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Dell XPS 13 review: Is this the ultrabook you've been waiting for?
Dell XPS 13 review: Is this the ultrabook you've been waiting for?
The long-awaited Dell ultrabook is here. Having skipped the first round of new superslim laptops, the new XPS 13 is largely worth the wait, and hits a lot of what you'd want in an ultrabook.
At $999 for a 128GB SSD and Intel Core i5-2467M CPU, the XPS 13 is reasonably priced, although HP, Toshiba, and others offer similar specs for $100 or so less. Working in Dell's favor are the system's excellent build quality--the body is a mix of aluminum, magnesium alloy, and carbon fiber--and its smaller footprint. It's not quite a 13-inch laptop in an 11-inch body, but it's in the ballpark.
The backlit keyboard, large touch pad, edge-to-edge Gorilla Glass over the display, and small footprint all add up to an impressive package. If the battery life and screen were better (and the fan were quieter) it could be the best of the current ultrabooks. As it is, it's still in the running, but it's not a blowout win.
Dell XPS 13 (winter 2013) review: Still can't touch this sleek ultrabook
Dell XPS 13 (winter 2013) review: Still can't touch this sleek ultrabook
A little over a year ago, Dell debuted a then-quite-impressive little 13-inch laptop called the XPS 13. Aimed at the part of the business market that's become increasingly enamored of the MacBook Air and Windows ultrabooks, the XPS 13 was technically geared toward business customers, but with lots of stylistic flourishes and compact appeal. It was like a Windows MacBook Air, but with less impressive battery life. We called it the "Dellbook Air."
The XPS 13 is back for a second go in 2013, but it doesn't seem to have gotten the "Windows 8 touch" memo. Yes, it now has third-gen Intel Core i5/i7 processors, two USB 3.0 ports, and a higher-resolution 1080p screen. But a touch display? No.
Last year, we said this about the XPS 13's main drawbacks: "A limited port selection doesn't include HDMI or an SD card slot; the display should be better; and battery life falls behind other slim laptops." The new XPS 13 adds a fancy 1080p screen and gains a little more battery life, but that screen option will cost you: the 1080p version costs $1,299.
Sarah Tew / CNET
Can you live without touch on a laptop? Do you like the idea of a tweaked version of last year's XPS 13 in the current laptop world? There's really nothing wrong with what this new Dell XPS 13 brings to the table, but it's expensive, a bit heavy compared with other ultrabooks, and it lacks touch, which should be a major consideration when moving to Windows 8. Call it an old-fashioned ultrabook.
Price as reviewed / starting price
$1,599 / $999
Processor
1.9GHz Intel Core i7-3517U
Memory
8GB, 1,600MHz DDR3
Hard drive
256GB SSD
Chipset
Intel QS67
Graphics
Intel HD4000
Operating system
Windows 8
Dimensions (WD)
12.4x8.1 inches
Height
0.24-0.71 inch
Screen size (diagonal)
13.3 inches
System weight / Weight with AC adapter
3.0 pounds / 3.6 pounds
Category
13-inch
The Dell XPS 13 might have been one of the best-designed Dells since the Adamo. Soft-touch finishes, an elegant keyboard, sleek metal, and solid construction give instantly strong first impressions. The new XPS 13 isn't much different, and it still presents itself well.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Its footprint is smaller than a 13-inch MacBook Air, giving it something of the feel of a 12-inch laptop. The narrower footprint feels right, and the keyboard hasn't been compromised. A magnetic hinge opens smoothly, and the lid has just enough bezel to provide finger room to open and close, while maxing out screen real estate.
Did I say the XPS 13 seemed heavy and thick? Maybe that's unfair. It actually weighs an even 3 pounds, which is lighter than the 13-inch Air. It's 0.71 inch thick at its thickest point, tapering down to the other end. That's certainly slim and light enough for a 13-inch ultrabook, but the XPS 13 may be a psychological victim of its own small (for a 13-inch) footprint. It feels almost like an 11-inch Air in terms of dimensions, but the 11-inch Air is indeed lighter.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Lining up the new XPS 13 with last year's, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. So, our opinion stays the same, cosmetically: the backlit keyboard is comfortable and spacious, and the multitouch clickable touch pad has ample finger room.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Ah, but now the spectre of Windows 8 casts its shadow. Windows 8 is a touch-oriented OS. It's arguably not necessary, but you'll miss it on many of Microsoft's native apps. That touch pad is your lone tool to interface via touch at all, and in this case, it's just not as responsive as better versions out there. In particular, off-edge swipe gestures, which can be used to bring up Windows 8 functions, are hard to pull off.
Sarah Tew/CNET
The best -- and worst -- new feature of this XPS 13 is its 13-inch 1080p Gorilla Glass-covered display: it's crisp, bright, vivid, and looks great at all angles. It's a big step up compared to the average laptop, and better than the display on the MacBook Air. But not all XPS 13 models have it: step-down versions have 1,366x768-pixel displays, which I didn't test. That 1080p on a 13-inch screen used to look crammed, but the nice thing about Windows 8 is that its new tile interface and full-screen apps generally take advantage of higher-res smaller screens in ways that don't shrink and cram text and buttons down like Windows 7 did. It's a better experience.
But, I'll say it once again: there's no touch screen. I harp on that because this is a $1,600 computer, and there are touch ultrabooks out there for half that price. That may not matter to some people, but in the Windows 8 world, ultrabooks are routinely getting touch-screen makeovers without great cost. Top-end laptops are starting to have touch by default. The Dell XPS 13's lack of touch just feels like an oversight. At this price, it should at least have a touch-screen option. In a Windows 8 world, touch is just too potentially useful to completely ignore.
The 0.9-megapixel Webcam takes grainy pictures, and isn't as good as others I've seen.
