The Dell XPS 13 has long been considered one of the best ultrabooks on the market, offering a perfect balance of performance, portability, and design. In 2024, the XPS 13 continues to build on its reputation as a premium laptop for professionals, creatives, and casual users alike. With some key upgrades in both design and performance, does the XPS 13 remain the go-to laptop for anyone seeking a versatile, sleek, and powerful device? Let’s dive into an in-depth review of the Dell XPS 13 (2024), examining its performance, build quality, display, and overall value.
Design and Build Quality: Ultra-Portable and Premium
The Dell XPS 13 has always been known for its high-end, sleek design, and the 2024 model continues that tradition. At just 2.59 pounds (1.17 kg) and with a thickness of 0.55 inches (14mm), it’s an incredibly portable device, perfect for those who need a laptop that can easily slip into a backpack or briefcase. The XPS 13’s machined aluminum chassis gives it a premium feel, while the carbon fiber palm rest adds comfort and a touch of luxury to the overall design.
The laptop’s near-borderless InfinityEdge display means it’s all screen and very little bezel, giving the XPS 13 an almost edge-to-edge display that is visually striking. The laptop is available in a variety of finishes, including Platinum Silver and Frost, which maintain its sophisticated and modern aesthetic. Dell has also maintained its minimalist design philosophy, making the XPS 13 both a looker and a performer.
The build quality is top-notch, with a sturdy, rigid frame that feels solid yet lightweight. The laptop feels premium, but not overly fragile, making it durable for everyday use while on the go.
Key Takeaway: The Dell XPS 13 2024 retains its premium, ultra-portable design with high-end materials and an almost bezel-less display, making it one of the most attractive ultrabooks available.
Display: Stunning, Vibrant, and Crisp
The display on the XPS 13 has always been one of its strongest selling points, and the 2024 model takes things a step further. The 13.4-inch OLED touchscreen display (optional) now supports 4K resolution and HDR support, delivering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and incredible contrast. This makes it a perfect choice for creatives, video editors, and anyone who enjoys consuming high-quality media content. The 1200:1 contrast ratio and 500 nits of brightness ensure that the display is both sharp and easy to view, even in bright lighting conditions.
Alternatively, if you’re looking to save on battery life, the XPS 13 also offers a Full HD (1920 x 1200) non-touch option, which delivers excellent clarity and color accuracy while consuming less power. The wider 16:10 aspect ratio makes the screen more versatile for productivity tasks, giving you more vertical screen real estate compared to the traditional 16:9 aspect ratio.
Dell also continues to use Corning Gorilla Glass 6 for durability, ensuring the display is both resistant to scratches and easy to clean.
Key Takeaway: Whether you opt for the OLED 4K display or the more energy-efficient Full HD version, the Dell XPS 13 offers a stunning display that excels in color, brightness, and clarity, ideal for both work and entertainment.
Performance: Power Under the Hood
The Dell XPS 13 2024 is equipped with Intel’s latest 13th-gen Core processors, offering significant upgrades in performance and energy efficiency compared to previous models. It comes with up to an Intel Core i7-1365U (or the new Core i5-1335U) CPU, paired with 16GB of RAM (expandable up to 32GB) and up to **1TB of fast PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD storage. This combination makes the XPS 13 capable of handling demanding tasks like multitasking, photo and video editing, and light gaming without breaking a sweat.
Whether you’re using the laptop for professional workloads, running multiple apps at once, or editing large files, the XPS 13 handles everything smoothly. The Intel Iris Xe graphics make it suitable for creative applications like Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and even some light gaming or 3D rendering, though it’s not designed to replace a dedicated GPU for heavy gaming.
In terms of battery life, the XPS 13 can last up to 10–12 hours of moderate use on the Full HD model with the larger 52Wh battery, while the 4K OLED model will be a bit shorter on runtime (around 8–9 hours) due to the higher power consumption of the screen. The laptop also features rapid charging, so you can get up to 80% battery in just 1 hour of charging.
Key Takeaway: With the 13th-gen Intel processors and Intel Iris Xe graphics, the XPS 13 2024 delivers excellent performance for work, content creation, and entertainment, all while providing solid battery life.
Keyboard and Trackpad: Comfortable and Responsive
The keyboard on the Dell XPS 13 has always been one of its best features, offering a low travel but responsive typing experience. The keys are well-spaced, with good tactile feedback, making it comfortable for long typing sessions. The keycaps are also backlit, allowing for comfortable typing in dim environments.
The Precision trackpad is large and smooth, providing excellent accuracy and support for gestures. The Windows Precision drivers ensure that you get the full benefit of multi-finger gestures, scrolling, and tapping. Combined with the large display, the trackpad offers an easy-to-navigate interface, making it easy to zoom in on content or navigate large documents.
Key Takeaway: The keyboard and trackpad on the XPS 13 provide a comfortable and efficient typing experience, perfect for professionals and students alike.
Connectivity and Ports: Slim Yet Functional
Despite being ultra-slim, the XPS 13 offers an impressive array of connectivity options:
- Two Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports, ideal for high-speed data transfer, external monitors, and fast charging.
- A microSD card slot, which is great for transferring photos or videos.
- A 3.5mm headphone jack, which is becoming less common in modern ultrabooks but still a welcome feature for audiophiles.
- Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 for fast wireless connectivity.
While the lack of a USB-A port may be a downside for some, Dell includes a USB-C to USB-A adapter in the box to cover that base. The overall connectivity options make the XPS 13 more than capable for everyday tasks and professional work.
Key Takeaway: The XPS 13 is well-equipped with Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6E, and essential ports, though it might require an adapter for legacy USB-A devices.
Dell XPS 13 2024 vs. Competitors: How Does It Stack Up?
Compared to other premium ultrabooks, the Dell XPS 13 holds its ground, particularly against competitors like the MacBook Air M2 and the HP Spectre x360.
- Performance: The MacBook Air M2 offers impressive performance, but the XPS 13’s flexibility with Windows 11 and Intel’s latest processors makes it a more versatile choice for Windows users.
- Display: Dell’s 4K OLED option sets it apart from the MacBook Air, which sticks with a Retina display, and the Spectre x360, which offers a 4K display but lacks OLED’s color vibrancy.
- Design: All three models have premium designs, but the XPS 13 remains the most compact and portable option, especially considering the display-to-body ratio.
Key Takeaway: The XPS 13 remains a formidable competitor in the ultrabook space, offering premium design, stellar performance, and a stunning display at a competitive price.
Conclusion: Is the Dell XPS 13 2024 Worth It?
The Dell XPS 13 2024 continues to be a top-tier ultrabook, offering an unbeatable combination of performance, portability, and premium design. Whether you’re using it for work, media consumption, or light content creation, the XPS 13 excels in nearly every area, from its vibrant 4K OLED display to its powerful Intel processors. While its battery life can vary depending on the screen choice, it remains more than capable for a full day of use.
Compared to its rivals, the XPS 13 holds its own and remains a top contender in the premium ultrabook market. Ifyou’re in the market for a compact, versatile laptop that does everything well—without compromise—the Dell XPS 13 2024 should definitely be on your shortlist.
Pros:
- Premium design and build quality
- Stunning display options (4K OLED & Full HD)
- Powerful performance with 13th-gen Intel processors
- Great battery life
- Excellent keyboard and trackpad
Cons:
- No USB-A ports (requires adapter)
- Limited graphics power for heavy gaming or 3D rendering
Verdict: The Dell XPS 13 2024 is an exceptional choice for those looking for a premium, all-around laptop that excels in performance, design, and usability.