Notebookcheck Logo

Hot Ice: Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3 Laptop Review

Ice(Lake)borne. Dell's latest XPS convertible is unlike most Ultrabooks or convertibles we've tested this year simply because it checks off a long laundry list of uncommon features: Ice Lake-U, MagLev keyboard, vapor chamber, 13.4-inch touchscreen, and a 16:10 aspect ratio. The result is a travel-friendly convertible with one of the brightest and most well-calibrated displays we've seen for its category. Unfortunately, you'll have to give up some upgrades along the way that may impact longevity.

(October 25, 2019 update: Dell had previously stated in guidelines that the XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 series would incorporate GORE aerogel for cooling as found on the XPS 15 9575 series. The manufacturer has corrected the error to confirm that the XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 does *not* have GORE aerogel cooling. Mentions of GORE have been removed from this page as a result.)

Dell unveiled its first generation XPS 13 9365 2-in-1 convertible at CES 2017. While the model was praised for its visual design, it ultimately left a lot of users disappointed in terms of performance because of its slower 4.5 W Core Y CPUs. The system was essentially an expensive souped-up netbook instead of the proper 2-in-1 Ultrabook that it was marketed to be.

Fast-forward to Computex 2019 where Dell unveiled its second generation XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 to replace the aforementioned 2017 model. The redesigned chassis holds a lot of "world first" features for its size class including vapor chamber cooling, MagLev keyboard keys, and a 13.4-inch 16:10 display all powered by Intel's brand new 10th gen 15 W Ice Lake-U processor. It's an ambitious endeavor similar in vein to last year's Kaby Lake-G-powered XPS 15 9575 2-in-1.

Current SKUs range from the Core i3-1005G1 CPU, integrated UHD Graphics G1 GPU, FHD (1200p) touchscreen, 4 GB LPDDR4 RAM, and 256 GB SSD option for $1000 USD up to the Core i7-1065G7 CPU, integrated Iris Plus Graphics GPU, 4K (2400p) touchscreen, 32 GB LPDDR4x RAM, and a 1 TB NVMe SSD for $2600 USD. Our test unit today is the least expensive Core i3 FHD configuration to see what an entry-level Ice Lake-U SKU is capable of. Expect a separate review on the highest-end Core i7 4K configuration at a later date for a direct comparison between the two.

Competitors to the XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 include other flagship convertibles or 2-in-1s like the HP Spectre x360 13, HP EliteBook x360 1040, Asus ZenBook Flip 14, Lenovo Yoga C930, Samsung Notebook 9 Pen, and the Microsoft Surface Book 2. This particular XPS convertible family is one of the first to be Intel Athena certified.

More Dell XPS reviews:

Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3 (XPS 13 7390 Series)
Processor
Intel Core i3-1005G1 2 x 1.2 - 3.4 GHz, Ice Lake-U
Graphics adapter
Memory
4 GB 
, Soldered, LPDDR4-1866, Dual-Channel
Display
13.40 inch 16:10, 1920 x 1200 pixel 169 PPI, Capacitive, native pen support, Sharp LQ134N1, IPS, SHP14AF, Dell P/N: 9G4X1, glossy: yes
Mainboard
Intel 495 (Ice Lake-U PCH-LP Premium)
Storage
Toshiba BG4 KBG40ZPZ256G, 256 GB 
Soundcard
Intel Ice Lake-U/Y PCH-LP cAVS
Connections
2 USB 2.0, 2 USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen1, 2 USB 3.1 Gen2, 2 USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 20Gbps, 2 Thunderbolt, 2 DisplayPort, Audio Connections: 3.5 mm combo, Card Reader: MicroSDXC, 1 Fingerprint Reader, Brightness Sensor, Sensors: Accelerometer
Networking
Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650s (ax = Wi-Fi 6/), Bluetooth 5
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 13 x 296 x 207 ( = 0.51 x 11.65 x 8.15 in)
Battery
51 Wh Lithium-Polymer
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 10 Home 64 Bit
Camera
Webcam: 720p
Primary Camera: 0.9 MPix
Additional features
Speakers: 2 W stereo, Keyboard: MagLev Chiclet, Keyboard Light: yes, USB Type-C to Type-A adapter, Dell Update, Power Manager, Customer Connect, Mobile Connect, 12 Months Warranty
Weight
1.33 kg ( = 46.91 oz / 2.93 pounds), Power Supply: 218 g ( = 7.69 oz / 0.48 pounds)
Price
1000 USD
Note: The manufacturer may use components from different suppliers including display panels, drives or memory sticks with similar specifications.

 

Case

The chassis can be best described as a smaller version of the Dell XPS 15 9575 convertible since it takes more than a few design cues from its bigger sibling. The MagLev keyboard and overall skeleton have more in common with the XPS 15 9575 rather than the XPS 13 clamshell or XPS 13 9365 convertible. Even so, the classic materials and textures of the XPS series remain including the smooth gray aluminum outer lid with either black carbon fiber or white fiberglass palm rests depending on the color option.

Just because a system looks like an XPS doesn't mean that it's as strong as one. The XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 feels more fragile than its immediate peers and not noticeably any better or worse than the original XPS 13 9365 as far as rigidity is concerned. Its materials seem thinner, its surfaces more flexible, and its base more susceptible to twisting and creaking. The differences are thankfully just minor at worst, but they're notable nonetheless. Competing convertibles like the HP Spectre x360 13 or HP EliteBook x360 1040 G5 feel stiffer and more rigid overall while being less prone to fingerprints.

The one design aspect we can always appreciate about XPS laptops is the stiffness of the lids despite the very narrow bezels. Unlike the more flexible lids of the Samsung Notebook 9, LG Gram, Lenovo Yoga C930, or Asus ZenBook Flip, the display of the XPS 13 convertible is firmer and less prone to twisting. The hinges, while reliable, do not offer uniform resistance across the entire 360-degree range as they become slightly weaker at the 160 to 180-degree range.

At 1.3 kg, the XPS 13 7390 convertible is almost 100 g heavier than both the original XPS 13 9365 convertible and regular XPS 13 9380 clamshell. Dimensions are also just slightly thicker than the XPS 13 9365 in order to properly support a 15 W CPU and make room for the active cooling solution. Most notable is the fact that the Dell manages to be smaller than the latest 13.3-inch HP Spectre x360 13 while offering a larger 13.4-inch display.

CNC machined aluminum for the outer lid and most of the base
CNC machined aluminum for the outer lid and most of the base
Rear ventilation grilles hidden underneath the hinges
Rear ventilation grilles hidden underneath the hinges
Fingerprint-enabled Power button with the same dark gray carbon composite rests that have defined the XPS series
Fingerprint-enabled Power button with the same dark gray carbon composite rests that have defined the XPS series
The webcam is no longer along the bottom edge. However, this also means dropping the IR camera of the original XPS 13 2-in-1
The webcam is no longer along the bottom edge. However, this also means dropping the IR camera of the original XPS 13 2-in-1
The dark palm rests will still collect fingerprints like no tomorrow
The dark palm rests will still collect fingerprints like no tomorrow
Hinges are satisfactory but could have been firmer at the 160 to 180-degree range
Hinges are satisfactory but could have been firmer at the 160 to 180-degree range
322 mm / 12.7 inch 227 mm / 8.94 inch 14.9 mm / 0.587 inch 1.4 kg3.04 lbs316 mm / 12.4 inch 195 mm / 7.68 inch 12.9 mm / 0.508 inch 1.1 kg2.43 lbs308.8 mm / 12.2 inch 217.9 mm / 8.58 inch 14.7 mm / 0.579 inch 1.3 kg2.9 lbs304 mm / 12 inch 199 mm / 7.83 inch 13.7 mm / 0.539 inch 1.2 kg2.71 lbs302 mm / 11.9 inch 199 mm / 7.83 inch 11.6 mm / 0.4567 inch 1.2 kg2.7 lbs296 mm / 11.7 inch 207 mm / 8.15 inch 13 mm / 0.512 inch 1.3 kg2.93 lbs297 mm / 11.7 inch 210 mm / 8.27 inch 1 mm / 0.03937 inch 5.7 g0.01257 lbs

Connectivity

Port options are identical to the XPS 13 9380 clamshell less one USB Typr-C port and the Noble Lock. Both USB ports can be used to recharge the system and both are compatible with Thunderbolt 3 (PCIe x4) devices including eGPU docks.

It's worth noting here that we encountered an issue on the right USB Type-C port. When connecting an external HDD drive to the right port, our HDD would power up momentarily before automatically powering down to suggest that the port is experiencing power delivery issues. Connecting a less demanding external mouse or keyboard to the same port, however, seems to work just fine. The left USB port would would perform normally on our unit.

Front: No connectivity
Front: No connectivity
Right: USB Type-C + Thunderbolt 3, 3.5 mm combo audio
Right: USB Type-C + Thunderbolt 3, 3.5 mm combo audio
Rear: No connectivity
Rear: No connectivity
Left: USB Type-C + Thunderbolt 3, MicroSDXC reader
Left: USB Type-C + Thunderbolt 3, MicroSDXC reader

SD Card Reader

The spring-loaded MicroSD reader is fast with transfer rates of over 200 MB/s from our UHS-II test card. Moving 1 GB of images from our card to desktop takes about 6 to 7 seconds.

A fully inserted MicroSD protrudes by about 1 mm for safe transporting. The process of actually inserting the card is a bit difficult because the slot tends to tilt or bend the card during insertion.