Dell XPS 13 (2013)
Average for category [13-inch]
Video
Mini DisplayPort
HDMI or DisplayPort
Audio
Stereo speakers, combo headphone/microphone jack
Stereo speakers, headphone/microphone jacks
Data
2 USB 3.0
2 USB 3.0, 1 USB 2.0, SD card reader
Networking
802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Ethernet, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Optical drive
None
DVD burner
Ports, configurations, performance The ports are sparse indeed on the XPS 13: two USB 3.0 ports and a Mini DisplayPort. No HDMI, no Ethernet, not even an SD card slot. I can forgive the first two, but not the third. There's plenty of room.
Sarah Tew/CNET
This XPS 13 review unit is the highest-end model, the surf-and-turf of Dell's fleet: Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD, 1080p display, for $1,599. The lowest-end XPS 13 starts at $999, and has more-standard specs: Core i5, 4GB of RAM, 128GB SSD, but only a 1,366x768-pixel display. You can mix and match specs to some degree, but for 1080p you have to step up to a $1,299 model with 4GB RAM and a 128GB SSD. Sure, that sort of matches a MacBook Air, but it's hard to swallow for a PC -- especially one that lacks a touch screen.
The Core i7-3537 CPU is a little faster than the Core i7-3517 in the step-down 720p models, and handled as well as you'd expect a top-end, third-gen Intel ultrabook processor to perform. It's one of the fastest we've tested in our benchmarks, but not by a huge degree. You're still stuck with Intel HD 4000 graphics, which are fine for most purposes but, at this price, fall short of serious PC graphics power.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Battery life, warranty The killer differentiator in a lot of superportable ultrabooks often comes down to battery life. The original XPS 13 in 2012 was a disappointment, getting a little under 5 hours. The new XPS 13 does a little better, scoring 5 hours and 31 minutes in our video playback battery drain test. An extra 40 minutes is nice, but it doesn't quite match up to the 6-plus hours a lot of top-end ultrabooks can achieve.
Dell offers a one-year warranty with at-home service (after remote diagnosis) with the XPS 13, plus a year of 24-7 "premium" phone support (1-877-717-3355). This can be upgraded in various ways on Dell's Web site: $199 to extend to three years, or up to $349 for additional accidental damage protection and LoJack.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Conclusion: A great laptop...for 2012 The Dell XPS 13 is a slightly fancier version of last year's Dellbook Air: compact, functional, and upgraded with an excellent display. But its price -- and its lack of touch-screen options -- leave it as a product I'd have some reservations recommending for everyone. It feels like last year's product in a 2013 Windows 8 world that's moved on from basic ultrabooks -- or, at this price, one that at least includes touch. You might not need a touch screen, but believe me, at this price Dell should be including one. When it does, the XPS 13 might once again be a serious contender for best Windows 8 ultrabook.
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Dell XPS 13 review: A high-end ultrabook that hits all the marks
Dell XPS 13 review: A high-end ultrabook that hits all the marks
The first generation of the Dell XPS 13 was so obvious in its intentions, we gave it the nickname DellBook Air.
Since its 2012 launch, the XPS 13 changed in small but important ways, while keeping its slim silhouette intact. In the intervening years, ultrabook and ultrabook-style laptops have become commonplace, so at least the XPS 13 now looks a lot like many other laptops, not just Apple's.
I've liked previous incarnations of the XPS 13 well enough, but there were always a few missteps that kept it from being a top choice, usually because they left the system feeling like the last leg of the previous generation of hardware, not a high-end, high-price, cutting edge example of forward-looking technology.
Sarah Tew/CNET
The original 2012 XPS 13 was hobbled by a low-resolution 1,366x768-pixel display (which also suffered from poor off-axis viewing) -- a notable omission for a thousand-dollar laptop. Still, it was a slim, sturdy laptop in a smaller-than-expected chassis for a 13-inch screen.
By 2013, Dell had finally added a full-HD 1,920x1,080 display. Unfortunately, the company missed the boat on that year's big trend, touch screens. Yes, that was a 2013 Windows 8 13-inch ultrabook that cost $1,300, but had no touch screen.
Can you see where this is going?
It's late to the party, to be sure. But the Dell XPS 13 is finally available with a 1080p touch display. It took too long, but give Dell credit for finally getting there. With this new addition, the XPS 13 is a great all-around very portable laptop, and in some ways, more useful than a 13-inch MacBook Air.
The price is still a point of contention. $1,049 will get you a non-touch version, which seems like a poor way to save a few bucks (I've got a $300 laptop with a touch screen sitting on our testing bench right now). This configuration, with an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD, is $1,349. A premium price, to be sure, considering you can get the same specs for under $1,000, but the design and craftsmanship make it feel reasonable, if not exactly a bargain. A further upgrade to a Core i7 CPU and 256GB SSD takes you to $1,649.
The XPS 13's original pitch as a crossover business/consumer machine is still evident in its lack of an HDMI port (you get mini-DisplayPort instead), and its optional TPM/BitLocker support, but the small size, year-over-year upgrades, and a body that's closer to an 11-inch laptop finally move the XPS 13 into the top-tier of 13-inch ultrabooks.
