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Review Dell XPS 11-9P33 Convertible

Lots of pixels, mediocre performance. You cannot decide whether to get a laptop or a tablet? Then a convertible such as the Dell XPS 11 might be the ideal compromise. Our review will show how this jack-of-all-trades with a Core i5 CPU, a QHD display and an SSD fares during actual usage.

For the original German review, see here.

Are traditional laptops becoming obsolete? Driven by the growing tablet market, notebooks with versatile and multifaceted form factors are becoming more prevalent. One of the first such convertibles was the Dell XPS 12, presented in fall 2012, a newer model of which is still available.

Our test device, the Dell XPS 11 marks a departure into the slightly smaller 11.6-inch territory. This is not just another Dell convertible, but, according to the manufacturer, the "slimmest, lightest and most compact 2-in-1 ultrabook on Earth." But mobility is not its only strong suit. The XPS 11 also comes with an extremely high-resolution IGZO display, a very power-efficient and fast ULV CPU from Intel's newest Haswell generation. Still, all of this comes at a price: Even the Core i5-4210Y entry model with 4 GB of RAM and a 128 GB SSD costs a little more than 900 Euros (~$1218), while our test device with 256 GB of storage space costs around 1000 Euros (~$1353), including shipping fees.

Similar hybrid laptops are currently being offered by both Lenovo and Acer. Thus, we will compare the XPS 11 to two (often noticeably cheaper) models from these two companies, specifically the IdeaPad Yoga 11S and the Aspire P3-171.

Case

A sturdy chassis, made from aluminum and carbon
A sturdy chassis, made from aluminum and carbon
The hinge (can be rotated by 360 degrees)
The hinge (can be rotated by 360 degrees)

The XPS moniker marks Dell's high-end laptop. Of course, these standards do not just apply to its innards, but also the case. Our test device is no exception, shipping with a true high-end chassis, which is mainly made from aluminum and carbon. Its materials and its design copy many elements from its XPS siblings, among them a 13- and a 15-inch device. The subtle yet timeless and elegant look underlines its premium aspirations. The only slight disadvantage that we found: The silicone-clad palm rest attracts dirt and fingerprints like nothing else.

Thanks to the light and sturdy materials being used, Dell was able to decrease both the weight and the dimensions of the XPS 11 greatly. Just 1.13 kilograms (~2.5 pounds) and up to 15 millimeters (~0.6 inches) in height makes the XPS 11 even slimmer than typical 13-inch ultrabooks (although a slimmer display frame - instead of the 2 centimeters (~0.8 inches) it has now - might have helped greatly in making the device even more compact).

Despite its slim, lightweight construction, the laptop is extremely pressure- and torsion-resistant. This even holds true to a certain degree for the display, which measures just 3 millimeters thick (~0.1 inches). Similar to that of the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S, the display can be rotated by up to 360 degrees - turning the Dell XPS 11 into a tablet by pushing the display down onto the base unit. Naturally, everything in between laptop mode and tablet mode is possible as well, yielding e.g. the tent mode which is supposed to make the touchscreen (which comes with Gorilla Glass) more comfortable to use. Again, we have to nag a little bit, as the hinges do tend to wobble a bit when applying pressure to the touchscreen.

Apart from this, the chassis feels almost perfect. It does of course help that the build quality is great, with basically no uneven clearances or sharp edges being noticeable on our test device.

Connectivity

Two USB 3.0 ports (one on each side of the chassis), an HDMI port, a card reader (SD, SDIO, SDXC) and an audio jack – that is it in terms of ports. We are not pleased that the XPS 11 ships without a (Mini-) DisplayPort, since many external displays with resolutions of more than Full HD cannot be connected via HDMI. One rather unusual design element: The USB ports have been rotated by 180 degrees - possibly to render them more convenient when the device is being used in tablet mode.

All ports are located close to the rear end of the sides, but remain well in reach due to the compactness of the XPS 11. Since the convertible is so slim, thick thumb drives do actually act as a lever, lifting the laptop up. Care has to be taken not to damage either the port or the flash drive itself.