SD Card Reader
average JPG Copy Test (av. of 3 runs)
Dell XPS 13 9380 2019
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
184 MB/s +11%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro M501 64 GB UHS-II)
166.2 MB/s
HP Spectre x360 13-ap0312ng
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro M501 64 GB UHS-II)
162 MB/s -3%
Dell XPS 13-9365 2-in-1
  (Toshiba THN-M401S0640E2)
61.6 MB/s -63%
maximum AS SSD Seq Read Test (1GB)
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro M501 64 GB UHS-II)
200.7 MB/s
HP Spectre x360 13-ap0312ng
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro M501 64 GB UHS-II)
198 MB/s -1%
Dell XPS 13 9380 2019
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
192.6 MB/s -4%
Dell XPS 13-9365 2-in-1
  (Toshiba THN-M401S0640E2)
87.2 MB/s -57%

Communication

By definition, Intel Athena laptops must carry Wi-Fi 6 connectivity and so all XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 SKUs come standard with the Killer AX1650s for theoretical transfer rates of up to 2.4 Gbps. Most other laptops are limited to "only" 1.73 Gbps Wi-Fi 5 speeds. In practice, users are unlikely to notice any differences between the two Wi-Fi generations around the home or office and we experienced no connectivity issues during our time with the unit.

Transfer rates can be faster than what we've recorded below since our server is limited by a 1 Gbps line. Even so, transmit rates are slightly slower than expected likely due to the general difficulty of maintaining consistent maximum transfer rates. You're going to need a Wi-Fi 6 router if you wish to exploit all the advantages of the new standard.

Networking
iperf3 transmit AX12
HP Spectre x360 13-ap0312ng
Intel Wireless-AC 9560
681 MBit/s +36%
Dell XPS 13 9380 2019
Atheros/Qualcomm QCA6174
594 (579min - 616max) MBit/s +18%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3
Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650s
502 MBit/s
Dell XPS 13-9365 2-in-1
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265
471 MBit/s -6%
iperf3 receive AX12
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3
Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650s
688 MBit/s
HP Spectre x360 13-ap0312ng
Intel Wireless-AC 9560
647 MBit/s -6%
Dell XPS 13 9380 2019
Atheros/Qualcomm QCA6174
524 (459min - 576max) MBit/s -24%
Dell XPS 13-9365 2-in-1
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265
309 MBit/s -55%

Maintenance

The bottom panel is secured by eight T5 torx screws. It's pretty clear that Dell is discouraging users from tampering with the system because the bottom panel is very sharp around its edges and it's therefore more difficult to remove when compared to the clamshell XPS 13. Once inside, there is nothing to upgrade since the RAM, WLAN, and even SSD are all soldered.

You'll need a T5 torx wrench, a sharp edge, and some careful hands if you want access to the motherboard
You'll need a T5 torx wrench, a sharp edge, and some careful hands if you want access to the motherboard

Accessories and Warranty

There are no included extras outside of a USB Type-C to USB Type-A adapter. The active stylus as shown in all the promotional images is therefore a separate purchase. A velvet cleaning cloth would have been a nice addition since surfaces will inevitably attract grime.

Dell offers more warranty options than most other OEMs at up to 4 years of accidental damage protection.

Input Devices

Keyboard

Dell has opted to integrate its unique MagLev keyboard from the XPS 15 9575 series for a very different typing experience when compared to the traditional membrane-based keyboards of other XPS 13 laptops. Travel is much shallower with crisper key feedback than what most Ultrabooks tend to offer. MagLev technology relies on magnets for improved uniformity, longevity, and tactile feedback without requiring deeper key depth. If you've ever typed on an XPS 15 9575 or Apple MacBook Air, then you'll have a good idea of what it feels like typing on the XPS 13 7390 2-in-1.

The MagLev keys aren't necessarily better or worse than membrane keys from a practical day-to-day perspective. It's simply different and so users will either love or hate the feel of the keys. The XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 will likely satisfy hardcore MacBook typists while others who may be accustomed to typing on a classic clamshell XPS 13 may find the sudden change to MagLev jarring.

Touchpad

The Precision-enabled clickpad (~11.3 x 6.8 cm) is larger than on both the outgoing XPS 13 9365 2-in-1 (~10.5 x 6 cm) and on the XPS 13 9380 (~10.5 x 5 cm). Gliding slowly or quickly across the clickpad surface results in smooth motions with no jumping or cursor twitching and only minimal sticking.

The integrated mouse keys are not as ergonomic to use. Clatter is loud with only light-moderate feedback from the very shallow travel. Simple multi-touch actions like drag and dropping or text highlighting are less accurate and more jumpy to use as a result especially when compared to Dell's Latitude laptops which tend to have dedicated mouse buttons.

Keyboard layout is nearly identical to the XPS 13 series. Two levels of single-zone white backlight come standard with all key symbols lit
Keyboard layout is nearly identical to the XPS 13 series. Two levels of single-zone white backlight come standard with all key symbols lit
Cursor movements are reliable as one would expect, but the integrated mouse keys are difficult to click for more cumbersome dragging and dropping
Cursor movements are reliable as one would expect, but the integrated mouse keys are difficult to click for more cumbersome dragging and dropping
If you've been typing on an XPS 13 or some other Ultrabook for years, then you're going to need some time to get used to the unique super-thin MagLev keys of the XPS 13 7390 2-in-1
If you've been typing on an XPS 13 or some other Ultrabook for years, then you're going to need some time to get used to the unique super-thin MagLev keys of the XPS 13 7390 2-in-1
Arrow keys are slighter wider than before, but they're still narrow and cramped to use
Arrow keys are slighter wider than before, but they're still narrow and cramped to use

Display

One of the key differences that separate the XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 from other XPS 13 models is its display. This is the first XPS laptop with a 16:10 screen to imply "work first, multimedia second" in order to attract more office users. It's also the first 13.4-inch laptop in our database and so its Sharp LQ134N1 IPS panel can be found on no other consumer laptop as of this writing. 

Display quality is impressive especially when considering that this is the least expensive FHD configuration. The panel is very bright by over two times some competing convertibles like the HP Spectre x360 13 or Lenovo Yoga C930. It manages to be over 40 percent and 10 percent brighter than the XPS 13 9380 and MacBook Pro 13, respectively. The only notable subnotebook to offer an even brighter display is the latest HP EliteBook x360 1040 13 and its 1000-nit display option.

Aside from brightness, colors are also more accurate than we were anticipating even before any calibration attempts. The very high contrast ratio and grain-free glossy Gorilla Glass overlay help make colors pop for a more stunning visual experience when compared to something like a cheaper Dell Inspiron, Asus VivoBook, or HP Envy. We're able to notice some slight uneven backlight bleeding along the bottom edge of our unit that's thankfully difficult to see on most occasions.

Our main criticisms about the display are the relatively slow response times for more noticeable ghosting and the lack of any high refresh rate options unlike on the aforementioned HP. Although these features typically target gamers, there's no arguing that they also enhance the smoothness and responsiveness of a laptop.