Dell XPS 13
Acer Aspire S7- 392-6411
MacBook Air 13-inch
Price
$1,349
$1,399
$1,099
Display size/resolution
13.3-inch, 1,920 x 1,080 touch screen
13.3-inch, 1,920 x 1,080 touch screen
13.3-inch, 1,440 x 900 screen
PC CPU
1.6GHz Intel Core i5 4200U
1.6GHz Intel Core i5 4200U
1.3GHz Intel Core i5 4250U
PC Memory
8GB DDR3 SDRAM 1600MHz
8GB DDR3 SDRAM 1600MHz
4GB SDRAM 1600MHz
Graphics
1792MB (shared) Intel HD Graphics 4400
128MB Intel HD Graphics 4400
1024MB Intel HD Graphics5000
Storage
128GB SSD hard drive
128GB SSD hard drive
128GB SSD hard drive
Optical drive
None
None
None
Networking
802.11 a/c wireless, Bluetooth 4.0
802.11b/g/n wireless, Bluetooth 4.0
802.11a/c wireless, Bluetooth 4.0
Operating system
Windows 8.1 (64-bit)
Windows 8 (64-bit)
OSX Mountain Lion 10.8.4
Design and features The silver aluminum look of the XPS 13 (largely the same at the 2012 original) is about as standard as laptops get, and frankly very MacBook like, which is usually the first observation out of anyone's mouth seeing it for the first time. In the intervening two years, so many new ultrabooks have followed a similar design strategy that the XPS 13 just looks like part of the pack now, and less tightly tied to Apple's design.
Sarah Tew/CNET
When lined up with other 13-inch laptops, you'll notice that the XPS 13 has a slightly smaller footprint. Dell says it's closer to an 11-inch body, but with a larger 13-inch screen. I wouldn't go that far, but it's definitely smaller than your average slim 13-inch laptop.
It also feels nearly bulletproof. The upper half is aluminum, while the base is carbon fiber. Of course, with a big sheet of Gorilla Glass covering the entire front panel, and the same components packed into a slightly smaller body, the system feels dense, and is heavier in the hand than you might expect.
The all-matte-black interior is minimalist, with only a large clickpad-style touch pad and Dell's standard island-style laptop keyboard. The backlit keys have the slightly exaggerated rounded corners we've seen on the last few generations of Dell laptops, and typing is pleasantly quiet. Your only complaint might be about the half-height row of Function keys, or that the more useful functions of those keys, such as brightness or volume control, require you to also hold down the Fn key to access.
Sarah Tew/CNET
The part we're most excited about in the new XPS 13 is the 13.3-inch display. Last year's version bumped the display from 1,366x768 pixels to a more appropriate 1,920x1,080, but without touch. Now, we finally have a full-HD display with touch, making it much easier to use with Windows 8. The screen is also bright with great color, and looks good even from very wide viewing angles. However, the edge-to-edge glass overlay is very glossy and picks up plenty of glare from nearby light sources.
Dell XPS 13
Video
Mini-DisplayPort
Audio
Stereo speakers, combo headphone/microphone jack
Data
2 USB 3.0
Networking
Ethernet, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Optical drive
None
Connections, performance, and battery Maybe it's the smaller chassis, but it seems like Dell had a hard time fitting in the standard set of ultrabook ports and connections. The nearly universal SD card slot is missing, and you only get a mini-DisplayPort video output, not the more common HDMI. You can forget about Ethernet as well.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Our $1,349 configuration includes an Intel Core i5-4200U CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD. for most users that's more than enough power. Trading down to a Core i3/4GB RAM configuration for $1,049, but you also lose the touch screen, which doesn't sound like a great deal for more than $1,000. For a Core i7 CPU and big 256GB SSD, it's an extra $300.
In our benchmark performance tests, the XPS 13 performed very well, even beating the most recent 13-inch MacBook Air in some tests, although the margins were close enough that you're unlikely to notice a real-world difference among current high-end Core i5 ultrabooks.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Battery life is a much more important number for a very portable system such as this. The XPS 13 ran for a very impressive 8:27 in our video playback battery drain test. That's not MacBook Air numbers, but it compares very favorably with other premium 13-inch ultrabooks from HP, Acer, and Samsung. Note that the original 2012 XPS 13 ran for about 4.5 hours on the same test, and the 2013 version ran for about 5.5 hours.
Conclusion To give credit where it is due, Dell corrected the main issue we had with the last version of the XPS 13. It's still on the expensive side of what this particular set of components should cost, but keep in mind the aluminum/carbon fiber body is excellent, and the actual footprint is noticeably smaller than other 13-inch laptops.
For the first time, we can say that the Dell XPS 13 has earned a place among the best high-end 13-inch ultrabooks.
Find more shopping tips in our laptop buying guide.
The 2.99-pound XPS 13 Developer Edition -- started as a project to create an open source developer laptop -- is now available on Dell's site for $1,549.
Those specifications, with the critical exception of the Ubuntu Linux, are identical to the 1080p XPS 13 for Windows 8.
Here are the specs:
Operating system: Ubuntu Linux 12.04 LTS
Display: 13.3-inch 1,920x1,080 panel
Processor: 3rd Generation Intel Core i7-3537U
Memory: 8GB2 DDR3 SDRAM at 1600MHz
Storage: 256GB solid-state drive
Graphics: Intel HD 4000
Price: $1,549
In addition to the U.S., Dell will also start to roll it out in select countries in Europe, including the UK, France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, and Finland.
The XPS 13 is one of the better ultrabook designs to emerge from a top-tier PC vendor. It squeezes a 13.3-inch screen into a footprint more typical of 12-inch laptops, boasts Gorilla Glass, and is constructed from aluminum and carbon fiber, allowing Dell to keep the weight to just under three pounds.
The upgraded display is also brighter and has wider viewing angles than the original 1,366x768 XPS 13 model.
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Best Dell Laptop Deals: Save $700 on XPS 15 or XPS 17, $1,050 on Alienware x15
Best Dell Laptop Deals: Save $700 on XPS 15 or XPS 17, $1,050 on Alienware x15
If you're looking for a new laptop, you'll likely come across a few options from Dell, no matter your budget or computing needs. Along with Lenovo and HP, Dell is one of the big three PC manufacturers and offers a wide selection of Windows-based laptops.