Front: No ports
Front: No ports
Left: Power connector, USB 3.0 port, HDMI port, audio jack, volume rocker
Left: Power connector, USB 3.0 port, HDMI port, audio jack, volume rocker
Rear: No ports
Rear: No ports
Right: Card reader, USB 3.0 port, Noble lock
Right: Card reader, USB 3.0 port, Noble lock

Communication

Thanks to its integrated wireless modem (Intel Wireless-AC 7260), the XPS fields both Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, including all current standards. Under perfect conditions, the dual-band (2.4 and 5 GHz) and dual-stream (2x2) adapter would reach up to 867 Mbit/s, but even during our real-life tests with an 802.11n router, speed, range and connection stability were great. Other useful features are Near Field Communication and Wireless Display for external displays and TVs (a decoder box might be required). The only thing we missed - at least optionally – is a WWAN or GPS module.

While the webcam does not look like much on paper, shipping with just 0.9 megapixels, it is decently suited for photos and videos, being sufficient for Skype sessions. The same holds true for the microphone. Our voice was clear as well as easily understood.

Accessories

Beyond a quick start guide and the obligatory power adapter, nothing else is in the box. The same holds true on the software side of things: Next to the preinstalled Windows 8.1 (64-bit), only the crucial drivers and a few useful system tools are there. An administration panel, the "My Dell" utility, informs the user about updates, helps with creating backups or yields additional information about the system.

Maintenance

detailed Service Manual
detailed Service Manual

In contrast to most other tablets and convertibles, the innards of the XPS 11 are not completely sealed off. Loosening 10 Torx (T5) screws as well as one ordinary Phillips-tip screw beneath the tiltable XPS logo (details can be found in the Service Manual) allows the user to take off the large maintenance panel. The battery, the Wi-Fi module, the mSATA SSD and the fan are accessible (some require the removal of a few screws) and user-replaceable. The RAM module, however, has been soldered to the motherboard. No upgrades are possible here.

Warranty

As is almost always the case with Dell, the XPS 11 ships with just a meager amount, 12 months, of warranty, but this does at least include pickup-and-return service and telephone support. For 100, 176 or 328 Euros (~$135, $238 or $444), this manufacturer warranty can be expanded to 2, 3 or 4 years, respectively. However, such upgrades are a lot less expensive with most of Dell's competitors.

Input Devices

Keyboard

Touch keyboards are a relatively well-known feature in the case of tablets, such as Microsoft's Surface RT and Surface Pro. In the base unit of a laptop and a convertible, however, such an input device is still extremely uncommon. Moreover, while its advantages are numerous - yielding a slimmer, less costly and more resistant device, the latter being a crucial feature in tablet mode - the user has to pay a high price.

At the beginning, the missing physical feedback is very irritating, leading to a number of erroneous keystrokes, especially since it is easy to underestimate the amount of pressure required to actually write a letter (which is a lot more than that on a touchscreen, yielding a more tiring typing experience). Hitting the illuminated keys is rather simple, thanks to a chiclet-like key grid, which makes it easy to find any letter. In the end, it depends on the user him- or herself whether this still amounts to a useable typing experience; still we would suggest using an external USB keyboard whenever a lot of productivity is required.

Touchpad and Touchscreen

The ClickPad (10.5 x 6.2 centimeters; 4.1 x 2.4 inches) feels close to perfect. Its velvety, soft glass surface makes gliding across a breeze. Multi-touch gestures work smoothly and without hesitation, and the extremely crisp mouse buttons make an external pointing device all but unnecessary - apparently, Dell has put a lot of work into the drivers, which were still a topic of debate with the XPS 15.

Of course, there is also the capacitive touchscreen. It supports up to 10 fingers at the same time. Lag is basically non-existent while its precision is superb. The touchscreen is perfectly suited for the Modern UI of Windows 8.1 while the more traditional desktop experience profits more from a mouse and a keyboard. 

Keyboard
Keyboard
Touchpad
Touchpad

Display

Scaling issues with legacy software
Scaling issues with legacy software

One of the true highlights of the XPS 11 is its 11.6-inch WQHD display, which comes with 2560x1440 pixels and thus a superb pixel density of 253 ppi. Even the much-appreciated Retina display of the MacBook Pro 13 (13.3 inches, 2560x1600 pixels) reaches no more than 227 ppi while the direct competitor, the IdeaPad Yoga 11S (11.6 inches, 1366x768 pixels) only yields 135 ppi.

The most crucial question now is whether such an impressive resolution, which has more or less only been known from some high-end ARM tablets, is really necessary in a Windows convertible. Of course, fonts and symbols look sharper than on most every competitor, but even Windows 8.1 still exhibits some scaling issues, especially concerning older legacy software, which do not work well with changed ppi settings, cutting off texts, distorting elements and so on. Still, these (rather rare) issues are not of Dell's doing, and they occur in other high-resolution Windows 8 laptops as well.

