Dell XPS 13 Plus laptop review and full specifications
Description:
The Dell XPS 13 Plus laptop is a premium and powerful laptop that offers a unique and futuristic design, a stunning OLED display, a comfortable keyboard, and a strong performance. In this post, I will share with you the price, review and full specifications of this laptop and tell you why it is one of the best laptops in its class. I will also discuss some of the pros and cons of this laptop and what you should know before buying or upgrading to this laptop. If you are looking for a laptop that can handle various tasks and scenarios, such as gaming, graphic work, video editing, and office work, then the Dell XPS 13 Plus laptop might be the perfect choice for you. Read on to find out more about this laptop and what it can do for you.
Introduction:
The Dell XPS 13 Plus laptop is one of the latest additions to the XPS family, which is known for its premium design and performance. The XPS series has been around since 2006 and has evolved over the years to become one of the most popular and respected laptop lines in the market. The XPS 13, which was first launched in 2012, is the flagship model of the series and has received many awards and accolades for its sleek and powerful features. It was announced at CES 2022 that the XPS 13 will have a new sibling, the XPS 13 Plus, which aims to take the XPS experience to the next level. The XPS 13 Plus laptop is expected to be available in February 2022 with a starting price of $1,499/£898.99. And it’s released in April 2022. But what makes this laptop different from the XPS 13 and other laptops in its category? And is it worth buying or upgrading to? In this post, I will try to answer these questions and more by reviewing the features, specs, pros, and cons of the Dell XPS 13 Plus laptop. I will also compare it to other laptops in its range or category and give you my honest opinion on whether you should buy it or not. By the end of this post, you will have a better understanding of what the Dell XPS 13 Plus laptop has to offer and whether it suits your needs and preferences.
Design and Display:
The Dell XPS 13 Plus laptop has a stunning design and display that set it apart from other laptops in its category. In this section, I will review the design and display features of the XPS 13 Plus and how they affect the user experience. I will also discuss some of the pros and cons of the design and display choices and what you should know before buying this laptop.
Design: Minimalist and Futuristic
The XPS 13 Plus has a minimalist and futuristic design that makes it look like a laptop from the future. It has a single piece of glass along the front of the system that covers the touch-bar-like strip for the function keys. The keyboard is also edge-to-edge, which means there is no wasted space on the sides of the laptop. The touchpad is seamless and invisible, blending in with the carbon fiber palm rest. The laptop has a metal lid and a platinum or graphite color option.
The XPS 13 Plus is also very slim and light, weighing only 2.77 pounds and measuring 0.6 by 11.63 by 7.84 inches. It is one of the most compact and portable laptops in its class, thanks to its thin bezels and small footprint. It is easy to carry around and fit in any bag or backpack.
Display: Brilliant and Versatile
The XPS 13 Plus has a variety of displays available, ranging from an entry-level Full HD+ (1,920 x 1,200) IPS panel up to a choice between a 4K + (3,840 x 2,400) IPS display and a 3.5K (3,456 x 2,160) OLED display. The latter, in particular, provides incredibly wide and accurate colors, plenty of brightness, and OLED’s inky blacks. All the displays are touch-enabled and have anti-reflective or anti-glare coatings for better visibility in different lighting conditions. The displays also have a 16:10 aspect ratio, which gives more vertical space for web browsing and productivity tasks.
The design and display of the XPS 13 Plus are definitely some of its main selling points, as they offer a unique and premium user experience. However, they also come with some trade-offs, such as a lack of ports and a headset jack, a somewhat finicky touchpad, and a middling battery life. These are some of the factors that you should consider before buying or upgrading to this laptop.
Performance And Battery Life:
Powerful But Hot:
The XPS 13 Plus laptop is powered by a 12th or 13th Gen Intel Core processor, which delivers impressive performance for a laptop this compact. You can choose between a Core i5-1240P, a Core i7-1260P, or a Core i7-1280P processor, depending on your budget and needs. The laptop also comes with up to 32GB of RAM and up to 2TB of SSD storage, which ensure fast multitasking and loading times. The laptop also has Intel Iris Xe graphics, which can handle casual gaming and photo editing.
The XPS 13 Plus laptop also has a special feature called Ultra mode, which boosts the performance of the processor by increasing its power limit and frequency. You can enable Ultra mode by pressing the F12 key on the touch-bar-like strip. Ultra mode can make the laptop run faster and smoother, especially for demanding tasks like video editing or gaming. However, it also makes the laptop run hotter and consume more battery life.