On Dell's sprawling website you'll see a constantly rotating selection of laptop sales. You can save on everything from low-end Inspiron laptops for basic use to high-end XPS laptops built for content creation and media editing. And gamers can find some deep discounts on Dell's own Alienware brand of gaming laptops that feature the latest AMD and Intel silicon and Nvidia RTX 30 series graphics.
Read more: Best Laptop Deals at Amazon, Best Buy and Newegg
I scoured Dell's Laptop Deals and XPS Deals pages to find the best bargains, including big price breaks on a few of our favorite laptops. Tracking Dell's deals is a bit like trying to hit a moving target, however. The prices and discounts are valid at the time of this writing, and I'll update this story as sales expire and new deals begin.
For more, check out the best laptop deals, OLED laptop deals and gaming laptop deals.
When shopping for a laptop with a budget less than $1,000, the first items I look for are a modern CPU, at least 16GB of RAM and 512GB or more of solid-state storage. Many models at this price force you to make do with a previous-generation or underpowered processor, a meager 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD that you are sure to fill up fast. This Inspiron 16 5000 features a 12th-gen Intel Core i7 CPU along with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. The 16-inch touchscreen has a 1,920x1,200-pixel resolution with a tall 16:10 aspect ratio. The screen is roomy but not the brightest; it's rated for a mere 250 nits of brightness.
Dell
This 13-inch XPS laptop checks a lot of boxes. Modern CPU? Check. Ample RAM? Check. Plenty of solid-state storage? Check. Roomy and bright display? Check and check. Thin and light, and all-metal design? Check, check and check. It centers on a 13.4-inch, 16:10 display powered by a 12th-gen Core i7 CPU and 32GB of RAM. It also supplies a huge 1TB SSD. You might not think of a 13.4-inch display as roomy, but the taller 16:10 aspect ratio does wonders to make it feel larger than a widescreen 13.3-inch, 16:9 display with which you might be familiar. The machined aluminum chassis is a sleek 0.55 inches thick and weighs only 2.6 pounds.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Dell's 15-inch XPS laptop isn't necessarily geared toward gamers, but this configuration certainly can handle AAA titles with its 11th-gen Core i7-11800H CPU and GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics. You also get 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD -- both sufficient. The OLED touchscreen has what Dell calls 3.5K resolution (3,456x2,160 pixels) in a 16:10 aspect ratio for more vertical space and less scrolling. It's rated for a bright 400 nits and should offer stellar contrast and vibrant colors.
Dell
The big-screen XPS 17 is geared more toward creative work than 3D gaming with its huge display powered by an 11th-gen Core i7. You also get 16GB of RAM and a roomy 512GB SSD. The 17-inch screen has a 4K (3,840x2,400-pixel) resolution with a tall 16:10 aspect ratio and is rated for an impressive 500 nits of brightness. It's rather compact for a 17-inch laptop, and boasts a machine-milled aluminum chassis and a black carbon fiber palm rest.
Dell/Screenshot by CNET
This budget gaming laptop is based on Nvidia's GeForce RTX 3060 graphics and AMD's awesome octa-core Ryzen 7 5800H processor. The 15.6-inch display has full HD resolution and a speedy 165Hz refresh rate. It borrows the Alienware Command Center from Dell's high-end Alienware line that lets you customize game and system settings.
Sarah Tew/CNET
The superthin and sleek x15 has replaced the m15 as the flagship 15-inch gaming laptop in Dell's Alienware lineup. The m15 looks overqualified to be a midrange laptop, particularly this model that's currently $249 off and one of the least expensive Alienware laptops you'll encounter. It features a 12th-gen Core i7 CPU and GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics, and the 15.6-inch display has Full HD resolution and a fairly fast 165Hz refresh rate. Although it's not the thinnest Alienware laptop, the m15 is still less than an inch thick, and Alienware's Cryo-Tech cooling system keeps thermals in check.
Read our Alienware m15 Ryzen Edition R5 review.
Alienware
If you want the latest and thinnest gaming laptop from Dell, the Alienware x15 is it. This model features a 15.6-inch Full HD display with a blazing 360Hz refresh rate powered by an 11th-gen Core i7 CPU and RTX 3070 graphics. It also supplies 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. You can knock a hefty $1,050 off its price right now and get it for a reasonable $1,700. You can also get the same configuration in the larger Alienware x17 for the same price.
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Best Dell Laptops for 2022: Top picks for all budgets and users
Best Dell Laptops for 2022: Top picks for all budgets and users
We've tested a lot of Dell laptops over the years and there's no doubt that its current crop is some of the best laptops it's ever made. Whether you're looking for a small, lightweight laptop, a stylish two-in-one, a budget-friendly model for creatives and creators or a powerful gaming laptop, there's something for everyone. Many of the best Dell laptops have features to improve remote or hybrid work or school such as improved webcams and microphones, better audio quality, longer battery lives and faster charging and the fastest Wi-Fi 6 wireless.
Like other PC makers such as HP, Lenovo, Acer and Asus, Dell is in the midst of updating the processors in its laptops and two-in-ones. That means Intel-based models are moving from 11th-gen to 12th-gen CPUs while AMD Ryzen systems are switching from 5000-series chips to 6000-series. If you're looking for laptop deals, look for older models of the best Dell laptops. However, we've seen big performance improvements with the new processors. An updated model might cost a little more but will add to the overall longevity.
Sarah Tew/CNET
The Dell XPS 13 is a perennial favorite for its size, weight and performance and just overall good looks. In 2020, Dell made the laptop even smaller, while making the laptop screen larger and increasing performance for both CPU and graphics-intensive tasks. For 2022, it made the XPS 13 even smaller and lighter, kept its sub-$999 starting price the same and dropped in the latest 12th-gen Intel processors.
