Dell’s new XPS 13 Windows computer drops the laptop form factor for a tablet with a detachable keyboard folio. Dell’s XPS series is its line of high-end computers. Known for being slim and boasting top-of-the-line specs, Dell is now adding a new form factor to the series, positioning it as a rival to Microsoft’s Surface Pro 8.
The Windows 2-in-1 market is filled with several options—first, the Huawei MateBook E has an OLED display and is available in China and Europe. There is also the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5i which will have a starting price of $750 and ship with a keyboard case when it becomes available in July.
The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 is a 13-inch tablet designed for those on the go but also great for those who want a computer that can double as a tablet. It is also its first XPS device with support for 5G. Dell says the device has a metal chassis made from low-carbon machined aluminum, while the back is aluminum for the Wi-Fi model and Gorilla Glass 7 for the 5G model with an eSIM. The decision to use glass for the 5G model improves connectivity and reduces signal interference. Dell will sell the XPS 13 2-in-1 in Sky (Wi-Fi model) and Slate (5G model) hues.
Folio Keyboard Case & Stylus Don’t Come In The Box
The XPS 13 2-in-1 has a 13-inch 3K display with a 3:2 aspect ratio. Dell ships it with Intel’s 12th Gen processor with the option of a Core i5-1230U or a Core i7 -1250U. It will be available with 8GB or 16GB RAM and up to 1TB of SSD storage. The tablet has a 5MP 1080p front-facing camera with support for Windows Hello login, while the rear camera is an 11MP sensor capable of recording in 4K. Unfortunately, there is no LED flash which isn’t unusual for a Windows 2-in-1. Like several other detachable tablets, there is a lean number of ports on the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1. There are only two USB-C (Thunderbolt 4) ports on the left side of the tablet, and they support Power Delivery and DisplayPort.
Buyers won’t find a MicroSD card slot on the device, nor is there an audio jack. However, Dell will ship the device with a 3.5mm to USB-C adapter and a USB-C to USB-A adapter. The optional XPS Folio keyboard cover attaches to the tablet via pogo pins at the bottom. Its magnetic cover, which serves as the stand, can only be adjusted to three angles — 100 degrees, 112.5 degrees and 125 degrees. The keys are not spaced apart, nor are they backlit. Dell takes pride in the trackpad’s size, which measures 114 × 74.2 mm. In addition to the keyboard, there is also an optional stylus dubbed the XPS Stylus. It supports 4096 levels of pressure and tilt functionality. It connects via Bluetooth, charges wirelessly when placed on the top of the tablet, and has a pair of programmable buttons on the side. Dell also says it is designed for both left-hand and right-hand users.
Like the XPS 13 2-in-1 itself, Dell is yet to reveal the price of the accessories, but it has said they will be available this summer. In addition to the 2-in-1, Dell announced an XPS 13 with a laptop form factor that comes with either Windows 11 or Ubuntu 20.04. It is powered by Intel’s 12 Gen Alder Lake processors (Core i5-1230U or Core i7-1250U) and has up to 32GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage. It is already available in the United States and Canada with a starting price of $999 and CAD$1,249, respectively. The Developer Edition is available for $50/CAD$50 less.
