Dell XPS 13 Plus Review: Premium Ultrabook with Bold Design Choices

Dell XPS 13 Plus Review: Premium Ultrabook with Bold Design Choices

Dell’s XPS 13 Plus represents a bold redesign of the beloved XPS 13 series, featuring an edge-to-edge keyboard, invisible trackpad, and premium materials. After extensive testing, here’s our comprehensive review of this distinctive ultrabook.

Design: Bold and Controversial

The XPS 13 Plus features Dell’s most radical design changes in years:

Design Elements:

  • Edge-to-edge keyboard with no visible gaps
  • Invisible haptic trackpad with no visible borders
  • Capacitive touch function row instead of physical F-keys
  • Premium materials: CNC-machined aluminum and carbon fiber
  • Available in Platinum and Graphite colorways

Build Quality:

  • Exceptional build quality with minimal flex
  • Premium feel throughout
  • Compact form factor (11.63” x 7.84” x 0.60”)
  • Weight: 2.73 lbs (relatively light for the build quality)

The design is polarizing - some love the minimalist aesthetic, while others miss traditional laptop elements.

Display Options: OLED Excellence Available

Multiple display configurations cater to different needs:

Display Options:

  • 13.4” FHD+ (1920 x 1200) LCD - Base model
  • 13.4” 3.5K (3456 x 2160) OLED - Premium option
  • Touch support on both configurations
  • Dolby Vision support on OLED model

OLED Display Performance:

  • Stunning color accuracy and contrast
  • Perfect blacks and vibrant colors
  • Excellent for creative work
  • Battery life impact on OLED model
  • Slight reflection in bright environments

Performance: 12th Gen Intel Power

Performance varies significantly by configuration:

Processor Options:

  • Intel Core i5-1240P (12-core, 16 threads)
  • Intel Core i7-1260P (12-core, 16 threads)
  • Intel Core i7-1280P (14-core, 20 threads)
  • Integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics
  • 8GB-32GB LPDDR5 RAM options

Real-World Performance:

  • Excellent for productivity tasks and web browsing
  • Good performance for photo editing and light video work
  • Thermal throttling during sustained heavy loads
  • Fan noise noticeable under load
  • Great for programming and development work

Keyboard and Trackpad: Love It or Leave It

The controversial input methods are divisive:

Edge-to-Edge Keyboard:

  • Full-size keys despite compact design
  • Good key travel and tactile feedback
  • No visible gaps between keys
  • Takes adjustment period for some users
  • Backlit with even illumination

Invisible Haptic Trackpad:

  • Large trackpad area with haptic feedback
  • No visible borders or clicking mechanism
  • Precise cursor control and gesture support
  • Some users struggle to locate trackpad boundaries
  • Haptic feedback feels artificial to some

Capacitive Function Row:

  • Touch-sensitive F-key alternatives
  • Contextual buttons change based on applications
  • No tactile feedback
  • Frustrating for users who rely heavily on F-keys
  • Escape key is also capacitive

Connectivity: Limited but Modern

Port selection reflects the ultra-thin design:

Available Ports:

  • 2x Thunderbolt 4 ports (USB-C)
  • No traditional USB-A ports
  • No HDMI port
  • No microSD card slot
  • 3.5mm headphone/microphone jack

Connectivity:

  • Wi-Fi 6E support
  • Bluetooth 5.2
  • Optional 5G cellular connectivity
  • Dongles required for legacy connectivity

Battery Life: Varies by Display

Battery performance depends heavily on display choice:

Battery Specifications:

  • 55Wh battery capacity
  • 60W USB-C charging included
  • Fast charging: 0-80% in about 1 hour

Real-World Battery Life:

  • FHD+ LCD: 8-10 hours typical use
  • 3.5K OLED: 5-7 hours typical use
  • Standby time: Excellent with modern standby
  • Heavy workloads significantly reduce battery life

Pros and Cons

Pros ✅

  • Premium build quality and materials
  • Stunning OLED display option (if chosen)
  • Compact and lightweight design
  • Good performance for ultrabook tasks
  • Excellent speakers for the size
  • Fast charging capabilities
  • Modern connectivity standards

Cons ❌

  • Controversial input methods (keyboard/trackpad)
  • Limited port selection requires dongles
  • OLED model has shorter battery life
  • Expensive, especially with upgrades
  • Capacitive function row frustrates some users
  • Can get warm under sustained load
  • No upgrade path for RAM or storage

Who Should Buy This?

Perfect for:

  • Design-conscious users who prioritize aesthetics
  • Users comfortable with non-traditional input methods
  • Business travelers needing premium ultrabook
  • Creative professionals wanting OLED display
  • Users primarily working with modern USB-C accessories

Consider alternatives if: You rely heavily on legacy ports, prefer traditional keyboards, or need longer battery life.

Configuration Recommendations

Best Value: Core i7-1260P, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, FHD+ display ($1,499)

Premium Configuration: Core i7-1280P, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, 3.5K OLED ($2,299)

Alternatives to Consider

  • MacBook Air M2: Better battery life, more traditional design
  • ThinkPad X1 Carbon: Traditional keyboard, more ports
  • Surface Laptop 5: Similar performance, more conventional design

Final Verdict

Rating: 4.2/5 stars

The Dell XPS 13 Plus is a beautifully crafted ultrabook that pushes design boundaries. While the controversial input methods won’t appeal to everyone, those who adapt will find a premium laptop with excellent build quality and display options.

Best for: Users who prioritize design and are willing to adapt to non-traditional input methods for a premium ultrabook experience.

Check Dell’s website and authorized retailers for current pricing, customization options, and availability.