Dell XPS 13 Plus Review

Everyone who keeps up with the laptop industry was taken aback when Dell launched the XPS 13 Plus. In the months after the publication of my initial thoughts in December, I received several direct messages and emails from curious readers. It’s a laptop unlike any before it, and over the past six months, many of us have debated the pros and cons of this.

One of the best Windows laptops you can buy right now is the XPS 13, but not the Plus model. The exceptional construction is only one of many reasons why it stands out. Dell is still offering this model, and it now features 12th-generation CPUs. The XPS 13 Plus is a distinct model, and as far as I can tell, it’s intended for anyone who wants to max out the XPS’s performance, or in other words, anyone who wants the most raw muscle possible in a 13-inch laptop.

Dell XPS 13 Plus Specs

Cost and available customizations

The entry-level pricing of the Dell XPS 13 Plus is $1,299, which is comparable to that of the 13-inch MacBook Pro M2. The base model has a 12th-generation Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB solid-state drive. There’s also a non-touch 1080p screen included.

Our $1,949 review unit has a Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM, making it competitive with Apple’s $1,999 14-inch MacBook Pro in terms of pricing. In addition, there is an OLED touch screen, which is a $300 value-add by itself. Additional configuration choices for the XPS 13 Plus include 32GB of memory, either 1 or 2TB of storage, and a 4K display (non-touch).

Capacitive touch and layout

The Dell XPS 13 Plus is a significant divergence from the standard Dell XPS 13, which Dell will continue to sell. The glass touchpad alone makes a huge difference in creating a more streamlined and contemporary appearance. There are no dividing lines, but that’s okay with me because moving the pointer and making other movements was a breeze. The touch function row is one of my least favourites.

There is no tactile sensation from the keys, and the lighting doesn’t match the high quality of the rest of the chassis. The volume and brightness controls, as well as any other shortcut keys, are hidden by default and may only be shown by pressing the “Fn” key. It would be nice if the Dell XPS 13’s lid could be opened with one hand. I had to pry open the lid using nothing but my fingernail because there was no lip to hold onto. The entire CNC-machined aluminium and glass chassis of the XPS 13 Plus feels solid and smooth to the touch, and it only weighs 2.71 or 2.77 pounds, depending on the configuration. Choose between Platinum and Graphite; the latter is my personal favourite because of its more rugged appearance.

Ports

This is the shortest part of my XPS 13 Plus review, so sit back and relax. That’s because not much needs explaining in this context. Only two Thunderbolt 4 ports can be found on this laptop. That’s all; you can’t even plug in headphones. Although Dell does include a handful of dongles, the XPS 13 Plus only has enough ports for one item to be plugged in at a time while it is charging. Two adapters, one for USB-C to USB-A and one for USB-C to 3.5mm, are included. The MacBook Air M2 has a MagSafe power adapter, a headphone jack, and two Thunderbolt connections.

Media playback

Potential consumers should be aware of the lingering problems with the XPS 13 Plus OLED. Due to a defect in the adhesive used during manufacturing, the screen on some models is coming loose. Although Dell is trying to recall and repair impacted machines, it may be best to wait until the issue has been rectified. For those who can afford it, the 3.5K OLED touch display on the Dell XPS 13 Plus is a visual treat.

The attention to detail in Chris Evans’ ribbed yellow and brown polo shirt, his gold spectacles, and the bulging vein in his bicep was striking when I watched The Grey Man on Netflix. You may anticipate ultra-wide viewing angles and pitch-black blacks from an OLED screen. Even if the image doesn’t become quite as bright as the competitors, it’s still really good. Ryan Gosling and Evans’ showdown in the end appeared darker than I would have liked. The XPS 13 Plus’s screen averaged 366 nits, whereas the MacBook Air M2 and the MacBook Pro M2 both registered 495 and 490, respectively.

Keyboard

The keyboard on my Dell XPS 13 Plus is fantastic. At first glance, the “zero-lattice keyboard,” in which there is no blank space between the keys, seems like it would make typing difficult. Then I started typing this review and discovered how surprisingly comfortable and spacious the keyboard was. My score of 69 WPM with 93% accuracy on the 10 Fast Fingers typing test is about par for the course for me. The power button should be clearly labelled, and I don’t like the smaller up and down buttons (the left and right arrow keys flanking them are considerably larger).

Although it is recessed more than the other keys, its proximity to the Backspace key makes it a touch too easy to accidentally press. Lastly, one point. The keyboard’s illumination seems a little uneven, which is surprising for a machine of this budget. The XPS 13 Plus has a snappy glass touchpad, but there are no borders to indicate its size. The only time I had an issue with the touchpad was when my left hand would mistakenly select text when scrolling. Sensitivity-wise, it borders on being excessive. However, the Piezo technology employed to simulate a clicking sound and effect is quite realistic.