Dell New XPS 13 9300 13.4-inch Review

When it comes to ultra-portable laptops, few machines can rival Dell’s powerful and iconic XPS series. Ever since it was introduced in 2015, the XPS 13 has managed to combine three essential factors for modern laptop users: great performance, plenty of battery life, and a stylish, lightweight design.

This year’s refresh elevates these aspects and features even more internal power, a better-than-ever display, and a revamped keyboard and trackpad. So, is it worth purchasing? The short answer: Absolutely.

Release Date and Pricing

Dell officially launched this new XPS 13 in January 2020, dubbed the “9300” version. It replaced the “9380” and “7390 2-in-1” models from the previous year. As far as pricing, the XPS 13 starts at $1,199 for a standard core i5/8GB RAM/256GB SSD configuration.

The more expensive $1,749 features a core i7/16GB/512GB as well as an FHD touch display, while the ultimate $1,999$ model comes with 1TB of storage and a dazzling 4K UHD touch display.

Design

The Dell XPS 13 is a true marvel of engineering, as much on the inside as on the outside. The laptop’s body is made of professional-grade aluminum for a smooth, high-quality finish.

The result is an attractive design that inspires sturdiness and durability. It has slightly shrunk in size compared to its predecessors, at 29.6 x 19.9 x 1.48 cm, weighing in at 1.2kg (non-touch display) and 1.27kg (touch display); an ideal form factor for users who want a super light and compact device to take on the go.

In terms of I/O, the Dell now has the two instead of three Thunderbolt-3 USB-C ports located on either side, a 3.5mm headphone jack, along with a microSD card reader.

The absence of a conventional USB-A port can prove quite limiting for some users, yet Dell has thoughtfully included an adapter in the box (besides, there wouldn’t have been any space for it with such a thin profile.) Still, the port selection is nothing exceptional. Lastly, the choice of color is between an elegant alpine white or a sleek silver-and-black carbon fiber edition.

Display

The XPS line’s displays are some, if not the best on the portable laptops market. The 9300 boasts a captivating 13.4-inch InfinityEdge anti-reflective display with a 1,920 x 1,200 native pixel resolution, a new 16:10 ratio, and 500 nits.

It’s a beautifully bright and colorful display that sets the bar high for its competitors (MacBooks, Microsoft Surface Laptop/Surface Book, HP Spectre x360), both in terms of visual sharpness and bezels. In fact, what strikes about the XPS 13 are its micro-thin borders and 91.5% screen-to-body ratio, which make for an incredibly immersive viewing experience.

For the display itself, we’re offered an entry-level FHD non-touch screen, a FHD touch screen, or a 4K UHD touch display (3,840 x 2,400). Although it’s a nice-have, a 4K display on such a small laptop is quite frankly overkill; a highly-priced and battery-draining addition for marginal improvement. To somehow alleviate this, all models come with a convenient built-in ambient light sensor for dynamic brightness adjustment. Overall, a phenomenal display.

Keyboard and Trackpad

The quality and “feel” of a keyboard is often a determining factor when it comes to choosing a laptop. With the XPS 13, there’s little to be disappointed about in that department. Dell has upgraded its 9300 version to include an edge-to-edge backlit keyboard with slightly larger keys (+9%) for an incredibly comfortable and intuitive typing experience.

The keys are decently spaced and offer plenty of travel, a must for writers, bloggers, and creatives. The power button doubles as a fingerprint reader for secure authentication. As far as the trackpad, it’s also grown a little in size (+17%), with a glass surface that guarantees precise and very responsive feedback.