While we haven't had a chance to test the new model yet, we expect it to be a strong Windows alternative to the M1 MacBook Air. Also, if you want to save money, the 2021 XPS 13 with 11th-gen Intel chips is available for less now.
Josh Goldman/CNET
Dell's everyday Inspiron laptops are much closer in design and performance to its premium XPS models than they were in the past. Its Inspiron 14 2-in-1 starts at $650 but still features extras like a full-HD webcam with a privacy shutter, a fingerprint reader for secure sign-ins, an HDMI 1.4 output and a full-size SD card slot. It even has an aluminum exterior for a more polished appearance.
Josh Goldman/CNET
The 16-inch display on the Inspiron 16 Plus is a great size since the laptop is barely bigger than a 15.6-inch model, but you get more room for work and a roomier keyboard and touchpad along with it. For this Inspiron, Dell packed in performance parts including Nvidia RTX discrete graphics (though it's nearly half the price if you go with Intel integrated graphics) and the display covers 100% sRGB color gamut, which is good enough if you're getting started with creating web content. Also, the laptop has a more premium fit and finish than we're used to seeing in the Inspiron line.
James Martin/CNET
The XPS 17 combines the same slim, premium design of its 13-inch linemate but with increased performance possibilities. It can be configured with up to a 12th-gen Intel Core i9 processor, 64GB of memory and a 6GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 graphics chip. The best part: Dell trimmed up the chassis so much that you get a 17-inch display in a body that's the size of an older 15-inch laptop. You're getting a lot of power and a big screen in the smallest possible package.
Dell XPS 17 review.
Dell
Starting at a low $784 and available with AMD Ryzen 6000 or 12th-gen Intel Core processors, the G15 is essentially a budget-friendly version of an Alienware laptop, the company's top-tier gaming brand. All of the processors can be paired with up to an 8GB Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti, 8GB,16GB or 32GB of memory and up to 1TB of storage. It can even be configured with a choice of displays with 144Hz, 165Hz or 240Hz refresh rates for smooth visuals and the price stays well under $2,000.
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Best Dell Laptop Deals: Save $700 on XPS 15 or XPS 17, $1,050 on Alienware x15
Best Dell Laptop Deals: Save $700 on XPS 15 or XPS 17, $1,050 on Alienware x15
If you're looking for a new laptop, you'll likely come across a few options from Dell, no matter your budget or computing needs. Along with Lenovo and HP, Dell is one of the big three PC manufacturers and offers a wide selection of Windows-based laptops.
On Dell's sprawling website you'll see a constantly rotating selection of laptop sales. You can save on everything from low-end Inspiron laptops for basic use to high-end XPS laptops built for content creation and media editing. And gamers can find some deep discounts on Dell's own Alienware brand of gaming laptops that feature the latest AMD and Intel silicon and Nvidia RTX 30 series graphics.
Read more: Best Laptop Deals at Amazon, Best Buy and Newegg
I scoured Dell's Laptop Deals and XPS Deals pages to find the best bargains, including big price breaks on a few of our favorite laptops. Tracking Dell's deals is a bit like trying to hit a moving target, however. The prices and discounts are valid at the time of this writing, and I'll update this story as sales expire and new deals begin.
For more, check out the best laptop deals, OLED laptop deals and gaming laptop deals.
When shopping for a laptop with a budget less than $1,000, the first items I look for are a modern CPU, at least 16GB of RAM and 512GB or more of solid-state storage. Many models at this price force you to make do with a previous-generation or underpowered processor, a meager 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD that you are sure to fill up fast. This Inspiron 16 5000 features a 12th-gen Intel Core i7 CPU along with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. The 16-inch touchscreen has a 1,920x1,200-pixel resolution with a tall 16:10 aspect ratio. The screen is roomy but not the brightest; it's rated for a mere 250 nits of brightness.
Dell
This 13-inch XPS laptop checks a lot of boxes. Modern CPU? Check. Ample RAM? Check. Plenty of solid-state storage? Check. Roomy and bright display? Check and check. Thin and light, and all-metal design? Check, check and check. It centers on a 13.4-inch, 16:10 display powered by a 12th-gen Core i7 CPU and 32GB of RAM. It also supplies a huge 1TB SSD. You might not think of a 13.4-inch display as roomy, but the taller 16:10 aspect ratio does wonders to make it feel larger than a widescreen 13.3-inch, 16:9 display with which you might be familiar. The machined aluminum chassis is a sleek 0.55 inches thick and weighs only 2.6 pounds.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Dell's 15-inch XPS laptop isn't necessarily geared toward gamers, but this configuration certainly can handle AAA titles with its 11th-gen Core i7-11800H CPU and GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics. You also get 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD -- both sufficient. The OLED touchscreen has what Dell calls 3.5K resolution (3,456x2,160 pixels) in a 16:10 aspect ratio for more vertical space and less scrolling. It's rated for a bright 400 nits and should offer stellar contrast and vibrant colors.
Dell
The big-screen XPS 17 is geared more toward creative work than 3D gaming with its huge display powered by an 11th-gen Core i7. You also get 16GB of RAM and a roomy 512GB SSD. The 17-inch screen has a 4K (3,840x2,400-pixel) resolution with a tall 16:10 aspect ratio and is rated for an impressive 500 nits of brightness. It's rather compact for a 17-inch laptop, and boasts a machine-milled aluminum chassis and a black carbon fiber palm rest.
Dell/Screenshot by CNET
This budget gaming laptop is based on Nvidia's GeForce RTX 3060 graphics and AMD's awesome octa-core Ryzen 7 5800H processor. The 15.6-inch display has full HD resolution and a speedy 165Hz refresh rate. It borrows the Alienware Command Center from Dell's high-end Alienware line that lets you customize game and system settings.