The performance and battery life of the XPS 13 Plus laptop are both good, but they come with some trade-offs. The laptop can run very fast and smooth, but it can also get very hot and drain the battery quickly. You should consider these factors before buying or upgrading to this laptop.
The XPS 13 Plus laptop has a 55Wh battery, which is decent but not outstanding for its class. The battery life depends on the display option and the usage mode. The OLED display consumes more power than the IPS display, and Ultra mode consumes more power than Optimized mode. According to some tests, the XPS 13 Plus laptop can last between 5 to 8 hours on a single charge, depending on the settings and usage. This is not bad, but it is not as good as some of its competitors, such as the MacBook Air M2.
Keyboard And Touchpad:
Comfortable And innovative:
The XPS 13 Plus laptop has a unique keyboard and touchpad design that makes it stand out from other laptops in its category. The keyboard is edge-to-edge, which means it spans the entire width of the laptop and has larger keycaps than the XPS 13. The keyboard also has a lattice-free design, which means there are no gaps between the keys. This gives the keyboard a smooth and elegant look and feel.
The keyboard is also very comfortable and efficient to type on, as it has a 1.3mm key travel, a soft-touch coating, and a backlight. The keyboard also has a fingerprint reader integrated into the power button, which enables fast and secure login with Windows Hello. The keyboard also has a touch-bar-like strip for the function keys, which are capacitive touch buttons instead of physical keys. The function keys can toggle between media and function modes with a press of the F12 key.
The touchpad is also seamless and invisible, as it blends in with the carbon fiber palm rest. The touchpad is powered by haptics, which means it does not move but still provides a satisfying click when pressed. The touchpad is also very large and responsive, as it supports multi-touch gestures and Windows Precision drivers.
The keyboard and touchpad of the XPS 13 Plus laptop are both innovative and comfortable, as they offer a unique and premium user experience. However, they also have some drawbacks, such as the lack of feedback from the function keys and the oversensitivity of the touchpad. These are some of the factors that you should consider before buying or upgrading to this laptop.
Ports And connectivity:
Minimalist and Versatile:
The XPS 13 Plus laptop has a minimalist and versatile approach to ports and connectivity, as it only has two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support. These ports can charge the laptop, output video, and support USB-4 devices. The laptop also has a microSD card slot for extra storage. However, the laptop does not have a headphone jack or any other ports built-in. This means you will need to use adapters or dongles to connect your headphones, external monitors, or other peripherals.
The laptop also has wireless connectivity options, such as Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, which enable fast and stable internet and data transfer. The laptop also supports Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6E 1675 (AX211) (2×2), which can prioritize gaming and streaming traffic for optimal performance.
The ports and connectivity of the XPS 13 Plus laptop are both minimalist and versatile, as they offer a simple and powerful solution for connecting your devices. However, they also require you to use adapters or dongles for some common accessories, such as headphones or mice. These are some of the factors that you should consider before buying or upgrading to this laptop.
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Software and Security:
Up to date and Secure:
The XPS 13 Plus laptop comes with up-to-date and secure software and security features that enhance the user experience. The laptop runs on Windows 11 Home or Pro, depending on your choice, which offers a modern and intuitive interface, improved performance and compatibility, and new features like Snap Layouts, Widgets, and Android apps. The laptop also has pre-installed apps like Dell Cinema Guide, Dell Mobile Connect, Dell Power Manager, and McAfee LiveSafe. You can also download more apps from the Microsoft Store or the Dell Support website.
The laptop also has security features that protect your data and privacy. The laptop has a fingerprint reader integrated into the power button, which enables fast and secure login with Windows Hello. The laptop also has a TPM 2.0 chip, which encrypts your data and prevents unauthorized access. The laptop also supports Intel vPro technology, which allows remote management and security for business users.
The software and security of the XPS 13 Plus laptop are both up-to-date and secure, as they offer a modern and intuitive user experience and protect your data and privacy. However, they also require you to update your drivers and firmware regularly to ensure optimal performance and compatibility. These are some of the factors that you should consider before buying or upgrading to this laptop.