Edge-to-edge Gorilla Glass 5 touchscreen with active stylus support on all SKUs
Edge-to-edge Gorilla Glass 5 touchscreen with active stylus support on all SKUs
Super-narrow bezels of only 4 mm from the edge of the screen to the very outer edge of the lid
Super-narrow bezels of only 4 mm from the edge of the screen to the very outer edge of the lid
Minimal uneven backlight bleeding despite the very high brightness
Minimal uneven backlight bleeding despite the very high brightness
Crisp RGB subpixel array. The QHD option on the last generation XPS 13 convertible has been replaced with a 4K UHD (3840 x 2400) option for a denser PPI
Crisp RGB subpixel array. The QHD option on the last generation XPS 13 convertible has been replaced with a 4K UHD (3840 x 2400) option for a denser PPI
518
cd/m²
526.3
cd/m²
516.7
cd/m²
573.1
cd/m²
576.3
cd/m²
585.2
cd/m²
560.7
cd/m²
558.9
cd/m²
576.5
cd/m²
Distribution of brightness
Sharp LQ134N1 tested with X-Rite i1Pro 2
Maximum: 585.2 cd/m² (Nits) Average: 554.6 cd/m² Minimum: 27.67 cd/m²
Brightness Distribution: 88 %
Center on Battery: 576.3 cd/m²
Contrast: 1746:1 (Black: 0.33 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 1.45 | 0.5-29.43 Ø5, calibrated: 1.19
ΔE Greyscale 3.1 | 0.57-98 Ø5.3
98.5% sRGB (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
64.2% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
70.4% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
98.2% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
68.6% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.27
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3
Sharp LQ134N1, IPS, 13.40, 1920x1200
Dell XPS 13 9380 2019
ID: AUO 282B B133ZAN Dell: 90NTH, IPS, 13.30, 3840x2160
Dell XPS 13-9365 2-in-1
IPS, 13.30, 1920x1080
HP Spectre x360 13-ap0312ng
M133NVF3, IPS, 13.30, 1920x1080
Lenovo Yoga C930-13IKB 81C4
AUO B139HAN03_0, IPS, 13.90, 1920x1080
Asus ZenBook S13 UX392FN
Tianma XM, IPS, 13.90, 1920x1080
Display
-6%
-30%
-9%
-8%
-2%
Display P3 Coverage
68.6
64.7
-6%
47.32
-31%
63
-8%
62.7
-9%
67.5
-2%
sRGB Coverage
98.2
93.1
-5%
71.1
-28%
89.8
-9%
92.6
-6%
95.8
-2%
AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage
70.4
65.3
-7%
48.83
-31%
64.1
-9%
64.7
-8%
69
-2%
Response Times
-17%
-20%
6%
25%
12%
Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% *
46 ?(23.2, 22.8)
58 ?(26, 32)
-26%
48 ?(16.4, 31.6)
-4%
29.2 ?(14, 15.2)
37%
34.4 ?(18.8, 15.6)
25%
47.2 ?(23.6, 23.6)
-3%
Response Time Black / White *
33.6 ?(19.2, 14.4)
36 ?(20, 16)
-7%
32.8 ?(7.6, 25.2)
2%
20 ?(10.8, 9.2)
40%
25.6 ?(15.6, 10)
24%
24.8 ?(14, 10.8)
26%
PWM Frequency
2525 ?(25)
1042 ?(29)
-59%
1000 ?(99)
-60%
Screen
-43%
-86%
-60%
-103%
-11%
Brightness middle
576.3
404
-30%
322.6
-44%
272
-53%
312
-46%
466
-19%
Brightness
555
389
-30%
306
-45%
298
-46%
295
-47%
462
-17%
Brightness Distribution
88
85
-3%
91
3%
84
-5%
87
-1%
90
2%
Black Level *
0.33
0.37
-12%
0.19
42%
0.39
-18%
0.43
-30%
0.33
-0%
Contrast
1746
1092
-37%
1698
-3%
697
-60%
726
-58%
1412
-19%
Colorchecker dE 2000 *
1.45
3.72
-157%
7.7
-431%
4.3
-197%
7.6
-424%
1.93
-33%
Colorchecker dE 2000 max. *
4.12
7.38
-79%
11.1
-169%
9
-118%
15.06
-266%
4.26
-3%
Colorchecker dE 2000 calibrated *
1.19
2.06
-73%
2.4
-102%
1.96
-65%
1.99
-67%
Greyscale dE 2000 *
3.1
4.44
-43%
7.9
-155%
4.4
-42%
8.8
-184%
1.7
45%
Gamma
2.27 97%
2.34 94%
2.88 76%
1.97 112%
2.01 109%
2.15 102%
CCT
6931 94%
7095 92%
7044 92%
5825 112%
6874 95%
6382 102%
Color Space (Percent of AdobeRGB 1998)
64.2
60
-7%
44.1
-31%
58.9
-8%
59.1
-8%
62.2
-3%
Color Space (Percent of sRGB)
98.5
93
-6%
69.9
-29%
89.8
-9%
92.3
-6%
95.7
-3%
Total Average (Program / Settings)
-22% / -33%
-45% / -63%
-21% / -39%
-29% / -69%
-0% / -6%

* ... smaller is better

The base FHD display covers sRGB almost in its entirety whereas the 4K UHD SKU promises 90 percent DCI-P3. Colors are much deeper than what was offered on the 2017 XPS 13 and comparable to other flagship Ultrabooks like the HP Spectre x360 13 or Asus ZenBook 13.

vs. sRGB
vs. sRGB
vs. AdobeRGB
vs. AdobeRGB

Further measurements with an X-Rite colorimeter reveal a very accurate display out of the box with grayscale and color DeltaE values of just 3.1 and 1.68, respectively. If we are to nitpick, color temperature is slightly on the cool side and purple is represented a bit less accurately than others. Attempting to calibrate the display even further ourselves results in only the most minor of improvements meaning that an end-user calibration is not necessary.

Grayscale before calibration
Grayscale before calibration
Saturation Sweeps before calibration
Saturation Sweeps before calibration
ColorChecker before calibration
ColorChecker before calibration
Grayscale after calibration
Grayscale after calibration
Saturation Sweeps after calibration
Saturation Sweeps after calibration
ColorChecker after calibration
ColorChecker after calibration

Display Response Times

Display response times show how fast the screen is able to change from one color to the next. Slow response times can lead to afterimages and can cause moving objects to appear blurry (ghosting). Gamers of fast-paced 3D titles should pay special attention to fast response times.
       Response Time Black to White
33.6 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined↗ 19.2 ms rise
↘ 14.4 ms fall
The screen shows slow response rates in our tests and will be unsatisfactory for gamers.
In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.1 (minimum) to 240 (maximum) ms. » 89 % of all devices are better.
This means that the measured response time is worse than the average of all tested devices (21.6 ms).
       Response Time 50% Grey to 80% Grey
46 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined↗ 23.2 ms rise
↘ 22.8 ms fall
The screen shows slow response rates in our tests and will be unsatisfactory for gamers.
In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.2 (minimum) to 636 (maximum) ms. » 75 % of all devices are better.
This means that the measured response time is worse than the average of all tested devices (33.9 ms).

Screen Flickering / PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation)

To dim the screen, some notebooks will simply cycle the backlight on and off in rapid succession - a method called Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) . This cycling frequency should ideally be undetectable to the human eye. If said frequency is too low, users with sensitive eyes may experience strain or headaches or even notice the flickering altogether.
Screen flickering / PWM detected 2525 Hz ≤ 25 % brightness setting

The display backlight flickers at 2525 Hz (worst case, e.g., utilizing PWM) Flickering detected at a brightness setting of 25 % and below. There should be no flickering or PWM above this brightness setting.

The frequency of 2525 Hz is quite high, so most users sensitive to PWM should not notice any flickering.

In comparison: 53 % of all tested devices do not use PWM to dim the display. If PWM was detected, an average of 18110 (minimum: 5 - maximum: 3846000) Hz was measured.

Outdoor visibility is above average because of the bright backlight. Maximum brightness will not drop if running on batteries and so you're able to utilize the 600-nit panel to its fullest when on the go. We recommend a higher text scaling because some glare will still be present on the glossy screen. Viewing angles are very wide with only minimal changes to colors or contrast when viewing from unrealistically extreme angles.

Outdoors on overcast day
Outdoors on overcast day
Outdoors under shade
Outdoors under shade
Outdoors on overcast day
Outdoors on overcast day
Wide IPS viewing angles
Wide IPS viewing angles

Performance

latencyMon
latencyMon

Much like how the XPS 15 9575 2-in-1 was designed specifically with Kaby Lake-G in mind, the XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 was designed specifically as an Intel Ice Lake-U product. You'd have to go for the traditional XPS 13 7390 clamshell instead if you want Comet Lake-U.

The 10 nm Core i3-1005G1 in our test unit is the lowest-end Ice Lake-U processor designed to replace the 14 nm Whiskey Lake-U Core i3-8145U. Similarly, its integrated UHD Graphics G1 should be direct step up from the last generation UHD Graphics 620. Moving up to the highest-end XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 SKU with the quad-core Core i7-1065G7 and Iris Pro Graphics should bring a large boost to CPU power and an even larger boost to GPU power.

GPU-Z shows no details about the integrated GPU since it only recently launched. Meanwhile, LatencyMon shows DPC latency issues even when wireless is disabled. This has been a recurring issue on the XPS series and the new XPS 13 2-in-1 is unfortunately no different.

Processor

Raw multi-thread performance is about 10 to 15 percent faster than the Core i3-8145U it replaces and roughly on par with the entry-level Ryzen 3 2300U in the Dell Inspiron 15 3585. Core i3 laptops tend to throttle less than pricier Core i7 alternatives over long periods of stress since the Core i3 processor has lower maximum Turbo Boost clock rates. Since the CPU performance delta between it and a Whiskey Lake-U Core i3 is so narrow, however, it's the larger power savings and higher performance-per-Watt that are more desirable.

See our dedicated page on the Core i3-1005G1 for more technical information and benchmarks. We'll be comparing it to the higher-end Core i7-1065G7 XPS SKU at a later date.

