By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
TechgoonduTechgoondu
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
    • Software
    • Cybersecurity
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
    • Cellphones
    • Tablets
  • PC
  • Telecom
Search
© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Goondu review: Dell XPS 13 is a svelte laptop that does the work
Share
Aa
TechgoonduTechgoondu
Aa
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
  • PC
  • Telecom
Search
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
    • Software
    • Cybersecurity
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
    • Cellphones
    • Tablets
  • PC
  • Telecom
Follow US
© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Techgoondu > Blog > PC > Goondu review: Dell XPS 13 is a svelte laptop that does the work
PC

Goondu review: Dell XPS 13 is a svelte laptop that does the work

Alfred Siew
Last updated: October 5, 2018 at 3:55 PM
Alfred Siew Published January 18, 2017
6 Min Read
SHARE
The XPS 13’s screen impresses with its sharpness and contrast. PHOTO: Alfred Siew

I’ve been impressed by Dell’s XPS 13 ultrabooks since they debuted a few years ago and the newest version sporting the latest Intel processors doesn’t disappoint either.

Touted as the smallest in its class, the XPS 13 is unique in the slim bezels that surround its 13.3-inch screen. This is what keeps the laptop smaller than rivals, enabling you to slip the laptop into a small bag.

At about 1.3kg, it isn’t the lightest in its class. Neither is it the thinnest, with a height of up to 11.6mm. However, the XPS 13 is hardly what you’d say heavy or bulky, either.

What it gives you in return is a thoroughly user-friendly experience. For starters, unlike many of its skinny rivals, the XPS 13 retains many of the ports you use regularly.

There are USB ports on both sides, as well as an SD card slot for folks who take pictures and want to edit them. There’s also a Thunderbolt port, but unfortunately you’d need a separate adapter (now available free) if you want to hook up to a projector via HDMI or VGA.

A number of ports on the side makes the XPS 13 a practical machine on the road. PHOTO: Alfred Siew

Still, this is a machine made for practical everyday use, not just to fire off e-mails or surf the Web and look trendy at a hipster cafe. Just holding the aluminium chassis in your hands, you get a sense of how bomb-proof the laptop is.

If you want a good-looking, yet solid, dependable machine, the XPS 13 will impress. You can tell by the smooth finish that doesn’t attract any fingerprints, down to the rubber shock absorbers at the bottom that also prevent the laptop from sliding from a smooth surface.

What I like most of all, perhaps, is the comfortable backlit keyboard. No whacking on the metal here, as is so often the case for thin and light laptops. Instead, the key travel feels longer and the keys seem more springy than many rivals.

I also like the touchpad. It’s not the biggest around but it’s very sensitive. I never fail to mention Apple’s top-of-the-class touchpads in each laptop review but Dell has done a very good job to compete here (see our XPS 15 review). Navigating the desktop is a cinch with the XPS 13’s touchpad.

The keyboard is one of the best for thin and light laptops. PHOTO: Alfred Siew

This particular model I tested is the middle-of-the-road version of three XPS 13 options available to Singapore buyers.

Costing S$2,299, it features an Intel Core i7-7500U processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB solid state drive (SSD) and a QHD+ (3,200 x 1,800 resolution) touch-screen display.

There’s also a cheaper S$1,799 one with a Core i5 chip, 4GB RAM and Full HD screen, as well as a S$2,599 high-end option that offers 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD.

Personally, the test version is what I’d opt for the road. The storage and memory are good enough for most tasks on the go, including photo editing. Plus, the touch-screen comes in really handy for Windows 10, especially in a tight space such as a cattle class seat on a plane.

In terms of performance, the XPS 13 doesn’t disappoint either. Running the common PCMark 8 Home tests, which measure how well a PC responds to common tasks, it scored 2,927. In the Work tests, it got 3,913.

Dell’s XPS 13 is very portable. PHOTO: Alfred Siew

These aren’t unexpected scores, which point to the XPS 13’s versatility in everyday workloads. In comparison, Asus’ ZenBook 3 with a similar processor but more memory (16GB) scored slightly higher – 3,305 – in the Home benchmark.