Pros And Cons:
The Verdict:
The XPS 13 Plus laptop is a premium and powerful laptop that offers a unique and futuristic design, a stunning OLED display, a comfortable keyboard, and a strong performance. However, it also has some drawbacks, such as a short battery life, a lack of ports and a headphone jack, a finicky touchpad, and a hot bottom. Here are some of the main pros and cons of the XPS 13 Plus laptop:
Pros:
- Gorgeous design: The XPS 13 Plus has a minimalist and futuristic design with a single piece of glass along the front of the system and a touch-bar-like strip for the function keys. The keyboard is also edge-to-edge, which means there is no wasted space on the sides of the laptop. The touchpad is seamless and invisible, blending in with the carbon fiber palm rest. The laptop has a metal lid and a platinum or graphite color option.
- Bright and vibrant OLED display: The XPS 13 Plus has a choice between a 4K + (3,840 x 2,400) IPS display and a 3.5K (3,456 x 2,160) OLED display. The latter, in particular, provides incredibly wide and accurate colors, plenty of brightness, and OLED’s inky blacks. All the displays are touch-enabled and have anti-reflective or anti-glare coatings for better visibility in different lighting conditions. The displays also have a 16:10 aspect ratio, which gives more vertical space for web browsing and productivity tasks.
- Very comfortable keyboard: The XPS 13 Plus has a very comfortable keyboard with a 1.3mm key travel, a soft-touch coating, and a backlight. The keyboard also has a fingerprint reader integrated into the power button, which enables fast and secure login with Windows Hello. The keyboard also has a touch-bar-like strip for the function keys, which are capacitive touch buttons instead of physical keys. The function keys can toggle between media and function modes with a press of the F12 key.
- Strong performance: The XPS 13 Plus is powered by a 12th or 13th Gen Intel Core processor, which delivers impressive performance for a laptop this compact. You can choose between a Core i5-1240P, a Core i7-1260P, or a Core i7-1280P processor, depending on your budget and needs. The laptop also comes with up to 32GB of RAM and up to 2TB of SSD storage, which ensure fast multitasking and loading times. The laptop also has Intel Iris Xe graphics, which can handle casual gaming and photo editing.
- Powerful audio: The XPS 13 Plus has four speakers (two upward-firing and two downward-firing) that produce loud and clear sound. The speakers also support Waves MaxxAudio Pro technology, which enhances the audio quality and effects. The speakers can fill a small room with sound and are suitable for watching movies or listening to music.
Cons:
- Relatively short battery life: The XPS 13 Plus has a 55Wh battery, which is decent but not outstanding for its class. The battery life depends on the display option and the usage mode. The OLED display consumes more power than the IPS display, and Ultra mode consumes more power than Optimized mode. According to some tests, the XPS 13 Plus laptop can last between 5 to 8 hours on a single charge, depending on the settings and usage . This is not bad, but it is not as good as some of its competitors, such as the MacBook Air M2 or the HP Spectre x360.
- Lack of ports and headphone jack: The XPS 13 Plus only has two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support. These ports can charge the laptop, output video, and support USB-4 devices. However, the laptop does not have a headphone jack or any other ports built-in . This means you will need to use adapters or dongles to connect your headphones, external monitors, or other peripherals.
- Touchpad can be oversensitive: The XPS 13 Plus has a seamless and invisible touchpad that blends in with the carbon fiber palm rest. The touchpad is powered by haptics, which means it does not move but still provides a satisfying click when pressed. However, some users have reported that the touchpad can be oversensitive and register accidental clicks or gestures . This can be annoying and interfere with your workflow.
- Bottom runs warm: The XPS 13 Plus has a special feature called Ultra mode, which boosts the performance of the processor by increasing its power limit and frequency. You can enable Ultra mode by pressing the F12 key on the touch-bar-like strip. However, Ultra mode also makes the laptop run hotter and consume more battery life. Some users have reported that the bottom of the laptop can get uncomfortably warm when using Ultra mode or performing demanding tasks . This can affect your comfort and the longevity of the laptop.
The XPS 13 Plus laptop is a premium and powerful laptop that offers a unique and futuristic design, a stunning OLED display, a comfortable keyboard, and a strong performance. However, it also has some drawbacks, such as a short battery life, a lack of ports and a headphone jack, a finicky touchpad, and a hot bottom. These are some of the main pros and cons of the XPS 13 Plus laptop that you should consider before buying or upgrading to this laptop.
