Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 vs. Inspiron 13 2-in-1: Which should you buy?

Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 vs. Inspiron 13 2-in-1 tech specs

The XPS 13 2-in-1 9310 and Inspiron 13 2-in-1 7306 currently have limited configuration options available at the official Dell website. If you're looking for, say, a UHD+ screen for the XPS 13, you might have to shop at somewhere like Amazon. The same holds true for the Inspiron. In any case, here are the full specs theoretically available in each laptop, as taken from Dell's reference documents.

Design and features

The XPS 13 2-in-1 (9310) is one of the best-looking laptops on the market, convertible or not. It's thinner and has a smaller overall footprint than the Inspiron 13 2-in-1, and the XPS also weighs a bit less. The chassis is made primarily of CNC-machined aluminum. The outer shell comes in a Platinum Silver finish, and the inside can be had in either black carbon fiber or Arctic White woven glass.

The Inspiron 13 2-in-1's chassis is stamped aluminum with a Platinum Silver or Element Black finish. It's not quite as sleek as the XPS 13 2-in-1 and doesn't come with the same premium interior carbon fiber or woven glass options. Along the sides is a decent selection of ports, including Thunderbolt 4, USB-A 3.1, HDMI 2.0, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a microSD card reader.

If you don't mind losing out on USB-A completely or you plan on investing in a powerful Thunderbolt 4 docking station, the XPS 13 2-in-1's port selection shouldn't be an issue. Included are two Thunderbolt 4, a microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

Both laptops have a fingerprint reader, but only the XPS 13 has an IR camera. Conversely, only the Inspiron 13 has a webcam shutter for added privacy. Webcams are capped at 720p and reside above the display, and both get the job done for video conferencing. If you're in search of something that can shoot FHD video, you'll want to check out one of our picks for best webcam.

Audio comes from dual down-firing 2W speakers in both the XPS and Inspiron. Both come with MaxxAudio Pro software to help with tuning, but there's a difference in quality. Both laptops offer Wi-Fi 6 for superb wireless performance. These laptops come with a sizable Precision touchpad for accurate pointing, and neither should stand in the way of productivity. Both keyboards are excellent, and you shouldn't mind spending long days typing with either PC.

Display and inking

The XPS 13 2-in-1 made the change from a 16:9 aspect ratio to a 16:10 aspect ratio. It results in a taller 13.4-inch touch display with less chin at the bottom and smaller overall bezel. Both FHD+ and UHD+ displays have an anti-reflective display, Dolby Vision support, and brightness up to about 450 nits. These are beautiful displays with precise sRGB color and inking support. However, an active pen is optional and isn't included in the price.

The Inspiron 13 2-in-1 7306 is available with an FHD touch display with 16:9 aspect ratio, glossy finish, and about 300 nits brightness. It has a thin bezel, but the 16:9 aspect ratio forces a larger chin below the screen. It is compatible with an active pen, though, which is included with the laptop.

Performance and price

Both the XPS 13 2-in-1 and the Inspiron 13 2-in-1 employ Intel's 11th Gen Intel Core CPUs. The XPS can be had with Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 chips, while the Inspiron offers Core i5 and Core i7 options. You can configure the XPS with up to 32GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 1TB of M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD storage space, whereas the Inspiron tops out at 16GB of RAM and a 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD.

You'll be able to get more performance out of the XPS 13 2-in-1 due to its higher configuration options, but the price must be considered. At Dell's official website, XPS models with a Core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD, and FHD+ display cost about $1,147. An Inspiron with similar specs (though with a 512GB SSD) costs about $955. Prices scale up from there, with the Inspiron costing less than the XPS 13.

Have a look at our collection of the best Windows laptops or the best Dell laptops for more options.

The XPS 13 2-in-1 is a high-end convertible stacked with features

If you want one of the absolute best convertible laptops on the market, this is it. The Dolby Vision touch displays with a 16:10 aspect ratio are glorious to look at, and the design is nearly flawless. Strong performance is available, and battery life is excellent.

The Inspiron 13 2-in-1 is a more affordable convertible

Want to save big money and still get your hands on a quality convertible laptop? The Inspiron 13 2-in-1 delivers inking, solid design, and strong performance, all for less than the XPS 13 2-in-1.