Dell XPS 13 9315

Specification

• 10-core (2 P-core, 8 E-core) Intel Core i5-1230U processor
• 16GB LPDDR5-5200 RAM
• Intel Iris Xe graphics
• 13.4-inch 1920×1200 60Hz non-touch IPS display
• 512GB M.2 PCI-E Gen 3 SSD
• 720p webcam
• Wi-Fi 6E
• Bluetooth 5.2
• 2 x Thunderbolt 4
• 51Wh battery
• Windows 11 Home
• 295x199x14mm (WDH)
• 1.2kg
• 1-year on-site warranty

The exterior of the Dell XPS 13 has not changed much in the last decade, with the only significant change being a new Umber color option. However, the interior has been redesigned with a sleek aluminum keyboard palm rest that allows for comfortable typing.

The keys and trackpad are also spaced well for easy use. The high-quality 13.4-inch display comes in three options: a non-touch 1920×1200 panel, a touchscreen option for an additional £100, or a 3,840×2,400 touchscreen for £270 more. All options promise a peak brightness of 500 cd/m2, the display is still impressive.

The XPS 13 features somewhat more rounded corners than previous Dell designs, which frequently featured harsh edges. A little bend may also be seen on the bottom plate. Except for two type-C connections, practically other ports have been eliminated, allowing for a simple, twist-resistant design.

The base unit seems solid and substantial, however as you try to rotate it from the corners, you can hear some cracking. Both the palm rests and the keyboard area are solid and do not give in to pressure.

The hinges are solid and magnetically retained in the closed position. Since there is nothing on the edge to help you grab it and the lid neatly transitions into the base unit, opening the lid might be challenging. However, unlocking the laptop with one hand is feasible after establishing a little space. The gadget stays on the table throughout this because of the thick base.

The Dell XPS 13 laptop has a display that is not the most vibrant, covering the full sRGB gamut but only 74% of DCI-P3. However, it is accurate, with an average Delta E of 0.18. The downfiring speakers are decent but do not have enough power to fill a small room. Additionally, the 720p, 30fps webcam produces disappointing images for a premium laptop. One might expect a privacy shutter for the webcam on a laptop of this caliber.

The Dell XPS 13 laptop has only two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, which limits its usability. Both of these ports are capable of charging the laptop, but using one of them for charging means that only one is available for other uses.

Additionally, since they are USB-C ports, any peripherals with a USB-A connection will require a dongle to work. Dell includes one dongle and a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter in the box, but a dock or docking monitor may be necessary for more extensive use. The battery life of the XPS 13 is also a concern, with a 51Wh battery that delivers inconsistent results. At its best, it lasted 13 hours and 11 minutes while surfing with the screen at around 170 cd/m2, the battery takes about two hours to fully charge from empty.

The Dell XPS 13 laptop is not well-suited for gaming, scoring only 1,068 in 3DMark Time Spy and stuttering at 18fps in Civilization VI on the lowest settings. However, the low price of the XPS 13 makes up for its shortcomings in this area. The base model, which includes a Core i5-1230U processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD, is reasonably priced at £854. Even the upgraded model with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD is still a good value at £1,004. Despite its lack of gaming capabilities, the XPS 13 offers a sleek design, high-quality screen, excellent keyboard, and customization options.

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