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Dell XPS 13

Specifications

Dell XPS 13
Dell XPS 13 (XPS 13 Series)
Processor
Intel Core i7-2637M 2 x 1.7 - 2.8 GHz (Intel Core i7)
Graphics adapter
Intel HD Graphics 3000, Core: 350 MHz, Turbo up to 1200 MHz, 8.15.10.2455
Memory
4 GB 
, DDR3-1333, unswappable
Display
13.30 inch 16:9, 1366 x 768 pixel, Dell 133BGE, LED Backlight, glossy: yes
Mainboard
Intel QS67 Express Chipset
Storage
Samsung SSD 830 Series MZMPC256HBGJ-00000, 256 GB 
Soundcard
Intel Cougar Point PCH - High Definition Audio Controller
Connections
1 USB 2.0, 1 USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen1, 1 DisplayPort, Audio Connections: Headphones (3.5 mm jack)
Networking
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6230 (a/b/g/n = Wi-Fi 4/), Bluetooth Bluetooth 3.0
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 18 x 316 x 205 ( = 0.71 x 12.44 x 8.07 in)
Battery
47 Wh Lithium-Polymer, 6-cell battery
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
Camera
Webcam: 1.3 Megapixel
Additional features
Driver DVD, software DVD, quick-start guide, Dell DataSafe, Dell Webcam Central, FastAccess Facial Recognition, 12 Months Warranty
Weight
1.36 kg ( = 47.97 oz / 3 pounds), Power Supply: 150 g ( = 5.29 oz / 0.33 pounds)
Price
1499 Euro

 

Pricecompare

Average Score: 87.83% - good
Average of 6 scores (from 7 reviews)
price: 60%, performance: 87%, features: 74%, display: 68% mobility: 95%, workmanship: 97%, ergonomy: 86%, emissions: 79%

Reviews for the Dell XPS 13

84% Review Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook | Notebookcheck
Fashionably late? Dell's first Ultrabook seems late but impressive. The manufacturer drafts in high-end materials and fast components to convince those still reluctant to make a purchase. Should the mainstream competition from Apple, Samsung and Co. be scared of the new competitor on the block?
Dell XPS 13 Review
Source: Ubergizmo English English Archive.org version
The Dell XPS 13 is impressive: in a form-factor slightly bigger than the Macbook Air 11”, Dell has managed to provide a powerful 13” thin-and-light platform that scales up to a Core i7 processor, 256GB of SSD storage and 4G as an option. At $999, it offers twice the RAM and twice the SSD storage when compared to the current ($999) Macbook Air 11″, and its battery is 50% higher as well (7.5hrs vs 5hrs).
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 05/10/2012
80% Dell XPS 13 Review: An Ultrabook For Business Pros
Source: Notebookreview.com English Archive.org version
After spending some time with the Dell XPS 13 we were left with the feeling that this is actually a reasonable alternative to a MacBook Air. Yes, if you buy the XPS 13 you have to live without Apple's operating system and you have to settle for a less-than-stellar screen. But you get a VERY durable Gorilla Glass screen, carbon fiber to keep the notebook cool, and exceptional performance with great battery life.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 04/30/2012
Rating: Total score: 80% price: 70% performance: 100% features: 80% mobility: 100% ergonomy: 90%
83% Dell XPS 13 review
Source: PC Pro English Archive.org version
Aside from an improved screen, we could barely ask for any more from Dell’s XPS 13. It’s attractive, built superbly, and the keyboard is an absolute joy. A bigger problem concerns the price. With the top-spec XPS 13 coming in at £300 more than Asus’ Zenbook UX31, the capacious, cutting-edge SSD pushes the price above its similarly-specified rival. Don’t let that put you off, however - settle for one of the more affordable models in the range, and a slightly smaller SSD, and Dell’s XPS 13 is capable of delivering a slice of Ultrabook excellence like no other.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 04/09/2012
Rating: Total score: 83% price: 50% performance: 83% features: 83% ergonomy: 83%
90% Dell XPS 13 review
Source: Pocket Lint English Archive.org version
If you're buying one, then you might want to spend money on a big SSD, rather than on a fast processor. This laptop isn't really about speed, it's about style, but it would be handy to store more files on it, especially with photos and video taking up so much space. We really found the Core i5 to be powerful enough for everything we wanted to do with it, and as nice as the i7 would be, it's not entirely necessary.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 04/04/2012
Rating: Total score: 90%
90% Dell XPS 13 review
Source: Techradar English Archive.org version
There's only so cheap you can be with a thin and light chassis, Intel Core i5 or i7 under the hood, 4GB of memory and a 128/256GB SSD and Dell hasn't managed to make the XPS 13 as cheap as some competing Ultrabooks.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 03/20/2012
Rating: Total score: 90%
100% Dell XPS 13 review
Source: T3 English Archive.org version
While we've only been able to get our hands on a pre-build version so far, the Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook matches jaw-dropping design with characteristically strong performance. Although we would have liked a little more connectivity, there’s very little to fault with this device.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 03/13/2012
Rating: Total score: 100%
Dell XPS 13 Ultraportable Review
Source: Techreview Source English Archive.org version
Those looking for a long-haul machine or a machine for pounding out a thousand words at a time should look elsewhere. The Dell performs admirably in just about all areas, but doesn’t really excel in any. If style, processing power and portability are among your top considerations in a Windows laptop, the Dell XPS 13 Ultraportable should be in your short list.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 03/06/2012