The LED backlight of the XPS gets noticeably bright, with up to 385 cd/m², on par or better than its competitors, the Yoga 11S (335 cd/m²) and the Aspire P3 (387 cd/m²). In the lower left corner, only 339 cd/m² are measured, but this dark spot is not noticeable during actual usage. Great: The maximum brightness does not diminish while the laptop is running on battery, at least if the ambient light sensor has been deactivated in the energy-saving settings menu.

400
cd/m²
400
cd/m²
387
cd/m²
387
cd/m²
406
cd/m²
399
cd/m²
339
cd/m²
359
cd/m²
384
cd/m²
Distribution of brightness
Sharp LQ116T1 tested with X-Rite i1Pro 2
Maximum: 406 cd/m² (Nits) Average: 384.6 cd/m²
Brightness Distribution: 83 %
Center on Battery: 409 cd/m²
Contrast: 1450:1 (Black: 0.28 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 8.8 | 0.5-29.43 Ø5
ΔE Greyscale 8.2 | 0.57-98 Ø5.3
67% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
72% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
97.2% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
70.8% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 4.77

The 11.6-inch panel (LQ116T1) employs Sharp's IGZO technology, which has also been used in the larger XPS 15. Next to the superb pixel density, the black levels (0.28 cd/m²) and the contrast ratio (1450:1) are excellent as well, on par with the best IPS panels out there, leading to vivid, lifelike rendering of all screen contents. Still, apart from the lower resolution, the panels of the Yoga 11S (contrast ratio of 736:1) and the Aspire P3 (1580:1) are more than decent as well.

Now we would like to have a look at the color rendition on this display, a topic which is especially important for professionals working with images or photos. According to our measurements, the display offers a great color range, coming close to being able to render the entire sRGB color space. Unfortunately, the screen has not been calibrated well by the manufacturer. An average Delta E of 8.8 (colors) and 8.2 (grayscale) leads to visible deviations from the reference values - an issue which plagues a lot of consumer laptops. 

XPS 11 vs. AdobeRGB (t)
XPS 11 vs. AdobeRGB (t)
XPS 11 vs. sRGB (t)
XPS 11 vs. sRGB (t)
XPS 11 vs. Yoga 11S (t)
XPS 11 vs. Yoga 11S (t)
Color fidelity (uncalibrated)
Color fidelity (uncalibrated)
Color saturation (uncalibrated)
Color saturation (uncalibrated)
Grayscale (uncalibrated)
Grayscale (uncalibrated)
Outdoor usage (direct sunlight)
Outdoor usage (direct sunlight)

Despite its glossy surface, the XPS 11 is rather well suited for outdoor usage, mainly thanks to its strong backlighting which is usually more than capable of overcoming the resulting reflections in most situations - the only exception being direct sunlight, where only a matte display would help (which is rather uncommon for touchscreens).

Viewing angles Dell XPS 11
Viewing angles Dell XPS 11

Similar to an IPS panel, the IGZO display offers rather stable viewing angles. The contrast ratio does decrease a bit (as does color saturation) when looking at the screen from an angle, but the issue is not as noticeable as it would be with a much cheaper TN panel. Viewing angle stability is especially important for tablets and hybrid laptops, as the holding angle tends to change a lot.

Performance

1.9 GHz maximum Turbo Boost clock speed
1.9 GHz maximum Turbo Boost clock speed

The slim, compact chassis of the XPS 11 likely would not be able to handle the heat produced by a standard 15-Watt CPU (such as the Core i5-4200U) which is why Dell has opted for an even more power-efficient Y-series CPU instead, the Core i5-4210Y which comes with a TDP of just 11.5 Watts. Unfortunately, this leads to a rather low clock speed of 1.5 to 1.9 GHz (with maximum Turbo Boost). The feature set, however, remains on par with its non-Y-series siblings, including technologies such as Hyperthreading, AES-NI and AVX(2). As always, additional details can be found in our CPU database.

An Intel HD Graphics 4200 GPU has been integrated directly into the CPU. Although it is technically the same as the HD Graphics 4400 used in the 15-Watt models (GT2 extension, 20 execution units), the clock speed is noticeably lower again at 200 to 850 MHz, yielding a somewhat reduced performance.

Dell is a bit tight in terms of RAM: The XPS 12 cannot be had with more than 4 GB, but at least the DDR3L-RS-1600 RAM module (soldered to the mainboard) works very efficiently due to its decreased voltage and its dual-channel mode. The 256 GB SSD being employed in our test device should be more than enough for most users. For 80 Euros (~$108) less, the XPS 12 can be had with 128 GB instead.