CineBench R10 32-bit
CineBench R10 32-bit
CineBench R11.5 64-bit
CineBench R11.5 64-bit
CineBench R15
CineBench R15
CineBench R20
CineBench R20
0306090120150180210240270300330360390420450480510540Tooltip
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3 UHD Graphics G1 (Ice Lake 32 EU), i3-1005G1, Toshiba BG4 KBG40ZPZ256G; CPU Multi 64Bit: Ø385 (343.89-399.78)
Acer Swift 3 SF314-55-31N8 UHD Graphics 620, i3-8145U, Kingston RBUSNS8154P3128GJ; CPU Multi 64Bit: Ø349 (347.66-361.38)
Dell Inspiron 15 3585 (2300U, Vega 6) Vega 6, R3 2300U, Toshiba BG3 KBG30ZMS256G; CPU Multi 64Bit: Ø360 (339.63-422.53)
Dell Latitude 13 3390 UHD Graphics 620, i5-8250U, SK hynix SC311 SATA; CPU Multi 64Bit: Ø456 (443.4-564.5)
Cinebench R15
CPU Single 64Bit
Lenovo Yoga C930-13IKB 81C4
Intel Core i7-8550U
168 Points +7%
HP Spectre x360 13-ap0312ng
Intel Core i7-8565U
164 Points +4%
Microsoft Surface Pro 6, Core i7, 512 GB
Intel Core i7-8650U
163 Points +4%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3
Intel Core i3-1005G1
157 Points
Acer Swift 3 SF314-55-31N8
Intel Core i3-8145U
150 Points -4%
Dell XPS 13 9380 2019
Intel Core i5-8265U
148 Points -6%
HP EliteBook 735 G5 3UN62EA
AMD Ryzen 7 2700U
147 Points -6%
Asus VivoBook Flip 14 TP412UA-EC969T
Intel Core i3-8130U
138 Points -12%
Dell XPS 13-9365 2-in-1
Intel Core i7-7Y75
130 Points -17%
Lenovo V330-15IKB
Intel Core i3-7130U
111 Points -29%
Lenovo Thinkpad 13-20J1001BUS
Intel Core i3-7100U
86 Points -45%
Dell Inspiron 15 3585 (2300U, Vega 6)
AMD Ryzen 3 2300U
79 Points -50%
CPU Multi 64Bit
Dell XPS 13 9380 2019
Intel Core i5-8265U
666 Points +64%
Lenovo Yoga C930-13IKB 81C4
Intel Core i7-8550U
651 Points +60%
HP EliteBook 735 G5 3UN62EA
AMD Ryzen 7 2700U
640 Points +58%
Microsoft Surface Pro 6, Core i7, 512 GB
Intel Core i7-8650U
639 Points +57%
HP Spectre x360 13-ap0312ng
Intel Core i7-8565U
538 Points +33%
Dell Inspiron 15 3585 (2300U, Vega 6)
AMD Ryzen 3 2300U
422.5 Points +4%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3
Intel Core i3-1005G1
406 Points
Acer Swift 3 SF314-55-31N8
Intel Core i3-8145U
361 Points -11%
Asus VivoBook Flip 14 TP412UA-EC969T
Intel Core i3-8130U
342 Points -16%
Lenovo V330-15IKB
Intel Core i3-7130U
284 Points -30%
Dell XPS 13-9365 2-in-1
Intel Core i7-7Y75
258 Points -36%
Lenovo Thinkpad 13-20J1001BUS
Intel Core i3-7100U
256 Points -37%
Cinebench R11.5
CPU Single 64Bit
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3
Intel Core i3-1005G1
1.88 Points
Acer Swift 3 SF314-55-31N8
Intel Core i3-8145U
1.77 Points -6%
Dell XPS 13-9365 2-in-1
Intel Core i7-7Y75
1.54 Points -18%
Lenovo V330-15IKB
Intel Core i3-7130U
1.29 Points -31%
Lenovo Thinkpad 13-20J1001BUS
Intel Core i3-7100U
1.03 Points -45%
Dell Inspiron 15 3585 (2300U, Vega 6)
AMD Ryzen 3 2300U
0.79 Points -58%
CPU Multi 64Bit
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3
Intel Core i3-1005G1
4.58 Points
Dell Inspiron 15 3585 (2300U, Vega 6)
AMD Ryzen 3 2300U
4.46 Points -3%
Acer Swift 3 SF314-55-31N8
Intel Core i3-8145U
4.01 Points -12%
Lenovo V330-15IKB
Intel Core i3-7130U
3.06 Points -33%
Dell XPS 13-9365 2-in-1
Intel Core i7-7Y75
2.98 Points -35%
Lenovo Thinkpad 13-20J1001BUS
Intel Core i3-7100U
2.85 Points -38%
Cinebench R10
Rendering Multiple CPUs 32Bit
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3
Intel Core i3-1005G1
14323 Points
Acer Swift 3 SF314-55-31N8
Intel Core i3-8145U
13074 Points -9%
Asus VivoBook Flip 14 TP412UA-EC969T
Intel Core i3-8130U
12172 Points -15%
Lenovo V330-15IKB
Intel Core i3-7130U
9828 Points -31%
Dell XPS 13-9365 2-in-1
Intel Core i7-7Y75
9392 Points -34%
Lenovo Thinkpad 13-20J1001BUS
Intel Core i3-7100U
8718 Points -39%
Rendering Single 32Bit
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3
Intel Core i3-1005G1
6573 Points
Acer Swift 3 SF314-55-31N8
Intel Core i3-8145U
5953 Points -9%
Dell XPS 13-9365 2-in-1
Intel Core i7-7Y75
5496 Points -16%
Asus VivoBook Flip 14 TP412UA-EC969T
Intel Core i3-8130U
5419 Points -18%
Lenovo V330-15IKB
Intel Core i3-7130U
4338 Points -34%
Lenovo Thinkpad 13-20J1001BUS
Intel Core i3-7100U
3871 Points -41%
wPrime 2.10 - 1024m
Lenovo Thinkpad 13-20J1001BUS
Intel Core i3-7100U
645 s * -47%
Dell XPS 13-9365 2-in-1
Intel Core i7-7Y75
619 s * -41%
Lenovo V330-15IKB
Intel Core i3-7130U
568 s * -29%
Acer Swift 3 SF314-55-31N8
Intel Core i3-8145U
463.9 s * -5%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3
Intel Core i3-1005G1
439.8 s *

* ... smaller is better

Cinebench R10 Shading 32Bit
9110
Cinebench R10 Rendering Multiple CPUs 32Bit
14323
Cinebench R10 Rendering Single 32Bit
6573
Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64Bit
4.58 Points
Cinebench R11.5 OpenGL 64Bit
36.17 fps
Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64Bit
1.88 Points
Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64Bit
157 Points
Cinebench R15 Ref. Match 64Bit
97.8 %
Cinebench R15 OpenGL 64Bit
46.8 fps
Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64Bit
406 Points
Help

System Performance

PCMark benchmarks lie right in between the budget Acer Swift 3 with Core i3-8145U and higher-end Ultrabooks like the HP Spectre x360 13 and Dell's own XPS 13 9380 powered by Core i7 CPUs. Performance is closer to what a last generation flagship Core i7 was able to offer but in a Core i3 package instead.

We experienced no noticeable software issues during our time with the test unit. Nonetheless, we observed some major hardware issues that we will note in our Verdict.

PCMark 10 Standard
PCMark 10 Standard
PCMark 8 Home Accelerated
PCMark 8 Home Accelerated
PCMark 8 Work Accelerated
PCMark 8 Work Accelerated
PCMark 10
Score
Lenovo Yoga C930-13IKB 81C4
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8550U, SK hynix PC401 HFS256GD9TNG
4072 Points +14%
HP Spectre x360 13-ap0312ng
UHD Graphics 620, i7-8565U, Toshiba XG5 KXG50ZNV512G
4009 Points +13%
Asus ZenBook S13 UX392FN
GeForce MX150, i7-8565U, WDC PC SN520 SDAPNUW-512G
3970 Points +11%
Dell XPS 13 9380 2019
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8265U, SK hynix PC401 HFS256GD9TNG
3835 Points +8%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3
UHD Graphics G1 (Ice Lake 32 EU), i3-1005G1, Toshiba BG4 KBG40ZPZ256G
3562 Points
Acer Swift 3 SF314-55-31N8
UHD Graphics 620, i3-8145U, Kingston RBUSNS8154P3128GJ
3179 Points -11%
Essentials
Lenovo Yoga C930-13IKB 81C4
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8550U, SK hynix PC401 HFS256GD9TNG
9291 Points +15%
HP Spectre x360 13-ap0312ng
UHD Graphics 620, i7-8565U, Toshiba XG5 KXG50ZNV512G
8454 Points +5%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3
UHD Graphics G1 (Ice Lake 32 EU), i3-1005G1, Toshiba BG4 KBG40ZPZ256G
8088 Points
Dell XPS 13 9380 2019
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8265U, SK hynix PC401 HFS256GD9TNG
8033 Points -1%
Asus ZenBook S13 UX392FN
GeForce MX150, i7-8565U, WDC PC SN520 SDAPNUW-512G
7962 Points -2%
Acer Swift 3 SF314-55-31N8
UHD Graphics 620, i3-8145U, Kingston RBUSNS8154P3128GJ
6911 Points -15%
Productivity
HP Spectre x360 13-ap0312ng
UHD Graphics 620, i7-8565U, Toshiba XG5 KXG50ZNV512G
6774 Points +16%
Lenovo Yoga C930-13IKB 81C4
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8550U, SK hynix PC401 HFS256GD9TNG
6505 Points +12%
Asus ZenBook S13 UX392FN
GeForce MX150, i7-8565U, WDC PC SN520 SDAPNUW-512G
6398 Points +10%
Dell XPS 13 9380 2019
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8265U, SK hynix PC401 HFS256GD9TNG
6101 Points +5%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3
UHD Graphics G1 (Ice Lake 32 EU), i3-1005G1, Toshiba BG4 KBG40ZPZ256G
5822 Points
Acer Swift 3 SF314-55-31N8
UHD Graphics 620, i3-8145U, Kingston RBUSNS8154P3128GJ
5274 Points -9%
Digital Content Creation
Asus ZenBook S13 UX392FN
GeForce MX150, i7-8565U, WDC PC SN520 SDAPNUW-512G
3334 Points +28%
Dell XPS 13 9380 2019
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8265U, SK hynix PC401 HFS256GD9TNG
3125 Points +20%
HP Spectre x360 13-ap0312ng
UHD Graphics 620, i7-8565U, Toshiba XG5 KXG50ZNV512G
3055 Points +17%
Lenovo Yoga C930-13IKB 81C4
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8550U, SK hynix PC401 HFS256GD9TNG
3033 Points +16%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3
UHD Graphics G1 (Ice Lake 32 EU), i3-1005G1, Toshiba BG4 KBG40ZPZ256G
2605 Points
Acer Swift 3 SF314-55-31N8
UHD Graphics 620, i3-8145U, Kingston RBUSNS8154P3128GJ
2392 Points -8%
PCMark 8
Home Score Accelerated v2
HP Spectre x360 13-ap0312ng
UHD Graphics 620, i7-8565U, Toshiba XG5 KXG50ZNV512G
4166 Points +29%
Asus ZenBook S13 UX392FN
GeForce MX150, i7-8565U, WDC PC SN520 SDAPNUW-512G
3712 Points +15%
Lenovo Yoga C930-13IKB 81C4
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8550U, SK hynix PC401 HFS256GD9TNG
3615 Points +12%
Dell XPS 13 9380 2019
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8265U, SK hynix PC401 HFS256GD9TNG
3519 Points +9%
Acer Swift 3 SF314-55-31N8
UHD Graphics 620, i3-8145U, Kingston RBUSNS8154P3128GJ
3281 Points +1%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3
UHD Graphics G1 (Ice Lake 32 EU), i3-1005G1, Toshiba BG4 KBG40ZPZ256G
3240 Points
Dell XPS 13-9365 2-in-1
HD Graphics 615, i7-7Y75, Toshiba NVMe THNSN5256GPUK
3134 Points -3%
Work Score Accelerated v2
HP Spectre x360 13-ap0312ng
UHD Graphics 620, i7-8565U, Toshiba XG5 KXG50ZNV512G
5189 Points +15%
Asus ZenBook S13 UX392FN
GeForce MX150, i7-8565U, WDC PC SN520 SDAPNUW-512G
5159 Points +14%
Lenovo Yoga C930-13IKB 81C4
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8550U, SK hynix PC401 HFS256GD9TNG
5110 Points +13%
Dell XPS 13-9365 2-in-1
HD Graphics 615, i7-7Y75, Toshiba NVMe THNSN5256GPUK
4674 Points +3%
Acer Swift 3 SF314-55-31N8
UHD Graphics 620, i3-8145U, Kingston RBUSNS8154P3128GJ
4556 Points +1%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3
UHD Graphics G1 (Ice Lake 32 EU), i3-1005G1, Toshiba BG4 KBG40ZPZ256G
4519 Points
Dell XPS 13 9380 2019
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8265U, SK hynix PC401 HFS256GD9TNG
4302 Points -5%
PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2
3240 points
PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2
4519 points
PCMark 10 Score
3562 points
Help