Sarah Tew/CNET
The superthin and sleek x15 has replaced the m15 as the flagship 15-inch gaming laptop in Dell's Alienware lineup. The m15 looks overqualified to be a midrange laptop, particularly this model that's currently $249 off and one of the least expensive Alienware laptops you'll encounter. It features a 12th-gen Core i7 CPU and GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics, and the 15.6-inch display has Full HD resolution and a fairly fast 165Hz refresh rate. Although it's not the thinnest Alienware laptop, the m15 is still less than an inch thick, and Alienware's Cryo-Tech cooling system keeps thermals in check.
Read our Alienware m15 Ryzen Edition R5 review.
Alienware
If you want the latest and thinnest gaming laptop from Dell, the Alienware x15 is it. This model features a 15.6-inch Full HD display with a blazing 360Hz refresh rate powered by an 11th-gen Core i7 CPU and RTX 3070 graphics. It also supplies 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. You can knock a hefty $1,050 off its price right now and get it for a reasonable $1,700. You can also get the same configuration in the larger Alienware x17 for the same price.
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro (14-inch) review: Premium laptop at a midrange price
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro (14-inch) review: Premium laptop at a midrange price
Lenovo's IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro gets better the more you use it. Frankly, when I first unboxed it I found the laptop to be pretty unremarkable. It's Lenovo's first laptop to ship with Windows 11 but otherwise, it doesn't really have any big attention-grabbing features. The 14-inch laptop is thin, light and has a full metal chassis -- premium but it doesn't stand out. There's no big performance story: It's respectable but not extraordinary (though battery life is long at nearly 12 hours). Of course, there's nothing wrong with just being all-around good.
But after using the Slim 7i Pro for a little while and putting a few of its somewhat hidden features to work, the little laptop's value is clearer. With this laptop, you're getting the experience of a higher-end model -- the look, feel and upscale features -- but at a more affordable price (even if that price isn't exactly low).
Like
Higher-end design, features at a more affordable price
Multiple voice assistant options
Don't Like
Cluttered with pitches for optional services, software
No physical webcam shutter
Starting at around $1,000 , the Slim 7i Pro is not cheap but it does offer components and features you'd normally pay a few hundred dollars more to get. The configuration I tested sells for $1,200 at Costco and is maxed out with an 11th-gen Core i7 processor, 16GB of memory and a 1TB SSD. It also has a bright, beautiful 2.8K-resolution touchscreen with a 90Hz refresh rate. A similar configuration of the Slim 7i Pro in the UK sells for £999 and AU$1,599 in Australia.
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro (14-inch)
Price as reviewed
$1,200
Display size/resolution
14-inch 2880 x 1800 touch display
CPU
3.3GHz Intel Core i7-11370H
Memory
16GB 4267MHz LPDDR4X (soldered)
Graphics
128MB Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Ports
USB 4.0/Thunderbolt 4 Type-C (x2), USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, combo headphone jack
Storage
1TB PCIe SSD
Networking
802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth 5.1
Operating system
Windows 11 Home (21H1)
What's so Pro about it
Putting Pro in the name of a laptop model means different things to different people. In this case, it seems that it means moving a notch up from the regular IdeaPad Slim 7 in almost every way. The Slim 7i Pro (the letter i is for the Intel processor) has better components, a higher-quality display and some future-proofing tech, as well as some features to improve your work experience. Plus, the laptop is pretty sharp and won't look out of place in a business meeting.
Both of the Slim 7i Pro's USB-C ports are on the left side.
Josh Goldman/CNET
The 14-inch display, for instance, covers 100% sRGB, 80% P3, 78% Adobe RGB and 74% NTSC color gamuts. It hits a brightness of 400 nits. All good things for work, entertainment and basic content creation. The taller 16:10 ratio gives you more vertical room for work, too. And the 90Hz refresh rate smooths out the look of video and games.
With two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports on the left side, you're covered for everything from charging and high-speed data transfers to connecting multiple external monitors. It would be nice if they were split between the left and right sides for greater flexibility, though. Wireless is ready for the future as well with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1.
Above the display, there's a serviceable 720p webcam paired with an IR camera and dual far-field microphones. The IR camera is for signing in with facial recognition. But what's even more interesting is the laptop has presence detection, a feature found on ThinkPad business laptops.
The Slim 7i Pro's cameras can automatically lock and unlock the laptop.
Josh Goldman/CNET
If you walk away from the laptop, it will automatically lock itself down. When you return, the Slim 7i Pro senses your presence and starts looking for your face to unlock it instantly. The feature can even be used to pause video playing on your display when you leave and resume when you return when using certain players like VLC.
What Lenovo did remove is the sliding physical shutter for the webcam to help with privacy. That's a step back, but you can use Lenovo's Vantage software toolbar to quickly kill the webcam and mic, as well as change fan and system control modes, adjust battery and charging performance and even turn on and off the keyboard backlight. You can also do some of these things and much more with your voice.
The keyboard and touchpad are both excellent.
Josh Goldman/CNET
The laptop is preinstalled with Lenovo Voice, which lets you control the laptop and change settings with voice commands. There's a long list of options from controlling screen brightness and volume to opening the calculator app to disabling the webcam. It also has translation and voice-to-text features. And if you want to use your voice for more, the laptop is preinstalled with Amazon Alexa services and Microsoft Cortana. This is why those dual far-field mics are nice to have, along with better conference calls.
