MY first experience with Dell's XPS model was during my maiden trip to Taiwan for the Computex expo in 2019, and I quickly thought it was a near-perfect laptop.
Three years later, when Dell sent me its latest XPS 13 for review, it felt like deja vu. This time, the lovely Sky Blue colour really "speaks" to me. The colour is not monotonous and is appropriate for business meetings.
Other than the new colour, no noticeable changes have been made to the overall design, which is fine because its thinness and simplicity are spot on.
PORTS AND SLOTS
The XPS 13 may be lacking in connectivity ports for some, but it works well for me.
Two USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 ports with Display Port and Power Delivery are included, which means I can charge a device with one and also keep the other free for other tasks.
In addition, a USB-C to USB-A 3.0 adapter and a USB-C to 3.5mm headset adapter are included in the box. If I need to use more than one USB port at the same time, all I need is a multi-USB port, but since most of my work data is on the cloud, I only use it to connect my mouse. I only use one port at a time, so having only two ports is fine as long as the adapters are included.
DIMENSION AND WEIGHT
This is the best feature of the XPS 13 — it is super thin, measuring only 13.99mm thick and weighing less than 1.2kg — I didn't think it was possible, but the 2022 model is lighter than its predecessor.
True to its DNA, the XPS 13 has super-thin bezels that make the display appear larger.
KEYBOARD AND TOUCHPAD
The Sky Backlit keyboard on the XPS 13 is pretty and also bright enough to help me type in low-light environments but not as glaring as on a gaming computer. The keyboard includes a fingerprint reader.
"Hey, it's smooth," a co-worker said after testing the keyboard. "The laptop is small, but the keyboard does not feel small."
I agree. It gives me a relaxed feeling without the constraints of some laptop keyboards. The touchpad is not bad as it registers my touches and responds accordingly.
OVERALL EXPERIENCE
One should use a laptop that is appropriate for one's needs. The XPS 13 is the best laptop that meets my daily needs as a writer. Dell offers customisation for its XPS line, providing options best suited to individual requirements.
I enjoy using my laptop 3,159m above sea level. Its size, display and everything else work perfectly, especially in cramped spaces like my economy seat. Even though Dell said that its laptops have long-lasting battery life, I always find them less so, especially in cold environments. However, this one outperformed my expectations.
Smaller tech devices are almost always more expensive, but I hope the XPS' price will drop because it is high.
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