Storage Devices

Dell has upgraded from the Toshiba THNSN5256GPUK on the 2017 XPS 13 9365 2-in-1 to the Toshiba KBG40ZPZ256G for this 2019 iteration. Keep in mind that XPS laptops tend to carry SSDs from SK Hynix and Samsung as well depending on region and storage capacity. All SKUs promise soldered PCIe x4 SSDs meaning you'll have to choose carefully or risk being stuck with an undersized primary drive.

Sequential read and write rates are average as far as NVMe SSDs go at about 1500 MB/s and 1100 MB/s, respectively, according to AS SSD. For what it's worth, Toshiba advertises a theoretical sequential read and write of up to 2200 MB/s and 1400 MB/s, respectively, for its BG4 model. Access write time is strangely slower than expected at 0.722 ms compared to 0.05 seconds or lower on most other NVMe SSDs even after several retests.

See our table of HDDs and SSDs for more comparisons.

CDM 5.5
CDM 5.5
AS SSD
AS SSD
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3
Toshiba BG4 KBG40ZPZ256G
Dell XPS 13 9380 2019
SK hynix PC401 HFS256GD9TNG
Asus ZenBook S13 UX392FN
WDC PC SN520 SDAPNUW-512G
Microsoft Surface Pro 6, Core i7, 512 GB
Toshiba KBG30ZPZ512G
Dell XPS 13-9365 2-in-1
Toshiba NVMe THNSN5256GPUK
Dell Latitude 7300-P99G
Samsung SSD PM981 MZVLB512HAJQ
AS SSD
11%
86%
-25%
5%
144%
Seq Read
1558
2035
31%
1224
-21%
1154
-26%
1283
-18%
2749
76%
Seq Write
1103
658
-40%
907
-18%
393.6
-64%
735
-33%
1367
24%
4K Read
37.52
39.74
6%
41.46
11%
34.42
-8%
37.69
0%
49.94
33%
4K Write
59
105.7
79%
126.2
114%
68.9
17%
96.9
64%
137.6
133%
4K-64 Read
1684
461
-73%
1021
-39%
494.1
-71%
586
-65%
987
-41%
4K-64 Write
198.9
300.1
51%
1251
529%
171.3
-14%
204.7
3%
1465
637%
Access Time Read *
0.099
0.061
38%
0.053
46%
0.213
-115%
0.045
55%
0.042
58%
Access Time Write *
0.722
0.051
93%
0.027
96%
0.3
58%
0.037
95%
0.029
96%
Score Read
1877
704
-62%
1185
-37%
644
-66%
752
-60%
1312
-30%
Score Write
368
471
28%
1468
299%
280
-24%
375
2%
1739
373%
Score Total
3180
1479
-53%
3250
2%
1225
-61%
1495
-53%
3662
15%
Copy ISO MB/s
677
893
32%
1404
107%
985
45%
950
40%
2761
308%
Copy Program MB/s
298.4
287.9
-4%
402.4
35%
143.1
-52%
263.8
-12%
622
108%
Copy Game MB/s
496.1
618
25%
902
82%
676
36%
726
46%
1584
219%

* ... smaller is better

Toshiba BG4 KBG40ZPZ256G
CDM 5/6 Read Seq Q32T1: 2330 MB/s
CDM 5/6 Write Seq Q32T1: 1238 MB/s
CDM 5/6 Read 4K Q32T1: 350.3 MB/s
CDM 5/6 Write 4K Q32T1: 283.4 MB/s
CDM 5 Read Seq: 1590 MB/s
CDM 5 Write Seq: 1220 MB/s
CDM 5/6 Read 4K: 39.12 MB/s
CDM 5/6 Write 4K: 61.6 MB/s

GPU Performance

3DMark benchmarks reveal the integrated UHD Graphics G1 of our Core i3 Ice Lake-U to be about 14 percent faster than the UHD Graphics 620 of the last generation Core i7-8565U as found on the XPS 13 9380. Though this may seem disappointing, the performance advantage is greater when compared to the UHD Graphics 620 of the last generation Core i3-8145U where we're able to measure a graphics boost of about 50 to 80 percent. In other words, user can expect the same GPU potential as a Kaby Lake-R or Whiskey Lake-U Core i7 CPU from an Ice Lake-U Core i3 CPU. Moving up to the Core i7-1065G7 configuration with its integrated Iris Pro Graphics will offer even more graphics power that we expect to be roughly comparable to the competing AMD Radeon RX Vega 10.

See our dedicated page on the UHD Graphics G1 for more technical information and benchmark comparisons.