Aside from the Lenovo Vantage and Lenovo Voice apps, there's surprisingly little preinstalled bloatware on the laptop, but be prepared to get partner software pitches anyway. Yes, Vantage is where you'll find all the controls for turning on and off the extra features on the Slim 7i Pro, but it's also the company's avenue for pitching you on various partner services. Things like SurfEasy VPN, McAfee Live Safe, DashLane password manager and Lenovo's own Smart Performance service for $30 a year, which scans your PC and fixes any issues it finds. This is also where you'll get offers for extended warranties for the laptop and battery. It's annoying but I suppose it's better than having all of it preinstalled.
A headphone jack, USB-A port and power button are on the right side.
Josh Goldman/CNET
At the end of the day, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro's charm is that it's a really good clamshell laptop for people who need just that. it looks good, if a little bland. It has an excellent display and the components are top-notch for its class. Plus the Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 6 mean there's some future proofing for connections. Add in the fun extras like presence detection and voice commands, especially nice if you're a heavy Alexa user already and you've got a premium laptop experience at a more midrange price.
Geekbench 5 (multicore)
Microsoft Surface Laptop 4
HP Pavilion Aero 13 (13-be0097nr)
Dell XPS 13 OLED (9310)
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro
Note:
Longer bars indicate better performance
Cinebench R23 CPU (multicore)
HP Pavilion Aero 13 (13-be0097nr)
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro
Dell XPS 13 OLED (9310)
Note:
Longer bars indicate better performance
PCMark 10 Pro Edition
HP Pavilion Aero 13 (13-be0097nr)
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro
Dell XPS 13 OLED (9310)
Microsoft Surface Laptop 4
Note:
Longer bars indicate better performance
Streaming video playback battery drain test (minutes)
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro
Microsoft Surface Laptop 4
HP Pavilion Aero 13 (13-be0097nr)
Dell XPS 13 OLED (9310)
Note:
Longer bars indicate better performance
System Configurations
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro
Microsoft Windows 11 Home (64-bit); 3.3GHz Intel Core i7-11370H; 16GB 4.27GHz LPDDR4X; 128MB Intel Iris Xe; 1TB SSD
HP Pavilion Aero 13 (13-be0097nr)
Microsoft Windows 10 Home (64-bit); 1.9GHz AMD Ryzen 7 5800U; 16GB DDR4 SDRAM 3.2GHz; 512MB AMD Radeon; 512GB SSD
Framework Laptop
Microsoft Windows 10 Pro (64-bit); 3GHz Intel Core i7-1185G7; 32GB DDR4 SDRAM 3.2GHz; 128MB Intel Iris Xe; 512GB SSD
Microsoft Surface Laptop 4
Microsoft Windows 10 Home (64-bit); 2GHz AMD Ryzen 7 4980U; 16GB DDR4 SDRAM 4.27GHz; 512MB AMD Radeon Vega 8; 512GB SSD
Razer Book 13
Microsoft Windows 10 Home (64-bit); 2.8GHz Intel Core i7-1155G7; 16GB DDR4 SDRAM 4.27GHz; 128MB Intel Iris Xe; 256GB SSD
Dell XPS 13 OLED (9310)
Microsoft Windows 10 Pro (64-bit); 3GHz Intel Core i7-1185G7; 16GB DDR4 SDRAM 4.27GHz; 128MB Intel Iris Xe; 512GB SSD
Best macbook pro to buy 2022 what software comes with macbook pro 2022 best laptop similar to macbook pro best macbook pro m1 alternatives apple macbook pro similar products best macbook pro deals best macbook pro docking station best macbook best macbook for students best macbook 2022
Best MacBook Pro Alternatives for 2022
Best MacBook Pro Alternatives for 2022
Fortunately for Apple users, Apple has made some much needed changes to MacBook Pro in the latest generations. That means no more awful keyboard, annoying Touch Bar or overreliance on Thunderbolt/USB-C connections. The latest models of the 14-inch MacBook Pro and the 16-inch MacBook Pro come with M1 series processors, a top-notch design and displays with mini-LED backlighting. Apple also added back some of the ports that were missing in previous generations and removed the Touch Bar.
But the fact remains that there's a far bigger variety of designs, feature sets and display choices for Windows laptops and Chromebooks, and Windows remains the preferred platform for playing games locally. Cloud gaming lets Macs circumvent the gaming problem to a certain extent, but not completely; only a fraction of the universe of games is playable via the cloud.
An entry-level MacBook can stretch the limits of your budget, and those who've set aside a nice chunk of cash might want something a little more customizable. No one can deny that one appealing thing about Windows laptops is the variety. Even when trying to imitate the offerings of a MacBook (or an iPad or iPad Pro) there are all sizes of far less expensive Chromebooks, as well as 14- and 15-inch laptops that are slightly smaller and lighter than the 16-inch MacBook Pro, but not quite as small as the 13-inch MacBook Air, across the price spectrum. You can also get more variety, with alternatives like 2-in-1s. Plus, we're seeing lots of experimentation with multiscreen designs.
This list is periodically updated with new models we've tested and reviewed. It's a great place to start to get an idea of what's available. If you need advice on whether a particular type of laptop or two-in-one is right for you, jump to our laptop FAQ at the bottom of the list.
So when you want to go Windows, here are our recommendations for laptops to fill that MacBook-size void in your life.
Lori Grunin/CNET
If, like me, you're not a fan of OLED screens for photo editing -- they're not optimized for Adobe RGB and aren't great at tonal range in the shadows -- then what you need is a laptop with a good IPS display. The Dell XPS 17 9720 with the 4K screen option delivers that, and it's not as reflective as the OLED screens I've seen. Dell's PremierColor software isn't perfect, but it gives you more control over screen settings than most I've seen, and it has two Thunderbolt 3 controllers to make your external drives happy. It's heavier than the MacBook, but not much bigger, especially given its larger 17-inch screen. And while its battery life isn't terrific, its performance can certainly keep up.
