1,099 then. That gets you an Intel Core i5, 8 gigabytes of RAM and a 256-gigabyte SSD. The configuration I tested had the i5 processor, but bumped the RAM to 16 gigabytes and the SSD to 512 gigabytes, which brings your total price to $tk (including the folio Keyboard). For reference a similarly specced Microfot Surface Pro 9 would set you back $tk. Fully decked out the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 with an i7 chip and 1 terabyte SSD is $2,200 to the Surface 9's $2,800. + +The XPS is the clear winner when it comes to price, but there are some trade offs to be made. The biggest is the worst: the XPS lacks the Surface's very nice kickstand design, which allows you to rest the screen at any angle you like. The Dell XPS 13 is limited to a single viewing angle. It's the angle you'd want for typing at a desk, but it's subpar for working almost anywhere else. For Zoom calls with my editors I would wedge a variety of things under the back of the folio to get it to right angle. A Bic lighter worked quite well, as did a Corsair memory stick and a Benchmade knife. All sold separately. + +--- + +On its own, the super-light tablet is a capable enough performer, with new 12th Generation Intel U-Series processors and two high-resolution cameras in an expectedly premium build. + +But to function as a true laptop replacement, it needs the XPS Folio accessory (a $100 add-on), which is a kickstand, keyboard, and cover all in one. The combined solution works well, so while there are some limitations with the ports and middling battery life, this is one of the better detachable 2-in-1s around. The Lenovo Yoga 7i 14 Gen 7 is a cheaper, faster one-piece convertible alternative that’s more potent and longer-lasting, and holds an Editors' Choice award, but lacks the detachable design if you’re married to that form. + + + +Pricing starts at $1,099 including the XPS Folio keyboard, but you can get just the tablet for $999. That also includes an Intel Core i5, 8GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. # Guides Existing |