System information Dell XPS 11

Processor

Nosediving...
Nosediving...
...Turbo Boost
...Turbo Boost

Although the Core i5-4210Y CPU sports rather lowly CPU clock speeds, it is incapable of reaching its full Turbo Boost speed. Single threading benchmarks such as those of Cinebench R11.5 are handled with a rather stable value of 1.8 to 1.9 GHz, but multithreading leads to a reduction to 1.6 GHz and then quickly to 1.4 GHz (in extreme cases, such as with Prime95 running even at 1.3 GHz), less than the base clock speed of 1.5 GHz.

This is unlikely to be an issue of the XPS 11 as most other Haswell-Y-based laptops exhibit similar issues. It might actually be possible that this throttling happens on purpose in order to increase battery life and reduce heat emissions, as Intel claims an SDP of just 6 Watts (the typical power consumption) for the Core i5-4210Y, just half the TDP of 11.5 Watts.

In the end, performance is noticeably worse than that of 15-Watt variants, with e.g. the popular Core i5-4200U being faster by 40 to 50 percent, depending on the application.

Cinebench R11.5
CPU Single 64Bit (sort by value)
Dell XPS 11
HD Graphics 4200, 4210Y, Samsung SSD PM841 MZMTD256HAGM
0.81 Points
Sony Vaio Tap 11 SVT-1121G4E/B
HD Graphics 4200, 4210Y, Samsung SSD PM841 MZMTD256HAGM
0.85 Points +5%
Dell Latitude E7240
HD Graphics 4400, 4200U, Liteonit LMT-128M6M
1.15 Points +42%
Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S
HD Graphics 4000, 3339Y, Samsung SSD PM841 MZMTD256HAGM
0.81 Points 0%
CPU Multi 64Bit (sort by value)
Dell XPS 11
HD Graphics 4200, 4210Y, Samsung SSD PM841 MZMTD256HAGM
1.66 Points
Sony Vaio Tap 11 SVT-1121G4E/B
HD Graphics 4200, 4210Y, Samsung SSD PM841 MZMTD256HAGM
1.5 Points -10%
Dell Latitude E7240
HD Graphics 4400, 4200U, Liteonit LMT-128M6M
2.49 Points +50%
Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S
HD Graphics 4000, 3339Y, Samsung SSD PM841 MZMTD256HAGM
1.8 Points +8%
Cinebench R10 Rendering Single 32Bit
2764
Cinebench R10 Rendering Multiple CPUs 32Bit
5399
Cinebench R10 Shading 32Bit
4514
Cinebench R10 Rendering Single CPUs 64Bit
3591 Points
Cinebench R10 Rendering Multiple CPUs 64Bit
6996 Points
Cinebench R10 Shading 64Bit
4610 Points
Cinebench R11.5 OpenGL 64Bit
10.29 fps
Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64Bit
1.66 Points
Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64Bit
0.81 Points
Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64Bit
71 Points
Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64Bit
156 Points
Cinebench R15 Ref. Match 64Bit
63.3 %
Help

Mass Storage

AS SSD benchmark
AS SSD benchmark

Due to the slim chassis, the XPS 11 employs a compact mSATA SSD instead of a 2.5-inch drive. The merits of the Samsung SSD PM841 are already well-known from competitors such as the Sony Vaio Tap 11: High sequential data transfer rates (the 128 GB variant may be a bit slower) as well as great 4K results turn the PM841 into a highly capable SSD. In addition, recent Samsung SSDs have a reputation of being extremely reliable.

Samsung SSD PM841 MZMTD256HAGM
Transfer Rate Minimum: 362.7 MB/s
Transfer Rate Maximum: 415 MB/s
Transfer Rate Average: 410 MB/s
Access Time: 0.1 ms
Burst Rate: 90 MB/s
CPU Usage: 3.4 %

System Performance

The PCMark 7 system benchmark results of our test device - 4009 points - are close to that of its competitors, the IdeaPad Yoga 11S (3935 points) and the Vaio Tap 11 (3661 points). This should not come as a huge surprise as all three laptops employ the same SSD and comparable CPUs. The Aspire P3 fares a bit worse due to its Core i3 CPU and its smaller SSD.