And a great lower-cost alternative is the Dell Inspiron 16 Plus, which doesn't head to the front of the line primarily because of its lower build quality, and I'm assuming that if you're looking for a MacBook Pro equivalent you want the metal chassis, better screen and higher-end components. But if you also want to save as much as $1,000, it's worth considering.
Read Dell XPS 17 9720 review
Lori Grunin/CNET
If you're drawn to a MacBook Pro for its featureless-slab aesthetic, Razer's your Windows go-to. If you want one that roughly matches the 14-inch Pro for design, size and weight, the Blade 14 is your option; its little brother, the Razer Book 13 makes a great alternative to the 13-inch MacBook Pro when you want something a bit smaller and less expensive.
A smaller version than the 15-inch staple, the 14-inch Razer Blade delivers a lot of gaming power for its size without feeling small -- an important consideration for a gaming laptop, and one that Apple doesn't need to worry about -- but has decent battery life, a nice size for travel and a subtle design (for a gaming laptop) that's buttoned-up enough for sitting in a meeting with the top brass or clients.
Read our Razer Blade 14 (2021) review.
Josh Goldman/CNET
Dell's XPS 13 is a 13.3-inch laptop that's so trimmed up that the body is basically the size of an older 11.6-inch laptop. Being part of the company's XPS line means both its chassis and components are top-notch for its class, so you're getting great battery life and performance, too. Power delivery is via USB-C and it comes with a microSD reader and headphone jack. It comes in both a standard clamshell as well as the two-in-one, but I prefer the two-in-one because you can fold it up into a tablet if you have to work in a cramped space.
Read our Dell XPS 2-in-1 review.
Josh Goldman/CNET
What's better than the Touch Bar? An entire half-screen second display, that's what. The Duo's tilt-up second screen can act as an ancillary display, an extension of the primary display (for viewing those long web pages) or a separate control center from which you can run Asus' custom utilities or as control surfaces for select creative applications. Plus, Asus excels at squeezing every bit of performance out of its high-end laptops, and the 14-inch delivers great battery life, as well.
It comes in two models, 15-inch and the 2021 14-inch Duo 14 that we reviewed. The Duo 14 has either 11th-gen Core i5 or i7 processors, optional Nvidia MX450 discrete graphics and up to 32GB of memory.
Read our Asus ZenBook Duo review.
Commonly asked questions
Which is faster, a MacBook or a Windows laptop?
That's an almost impossible question to answer.
For one thing, it's a moving target. We're starting to see Windows models featuring Intel's new 12th-gen CPUs, which has the same hybrid core architecture as Apple's M1 chips, as well as new mobile GPUs. We haven't yet had a chance to test out many of these next-gen models, but it's safe to assume that Apple's M1 processors will be facing some stiff competition.
And thus far, Apple hasn't even launched an M1 MacBook with a discrete GPU, though its integrated graphics seem to scale up to compete with current low-end Nvidia and AMD graphics up to about the RTX 3070 and Radeon RX 6800M, and definitely improves on previous Intel-based Macs though neither is really surprising. But it means that at the high end we're still in sort of a MacBook holding pattern when it comes to comparisons with heavier Windows options.
Plus, differences in operating systems complicate things. Mac OS has long been more efficient than Windows and that's only improved now that Apple owns its entire food chain. But it doesn't need to worry about compatibility with partner systems and myriad different components. Then toss in difficulties getting repeatable, comparable, representative and broad-based benchmark results for cross-platform comparisons... well, I don't feel like going down that rabbit hole right now.
Is a MacBook Pro better for content creation than a Windows laptop?
Once again, a difficult question to answer because there's no sweeping generalizations you can make. If you're basing the concern on Windows' old reputation for being inferior for graphics work, it was accurate at the time but is no longer true.
Screens on Windows laptops have come a long way, and convertibles (aka two-in-ones) mean you can paint or sketch directly on the laptop screen. With a MacBook you'd need to buy an iPad as well.
Some graphics applications are only available on one platform or the other, so figuring out which ones you need and which you can switch away from is the first thing to decide before you choose between Windows and MacOS. Also consider that MacOS no longer supports 32-bit applications, so if you've got an old favorite that hasn't been updated -- this happens most with small utilities -- but still exists on Windows, that's something to think about.
Some applications may also be better optimized for one platform than the other, or rely on a specific GPU from AMD or Nvidia for their best acceleration. Since you can't really use an Nvidia card with a Mac and none of the M1 MacBooks incorporate any discrete graphics, Windows is probably a better bet, especially for programs that rely on Nvidia's CUDA programming interface. Think about any accessories you need, as well -- the drivers and utilities you need to use them may not be available or be stripped down on one or the other.
MacBooks may run faster than equivalently configured Windows laptops simply because MacOS is a lot more tightly integrated with the hardware than Windows can ever be on its side of the fence. Microsoft simply has to support a much wider variety of hardware than Apple will ever need to, and that adds performance overhead; this can be especially important for activities sensitive to latency, like audio recording. Windows' flexibility is both its strength and its weakness.
How we test computers
The review process for laptops, desktops, tablets and other computer-like devices consists of two parts: performance testing under controlled conditions in the CNET Labs and extensive hands-on use by our expert reviewers. This includes evaluating a device's aesthetics, ergonomics and features. A final review verdict is a combination of both those objective and subjective judgments.
The list of benchmarking software we use changes over time as the devices we test evolve. The most important core tests we're currently running on every compatible computer include: Primate Labs Geekbench 5, Cinebench R23, PCMark 10 and 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra.
A more detailed description of each benchmark and how we use it can be found in our How We Test Computers page.
