The new Dell XPS 13: 5 myths busted

When buying a new laptop, students and everyday users often worry about landing on a device that’s too thin and too light to be able to deliver without compromise.

Dell’s new XPS 13 is the antidote. It’s the thinnest and lightest XPS ever made, yet it offers efficient battery life, a sleek, durable aluminum chassis, a crisp 2.5K touch display, strong performance, and a tempting price.

Here are five myths busted about the new Dell XPS 13.

TL;DR

• Dell’s new XPS 13 offers up to 17 hours of streaming battery life with the Intel Core processor and 20 hours with the optional Intel Core Ultra*
• A CNC-machined aluminum chassis provides a premium feel and extra durability, yet it’s thinner and lighter than many competitors
• A 13.4-inch touchscreen offers a crisp 2.5K resolution, incredible color depth (100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut), and up to 500 nits brightness, making it suitable for a wide range of users
• Series 3 Intel Core Ultra processors offer up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, providing snappy performance on and off the charger

Myth 1: Thin laptops don’t have good battery life

Thin and light laptops often cut corners on battery size and capacity, resulting in lower-than-expected battery life.

That’s not the case with the Dell XPS 13, which was designed from the start to offer outstanding battery life.

How long does the new Dell XPS 13’s battery last?

The 52Wh battery in Dell’s new XPS 13 is able to hit up to 17 hours of battery life of Netflix streaming on a single charge (20 hours with the optional Intel Core Ultra processor)*. Although that number might come down a bit during regular use, you’re still looking at plenty of usage from a single charge.

A key factor in this excellent battery life is Dell’s use of 800ED cells, which pack in more energy density without taking up any extra space. Combine them with the efficiency of Intel Core Series 3 or Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors, alongside a variable refresh rate (VRR) display that automatically adjusts to save power, and you’ve got an XPS 13 that’s perfect for back-to-back lectures, commutes, and travel without worrying about a charger.

Myth 2: Thin means flimsy, and light means cheap

Premium Windows laptops don’t all fit into one form factor. Although some might equate a heavier, thicker PC with more durability and a more premium feel, that’s certainly not always the case.

What is the Dell XPS 13 made of?

Dell uses a CNC-machined aluminum chassis for its new XPS 13, providing the same level of premium design in its sub-$1,000 PC compared to the more expensive XPS 14 and XPS 16 siblings.

Not only does the laptop look incredibly sleek with just four base screws, thin slots for venting and speakers, and tight gap control, but the aluminum construction is able to hold up well to daily wear and tear.

Despite its durable aluminum build, the XPS 13 weighs just 2.2 pounds and measures only 12.7mm thin, making it great for tight spaces in lecture halls, airplanes, dorms, and beyond. You can toss it into practically any type of bag and hit the road without being weighed down.

The XPS 13’s design only becomes more impressive as premium features are added, including a quad-speaker audio setup with 8W of output and Dolby Atmos tuning, backlit keyboard, cutting-edge Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, and an IR webcam with facial recognition for Windows Hello.

Myth 3: Thin and light laptops under $1,000 have dull displays

Another corner that thin-and-light laptops under $1,000 often cut involves the display’s brightness, resolution, and color reproduction. The Dell XPS 13 bucks this trend with its 13.4-inch touchscreen, offering buyers plenty of color, depth, and brightness.

According to Windows Central Senior Editor Zac Bowden in his hands-on XPS 13 review, “the display is one of the main reasons why I believe this laptop really is a MacBook competitor. [...] Text is crisp and clear, and the 120Hz refresh rate is an added bonus that you definitely don't have on the MacBook Neo or Air.”

What’s so special about the new Dell XPS 13’s display?

Rather than forcing users to deal with a subpar display, Dell hits all the benchmarks of a great screen. The XPS 13 has a sharp 2560x1600 resolution that’s extra crisp at 13.4 inches, and it’s able to reach 500 nits of brightness, helping you work outdoors or under harsh lighting.

Boosting both battery life and eye comfort is a 30Hz-120Hz variable refresh rate that automatically adjusts the screen based on content, allowing you to work longer with less fatigue.

Dolby Vision and VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification are both included to deliver vivid colors, and 100% DCI-P3 color reproduction ensures that creators see a wide range of tones required for specialized work.

Altogether, the new XPS 13’s display is just as good for editing photos as it is for watching movies, and it allows you to work wherever inspiration strikes.

Myth 4: Can a thin and light laptop handle real multitasking?

The Dell XPS 13 easily handles everyday tasks—such as keeping several browser tabs open, streaming music, running email apps, and editing photos simultaneously without slowdown.

• Series 3 Intel Core: Ideal for daily productivity, basic office applications, and media consumption.
• Series 3 Intel Core Ultra: Designed for higher performance demands, light content creation, and multitasking with up to 32GB LPDDR5x RAM and up to 1TB NVMe SSD storage.

This combination cuts through everyday work, studies, and multitasking with ease, with a dual-fan cooling setup keeping it cool and comfortable in your lap.

Myth 5: Can you really get a premium Windows laptop for less than $1,000?

You can absolutely buy a premium Windows laptop for far less than $1,000, and the new Dell XPS 13 is a very affordable option.

Dell made the XPS 13’s premium features a standard offering rather than gating them behind paid upgrades like some of competitors, meaning you’re not paying extra for a high-resolution touch display, a backlit keyboard, quad speakers with 8W of output, an IR webcam with Windows Hello, or a sleek aluminum build.

Toss in strong performance, impressive battery life, and the versatility of Windows, and you have one of the best laptops under $1,000 on the market today for students and everyday users who want quality without overspending.

If you think a Dell XPS 13 is right for you, find out more on Dell's website.

FAQs

How much does the new Dell XPS 13 weigh, and how thin is it?
The Dell XPS 13 starts at only 2.2 pounds (1kg) and measures just 0.5 inches (12.7mm thin), making it an ideal device for those always on the move.

How long does the new Dell XPS 13’s battery last?
The Dell’s XPS 13 offers up to 17 hours of 4K Netflix streaming with screen brightness set at 150 nits. Although that number falls in real-world use, it’s still enough to get you through a day of work or studies.

Is the new Dell XPS 13 good for students?
Absolutely. The Dell XPS 13 combines affordable pricing, durable design, efficient battery life, strong performance, and premium features, all for less than $1,000, which should appeal to students and general users.