Comment

Series:

The Ultrabook concept was announced by Intel at Computex 2011. This new generation of notebooks would use low power Intel processors, have an extremely thin profile and could also include certain tablet functions. We’ve seen a huge number and variants of Ultrabooks by many manufacturers in the first wave of these ‘MacBook Air-killer’ devices. Dell seemed to take it slow and only released their first Ultrabook in the first quarter of 2012. While most manufacturers decided to brand their Ultrabooks under new names and with many variants and sizes, Dell used its already prominent ‘XPS’ range to market theirs with just one size.

The Dell XPS 13 certainly turns heads. Like its bigger brother, the Dell XPS 14Z, it has a curvaceous silver aluminium body with a reduced chassis size for its screen. This makes it real compact even for an Ultrabook. Dell had managed to squeeze a 13 inch display into what they say is an 11 inch body. In reality, it doesn’t really get to that but it is close enough and is definitely smaller than all the other 13 inch Ultrabooks. The XPS13 has a carbon fiber bottom covered with a thin rubberized coating making keeping the laptop firmly in its place when typing. The bonded Corning Gorilla Glass display gives the display a slightly more solid feel.

Dell offers the XPS 13 for 999 € onwards same as the Asus Zenbook UX31 which is its main competitor. However, its 1366 x 768 display resolution is noticeably lower than the when compared to the 1600 x 900 panel on the UX31. Advantages of the XPS 13 over the UX31 include its backlight keyboard, more responsive keys and a smaller size.

Intel HD Graphics 3000: Integrated graphics card in the Intel Sandy Bridge processors (Core ix-2xxx). The HD 3000 is the faster (internally GT2 called) version with 12 Execution Units (EUs).

Only some 3D games with very low demands are playable with these cards.

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.


Intel Core i7: The Intel Core i7 for laptops is based on the LG1156 Core i5/i7 CPU for desktops. The base clock speed of the CPUs is relatively low, but because of a huge Turbo mode, the cores can dynamically overclock to up to 3.2 GHz (920XM). Therefore, the CPU can be as fast as high clocked dual-core CPUs (using single threaded applications) but still offer the advantage of 4 cores. Because of the large TDP of 45 W / 55 W, the CPU is only intended for large laptops.  


2637M: Power saving ULV processor clocked at 1.7-2.8 GHz due to Turbo Boost. Offers an integrated HD 3000 clocked at slow 350 / 1200 MHz and a DDR3-1333 memory controller.» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.


13.30":

There are hardly any tablets in this display size range anymore. For subnotebooks, on the other hand, it is the standard format.

The advantage of subnotebooks is that the entire laptop can be small and therefore easily portable. The smaller display also has the advantage of requiring less power, which further improves battery life and thus mobility. The disadvantage is that reading texts is more strenuous on the eyes. High resolutions are more likely to be found in standard laptops.

» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.


Dell: Dell is a U.S. manufacturer (based in Texas) of computer hardware founded in 1984 and is one of the largest international manufacturers in terms of both market share and notebook models. Its product line includes desktops, notebooks, storage systems, monitors, servers, printers, consumer electronics and peripherals. Dell offers laptops that are suitable for various applications, such as business laptops, gaming laptops, ultra portables and workstations. Dell's business laptops from the Latitude and Precision series are an option for professional users and businesses.

In 2023, Dell had an approximate 17% market share of global PC sales, ranking #3 after Lenovo and HP.

For gaming enthusiasts, Dell's Alienware brand is for gaming notebooks.


87.83%: This is an above-average rating. Nevertheless, it should not be forgotten that about one fifth of all tested models receive a better rating.


» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.

 

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Current Prices
Stefan Hinum, 2012-03-21 (Update: 2012-05-26)