Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 review: This is the convertible XPS notebook you have been waiting for

Note: This review was first published on 30 March 2020.

A thorough refresh

The first convertible XPS 13 notebook was announced three long years ago at CES in 2017. Its design closely mirrored that of the standard clamshell XPS 13 and so it had an InfinityEdge display and unbelievably compact (for its time) dimensions. However, it never really caught on because of its high price and the fact that it was powered by a low-power Y-series processor.

Fortunately, Dell has fixed one of the problems. It’s still a pricey notebook but at least it now comes with a proper full-fat Core processor. The XPS 13 2-in-1 is available in four configurations, with the difference being the amount of memory, storage, and display. All four are powered by the same 10th generation Ice Lake Intel Core i7-1065G7 processor. Here are the four configurations:

The model we are testing is top-of-the-range FHD+ display that comes with 16GB of memory and a 512GB SSD.

Design, display, ports, and connectivity

Without question, the XPS 13 2-in-1 is the sleekest convertible notebook you can buy today. The Spectre x360 13 has more flair and is arguably more practical (in terms of ports) but the XPS 13 2-in-1 feels more compact and less wieldy in the hands. In absolute terms, the XPS 13 2-in-1 is just 1.33kg and 13mm thick at its chunkiest point.

Even though Dell’s InfinityEdge display has been around for some time now, it’s still a sight to behold as Dell continuously makes its notebooks’ bezels thinner. Those thin bezels make the display look more dramatic and it helps that the display itself is brilliant, with sharp visuals and vibrant colour. Interestingly, unlike its rivals, Dell has decided to go with a 16:10 aspect ratio display for the XPS 13 2-in-1.

There are two choices for customers, a lower resolution display that Dell calls “FHD+” that has a resolution of 1,920 x 1200 pixels and a higher resolution option called “UHD+” that has is 3,840 x 2,400 pixels. Regardless of your pick, both displays measure 13.4 inches across and touch-enabled.

Because of the XPS 13 2-in-1 is so thin, it’s a bit thin on ports. All you get are two USB-C Thunderbolt 3 ports, a 3.5mm headphone/microphone audio combo jack, and a microSD card reader. The downside is that you’ll probably need dongles if you want to use the XPS 13 2-in-1 with your existing USB peripherals. The upside is that the USB-C ports support Thunderbolt 3, so they are versatile and future-proof.

As for connectivity, like most of the newest ultraportable notebooks, this new XPS 13 2-in-1 supports the newest Wi-Fi 6 standard.

Keyboard and trackpad

The latest XPS 13 2-in-1 uses what Dell calls its “next gen Maglev keyboard.” It’s a mechanism that uses magnets to control actuation and provide feedback. According to Dell, the new XPS 13 2-in-1’s keys have about 0.7mm of travel, but because of the magnets, it can create the sensation of a keyboard with greater travel. To me, they feel eerily similar to Apple’s much-criticised butterfly switch keyboards. There is a strong tactile feel to the keys, but they also have little travel and bottom out easily especially you type with heavy strokes like I do. Since I’m fine using Apple’s butterfly switch keyboards, I’m fine using this keyboard as well. That said, I can see some people hating this keyboard because of its lack of travel.

The configuration of the keys are mostly conventional except for the arrow keys. The arrow keys themselves are half-height and Dell has chosen to squeeze the Pg Up and Pg Down keys above the left and right arrow keys respectively. Some people will appreciate the convenience, while others might find that it gets in the way. Either way, this is a mostly a subjective thing, but something worth taking note of if you are fussy about the layout of your arrow keys. Before I move on to the trackpad, it's also worth mentioning that the power button in the top right corner doubles as a fingerprint scanner for quick Windows Hello logins.

The trackpad, on the other hand, is commendable. I measure it at 11.2cm in width and 6.7cm from top to bottom. Compared to its predecessor, the trackpad has gained about 0.7mm in width and height. While that may not sound like much, it actually means a 19% increase in size. In the real world, it’s a much more usable touchpad, especially if you are the kind who likes to use a lower cursor speed. It’s also a Precision trackpad, so it’s fast, fluid, and responsive.

