The Dell XPS 13 Plus (2023) stands as a testament to Dell’s commitment to marrying cutting-edge design with robust performance in the ultrabook category. Boasting a stunning 3.5K OLED display and a sleek, minimalist chassis, it immediately catches the eye as a premium offering. Powered by Intel’s Core i7-1360P processor and configurable up to 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 2TB SSD, it promises not only style but also substantial horsepower for a variety of tasks from productivity to casual gaming. However, its design choices, such as the ‘invisible’ touchpad and limited port selection, may pose challenges for users accustomed to more tactile interfaces and expansive connectivity options.
Performance-wise, the XPS 13 Plus delivers commendably with a noticeable improvement over its predecessor, particularly in CPU-intensive tasks. It handles everyday multitasking with ease and even supports light gaming, making it suitable for both work and leisure. Despite its strengths, battery life remains a concern, offering around 6 hours and 20 minutes on a full charge, which falls short compared to some competitors in its class. Nevertheless, for those prioritizing aesthetics, display quality and overall build, the Dell XPS 13 Plus (2023) remains a compelling choice in the ultrabook market.
Despite these drawbacks, the XPS 13 Plus boasts several compelling features, including a stunning 3.5K OLED touch display and a remarkably lightweight design. Priced starting at $1,249.00 / £1,198.99 / AU$2,398, it positions itself as a premium choice without straying into exorbitant pricing territory, despite its luxurious feel.
At its core, this iteration of the XPS 13 Plus can be viewed as an incrementally improved version of last year’s model. It combines aesthetic appeal with dependable performance in an impressively slim and light chassis, although certain design choices may not appeal to all users.
Specifications Overview
The review model we tested is a higher-end configuration priced at $1,499.00 / £1,719.38 / AU$3,281.30. It features the optional 3.5K OLED screen and an Intel Core i7-1360P processor, which is the standard CPU in most regions. Interestingly, the base model in the UK comes with an i5-1340P, a variation not available in the US.
Dell offers full customization options for the XPS 13 Plus on its website, allowing users to select RAM and storage capacities up to 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 2TB SSD. The display options include a standard FHD+ 60Hz touch panel, the 3.5K OLED screen as reviewed and a superior UHD+ OLED panel with slightly higher brightness than the 3.5K variant. The top-tier configuration reaches $1,749.00 / £2,119.38 / AU$3,880.80.
Design and Build
The XPS 13 Plus (2023) inherits the striking design language of its predecessor, continuing to impress with its minimalist aesthetics. It features minimal bezels around the touchscreen and a sleek brushed silver exterior. The power button, cleverly integrated with a fingerprint scanner, resides discreetly in the keyboard corner.
One notable design element is the ‘invisible’ touchpad, seamlessly integrated into the palm rest area without any tactile indication of its boundaries. While this contributes to the laptop’s sleek profile, it poses accessibility challenges for users, particularly those with visual impairments. Similarly, the touch bar replacing traditional function keys lacks tactile feedback, which may be inconvenient for some users despite its modern appeal.
Another design aspect carried over from the 2022 model is the sparse port selection, which includes only two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports. This limitation, while common among premium ultrabooks, remains a contentious issue, exacerbated by the laptop’s reliance on USB-C for charging, reducing available ports when plugged in. Dell does include USB-C adapters for USB-A and headphone jack connectivity, addressing some connectivity concerns.
Visually, the XPS 13 Plus shines with its Platinum color variant, enhancing its aesthetic appeal. The keyboard design, featuring flush keys and uniform white LED backlighting, contributes to both the laptop’s futuristic appearance and typing comfort.
Display and Multimedia
The XPS 13 Plus impresses with its 3.5K OLED display, offering a resolution of 3456 x 2160. While not the highest available option (that distinction goes to the UHD+ OLED variant), this display stands out for its vibrant colors, deep blacks and adequate brightness for various lighting conditions. It remains a standout feature of the laptop, enhancing both productivity and multimedia experiences.
In contrast, the integrated 720p webcam feels underwhelming for a premium ultrabook in this price range. While it supports IR functionality for Windows Hello facial recognition, the low resolution is noticeable during video calls, detracting from an otherwise premium experience.
Performance
Equipped with an Intel Core i7-1360P processor, the XPS 13 Plus delivers a significant performance boost compared to its predecessor. Benchmarks indicate improvements of 20-30% in both single-core and multi-core tasks, making it suitable for a range of applications from office productivity to casual gaming.
During performance testing, the laptop exhibited consistent performance even under moderate multitasking conditions, demonstrating its reliability for everyday use. However, the speakers, while adequate, lack bass and clarity at higher volumes, which may disappoint users seeking robust audio quality.
The NVMe SSD contributes to snappy data transfers, complementing the laptop’s overall responsiveness. It boots quickly, thanks to Intel Evo certification and remains relatively cool and quiet under load, addressing previous thermal concerns noted in the 2022 model.
Battery Life
One area where the XPS 13 Plus falls short is battery life. In our testing, it lasted approximately 6 hours and 20 minutes under standard internet use with Wi-Fi enabled. While sufficient for brief sessions, this falls behind competitors in its class and necessitates frequent charging during extended use.
Charging, however, is expedient due to Thunderbolt 4 power delivery, mitigating some concerns about battery longevity during intensive tasks.
The Dell XPS 13 Plus (2023) maintains the series’ reputation for sleek design and premium build quality, enhanced by notable improvements in performance and display quality over its predecessor. It excels as an ultrabook for users prioritizing aesthetics and portability, offering sufficient power for everyday tasks and light gaming.
However, its design choices, such as the ‘invisible’ touchpad and limited port selection, may not appeal to all users, particularly those with specific accessibility needs or demanding connectivity requirements. Additionally, while the 3.5K OLED display impresses, the lackluster webcam resolution and modest battery life are notable drawbacks in this price segment.
Overall, the XPS 13 Plus remains a compelling option for consumers seeking a stylish and capable ultrabook, provided they can accommodate its specific strengths and limitation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What display options are available?
Options include FHD+ 60Hz touch, 3.5K OLED and UHD+ OLED panels.
What are the storage and RAM options?
Up to 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD and 32GB of DDR5 RAM.
Does the XPS 13 Plus (2023) have a good battery life?
Battery life is average, lasting around 6 hours and 20 minutes in standard internet use.
What ports does the XPS 13 Plus (2023) have?
It features two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, with adapters included for USB-A and headphone jack.
How does the performance compare to previous models?
The Intel Core i7-1360P processor offers a 20-30% performance improvement over its predecessor.
Is the XPS 13 Plus (2023) suitable for gaming?
It can handle light gaming and everyday tasks comfortably.
What are the main design highlights?
Minimalist aesthetic, flush keyboard with backlit keys and a fingerprint scanner integrated into the power button.
Who should consider buying the XPS 13 Plus (2023)?
Users looking for a stylish, portable ultrabook with strong display quality and solid performance, despite some limitations in battery life and port selection.