Typical everyday tasks such as browsing the web, working with MS Office or video playback are no problem for the XPS 11. The fast SSD is one of the main reasons why the system feels so responsive. Only more demanding software or excessive multitasking may bring the XPS 11 to its knees, due to the low CPU clock speed and the meager amount of RAM. This is not really a performance-oriented device.

PCMark 7 - Score (sort by value)
Dell XPS 11
HD Graphics 4200, 4210Y, Samsung SSD PM841 MZMTD256HAGM
4009 Points
Sony Vaio Tap 11 SVT-1121G4E/B
HD Graphics 4200, 4210Y, Samsung SSD PM841 MZMTD256HAGM
3661 Points -9%
Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S
HD Graphics 4000, 3339Y, Samsung SSD PM841 MZMTD256HAGM
3935 Points -2%
Acer Aspire P3-171-3322Y2G06as
HD Graphics 4000, 3229Y, Intel SSD 525 Series SSDMCEAC060B3A
2437 Points -39%
PCMark 7 Score
4009 points
PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated
2019 points
PCMark 8 Creative Score Accelerated
2031 points
PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated
2853 points
Help

Graphics Card

Not only the CPU, but also the GPU hardly ever comes close to its maximum possible clock speed, yielding only 400 to 450 MHz in most 3D applications and games. This is close, in terms of performance, to an older HD Graphics 4000 (Ivy Bridge) so that even older, dedicated entry-level GPUs such as the Radeon HD 6470M manage to beat the HD Graphics 4200. The latter is better suited for multimedia tasks, mostly due to its integrated Quick Sync transcoder, which enables it to convert videos very quickly and power-efficiently.

3DMark 11 - 1280x720 Performance GPU (sort by value)
Dell XPS 11
HD Graphics 4200, 4210Y, Samsung SSD PM841 MZMTD256HAGM
460 Points
Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S
HD Graphics 4000, 3339Y, Samsung SSD PM841 MZMTD256HAGM
432 Points -6%
Microsoft Surface Pro 2
HD Graphics 4400, 4200U, Hynix HFS128G3MNM
881 Points +92%
Lenovo IdeaPad S500 Touch 59372927
GeForce GT 720M, 3337U, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT012-9WS142 + 24 GB LITEONIT LSS-24L6G SSD Cache
962 Points +109%
3DMark 06 Standard Score
3383 points
3DMark Vantage P Result
2165 points
3DMark 11 Performance
525 points
3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score
19286 points
3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score
2545 points
3DMark Fire Strike Score
253 points
Help

Gaming Performance

Borderlands 2
Borderlands 2

Due to the weak 3D performance, the XPS 11 is not a great gaming rig. Even when everything is set to minimum, with a resolution of 1024x768, more than 30 fps - a value crucial for a smooth gaming experience – are barely ever reached in modern games, the only exceptions being Anno 2070 and Diablo 3, which are at least somewhat playable (although not pretty). A typical ultrabook with an HD 4400 GPU yields approximately twice the graphics performance.

Dell XPS 11
HD Graphics 4200, 4210Y, Samsung SSD PM841 MZMTD256HAGM
Microsoft Surface Pro 2
HD Graphics 4400, 4200U, Hynix HFS128G3MNM
Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S
HD Graphics 4000, 3339Y, Samsung SSD PM841 MZMTD256HAGM
Asus Zenbook UX301
Iris Graphics 5100, 4558U, 2x Sandisk X110 SD6SP1M-128G RAID 0
Diablo III
91%
1%
102%
1024x768 Low / off
32.5
68
109%
35
8%
67.6
108%
1366x768 Medium / low
21.8
43
97%
22
1%
44.9
106%
1366x768 High AA:on
19
32
68%
18
-5%
36.4
92%
low med. high ultra
Anno 2070 (2011) 36.8 17.3 10.3
Diablo III (2012) 32.5 21.8 19
Borderlands 2 (2012) 20 15.5 9.3
Crysis 3 (2013) 11.4 7.2 4.9
SimCity (2013) 18.8 10.1 6.8
The Bureau: XCOM Declassified (2013) 11.9 8.2 6.6
Batman: Arkham Origins (2013) 24 14 7
Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013) 18.4 12.7 4.2

Emissions

System Noise

While the even more power-efficient Core i5-4202Y (SDP of 4.5 Watts SDP, e.g. HP Spectre 13 x2) can be used in a fanless, completely passively cooled system, the Core i5-4210Y runs a bit too hot for that. Still, the fan used in the XPS 11 never gets annoyingly loud, reaching no more than 32.2 to 34.5 dB(A), even under full load. In many cases, the convertible will not be noticeable against the ambient noise.