3DMark 11
3DMark 11
Cloud Gate
Cloud Gate
Fire Strike
Fire Strike
Ice Storm
Ice Storm
Ice Storm Unlimited
Ice Storm Unlimited
Ice Storm Extreme
Ice Storm Extreme
3DMark
1280x720 Cloud Gate Standard Graphics
Asus ZenBook S13 UX392FN
NVIDIA GeForce MX150, i7-8565U
18423 Points +68%
Dell Inspiron 15 3585 (2300U, Vega 6)
AMD Radeon RX Vega 6 (Ryzen 2000/3000), R3 2300U
15850 Points +45%
Dell Vostro 15-5581
NVIDIA GeForce MX130, i5-8265U
13240 Points +21%
HP Spectre x360 13-ap0312ng
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i7-8565U
11436 Points +4%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3
Intel UHD Graphics G1 (Ice Lake 32 EU), i3-1005G1
10966 Points
Lenovo Yoga C930-13IKB 81C4
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i5-8550U
10490 Points -4%
Microsoft Surface Pro 6, Core i7, 512 GB
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i7-8650U
10213 Points -7%
Dell XPS 13 9380 2019
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i5-8265U
10126 Points -8%
HP EliteBook 735 G5 3UN62EA
AMD Radeon RX Vega 10, R7 2700U
9904 Points -10%
Asus VivoBook Flip 14 TP412UA-EC969T
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i3-8130U
9312 Points -15%
Dell Latitude 13 3390
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i5-8250U
8947 Points -18%
Lenovo V330-15IKB
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i3-7130U
8551 Points -22%
Dell XPS 13-9365 2-in-1
Intel HD Graphics 615, i7-7Y75
7839 Points -29%
Acer Swift 3 SF314-55-31N8
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i3-8145U
7152 Points -35%
Apple MacBook 12 (Early 2016) 1.1 GHz
Intel HD Graphics 515, 6Y30
6078 Points -45%
Lenovo Thinkpad 13-20J1001BUS
Intel HD Graphics 620, i3-7100U
5854 Points -47%
1920x1080 Fire Strike Graphics
Asus ZenBook S13 UX392FN
NVIDIA GeForce MX150, i7-8565U
2851 Points +87%
Dell Vostro 15-5581
NVIDIA GeForce MX130, i5-8265U
2267 Points +49%
Dell Inspiron 15 3585 (2300U, Vega 6)
AMD Radeon RX Vega 6 (Ryzen 2000/3000), R3 2300U
2064 Points +36%
HP EliteBook 735 G5 3UN62EA
AMD Radeon RX Vega 10, R7 2700U
1740 Points +14%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3
Intel UHD Graphics G1 (Ice Lake 32 EU), i3-1005G1
1521 Points
HP Spectre x360 13-ap0312ng
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i7-8565U
1401 Points -8%
Dell Latitude 13 3390
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i5-8250U
1111 Points -27%
Asus VivoBook Flip 14 TP412UA-EC969T
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i3-8130U
1103 Points -27%
Lenovo V330-15IKB
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i3-7130U
1055 Points -31%
Dell XPS 13-9365 2-in-1
Intel HD Graphics 615, i7-7Y75
917 Points -40%
Acer Swift 3 SF314-55-31N8
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i3-8145U
838 Points -45%
Apple MacBook 12 (Early 2016) 1.1 GHz
Intel HD Graphics 515, 6Y30
735 Points -52%
1920x1080 Fire Strike Combined
Asus ZenBook S13 UX392FN
NVIDIA GeForce MX150, i7-8565U
965 Points +70%
Dell Inspiron 15 3585 (2300U, Vega 6)
AMD Radeon RX Vega 6 (Ryzen 2000/3000), R3 2300U
688 Points +21%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3
Intel UHD Graphics G1 (Ice Lake 32 EU), i3-1005G1
569 Points
HP Spectre x360 13-ap0312ng
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i7-8565U
426 Points -25%
Dell Latitude 13 3390
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i5-8250U
347 Points -39%
Asus VivoBook Flip 14 TP412UA-EC969T
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i3-8130U
345 Points -39%
Lenovo V330-15IKB
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i3-7130U
336 Points -41%
Dell XPS 13-9365 2-in-1
Intel HD Graphics 615, i7-7Y75
283 Points -50%
Acer Swift 3 SF314-55-31N8
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i3-8145U
275 Points -52%
Apple MacBook 12 (Early 2016) 1.1 GHz
Intel HD Graphics 515, 6Y30
251 Points -56%
3DMark 11
1280x720 Performance GPU
Asus ZenBook S13 UX392FN
NVIDIA GeForce MX150, i7-8565U
3540 Points +66%
Dell Inspiron 15 3585 (2300U, Vega 6)
AMD Radeon RX Vega 6 (Ryzen 2000/3000), R3 2300U
2986 Points +40%
HP EliteBook 735 G5 3UN62EA
AMD Radeon RX Vega 10, R7 2700U
2907 Points +36%
Dell Vostro 15-5581
NVIDIA GeForce MX130, i5-8265U
2476 Points +16%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3
Intel UHD Graphics G1 (Ice Lake 32 EU), i3-1005G1
2133 Points
Microsoft Surface Pro 6, Core i7, 512 GB
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i7-8650U
1977 Points -7%
HP Spectre x360 13-ap0312ng
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i7-8565U
1929 Points -10%
Lenovo Yoga C930-13IKB 81C4
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i5-8550U
1911 Points -10%
Dell XPS 13 9380 2019
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i5-8265U
1815 Points -15%
Dell Latitude 13 3390
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i5-8250U
1597 Points -25%
Asus VivoBook Flip 14 TP412UA-EC969T
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i3-8130U
1561 Points -27%
Lenovo V330-15IKB
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i3-7130U
1542 Points -28%
Acer Swift 3 SF314-55-31N8
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i3-8145U
1415 Points -34%
Dell XPS 13-9365 2-in-1
Intel HD Graphics 615, i7-7Y75
1370 Points -36%
Apple MacBook 12 (Early 2016) 1.1 GHz
Intel HD Graphics 515, 6Y30
1186 Points -44%
1280x720 Performance Combined
Asus ZenBook S13 UX392FN
NVIDIA GeForce MX150, i7-8565U
3556 Points +50%
Dell Inspiron 15 3585 (2300U, Vega 6)
AMD Radeon RX Vega 6 (Ryzen 2000/3000), R3 2300U
2419 Points +2%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3
Intel UHD Graphics G1 (Ice Lake 32 EU), i3-1005G1
2375 Points
Dell Vostro 15-5581
NVIDIA GeForce MX130, i5-8265U
2169 Points -9%
HP Spectre x360 13-ap0312ng
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i7-8565U
1921 Points -19%
HP EliteBook 735 G5 3UN62EA
AMD Radeon RX Vega 10, R7 2700U
1872 Points -21%
Lenovo Yoga C930-13IKB 81C4
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i5-8550U
1862 Points -22%
Microsoft Surface Pro 6, Core i7, 512 GB
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i7-8650U
1858 Points -22%
Dell XPS 13 9380 2019
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i5-8265U
1795 Points -24%
Lenovo V330-15IKB
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i3-7130U
1509 Points -36%
Dell Latitude 13 3390
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i5-8250U
1485 Points -37%
Asus VivoBook Flip 14 TP412UA-EC969T
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i3-8130U
1457 Points -39%
Dell XPS 13-9365 2-in-1
Intel HD Graphics 615, i7-7Y75
1313 Points -45%
Acer Swift 3 SF314-55-31N8
Intel UHD Graphics 620, i3-8145U
1032 Points -57%
Apple MacBook 12 (Early 2016) 1.1 GHz
Intel HD Graphics 515, 6Y30
1014 Points -57%
3DMark 06 Standard Score
11753 points
3DMark 11 Performance
2374 points
3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score
56698 points
3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score
8145 points
3DMark Fire Strike Score
1443 points
Help
Rocket League
1920x1080 High Quality AA:High FX
Huawei MateBook 13 i7
Intel Core i7-8565U, NVIDIA GeForce MX150
47.4 fps +108%
Lenovo IdeaPad 320s-14IKB
Intel Core i5-7200U, NVIDIA GeForce 920MX
29 fps +27%
Acer Swift 3 SF313-51-59SZ
Intel Core i5-8250U, Intel UHD Graphics 620
23.2 fps +2%
Lenovo Flex 14IWL
Intel Core i5-8265U, Intel UHD Graphics 620
23 fps +1%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3
Intel Core i3-1005G1, Intel UHD Graphics G1 (Ice Lake 32 EU)
22.8 fps
Samsung Notebook 9 NP930QAA
Intel Core i7-8550U, Intel UHD Graphics 620
20.1 fps -12%
Acer Switch 5 SW512-52-5819
Intel Core i7-7500U, Intel HD Graphics 620
18.35 fps -20%
Dell Inspiron 15 3585 (2300U, Vega 6)
AMD Ryzen 3 2300U, AMD Radeon RX Vega 6 (Ryzen 2000/3000)
17.4 fps -24%
Dell Inspiron 14 5000 5482 2-in-1
Intel Core i7-8565U, Intel UHD Graphics 620
15.7 fps -31%
Fujitsu LifeBook U937
Intel Core i5-7200U, Intel HD Graphics 620
15.18 fps -33%
1920x1080 Quality AA:Medium FX
Huawei MateBook 13 i7
Intel Core i7-8565U, NVIDIA GeForce MX150
76.1 fps +80%
Lenovo IdeaPad 320s-14IKB
Intel Core i5-7200U, NVIDIA GeForce 920MX
43.7 fps +4%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3
Intel Core i3-1005G1, Intel UHD Graphics G1 (Ice Lake 32 EU)
42.2 fps
Acer Swift 3 SF313-51-59SZ
Intel Core i5-8250U, Intel UHD Graphics 620
35.8 fps -15%
Samsung Notebook 9 NP930QAA
Intel Core i7-8550U, Intel UHD Graphics 620
32.4 fps -23%
Lenovo Flex 14IWL
Intel Core i5-8265U, Intel UHD Graphics 620
30 fps -29%
Acer Switch 5 SW512-52-5819
Intel Core i7-7500U, Intel HD Graphics 620
27.48 fps -35%
Dell Inspiron 15 3585 (2300U, Vega 6)
AMD Ryzen 3 2300U, AMD Radeon RX Vega 6 (Ryzen 2000/3000)
26.9 fps -36%
Fujitsu LifeBook U937
Intel Core i5-7200U, Intel HD Graphics 620
24.39 fps -42%
Dell Inspiron 14 5000 5482 2-in-1
Intel Core i7-8565U, Intel UHD Graphics 620
24.3 fps -42%
1920x1080 Performance
Lenovo IdeaPad 320s-14IKB
Intel Core i5-7200U, NVIDIA GeForce 920MX
80.4 fps +37%
Acer Swift 3 SF313-51-59SZ
Intel Core i5-8250U, Intel UHD Graphics 620
78.4 fps +33%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3
Intel Core i3-1005G1, Intel UHD Graphics G1 (Ice Lake 32 EU)
58.8 fps
Acer Switch 5 SW512-52-5819
Intel Core i7-7500U, Intel HD Graphics 620
47.96 fps -18%
Dell Inspiron 15 3585 (2300U, Vega 6)
AMD Ryzen 3 2300U, AMD Radeon RX Vega 6 (Ryzen 2000/3000)
42.2 fps -28%
Samsung Notebook 9 NP930QAA
Intel Core i7-8550U, Intel UHD Graphics 620
42.1 fps -28%
Lenovo Flex 14IWL
Intel Core i5-8265U, Intel UHD Graphics 620
39 fps -34%
Fujitsu LifeBook U937
Intel Core i5-7200U, Intel HD Graphics 620
38.74 fps -34%
low med. high ultra
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm (2013) 60.5 40.5 18.9
BioShock Infinite (2013) 82.6 40 34.8 11.7
The Witcher 3 (2015) 29.7 19.1 10.4 5.4
Overwatch (2016) 71.4 52.3 23.5
Rocket League (2017) 69.5 42.2 22.8

Emissions

System Noise

Whereas the first generation XPS 13 9365 2-in-1 was passively cooled, the second generation XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 houses dual fans and a vapor chamber cooler between them. Vapor chamber cooling can be found on some gaming laptops like the Razer Blade 15 or Asus ROG G752VY because it allows for better cooling per unit volume than copper heat pipes alone. The new XPS convertible is the first for its subnotebook category to use this approach.

