Dell XPS 13 (9370)

[HEXUS]

The best mainstream Ultrabook on the market?

Read more.

[DDY]

Not bad, but I wonder;

- While CPU temps have been measured, what about the bits on the laptop that we touch in regular use? I find that laptops of this style can have overly hot keyboards, palm rests and bases, and it would be useful to know how hot these get under light and heavy loads, e.g. word processing vs. video encoding.

- What's the serviceability like? Which for machines of this type is typically quite limited for the average user. Useful things to know might be for example; does it use standard DIMMS, M.2 sticks, etc and how easily can they be accessed? Probably going a bit too far, but also how 'glued' or 'taped' down is the internal battery, screen bezel e.t.c?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Not bad, but I wonder;

- While CPU temps have been measured, what about the bits on the laptop that we touch in regular use? I find that laptops of this style can have overly hot keyboards, palm rests and bases, and it would be useful to know how hot these get under light and heavy loads, e.g. word processing vs. video encoding.

- What's the serviceability like? Which for machines of this type is typically quite limited for the average user. Useful things to know might be for example; does it use standard DIMMS, M.2 sticks, etc and how easily can they be accessed? Probably going a bit too far, but also how 'glued' or 'taped' down is the internal battery, screen bezel e.t.c?

According to NBC the RAM is soldered.

[DDY]

Thought as much, good to know. While the capability to upgrade would be nice, the starting 8GB for this application is reasonable.

Also I see; properly reinforced ports, battery held down with screws and a modular SSD, nice.

[3dcandy]

Seems pretty decent to be fair - but I'd also like to see a touch FHD screen. But hey.... can't have everything

[ik9000]

RAM has been soldered in the XPS13 for several versions now, since the 9330 IIRC

[ET3D]

This article is really missing benchmarks of the previous model, which IMO is the most important laptop to compare to.

I also hate how the review gushes over the new look and excuses the drawbacks. If I want a small laptop to carry around, thickness matters the least. Weight matters and size matters, and these are apparently unchanged, yet I now have to carry extra adapters if I want to use a flash drive or plug in a mouse.

I like the XPS 13, I own one, and for me this is a step down. Had the slimmer XPS also been correspondingly lighter, I would have seen this as a compromise that may be worth it, but as is, it looks like a nod towards people who value looks over functionality (like the reviewer).

[3dcandy]

This article is really missing benchmarks of the previous model, which IMO is the most important laptop to compare to.

I also hate how the review gushes over the new look and excuses the drawbacks. If I want a small laptop to carry around, thickness matters the least. Weight matters and size matters, and these are apparently unchanged, yet I now have to carry extra adapters if I want to use a flash drive or plug in a mouse.

I like the XPS 13, I own one, and for me this is a step down. Had the slimmer XPS also been correspondingly lighter, I would have seen this as a compromise that may be worth it, but as is, it looks like a nod towards people who value looks over functionality (like the reviewer).

USB C flash drives and mice are available

[ik9000]

This article is really missing benchmarks of the previous model, which IMO is the most important laptop to compare to.

I also hate how the review gushes over the new look and excuses the drawbacks. If I want a small laptop to carry around, thickness matters the least. Weight matters and size matters, and these are apparently unchanged, yet I now have to carry extra adapters if I want to use a flash drive or plug in a mouse.

I like the XPS 13, I own one, and for me this is a step down. Had the slimmer XPS also been correspondingly lighter, I would have seen this as a compromise that may be worth it, but as is, it looks like a nod towards people who value looks over functionality (like the reviewer).

agreed personally I think the last gen was a better machine.

[3dcandy]

Whilst I can see your points Dell also needs to make sure that a new model looks good. To many people design is now a very big part of the choices they make when deciding on a laptop. It's no longer good enough to be good in the specs department without looking good as well - and yes thickness is something many people look at along with weight and size

[3dcandy]

And regarding the use of USB C - I think the sockets are both better in that they have no orientation needed and stronger because of centre plastic lug rather than an offset one. USB sockets are a weak point on many laptops and this is only going to be a step forward in my opinion. Now if there was only 1 USB C (cough Apple) I can see it being an issue...

[ET3D]

USB C flash drives and mice are available

Perhaps, but it means that you're unable to use most things you already own, let alone get something pretty standard (a USB Flash drive) from another person and expect to use it. Yes, it's all solvable, just inconvenient and totally unnecessary, because it comes about because of a purely cosmetic reason.

I mean, yes, you can also remove the headphone socket and remove everything but one thunderbolt port, and it would still be completely solvable, but what's the point?

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against USB-C, I just think that it's too early to drop USB-A. As I said, I'd even be willing to accept pure USB-C if the reduced thickness was accompanied by lower weight, but as is...?

Whilst I can see your points Dell also needs to make sure that a new model looks good. To many people design is now a very big part of the choices they make when deciding on a laptop. It's no longer good enough to be good in the specs department without looking good as well - and yes thickness is something many people look at along with weight and size

I realise this, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. If functionality is losing to flashy looks, that's not a way forward, IMO.

[3dcandy]

I don't think it's lost any functionality. USB C via Thunderbolt adds function, you can use 2 of the 3 ports to charge and use the charger to charge other peripherals. USB C to A or B adapters are cheap and plentiful. As I said - USB C ports are stronger, especially when Dell do the right thing and anchor them in the chassis. Also many business' won't allow flash sticks at work any more as they are so easy to transfer any sort of malware, Virus et al. Yes perhaps it's a little inconvenience, but nowhere like as bad as it used to be. I'd be more worried about the bad placement of the webcam to be fair. Each to their own, and I can see your points - but soon ALL laptops will drop older USB A ports, and in fact I can see them starting to disappear full stop as C is such a good step forward whilst keeping backwards compatibility via inexpensive adapters or dongles. New phones employ C and as soon as the cycle goes around that older ports are dropped then it will be normal for C ports. It will filter down and that will be that

[dshefchik]

Why not compare with the latest 12" Macbook as well? I would assume it's a close competitor.

[mtyson]

If anyone is interested in this laptop I have just got an email about -

"Dell has today announced Black Friday in July, a week of huge discounts across its consumer offering. The deals, which include desktops and laptops, will run in limited quantity between Monday 9th July and Tuesday 17th July 2018. "

Dell Highlights across 'Black Friday in July' include:

XPS 13 (9370) - £1,249 – save £300 (19% discount)
Alienware 17 - £1,499 – save £950 (38% discount)
Inspiron Desktop - £749 – save £200 (25% discount)
G3 17 - £599 – save £300 (33% discount)
Inspiron 13 5000 - £399 – save £130 (25% discount)