Conclusion and Review:
A Premium and Powerful Laptop for All:
The Dell XPS 13 Plus laptop is a premium and powerful laptop that offers a unique and futuristic design, a stunning OLED display, a comfortable keyboard, and a strong performance. It is one of the most compact and portable laptops in its class, thanks to its thin bezels and small footprint. It is also one of the most innovative and versatile laptops in its category, thanks to its touch-bar-like strip for the function keys, its seamless and invisible touchpad, and its Ultra mode for boosting the performance.
However, the XPS 13 Plus laptop also has some drawbacks, such as a short battery life, a lack of ports and a headphone jack, a finicky touchpad, and a hot bottom. These are some of the trade-offs that you have to accept if you want to enjoy the benefits of this laptop. You also have to pay a premium price for this laptop, as it starts at $1,499/£898.99.
The XPS 13 Plus laptop is a great choice for anyone who wants a premium and powerful laptop that can handle various tasks and scenarios. It is suitable for gaming and graphic work, as it has Intel Iris Xe graphics and an OLED display that provide amazing visuals and colors. It is also suitable for video editing, as it has a 12th or 13th Gen Intel Core processor and up to 32GB of RAM that deliver fast and smooth performance. It is also suitable for office work, as it has a comfortable keyboard and a fingerprint reader that enable efficient typing and secure login.
The XPS 13 Plus laptop is a laptop for all, as it offers a unique and futuristic design, a stunning OLED display, a comfortable keyboard, and a strong performance. It is one of the best laptops in its class, but it also has some drawbacks that you should consider before buying or upgrading to this laptop.
Specs
Processor
| Processor Type | Core i5, Core i7 |
| Processor Speed | 5.0 GHz |
| Processor Boost | Upto 5.0 GHz |
| Processor Cores | 14 Cores |
| Processor Cache | L1 Cache, L2 Cache, L3 Cache |
| 64-bit Computing | |
| Processor Modal | Core i5-1240P: 12 cores/16 threads, up to 4.4 GHz, 12 MB cache Core i5-1250P vPro: 12 cores/16 threads, up to 4.4 GHz, 12 MB cache Core i7-1260P: 14 cores/18 threads, up to 4.7 GHz, 18 MB cache Core i7-1280P: 14 cores/20 threads, up to 4.8 GHz, 24 MB cache Core i7-1360P: 16 cores/24 threads, up to 5.0 GHz, 24 MB cache |
Memory
| RAM (Memory) RAM (Random Access Memory) is a type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly, any byte of memory can be accessed without touching the preceding bytes that allows information to be stored and accessed quickly from random locations. RAM is the most common type of memory found in computer systems, smartphones, tablets and other electronic devices. | 8 GB |
| RAM Type | LPDDR5 SDRAM |
| RAM Speed | 6000 MHz |
| RAM Slots | 2 Slots |
| RAM Max | upto 32 GB |
Storage
| Storage Type | Solid State Drive (SSD) |
| Storage Capacity | 2 TB |
| Technology | PCIe |
Display
| Display Type Display Technology => A number of display technologies and types used in mobile phones => TFT (Thin Film Transistor), IPS (In-Place Switching), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode), AMOLED (Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode), Super AMOLED (an even advanced version of AMOLED), Resistive Touchscreen (Resistive touchscreens contain two layer of conductive material with a very small gap between them which acts as a resistance), Capacitive Touchsceen (Capacitive touchscreen technology consists of a layer of glass coated with a transparent conductor) | Non-Touch LCD with LED backlight, FHD+ Touch LCD with LED backlight, UHD+ Touch LCD with LED backlight, OLED Touch (3.5K) LCD with LED backlight |
| Size | 13.4 inches, 16:10 aspect ratio, |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 3840 x 2400 pixels, 4K resolution with higher pixel density and sharper image quality than FHD+ display |
| Display Colors Display Colors is refers to the number of different shades of colors that the screen is capable of displaying => 64K colors, 256K colors and 16 million colors, Obviously 16M is highest available range of colors and better than others. | 16.7 million colors, 100% sRGB color gamut, |
| Pixel Density Pixel Density (PPI) is refers to the concentration of pixels on a particular display, measured in pixels per inch (ppi). Pixel density is calculated by dividing the diagonal pixel resolution of a display by its diagonal size, higher pixel density better display quality. | 169 ppi (pixels per inch), 338 ppi (pixels per inch) |
| Touch Screen | Depending on Models in basic model no touchscreen, Yes, capacitive multi-touch screen with support for up to 10 touch points and active pen input (pen sold separately) |
| Display Protection Display Protection => Gorilla Glass is a special alkali-aluminosilicate glass shield with exceptional damage resistance that helps protect mobile displays from scratches, drops, and bumps of everyday use, It is always better to go for a smartphone with Gorilla Glass for that added protection and peace of mind. | Corning Gorilla Glass 6, anti-glare coating, |