Fan noise when idling, browsing, or video streaming remains silent despite having an active cooling solution. At worst, fan noise may jump to 32 dB(A) during these low to low-medium loads which is still only barely audible and never distracting. This low 30 dB(A) range is not uncommon on most other Ultrabooks with integrated graphics.

When gaming or running other very demanding loads, fan noise will slowly but steadily climb in a step-wise manner to 33.5 dB(A), 34.9 dB(A), 39.2 dB(A), and then finally 43.5 dB(A). The low 40 dB(A) range is loud enough to be distracting in quieter classrooms meaning you probably shouldn't be running heavy loads for long periods in noise-sensitive areas.

We're able to notice slight electronic noise or coil whine when placing an ear near the keyboard keys. It's fortunately minor enough to be easily ignored and not be worrisome.

Twin 30 mm fans are slightly smaller in diameter than on most other Ultrabooks and are thus higher-pitched and more noticeable when active
Twin 30 mm fans are slightly smaller in diameter than on most other Ultrabooks and are thus higher-pitched and more noticeable when active
Fortunately, the fans are almost never active during low to low-medium loads like browsing or video streaming. Should they pulse, they normally stay under 32 dB(A) under such conditions
Fortunately, the fans are almost never active during low to low-medium loads like browsing or video streaming. Should they pulse, they normally stay under 32 dB(A) under such conditions
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3
UHD Graphics G1 (Ice Lake 32 EU), i3-1005G1, Toshiba BG4 KBG40ZPZ256G
Dell XPS 13 9380 2019
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8265U, SK hynix PC401 HFS256GD9TNG
Dell XPS 13-9365 2-in-1
HD Graphics 615, i7-7Y75, Toshiba NVMe THNSN5256GPUK
HP Spectre x360 13-ap0312ng
UHD Graphics 620, i7-8565U, Toshiba XG5 KXG50ZNV512G
Lenovo Yoga C930-13IKB 81C4
UHD Graphics 620, i5-8550U, SK hynix PC401 HFS256GD9TNG
Asus ZenBook S13 UX392FN
GeForce MX150, i7-8565U, WDC PC SN520 SDAPNUW-512G
Noise
-4%
1%
1%
-5%
off / environment *
28
30.4
-9%
29.2
-4%
27.9
-0%
28.1
-0%
Idle Minimum *
28
30.4
-9%
29.2
-4%
27.9
-0%
28.1
-0%
Idle Average *
28
30.4
-9%
29.2
-4%
27.9
-0%
28.1
-0%
Idle Maximum *
28
30.4
-9%
30.4
-9%
29.3
-5%
29
-4%
Load Average *
31.7
31.7
-0%
31
2%
32
-1%
41.1
-30%
Load Maximum *
43.5
38.1
12%
32.1
26%
39.3
10%
41.1
6%
Witcher 3 ultra *
41.1

* ... smaller is better

Noise Level

Idle
28 / 28 / 28 dB(A)
Load
31.7 / 43.5 dB(A)
  red to green bar
 
 
30 dB
silent
40 dB(A)
audible
50 dB(A)
loud
 
min: dark, med: mid, max: light   Audix TM1, Arta (15 cm distance)   environment noise: 28 dB(A)

Temperature

Dual rear exhaust from the two hinges
Dual rear exhaust from the two hinges

When idling, hot spots plateau at about 30 C and 33 C on the top and bottom sides, respectively, as shown by our temperature maps below. It's interesting to note that there is a steep and distinct transition between the warmer surfaces and cooler surfaces across the center of the keyboard which is atypical of a laptop.

When under extreme loads for an extended period, hot spots can become as warm as 50 C on both the top and bottom sides of the laptop. Perhaps by coincidence, we observed the same results on the original XPS 13 9365 2-in-1 as well. The front quadrants of the chassis remain cool no matter the onscreen load since the battery occupies most of this volume.

System idle (top)
System idle (top)
System idle (bottom)
System idle (bottom)
Maximum load (top)
Maximum load (top)
Maximum load (bottom)
Maximum load (bottom)
Max. Load
 42.8 °C
109 F
50 °C
122 F
40.2 °C
104 F
 
 32.6 °C
91 F
44.6 °C
112 F
36.4 °C
98 F
 
 31 °C
88 F
31 °C
88 F
30.8 °C
87 F
 
Maximum: 50 °C = 122 F
Average: 37.7 °C = 100 F
43 °C
109 F
47 °C
117 F
41.8 °C
107 F
38.8 °C
102 F
44.2 °C
112 F
38.6 °C
101 F
35.8 °C
96 F
37.6 °C
100 F
36.2 °C
97 F
Maximum: 47 °C = 117 F
Average: 40.3 °C = 105 F
Power Supply (max.)  47 °C = 117 F | Room Temperature 23 °C = 73 F | Fluke 62 Mini IR Thermometer
(±) The average temperature for the upper side under maximal load is 37.7 °C / 100 F, compared to the average of 30.2 °C / 86 F for the devices in the class Convertible.
(-) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 50 °C / 122 F, compared to the average of 35.3 °C / 96 F, ranging from 19.6 to 55.7 °C for the class Convertible.
(-) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 47 °C / 117 F, compared to the average of 36.7 °C / 98 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 28.8 °C / 84 F, compared to the device average of 30.2 °C / 86 F.
(+) The palmrests and touchpad are cooler than skin temperature with a maximum of 31 °C / 87.8 F and are therefore cool to the touch.
(-) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 28.1 °C / 82.6 F (-2.9 °C / -5.2 F).

Stress Test

We stress the system with synthetic loads to identify for any potential throttling issues. When running Prime95, clock rates jump to 3.4 GHz for the first minute or so until core temperature reaches a blistering 100 C. Thereafter, clock rates drop slightly to the 3.1 to 3.3 GHz range while core temperatures continue to hover at 99 C. On paper, the Intel Core i3-1005G1 offers a maximum Turbo Boost clock rate of 3.4 GHz and so it's good to see that this Dell system is doing its best to maintain the maximum potential of the processor. Nonetheless, it's not comforting to have any processor running above 90 C for long periods. Running this same test on the HP EliteBook x360 1040 with the Core i7-8650U results in a cooler core temperature of "only" 73 C albeit at slower clock rates.

Running both Prime95 and FurMark simultaneously results in lower core temperatures from 75 C to 86 C and a slower operating clock rate range between 2.3 GHz and 2.4 GHz. Clock rates may periodically dip even further to 1.6 GHz for short periods. Our findings have us concerned about the Core i7-1065G7 SKU. If the XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 can just barely run the Core i3 at its maximum potential, then how will it deal with the even faster Core i7-1065G7? We'll have to check and compare once we get our hands on the Core i7 configuration at a later date.

Running on battery power appears to limit CPU performance just slightly. A 3DMark Cloud Gate test on batteries returns Physics and Graphics scores of 4026 and 10811 points, respectively, compared to 4287 and 10966 points when on mains.

Prime95 stress
Prime95 stress
Prime95+FurMark stress
Prime95+FurMark stress
CPU Clock (GHz) GPU Clock (MHz) Average CPU Temperature (°C)
System Idle -- -- 37
Prime95 Stress 3.1 - 3.3 -- 99
Prime95 + FurMark Stress 1.6 - 2.4 -- 75 - 86

Speakers

A pair of 2 W speakers are positioned underneath the front corners of the palm rests. Unfortunately on our test unit, the left speaker seems to be faulty as it would introduce heavy static whenever there is audio playback. We'll have to revisit this section when we can get our hands on a Core i7 SKU.

The speakers on our unit were not functioning properly and so we are unable to assess it
The speakers on our unit were not functioning properly and so we are unable to assess it

Energy Management

Power Consumption

The Dell system is especially power efficient during low loads. Idling on desktop demands only 3 W to 8 W to be similar to competitors even though its display is significantly brighter. Jumping from minimum brightness to maximum brightness increases power consumption by only 2.5 to 3 W whereas the similarly bright Samsung Notebook 9 NP900X3N on Outdoor Mode would consume about twice as much.

Gaming loads will draw an average of 33 W to be comparable to 13.3-inch Ultrabooks with last generation Whiskey Lake-U or Kaby Lake-R CPUs. This is perhaps unsurprising since its integrated GPU performs roughly the same as the UHD Graphics 620 series.

We're able to record a maximum consumption spike of 48.3 W from the very small (~6.0 x 5.5 x 2.3 cm) 45 W AC adapter when running both Prime95 and FurMark simultaneously. This comsumption rate falls steadily over time to the 34 W to 40 W range as shown by our graphs below likely in an attempt to keep thermals in check. While such a behavior is not uncommon on Core U series CPUs, the decline appears to be shallower and steadier on this Core i3 CPU to align with our stress test and CineBench loop test observations above.

