Reviews

Dell XPS 13 Plus Review: Premium Ultrabook with Bold Design

Dell's redesigned XPS 13 Plus features a stunning OLED display, innovative touch bar, and premium build quality, but sacrifices some practicality for aesthetics.

Michael Chang
9 min read
Dell XPS 13 Plus Review: Premium Ultrabook with Bold Design

The Dell XPS 13 Plus represents a bold reimagining of the popular XPS 13 series, featuring a radical new design with an edge-to-edge keyboard, capacitive touch bar, and stunning OLED display option. This premium ultrabook pushes boundaries but may not appeal to all users.

Revolutionary Design

The XPS 13 Plus features a completely redesigned chassis with an edge-to-edge keyboard that extends to the laptop's edges. The traditional function row is replaced by a capacitive touch bar, while the trackpad is seamlessly integrated into the palm rest with haptic feedback.

Display Excellence

The 13.4-inch OLED display option delivers incredible contrast ratios and vibrant colors with true blacks. The 3.5K resolution provides sharp text and images, while the 400-nit brightness is adequate for most indoor use. The anti-reflective coating helps reduce glare.

Performance Analysis

Powered by 12th-gen Intel Core processors, the XPS 13 Plus delivers excellent performance for productivity tasks. The fanless design keeps the laptop silent but may lead to thermal throttling under sustained heavy workloads. Battery life with the OLED display averages 7-8 hours.

Keyboard and Trackpad

The edge-to-edge keyboard offers good key travel and spacing, though the lack of physical function keys may frustrate some users. The invisible trackpad with haptic feedback works well but requires adjustment for users accustomed to traditional trackpads.

Connectivity Limitations

Port selection is minimal with just two Thunderbolt 4 ports, requiring dongles for most peripherals. The lack of a headphone jack and SD card slot may disappoint content creators and professionals who rely on these connections.

Build Quality

Construction quality is exceptional, with a machined aluminum chassis that feels premium and solid. The laptop is remarkably thin at 0.6 inches and weighs just 2.73 pounds, making it highly portable for business travel.

Value Assessment

Starting at $1,299, the XPS 13 Plus commands a premium price for its innovative design and OLED display. The unique features justify the cost for users who prioritize cutting-edge design and display quality over traditional functionality.