Dell Unveils the Slimmer XPS 13 Detachable 2-in-1

While all eyes are on The flashy new XPS 13 PlusAnd the Del He hasn’t forgotten his staple ultra-portable cat or his convertible cousin. This year, the XPS 13 has been redesigned to be slimmer and more power efficient. Meanwhile, the XPS 13 2-in-1 has been transformed from a foldable laptop into a detachable rival Surface. Both are positioned to make room for their new family members – if you want power, you’ll need the XPS 13 Plus with its powerful 28W CPU. But if portability matters more to you, the XPS 13 and XPS 13 2-in-1 might be more attractive.

Here’s how you can tell Dell to think of the XPS 13 differently: It’s now powered by 9W 12th-generation Intel processors, while last year’s model was powered by 11th-generation 15W chips. According to Dell, you can run the new 12W CPU in performance mode, giving you the same performance as previous processors. While we haven’t tested the XPS 13, this claim makes sense given the massive performance gains we’ve seen from Intel’s new hybrid processor design, which is based on a mix of high-powered, highly-efficient cores.

Dell also managed to make a motherboard that is 1.8 times smaller than last year’s model. (Notably, it’s also the most compact motherboard the company has ever built.) The new setup is so efficient, it only needs one fan to cool the entire system, fewer than the two on last year’s model. Dell tells us the fan can be noisier than before when it’s running at full power, but for normal use it’ll be quieter. On top of generating less heat, having a larger interior gives Dell room to fit larger speaker enclosures, as well as a larger battery (now rated at 12 hours of juice).

While the XPS 13 looks similar to last year’s model, there are some notable changes. Now its keyboard is enclosed in the same colored metal as on the outside of the case — no more carbon fiber or woven glass. And the, UnfortunatelyIt also loses the headphone jack just like the XPS 13 Plus. There is a USB-C to 3.5 mm jack adapter in the box, but this will also power one of the device’s two USB-C ports. As with most ultra-portable devices, if you want to get real work done, you’ll probably need to invest in a small hub.

As a fan of Dale Previous XPS 13 2-in-1 LaptopsI’m also intrigued to see how the company is trying to handle a detachable premium, especially after XPS 12 fails. The new 2-in-1 features a 13-inch screen, is powered by 12th generation Intel chips, and, in particular, is also Dell’s first PC with built-in 5G. At 1.6 pounds (for the Wi-Fi model) or 1.8 pounds (for the fifth generation), the 2-in-1 tablet also weighs less than 1.96 pounds on the Surface Pro 8.

Unfortunately, Dell also appears to be taking the wrong lessons from Microsoft, as the XPS Folio keyboard accessory will be sold separately. This case looks attractive, at least, with three angles of screen adjustability and a keyboard that is borderless with 1 millimeter of travel. It also wouldn’t make a heavy convertible PC, since it weighs 1.2 pounds on its own. Additionally, there’s a new XPS Stylus that comes with the tablet, but of course it’s also sold separately.

The New XPS 13 Available today, starting at $999. You’ll have to wait until this summer to get the latest XPS 13 2-in-1, and we’re still not sure how much it will cost (or its accessories).