Top Ultrabook
Dell XPS 13
Pros
- 10th Gen processors
- Optional 4K display
- Great battery life
- Thunderbolt 3 USB-C
- Wi-Fi 6
Cons
- No digital pen support
- Not all models have touch
- Not available until Feb. 2020
The XPS 13 is one of the very best all-rounders and became a class leader for a reason. The newest version is even more sensational than the last, but if you need a laptop, now the disappointment is that it's not set to be available until February.
Portable powerhouse
Dell XPS 15
Pros
- Dedicated graphics options
- Newer, more powerful processors
- Gorgeous optional 4K OLED display
- Great battery life
Cons
- More expensive
- Not all configurations have touch
The newest XPS 15 from Dell packs everything you need for a powerful 15-inch laptop, including new options for an OLED 4K panel, GTX 1650, and an Intel Core i9 processor. If you want the latest and greatest from Dell, this is the laptop for you.
The XPS 13 and XPS 15 are both class-leading products with obvious similarities but also plenty of differences. Through simply being more substantial, the XPS 15 can offer more powerful hardware overall, but the XPS 13 is by far the most portable. Both are excellent, but the choice will ultimately come down to what you want to do with it.
Dell XPS 13 vs Dell XPS 15 tech specs
Category | Dell XPS 13 | Dell XPS 15 |
---|---|---|
OS | Windows 10 | Windows 10 |
Processor | 10th Gen Intel Core i3-1005G1 i5-1035G1 i7-1065G7 |
9th Gen Intel Core i5-9300H (4.1 GHz) 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9750H (4.5 GHz) 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9980HK (5.0 GHz) |
Display size | 13.4 inches | 15.6 inches |
Display resolution | Full HD, 4K Dolby Vision |
15.6-inch 1920 x 1080 InfinityEdge 15.6-inch UltraSharp 4K 3840 x 2160 InfinityEdge 15.6-inch OLED 4K 3840 x 2160 InfinityEdge |
RAM | 4, 8, 16, or 32GB LPDDR4X (3733MHz) | 8GB/16GB/32GB DDR4 |
Graphics | Intel UHD Intel Iris Plus |
Intel UHD Graphics 630 NVIDIA GTX 1650 (4GB GDDR5) |
Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD | 256GB PCIe SSD 512GB PCIe SSD 1TB PCIe SSD 2TB PCIe SSD |
Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 3 1x 3.5mm headphone Type-C to Type-A converter included |
1x Thunderbolt 3 with DisplayPort 2x USB 3.1 Gen 1 1x HDMI 2.0 SD card reader (SD, SDHC, SDXC) 3.5mm combo jack |
XPS 15 has the raw power
One of the major hardware differences is the processor. The XPS 15's Core i5, Core i7 and Core i9 processors are now six-core or eight-core chips that sport more raw power even than the 10th Gen chips in the XPS 13.
The difference matters most for heavy-load processing, making the XPS 15 a much better choice for developers, graphic artists, and anyone else who does a lot of data crunching. The XPS 13 is much more proficient than it once was, though, with hyperthreading giving eight hardware threads to the Core i5 and Core i7 versions.
If more power is something you need, you can stop right here and order a higher-end XPS 15 configuration. It's also pretty decent for gaming thanks to the NVIDIA GTX 1650 graphics, the 4K display is clear and large enough for easy multimedia editing, and developers will love the processor power.
Portable or more portable?
Size for these notebooks is simply not as big a deal as with other laptop makers, but it's still worth considering. The XPS 13 is incredibly small for a 13-inch notebook, with Dell having squeezed it into the form factor of something closer to Apple's old 11-inch MacBook Air.
The XPS 15 is also smaller, lighter, and slimmer than the average 15-incher, with a form factor more akin to that of a 14-inch notebook. So you've still got a few inches between them, but both are smaller than their display sizes would indicate.
The XPS 13, in particular, is excellent to throw in a bag if you're a frequent traveler. It's so compact that it takes up very little room, will fit in any laptop bag, and is light enough you'll barely know it's there.
But both are among the most portable laptops of their class, and Dell was one of the first manufacturers to pioneer such a space-saving form factor.
Making the right choice
You won't make a wrong decision if you go with an XPS laptop. They have powerful processors, beautiful displays, and chassis that are as functional as they are attractive. The final decision is always yours but based on what we know of these great laptops, we feel comfortable making a couple of recommendations.
If you're not interested in dedicated graphics or gaming isn't on the agenda, go for the XPS 13. Unless screen real estate is of the utmost importance, you'll have a better all-round experience with the smaller model. It's powerful, has excellent battery life, and is something you can toss in any bag.
Top Ultrabook
Dell XPS 13
More awesome than ever
The latest Dell XPS 13 has been revamped for 2019, adding Intel's powerful new 10th Gen processors, Wi-Fi 6, a 4K 16:10 display, and much more.
If you want a little more
When you step up the hardware, the decision comes down to what you actually do want. If graphics and computing power are essential, grab the XPS 15. It has some genuinely mindblowing specs for a laptop of this size, including a Core i9 processor and 4K OLED display, which is new to this model.
It's great for everyday computing, more serious creative or programming work; you can even do some decent gaming on it. It comes at a price, but it's worth paying if you need the power.
Newest model
Dell XPS 15
Latest and greatest 15-inch laptop
Dell's iconic XPS 15 received a substantial spec bump for 2019 with a new option for 4K OLED (non-touch), NVIDIA GTX 1650 for graphics, and new 9th gen Intel processors including up to an eight-core Core i9 CPU for ultimate power. The massive 97WHr battery remains to make sure you get all-day battery life.