| Features | 500 nits brightness, InfinityEdge design with narrow bezels, Dolby Vision HDR support, EyeSafe technology to reduce blue light emission, WLED backlight with dynamic power control to optimize battery life |
| Secondary Display | None |
Graphics
| GPU GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is a single-chip processor designed to rapidly manipulate and alter memory to accelerate the creation of images in a frame buffer intended for output to a display, This includes things such as lighting effects, object transformations, and 3D motion. | Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EUs |
| GPU Memory | Shared |
| Base Clock | 400 MHz |
Operating System
| Operating System OS => Every computer system run on a base software called Operating System (OS). Operating System controls all basic operations of the computer (such as smartphone, PDAs, tablet computers and other handheld devices). The Operating System allows the user to install and run third party applications (apps), apps are used to add new functionality to the device. | Windows 11 Home or Pro, or Ubuntu Linux 22.04 LTS |
Connectivity
| Bluetooth Bluetooth is a wireless communications technology for exchanging data between mobile phones, headsets, computers and other network devices over short distances without wires, Bluetooth technology was primarily designed to support simple wireless networking of personal consumer devices. | Bluetooth 5.2 or 6.0, depending on the wireless module |
| Infrared Infrared connectivity is an old wireless technology used to connect two electronic devices. It uses a beam of infrared light to transmit information and so requires direct line of sight and operates only at close range. | |
| Wi-fi Wi-Fi is a popular wireless networking technology using radio waves to provide high-speed network connections that allows devices to communicate without cords or cables, Wi-Fi is increasingly becoming the preferred mode of internet connectivity all over the world. | Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 6, depending on the wireless module. Supports 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, and 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi 6E. Supports WPA3 security protocol |
| Wi-fi Hotspot | |
| USB | two USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports that support DisplayPort and Power Delivery. You can connect USB-A devices using the USB-C to USB-A adapter that is included in the box. You can also use a USB-C hub or dock for more ports. |
| GPS GPS The Global Positioning System is a satellite-based radio navigation system, GPS permits users to determine their position, velocity and the time 24 hours a day, in all weather, anywhere in the world, In order to locate your position, your device or GPS receiver must have a clear view of the sky. | No |
| NFC NFC (Near field communication) is a set of standards for smartphones and similar devices to establish peer-to-peer radio communications with each other by touching them together or bringing them into proximity, usually no more than a few inches. | |
| HDMI HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a compact audio/video interface for transferring uncompressed video data and compressed or uncompressed digital audio data from a HDMI-compliant source device to a compatible computer monitor, video projector, digital television, or digital audio device. | |
| Wireless Charging Wireless Charging (Inductive Charging) uses an electromagnetic field to transfer energy between two objects. This is usually done with a charging station. Energy is sent through an inductive coupling to an electrical device, which can then use that energy to charge batteries or run the device. | No |
Battery
| Battery Type Battery Type => Cell phones run on various kinds of batteries depending on the manufacturer, phone size or shape and features. There are basically four types of cell phone batteries => Lithium Polymer, Lithium Ion, Nickel Metal Hydride and Nickel Cadmium. | Li-Ion (Lithium Ion) |
| Capacity Battery Capacity is a measure (typically in Amp-hr) of the charge stored by the battery, and is determined by the mass of active material contained in the battery. The battery capacity represents the maximum amount of energy that can be extracted from the battery under certain conditions. | 55 WHr, 3-cell |
| Placement | Integrated, non-removable |
| Standby Standby Time is the total amount of time that you can leave your is fully charged, turned on and ready to send and receive calls or data transmissions before completely discharging the battery. | more than 24 hours on a single charge |
| Music Play | Varies depending on the usage and settings, but can last for more than 14 hours on a single charge |
Dimensions
| Height | 15.28 mm (0.60 in.) |
| Width | 295.30 mm (11.63 in.) |
| Depth | 199.04 mm (7.84 in.) |
| Weight | 1.23 kg (2.71 lbs.) for FHD+ or UHD+ display, 1.26 kg (2.77 lbs.) for OLED display |
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