While idle (or barely being taxed), the convertible remains completely silent, with the fan being turned off. Neither the Acer Aspire P3 nor the Lenovo's Yoga 11S manage such a feat.

Noise Level

Idle
29.6 / 29.6 / 29.6 dB(A)
Load
32.2 / 34.5 dB(A)
  red to green bar
 
 
30 dB
silent
40 dB(A)
audible
50 dB(A)
loud
 
min: dark, med: mid, max: light   Voltcraft SL 320 (15 cm distance)

Temperature

Strong throttling during our stress test...
Strong throttling during our stress test...
...despite correct TDP settings.
...despite correct TDP settings.

Luckily, the silent operation does not lead to hot surfaces. We measure between 28 and 32 degrees Celsius (82.4 and 89.6 Fahrenheit) locally, and up to slightly more than 40 degrees (104 Fahrenheit) in a small area right above the keyboard. This should hardly be an issue for most users. The XPS 11 can easily be used on the lap (or as a tablet in one's hands) even for prolonged stretches of time.

As we have already written, the CPU tends to exhibit severe throttling, even before reaching its designated TDP, and even though its temperatures of around 65 degrees (149 Fahrenheit) are not yet critical. In our stress test, the CPU clock speed decreases to 600 MHz, with a GPU clock speed of a slightly less disappointing 400 MHz. At the same time, the power consumption of the chip levels off at around 7.5 Watts, 4 Watts less than the official TDP. Interestingly, the correct value of 11.5 Watts seems to have been implemented in the BIOS according to Intel's XTU tool.

 29.8 °C
86 F
30.9 °C
88 F
28.2 °C
83 F
 
 28.7 °C
84 F
29.1 °C
84 F
27.7 °C
82 F
 
 27.1 °C
81 F
26.2 °C
79 F
26.6 °C
80 F
 
Maximum: 30.9 °C = 88 F
Average: 28.3 °C = 83 F
28.2 °C
83 F
33.2 °C
92 F
32.6 °C
91 F
26.4 °C
80 F
26.7 °C
80 F
28 °C
82 F
26.1 °C
79 F
26.2 °C
79 F
26.3 °C
79 F
Maximum: 33.2 °C = 92 F
Average: 28.2 °C = 83 F
Power Supply (max.)  36.7 °C = 98 F | Room Temperature 22.6 °C = 73 F | Voltcraft IR-360
(+) The average temperature for the upper side under maximal load is 31.7 °C / 89 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 36 °C / 97 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 39.7 °C / 103 F, compared to the average of 36.7 °C / 98 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 28.3 °C / 83 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 30 °C / 86 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 (-1.9 °C / -3.4 F).

Speakers

The two stereo speakers at the right and left hand sides of the laptop are surprisingly loud, especially when compared to that of most tablets. An astonishing maximum volume, brilliant highs and even some bass qualify the speakers even for multimedia tasks (although it does of course remain possible to connect an external sound system). The superb speakers are a great advantage whenever the device is used away from home.

Energy Management

Power Consumption

Just 3.1 to 7.4 Watts while idle? Such values turn the XPS 11 into one of the most power-efficient devices of its class, thanks to both the highly efficient Haswell ULV platform and well-balanced components.

However, the true advantage of a Core i5-4210Y (when compared to "ordinary" chips with 15 Watts) only becomes evident under full load. Instead of a maximum power consumption of 25 Watts or more, our test device came in at just 17.2 to 19 Watts - the reward for the decreased clock speed and performance levels. Accordingly, the power adapter (45 Watts) has more than enough reserves to quickly recharge the device even when it is being used.

Power Consumption
Off / Standbydarklight 0.1 / 0.1 Watt
Idledarkmidlight 3.1 / 7.4 / 7.4 Watt
Load midlight 17.2 / 19 Watt
 color bar
Key: min: dark, med: mid, max: light        Voltcraft VC 940
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.

Battery Life

40 Wh is not much as far as battery capacities go, but due to the low power consumption levels, it should be sufficient for decent battery runtimes. And indeed: More than 10 hours during the Battery Eater Reader's Test (energy-saving mode activated, minimum display brightness, Wi-Fi off) is a fine result.

As are the 6 hours of browsing on Wi-Fi or during HD video playback we measured with our more lifelike Wi-Fi test with medium display brightness (set to 150 cd/m²).

