The Dell XPS 13 was one of the best laptops of 2016. Sleek, fast and aesthetically pleasing it could do no wrong. And just when most people thought the laptop had peaked in terms of everything, Dell has decided to give it a fresh new 2-in-1 remake which was showcased at CES 2017.
Much like the regular XPS 13, Dell’s 2-in-1 version utilises an InfinityEdge touch display with just a 5.2mm border, making it appear borderless. Furthermore, there are six versions of the XPS 13 2-in-1, each with different features, from RAM to processors and displays. The most expensive XPS 13 2-in-1 features a gorgeous QHD+ display (3200 x 1800) that has a pixel density of 276 ppi. The HDR-ready (high dynamic range) display allows for incredibly life-like images when watching HDR10 content, which will be available later in the year.
The same high-end version also features a 512GB PCIe Solid State Drive, 16GB of LPDDR3 1866MHz RAM and a 7th Generation Intel Core i7-7Y75 Processor (4M cache, up to 3.6 GHz) to help power it through performance demanding tasks. Due to the PCIe option, customers can also upgrade the storage up to 1TB, with the SSD and Intel’s Rapid Start Technology booting the device up in mere seconds. However, the Intel processors used in the XPS 13 are the M line, meaning that the Dell XPS 13 is fanless but at the cost of some performance.
All versions of the Dell XPS 13 come with a precision trackpad, with users able to opt for a Dell Active Pen for stylus input. On the I/O end, Dell has switched to just USB Type-C ports on the 2-in-1, with two available for charging and display output. One of these ports also functions as a Thunderbolt 3 port, so you can charge and power two 4K monitors. Don’t worry, though, as a USB-A adapter is also provided in the packaging for your devices. Unfortunately, Dell has replaced its SD card reader slot for a microSD card slot, something that is sure to irk avid photographers. A biometric, fingerprint reader is also inbuilt.
On the battery end, the FHD version of the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 is stated to last up to 15 hours; expect that to drop significantly for the higher end QHD+ version. The XPS 13 2-in-1 is built with machined aluminium, carbon fibre, bonded Corning Gorilla Glass NBT, and steel hinges wrapped in machined aluminium for a stronger construction. It weighs an astonishingly insignificant 2.7 pounds, all of which is enclosed in a frame that is, at its thickest, 13.7 mm wide.
The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 will be available beginning January 5, 2017, on Dell.com and at Best Buy in the United States starting at $999 for the FHD version. The QHD+ version mentioned in this article is priced at $1,799. Worldwide availability will follow soon after.
