Dell XPS 13 Review

The Dell XPS 13 (2020) is a powerhouse. That’s due to Dell’s bold decision making and unceasing commitment to innovation. Following up on the excellent XPS 13 (2019), Dell takes its innovation to the next level by removing the last bezel on the company’s InfinityEdge display. That means the laptop is virtually borderless, making it the first of its kind.

But that’s not all. For $1,749, you get a laptop that’s got a larger display with a bigger, more comfortable keyboard and touchpad, all in a chassis that’s somehow smaller than its predecessor’s. Cosmetic changes aside, the XPS 13 is plenty powerful, with a 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, and boasts over 12 hours of battery life. That’s why the Dell XPS 13 is one of the best laptops available.

Dell XPS 13 (2020) pricing and availability

The $1,149 base model of the Dell XPS 13 has a 1-GHz Intel Core i5-1035G1 processor with 8GB of RAM, a 256GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD, an Intel UHD Graphics GPU and a 1920 x 1200 non-touch display. I had the opportunity to review the $1,749 model, which features a 1.5-GHz Intel Core i7-1065G7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB M.2 NVMe SSD, an Intel Iris Plus GPU and a 1920 x 1200 touch display.

The laptop can also be configured with a 1TB SSD ($150), 2TB SSD ($350) and a 3840 x 2400 touch display ($300). A tricked-out XPS 13 costs $2,309 and gets you the Core i7 processor, 2TB SSD, Windows 10 Pro and a super- high-resolution display. The laptop would also come in the Frost color scheme instead of the usual silver-and-black motif.

Dell XPS 13 (2020) design

From its exterior to its interior, the XPS 13 is a showstopper. The lid’s Frost White, anodized aluminum finish is cool to the touch and looks stylish going in and out my bag. The glossy Dell logo looks like a stylish broach, adding just the right amount of sparkle. I’m a fan of the twin-coil hinge that makes opening the laptop with one hand as simple as turning the page of a book.

Once the laptop is open, you’ll find more of that winter white theme. Made from Dell’s patented glass-fiber weave, the stain-proof Arctic White deck is beautiful. Running my fingers across the textured surface is like ASMR, but for your hands. The keyboard is pushed toward the top of the deck, leaving just enough space for a glass touchpad.

Dell XPS 13 (2020)

(Image credit: Future)

At 11.6 x 7.8 x 0.6-inches, the 2.8-pound XPS 13 is one of the smallest ultraportables available. It’s 2% smaller than its predecessor. Regarding weight, it’s on a par with the MSI Prestige 14 (2.8 pounds, 12.8 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches), and lighter than both the Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 (2.9 pounds, 12.1 x 8.8 x 0.6 inches) and MacBook Pro (13-inch 2019 with Touch Bar) (4.4 pounds, 12.8 x 8.9 x 1 inches). However, the HP Spectre x360 13 (2.7 pounds, 12.1 x 7.7 x 0.7 inches) is a tad lighter but slightly thicker.

Dell XPS 13 security

The XPS 13 has an embedded fingerprint reader in the power button for easy login using Windows Hello. It’s a nice, easy way to add an extra layer of security. I do wish Dell had found a way to either add a physical shutter for the webcam or an electronic kill switch. Having to use a piece of tape mars the beauty of those barely there bezels.

Dell XPS 13 (2020) ports

This is a short section, because the XPS 13 is short on ports. The svelte stunner has a Thunderbolt 3 port on the right with a headset jack. On the left, you’ll find another Thunderbolt 3 port and a microSD slot. That’s it, so if you’re planning on using a mouse or external hard drive, you’re going to need to invest in a USB Type-C hub.

Dell XPS 13 (2020) display

When you first look at the XPS 13, it’s what you don’t see that you’ll notice before anything else. This marks the first time Dell has ditched all the bezels, including the bottom chin. But Dell didn’t just ditch the thick bottom bezel, it managed to shrink the other three bezels even further, with the side bezels measuring 0.15 and 0.2 inches, respectively, and the bottom bezel slimming down to only 0.18 inches.

In the wake of those barely there bezels, you get a 13.4-inch, 1920 x 1200 touch display with a 16:10 aspect ratio. The panel is 6.8% larger than its predecessor. Somehow Dell managed to give consumers even more visual real estate in a 12.8-inch chassis — all while keeping the webcam smack-dab in the center of the top bezel.

But how does it look? Bright and extremely vivid. I was transfixed by actress Tracee Ellis Ross’ ruby-red sequined dress that played up her light brown skin in The High Note trailer. Details were so sharp, I saw every pattern embroidered into Ice Cube’s inky-black smoking jacket.

As gorgeous as Ross looked, I was surprised that the XPS 13 wasn’t as vivid as I thought. At least, not on paper. In fact, the laptop reproduced 115% of the sRGB color gamut. That’s more than enough to hold off the Prestige 14 (112%) and the Spectre x360 (109%), but the MacBook Pro (118%) and the Surface Laptop 3 (121%) are more vivid as is the 123% premium laptop average.

However, Dell’s CinemaColor utility adds a pop of color by adjusting saturation , contrast and white balance via a number of presets (Movie, Evening, Sports and Animation). And if that’s not enough, the laptop also has Dolby Vision to enhance the HDR.

The XPS 13 made up for the slight color deficiency with an average brightness of 417 nits. The notebook easily outshone the 357-nit average and the competition. The MacBook Pro was a close second with 408 nits with the Spectre x360 (369 nits), the Surface Laptop 3 (348 nits) and the Prestige 14 (269 nits) right behind.

As much as it pained me to smudge this lovely display with my fingers, I encountered an agile touch panel with accurate response.

Dell XPS 13 audio

This is a great case of big things and small packages. Despite having bottom-mounted speakers, the XPS 13 delivered loud, relatively clean audio. Megan Thee Stallion’s braggadocious flow on “Savage” easily filled my smallish living and dining rooms. The Waves MaxxAudio Pro software helped provide that pop of bass most laptops this size usually lack. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not going to replace a good pair of headphones or external speakers, but the XPS 13 is fine for watching movies or an impromptu dance party.

Dell XPS keyboard and touchpad

No, your eyes aren’t deceiving you, the XPS 13’s edge-to-edge keyboard is sporting larger keycaps — 9% larger to be exact. Despite the bigger size, the keys are still well-spaced and none of them were downsized to make room. I also like the backlighting that is bright enough for me to make out every key character in a darkened room.

Bottom line

Smaller, sleeker and sporting the tiniest bezels on all sides, the new Dell XPS 13 shows that Dell still knows how to push the envelope without going too far. It’s an exercise in patient restraint, improving the notebook in a bunch of small ways that add up to a big leap for the system.

For $1,749, you get a laptop that’s got virtually no bezels, a powerful 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, a speedy SSD, a lovely display, over 12 hours of battery life, a comfy keyboard and surprisingly good audio, all in an elegant chassis that’s 2% smaller than its predecessor.

However, if you’re looking for something with longer battery life, you’ll want to consider the $1,313 HP Spectre x360 13-inch. Need more power? The MSI Prestige 14 might be more your speed. But if you’re looking for the total package, the Dell XPS 13 is the laptop for you.

Dell XPS 13 Review

Dell XPS 13 (2020) ports

Dell XPS 13 (2020) display

Dell XPS 13 audio

Dell XPS keyboard and touchpad

Bottom line

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Dell XPS 13 Review

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