Dell XPS 13 2015 First Impressions Review

The screen is the real kicker. The XPS has a 13.3-inch screen, but it has the body of an 11-inch laptop. Dell achieved this with Infinity Display–a pencil-thin bezel going all around the screen. It's so thin that the camera has to be placed in the lower left corner.

All this cutting brings the weight down to 2.6 pounds. But all the slimming down hasn't diminished the battery life. With a low power consuming processor, Dell claims that the battery will last 15 hours. The 2015 Dell XPS 13 combines the latest chipset, high mobility, and excellent battery life. Anyone who is frequently on the move should keep an eye out for this laptop.

In Use

Feels Good

The XPS 13's keyboard feels solid. Carbon fiber palm rests occupy each side of the trackpad. The keys have good action. The trackpad has that signature Dell-rubbered texture. However, since the chassis is so small the workspace on this laptop is pretty tight. That's a blessing and a curse. It's great for mobility, but people with big hands should try typing on the XPS before buying.

The screen is super bright. The $799.99 version carries a 1920X1080 display. For $500 more you can get a 3200X1800 display–amongst other things. A UHD screen is great for a desktop replacement, or if you don't want a television. However, if you're just toting this laptop around for an on-the-go computer a 1080p screen should suffice.

Since the the bezel is so thin, the camera had to be moved. Most laptops have the camera at the center of the top, but that's where the bezel is the thinnest. So Dell decided to move it to the lower left hand corner. If you Skype or video chat a lot, the new position will be disconcerting at first. But it works as well as any other built-in webcam, so it's just a matter of getting used to it.

Features

Plenty of goodies for the price

Price is probably this XPS' best feature. The innards aren't stellar at this price, but they should provide a satisfactory experience. The $799 version has 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The Core i3 processor is part of Intel's Broadwell iteration. This newer chip is designed to deliver more power while consuming less of it. Dell claims the battery will last a whopping 15 hours.

In terms of ports, the XPS 13 doesn't distinguish itself from other ultrabooks. It has two 3.0 USB ports–one on each side. There's also a mini DisplayPort and an audio jack.

As stated before, the $799.99 XPS has a 1080p screen. It displayed bright and crisp colors. The thin 5.2-mm bezel really makes it feel like you're looking into a window.

Conclusion

A lot of tech for the price point

The Dell XPS 13 2015 is a value purchase. A 13.3-inch screen with an 11-inch body makes it a worthy ultrabook–a category defined by its portability. The Infinity Display, also know as a svelte bezel, allows you to get all that screen real estate with none of the bulky drawbacks. The style and features of this laptop suggest it's worth checking out.

The design is sleek and very presentable without being flashy. When you open the XPS up, people will take note of the screen. If you're looking for the most amount of technology for the least amount of money, the Dell XPS 13 2015 for $799.99 is certainly worth your consideration.

Meet the tester

Jonathan Chan

Senior Manager of Lab Operations

@Jonfromthelab1

Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it's likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company's efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he's a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he's plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.

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