Under full load of both the CPU and the GPU, as tested with the Battery Eater Classic Test (maximum performance mode activated, maximum display brightness, Wi-Fi on), the battery already dies after a little bit less than 2 hours. At least no further throttling occurs while running on battery.

Reader's Test
Reader's Test
Classic Test
Classic Test
Charging
Charging
Battery Runtime
Idle (without WLAN, min brightness)
10h 18min
WiFi Surfing
6h 18min
Big Buck Bunny H.264 1080p
5h 37min
Load (maximum brightness)
1h 58min

Verdict

Dell XPS 11-9P33
Dell XPS 11-9P33

Dell's XPS 11-9P33 proves to be an astonishingly versatile convertible, expertly combining the advantages of a laptop with a tablet. The basic idea of its hinge (360 degrees) is not new, though, as other competitors such as Lenovo have been offering similar convertibles for quite some time now. Still, the XPS comes with premium materials and superb build quality, well worthy of its status as one of Dell's flagship devices.

The innards are well chosen, too. Such a sharp and bright display with such great viewing angles can barely be found anywhere else. Photos and movies profit a lot from the extra pixels, while games may not be quite as well suited - the HD-4200 GPU is simply not powerful enough. Apart from this, there is no reason to complain about the performance of the XPS, offering enough reserves for all typical office and web usage scenarios. Thanks to the power-efficient CPU, the rather smallish 40-Wh battery is already large enough to yield decent battery life, maybe even enough for an entire day in the office.

Unfortunately, some major drawbacks do exist, especially concerning the backlit touch keyboard. While it is certainly innovative, the lack of physical feedback will have negative ramifications in terms of typing speed and error rates, especially for inexperienced typists. The XPS 11 might have been a little bit heavier and thicker had it used a traditional keyboard - the customers will decide whether Dell has made the right call here. The same holds true when it comes to the rather high price point of slightly more than 1000 Euros (~$1353), which only gets worse when shipping fees and a warranty extension beyond the usual meager 12 months Dell offers are taken into account. Both the Lenovo Yoga 11S and the Acer Aspire P3-171 may be a suitable (and noticeably cheaper) alternative.

The Dell XPS 11 is now available on Adorama for $1369.
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In Review: Dell XPS 11, provided by Dell Germany
In Review: Dell XPS 11, provided by Dell Germany
The Dell XPS 11 is now available on Adorama for $1369.

Specifications

Dell XPS 11
Processor
Intel Core i5-4210Y 2 x 1.5 - 1.9 GHz, Haswell
Graphics adapter
Intel HD Graphics 4200, Core: 850 MHz, Memory: 800 MHz, 10.18.10.3282
Memory
4 GB 
, DDR3L-RS-1600, dual channel, non-replaceable
Display
11.60 inch 16:9, 2560 x 1440 pixel, Capacitive 10 finger touchscreen, Sharp LQ116T1, IGZO panel, LED backlight, glossy: yes
Mainboard
Intel Lynx Point-LP
Storage
Samsung SSD PM841 MZMTD256HAGM, 256 GB 
, mSATA, 188 GB free
Soundcard
Intel Lynx Point-LP - High Definition Audio Controller
Connections
2 USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen1, 1 HDMI, Audio Connections: 3.5mm audio jack, Card Reader: SD, SDIO,SDXC, Noble lock, NFC
Networking
Intel Wireless-AC 7260 (a/b/g/n = Wi-Fi 4/ac = Wi-Fi 5/), Bluetooth 4.0
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 15 x 300 x 201 ( = 0.59 x 11.81 x 7.91 in)
Battery
40 Wh, non-replaceable
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 8.1 64 Bit
Camera
Webcam: 0,9 Megapixel
Additional features
Speakers: Stereo, Keyboard: Touch keyboard, Keyboard Light: yes, Quick start guide, My Dell Software-Suite, 12 Months Warranty
Weight
1.13 kg ( = 39.86 oz / 2.49 pounds), Power Supply: 160 g ( = 5.64 oz / 0.35 pounds)
Price
1000 Euro

 