Minimum brightness from 0s to 10s and maximum brightness from 10s and onwards to show a difference in consumption by about 2.5 W to 3 W
Minimum brightness from 0s to 10s and maximum brightness from 10s and onwards to show a difference in consumption by about 2.5 W to 3 W
Power consumption whilst running the first benchmark scene of 3DMark 06
Power consumption whilst running the first benchmark scene of 3DMark 06
Prime95 initiated at 10s mark. Consumption spikes to 40 W before steadily dropping and plateauing at 34 W
Prime95 initiated at 10s mark. Consumption spikes to 40 W before steadily dropping and plateauing at 34 W
Prime95+FurMark initiated at 10s mark. Consumption spikes to 48 W, declines to ~43 W, and eventually declines even further to 34 W at about the 4 minute and 40 second mark
Prime95+FurMark initiated at 10s mark. Consumption spikes to 48 W, declines to ~43 W, and eventually declines even further to 34 W at about the 4 minute and 40 second mark
Power Consumption
Off / Standbydarklight 0.42 / 1.3 Watt
Idledarkmidlight 3 / 5.4 / 7.3 Watt
Load midlight 33.4 / 48.3 Watt
 color bar
Key: min: dark, med: mid, max: light        Metrahit Energy
Currently we use the Metrahit Energy, a professional single phase power quality and energy measurement digital multimeter, for our measurements. Find out more about it here. All of our test methods can be found here.
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3
i3-1005G1, UHD Graphics G1 (Ice Lake 32 EU), Toshiba BG4 KBG40ZPZ256G, IPS, 1920x1200, 13.40
Dell XPS 13 9380 2019
i5-8265U, UHD Graphics 620, SK hynix PC401 HFS256GD9TNG, IPS, 3840x2160, 13.30
Dell XPS 13-9365 2-in-1
i7-7Y75, HD Graphics 615, Toshiba NVMe THNSN5256GPUK, IPS, 1920x1080, 13.30
HP Spectre x360 13-ap0312ng
i7-8565U, UHD Graphics 620, Toshiba XG5 KXG50ZNV512G, IPS, 1920x1080, 13.30
Lenovo Yoga C930-13IKB 81C4
i5-8550U, UHD Graphics 620, SK hynix PC401 HFS256GD9TNG, IPS, 1920x1080, 13.90
Asus ZenBook S13 UX392FN
i7-8565U, GeForce MX150, WDC PC SN520 SDAPNUW-512G, IPS, 1920x1080, 13.90
Power Consumption
-35%
26%
-19%
-38%
-31%
Idle Minimum *
3
4.8
-60%
3.1
-3%
4.32
-44%
3.4
-13%
3.4
-13%
Idle Average *
5.4
8.6
-59%
4.3
20%
6.84
-27%
7.5
-39%
6.3
-17%
Idle Maximum *
7.3
10.4
-42%
4.9
33%
8.64
-18%
11.8
-62%
10.4
-42%
Load Average *
33.4
37.9
-13%
24.3
27%
31.8
5%
47.7
-43%
51
-53%
Load Maximum *
48.3
48.5
-0%
22.8
53%
53
-10%
63.2
-31%
62.7
-30%
Witcher 3 ultra *
39

* ... smaller is better

Battery Life

Portable multi-purpose USB Type-C AC adapter can Quick Charge other devices
Portable multi-purpose USB Type-C AC adapter can Quick Charge other devices

Battery capacity has been upped from 46 Wh on the 2017 XPS 13 9365 2-in-1 to 51 Wh on this latest model. WLAN runtimes still aren't as good as the original likely due to the larger display size and the more demanding 15 W Core U-class CPU of our system, but results are very long nonetheless and comparable to the XPS 13 9380 clamshell. Expect almost 9 hours of real-world browsing use when on the Balanced power profile and with the display set to 150 nits (25 percent).

Recharging takes about 1.5 to 2 hours with the included AC adapter. Note that this same adapter can be used to charge USB Type-C smartphones, tablets, Switch consoles, and even other laptops to make it a versatile charger when traveling.

Battery Runtime
Idle (without WLAN, min brightness)
35h 39min
WiFi Websurfing
8h 55min
Load (maximum brightness)
2h 10min
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3
i3-1005G1, UHD Graphics G1 (Ice Lake 32 EU), 51 Wh
Dell XPS 13 9380 2019
i5-8265U, UHD Graphics 620, 52 Wh
Dell XPS 13-9365 2-in-1
i7-7Y75, HD Graphics 615, 46 Wh
HP Spectre x360 13-ap0312ng
i7-8565U, UHD Graphics 620, 61 Wh
Lenovo Yoga C930-13IKB 81C4
i5-8550U, UHD Graphics 620, 60 Wh
Asus ZenBook S13 UX392FN
i7-8565U, GeForce MX150, 50 Wh
Battery Runtime
-17%
3%
2%
24%
-16%
Reader / Idle
2139
1032
-52%
971
-55%
1710
-20%
WiFi v1.3
535
498
-7%
686
28%
531
-1%
664
24%
506
-5%
Load
130
141
8%
175
35%
135
4%
99
-24%

Pros

+ brighter than most other consumer laptops; good outdoor visibility
+ high quality touchscreen with full sRGB coverage
+ slim, lightweight, and attractive chassis design
+ 2x Thunderbolt 3 with Power Delivery
+ crisp MagLev key feedback
+ 16:10 aspect ratio
+ long battery life

Cons

- slightly more flexing than a clamshell XPS 13 9380
- very warm CPU temperatures when under stress
- poor upgradeability; soldered RAM, SSD, WLAN
- audio and USB Type-C issues on our test unit
- no more IR camera option or Noble Lock
- PWM at low brightness settings
- small and cramped Arrow keys
- MicroSD slot is finicky to use
- no webcam privacy shutter
- no WWAN options
- louder key clatter

Verdict

In review: Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3-1005G1
In review: Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3-1005G1

Enthusiasts will inevitably cry foul about the soldered components of the XPS 13 7390 2-in-1. Though it's definitely a bummer that key specs like RAM, WLAN, or even storage aren't serviceable or user-upgradeable, Dell is targeting an audience where such features aren't potential deal breakers. The XPS 13 convertible aims to gobble up the 2-in-1 market where detachables like the Surface Pro are already very limited in terms of upgradeability.

The best aspect of Dell's convertible is its display rather than the fancy new Intel Ice Lake-U CPU. The display on even the least expensive Core i3 SKU is objectively better than the displays of many other flagship Ultrabooks costing hundreds more. It's noticeably brighter, better calibrated out of the box, and even roomier than what most users are accustomed to because of the taller 16:10 aspect ratio. If you've ever wanted a 13-inch convertible laptop for travel and outdoor use, then this system would be your best bet simply because of how much brighter the display can be when compared to the competition.

As for the Core i3-1005G1, its raw CPU horsepower is only slightly better than the Core i3-8145U while offering the integrated graphics performance of the Core i7-8565U all in a more efficient 10 nm design. The gen-to-gen upgrade is marginal in this regard, but it's still leagues better than what the older XPS 13 9365 series was ever able to offer with the Core 7Y54 or Core 7Y75.

Most of our complaints are relatively minor that add up to noticeable annoyances. The cramped Arrow keys, fingerprint-loving surfaces, slow white-black response times, DPC latency problems, and lack of higher refresh rate and WWAN options all prevent the Dell from being the "ultimate" subnotebook convertible. A few features from the 2017 model like the Noble Lock, IR camera, and removable storage have all been dropped. Furthermore, running the CPU at full load will entail a core temperature of 99 C which already has us concerned about the performance of the Core i7 configurations. The closest alternative to the Dell that users may want to consider would be the 14-inch HP EliteBook x360 1040 G5 which is the only subnotebook we know of to offer WWAN, a super-bright 120 Hz display, user-upgradeable storage, and several more port options than the Dell all in a package that's nearly as small. 

Since we experienced a couple of hardware-related problems on this retail unit, we highly recommend buyers to check for any abnormalities immediately upon purchasing. The distorted speakers and USB Type-C power problems are serious issues that we can only hope are due to our bad luck rather than something more profuse.

The 13.4-inch XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 is a significant upgrade from the 2017 XPS 13 9365 in nearly every sense of the word. Its biggest surprise isn't the new processor, but the well-calibrated display that is noticeably brighter than what most other Ultrabooks have to offer. If you're willing to go a little bigger, however, the 14-inch HP EliteBook x360 1040 G5 can do almost everything the XPS 2-in-1 can but with better upgradeability and more connectivity.

Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3 - 09/10/2019 v7
Allen Ngo

Chassis
80 / 98 → 82%
Keyboard
87%
Pointing Device
86%
Connectivity
62 / 75 → 83%
Weight
71 / 20-75 → 93%
Battery
85%
Display
86%
Games Performance
54 / 78 → 69%
Application Performance
80 / 85 → 94%
Temperature
87%
Noise
94%
Audio
50 / 91 → 55%
Camera
35 / 85 → 41%
Average
74%
86%
Convertible - Weighted Average

Pricecompare

Read all 9 comments / answer
static version load dynamic
Loading Comments
Comment on this article
Please share our article, every link counts!
> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Reviews > Hot Ice: Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i3 Laptop Review
Allen Ngo, 2019-09-10 (Update: 2019-10-27)