Overview
The Dell XPS 13 ultrabook is a unique hybrid of a premuim consumer laptop and a thin-and-light business notebook. Loaded your choice of either an Intel Core i5 or Core i7 processor and a blazingly fast solid state drive, this little laptop might just give Apple a run for its money.
Build & Design
The XPS 13 is one of the newest additions to the ultrabook category with its aluminum, magnesium and carbon fiber construction and 13-inch screen size. While it's widely known that the ultrabook category is based on Apple's MacBook Air, the XPS 13 actually takes up less space on your desk than a 13-inch MacBook Air ... so Dell engineers are actually delivering a solid effort here.
The top screen cover is precision cut from a single block of aluminum. This not only makes the XPS 13 look nice but it gives the otherwise vulnerable screen some much needed protection. The sizeable palm rests beneath the keyboard are made of magnesium and covered with soft touch paint. The lower half of the chassis is made of a carbon fiber composite to help keep the weight down and prevent heat transfer from the internal components to your lap.
It's getting harder and harder to find an ultrabook with an easy-access panel on the bottom for upgrades or service. The XPS 13 is no exception. The bottom half of the XPS 13 is pretty well sealed. You'll find fan vents and plenty of screws if you're the type of IT professional or tech enthusiast who wants to completely disassemble the notebook. Unfortunately, even if you do disassemble the XPS 13 there isn't much you can do to upgrade it. The RAM is soldered to the system board (4GB is all you get) so the only reason to open the chassis is if you want to replace the SSD, the wireless card, or the battery.
Ports and Features
Most road warriors aren't too concerned about having a variety of ports on their laptops. The average business professional is content with two USB ports and a port to connect an external monitor or projector for a presentation. To that end, Dell didn't pack the XPS 13 with anything more. You get one USB 3.0 Super Speed port, one standard USB 2.0 port, a mini DisplayPort connection and a headset jack. That's it. No docking station connector, no ExpressCard slot, and not even an SD card slot.
One nice addition to the design of the XPS 13 is a battery life indicator on the right side. Just press a little button and up to five LEDs will light up to provide a rough estimate of your remaining battery life. This works even if the XPS 13 is turned off. It's not the most accurate way to measure how much charge is left in the battery, but it's a nice way to find out if you need to bring your AC adapter without turning on the ultrabook just to see a battery meter.
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