Performance analysis

To evaluate the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1, we will be comparing its results from our benchmarks against other new and portable ultraportable notebooks such as the recently reviewed HP Spectre x360, ASUS ZenBook 14 UX434 , Lenovo Yoga S940, and Microsoft Surface Pro 7.

The unit we have on hand is the top-of-the-line Full HD+ model and it comes with a Core i7-1065G7 processor, 16GB of memory, and a 512GB SSD.

Its most obvious rival is HP’s Spectre x360. Both are convertible notebooks, built to a high level of fit and finish, and have comparable specifications. Here are the configurations of all the notebooks we tested and how they stack up.

Benchmark results

The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 was a strong performer. Its general computing scores in benchmarks like PCMark 10 were slightly above average. Its CPU scores on Cinebench R20 was very good as it recorded the highest scores amongst all the notebooks. Its graphic performance wasn’t shabby either as evidenced by its 3DMark and Tomb Raider scores. In fact, if gaming is important to you, it’s worth noting that the XPS 13 2-in-1 was about 15% faster overall compared to the Spectre x360. It’s only blemish was its poor score on WebXPRT 3, but the difference – only around 5% – isn’t something I would be concerned about.

Battery life

Our battery life test consists of running PCMark 10 on two workloads – Modern Office and Gaming – with the screen brightness set to 100%. Here are what the two workloads cover:

• Modern Office - web browsing, word processing, and video conferencing
• Gaming - runs 3DMark Fire Strike, one of the more intensive scenarios in the 3DMark suite

Compared to the Spectre x360, the XPS 13 2-in-1’s battery life is somewhat disappointing. To be fair, the XPS 13 2-in-1’s battery is smaller but the Spectre x360 managed to last over 4 hours or 80% longer. Looking at the power consumption figures, we can see that the Spectre x360 consumes considerably less power. Nevertheless, the XPS 13 2-in-1’s performance here was decent. And 5 hours on the Modern Office benchmark with the screen set to full brightness isn’t something to be scoffed at. It’s just that the HP did so well.

The one you've been waiting for

This new Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 is a massive step up from its predecessor. The new model retains much of its predecessor's svelteness but it's much more usable because it now has a full-fat Core processor. All things considered, it's truly is one of the best ultraportable notebooks you can buy. Now, if that sentence seems familiar to you, that’s because I said the same of HP’s Spectre x360.

The fact is that the two have a lot in common. Both are compact and slim, built and finished to high standards, and are powered by the latest 10th generation Core processors. Where the XPS 13 2-in-1 excels is in its sleeker design. The Spectre x360, in comparison, by virtue of being thicker, feels a bit clunky when compared to the more elegant XPS 13 2-in-1. In this rarefied space of high-end convertible notebooks, every millimetre matters.

The XPS 13 2-in-1 is also the better performer. While the two are mostly comparable in general computing tasks, the XPS 13 2-in-1 has the lead when it came to more graphics-intensive workloads and gaming.

The Spectre x360, on the other hand, counters with its versatility and practicality. It’s one of the few high-end ultraportable notebooks today to come with a full-size USB-A port. It also has a better keyboard and a much longer battery life.

As for pricing, the two are equally pricey. You won't get much change from three grand. To recap, the unit I’m testing which has a Full-HD+ display with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD is S$2,898. To compare, HP charges S$2,899 for a Spectre x360 with a Full-HD display, Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. So one can make the case that the Spectre x360 is better value.

Dell has made incremental improvements to its XPS notebooks in recent years and the newest XPS 13 2-in-1 is easily the best XPS convertible notebook yet. It’s a very accomplished ultraportable and convertible notebook – easily one of the best – but it faces stiff competition. If performance and design are your utmost concerns, go for the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1. But if I had to pick one to buy with my own money, I’ll go for the more practical and more value for money Spectre x360.

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