If there’s one thing to take note of, it’s that the XPS 13’s high resolution screen means that some things have to be scaled up to be readable. Webpages, for example, have to be zoomed in to 200 per cent on the Edge browser to be clear enough.

That’s nowhere near a deal breaker, so on the whole, I’d still say the XPS 13 is a solid choice should you be looking for a portable, reliable machine.

It isn’t the lightest around but it’s still very portable because of its small size. Plus, it has something many skinny rivals don’t have – a solid keyboard and useful ports on the go. This is one svelte laptop that can hack it as well.

You Might Also Like

Xiaomi 13 Pro review: A photography powerhouse with 1-inch image sensor

Oppo Find N2 Flip review: A worthy flip phone alternative to Samsung

Sony Playstation VR2 review: An immersive experience awaits

Get the best Mac-friendly monitors for colour-perfect design work

LG OLED Flex LX3 review: A bendable gaming monitor for the adventurous (and rich)

TAGGED: Dell, review, Singapore price and availability, thin and light laptop, ultrabook, xps 13

Sign up for the TG newsletter

Never miss anything again. Get the latest news and analysis in your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Alfred Siew January 18, 2017
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Copy Link Print
Share
Avatar photo
By Alfred Siew
Follow:
Alfred is a writer, speaker and media instructor who has covered the telecom, media and technology scene for more than 20 years. Previously the technology correspondent for The Straits Times, he now edits the Techgoondu.com blog and runs his own technology and media consultancy.
Previous Article Goondu review: Apple AirPods present a wire-free future
Next Article Chat with a virtual assistant when you have a question for POSB
4 Comments
  • Drake says:
    November 25, 2017 at 12:11 pm

    I really like ‘There is a USB ports on both sides’. Do you English bro?

    Reply
    • Avatar photo Alfred Siew says:
      November 25, 2017 at 12:25 pm

      Sorry for the typo. We’ve edited the story.

      Reply
  • Bob says:
    January 19, 2017 at 10:47 am

    You didn’t say anything about the camera placement, which gets a lot of complaints. Any thoughts?

    Reply
    • Alfred Siew says:
      January 19, 2017 at 5:57 pm

      Yes, that’s a good point. I noticed it at the bottom when I found that the bezel was too slim to accommodate it. It does have a less optimal position than the usual ones placed at the top. It’s not a deal breaker for me, but if you do a lot of video conferencing, it’s best to try this feature out at a shop first to see if you’re okay with it.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Stay Connected

Facebook Like
Twitter Follow

Latest News

Five ways the Roborock S8 robot vacuum will change the way you clean your home
Internet March 31, 2023
After another DBS outage, is it time to make banks publicly report service uptime?
Enterprise Internet March 30, 2023
Xiaomi 13 Pro review: A photography powerhouse with 1-inch image sensor
Cellphones Mobile March 29, 2023
IT leaders must manage the tension point between application development and security by embracing a DevSecOps approach
Cybersecurity Enterprise Software March 29, 2023
//

Techgoondu.com is published by Goondu Media Pte Ltd, a company registered and based in Singapore.

.

Started in June 2008 by technology journalists and ex-journalists in Singapore who share a common love for all things geeky and digital, the site now includes segments on personal computing, enterprise IT and Internet culture.

banner banner
Everyday DIY
PC needs fixing? Get your hands on with the latest tech tips
READ ON
banner banner
Leaders Q&A
What tomorrow looks like to those at the leading edge today
FIND OUT
banner banner
Advertise with us
Discover unique access and impact with TG custom content
SHOW ME

 

 

POWERED BY READYSPACE
The Techgoondu website is powered by and managed by Readyspace Web Hosting.

TechgoonduTechgoondu
Follow US

© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved | Privacy | Terms of Use | Advertise | About Us | Contact

Join Us!

Never miss anything again. Get the latest news and analysis in your inbox.

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
 

Loading Comments...
 

    Welcome Back!

    Sign in to your account

    Lost your password?