A big name:
A big name:
The XPS series takes the top spot in Dell's laptop lineup.
The XPS series takes the top spot in Dell's laptop lineup.
The youngest family member is the XPS 11, ...
The youngest family member is the XPS 11, ...
...an 11.6-inch convertible.
...an 11.6-inch convertible.
It weighs just 1.1 kilograms, ...
It weighs just 1.1 kilograms, ...
...and measures up to just 15 millimeters thick ...
...and measures up to just 15 millimeters thick ...
...turning the XPS 11 into a truly mobile device.
...turning the XPS 11 into a truly mobile device.
But the most innovative feature is the new hinge:
But the most innovative feature is the new hinge:
It can be rotated by up to 360 degrees ...
It can be rotated by up to 360 degrees ...
...allowing for a range of different modes.
...allowing for a range of different modes.
Unfortunately, touch input ...
Unfortunately, touch input ...
...leads to noticeable wobbling of the display unit.
...leads to noticeable wobbling of the display unit.
In terms of connectivity, one HDMI ...
In terms of connectivity, one HDMI ...
...as well as two USB ports can be had.
...as well as two USB ports can be had.
The touch keyboard takes some getting used to, ...
The touch keyboard takes some getting used to, ...
...and its surface is quite dust-prone.
...and its surface is quite dust-prone.
The speakers are surprisingly decent.
The speakers are surprisingly decent.
As with most tablets, there is a hardware volume rocker.
As with most tablets, there is a hardware volume rocker.
A power-efficient Haswell CPU leads to sufficient performance levels ...
A power-efficient Haswell CPU leads to sufficient performance levels ...
...as well as very low heat emissions.
...as well as very low heat emissions.
After loosening a number of screws ...
After loosening a number of screws ...
...the maintenance hatch can be removed.
...the maintenance hatch can be removed.
Some components can be replaced by the user, ...
Some components can be replaced by the user, ...
...among them the mSATA module ...
...among them the mSATA module ...
...and the Wi-Fi card.
...and the Wi-Fi card.
Only the CPU and the RAM are soldered to the mainboard.
Only the CPU and the RAM are soldered to the mainboard.
A heatpipe ...
A heatpipe ...
...transports the excess heat to the lone fan.
...transports the excess heat to the lone fan.
A battery capacity of 40 Wh is sufficient for around 6 hours of battery runtime.
A battery capacity of 40 Wh is sufficient for around 6 hours of battery runtime.
Beyond that, the power adapter ...
Beyond that, the power adapter ...
...yields up to 45 Watts.
...yields up to 45 Watts.
Outdoor test:
Outdoor test:
The image contents barely remain recognizable under direct sunlight, ...
The image contents barely remain recognizable under direct sunlight, ...
...but in the shade, the XPS is more than useable.
...but in the shade, the XPS is more than useable.

Similar Devices

Similar devices from a different Manufacturer

Devices from a different Manufacturer and/or with a different CPU

Lenovo Miix 2 11 Convertible Review
HD Graphics 4200, Core i3 4012Y
HP Pro X2 410 G1 Convertible Review
HD Graphics 4200, Core i5 4202Y

Devices with the same GPU and/or Screen Size

Acer Aspire Switch 11 Pro 128GB HDD Dock Convertible Review
HD Graphics 4200, Core i5 4202Y, 1.643 kg

Links

Price Check

Pros

+Lightweight, sturdy chassis
+High-resolution IGZO display
+Precise touchpad made from glass
+Power-efficient and silent
+Great battery life
+Supports the 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard
 

Cons

-Touch keyboard
-Low 3D performance levels
-RAM not upgradeable
-Only 12 months of warranty

Shortcut

What we like

Next to the razor-sharp display, mostly the lightweight chassis with its great build quality - worthy for an XPS series laptop.

What we'd like to see

A "real" keyboard which prolific writers are going to miss dearly when using this machine. While the touch keyboard is a unique and unusual design element (sufficing for short texts), it may not have been the best decision for a lot of laptop usage scenarios.

What surprises us

That no more than a meager amount of 4 GB of RAM is offered, not even in a premium variant of an already very costly device.

The competition

Comparable convertibles can be found in the Sony Vaio Tap 11, the Acer Aspire P3-171 and the Lenovo Yoga 11S. Those who are fond of passive cooling systems might want to take a closer look at the HP Spectre 13 x2 as well as the Asus Transformer Book T100TA.

Ratings

Dell XPS 11 - 03/20/2014 v4(old)
Till Schönborn

Chassis
88 / 98 → 90%
Keyboard
69%
Pointing Device
92 / 35-78 → 100%
Connectivity
56%
Weight
73%
Battery
87 / 87 → 100%
Display
83%
Games Performance
54%
Application Performance
69 / 91 → 76%
Temperature
89%
Noise
95%
Audio
75%
Camera
42%
Average
75%
84%
Convertible - Weighted Average
Till Schönborn, 2014-01-20 (Update: 2018-05-15)