Dell XPS 12 vs. Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 Discussion

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Read the full content of this Article: Dell XPS 12 vs. Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13

Related Articles:

• Dell XPS 12 Review
• Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 Review

 

Yeah, I'd pick the XPS 12 over the Yoga 13 in a heartbeat. Better convertible design, better screen, better build quality, barely more expensive.

But the Duo 11 trumps them both

 

When it comes time for me to buy, I may get an XPS 12 to spite you.

Note to self: see a Duo 11 in person before deciding.

 

Nice comparison Charles. The design differentiation manufacturers are taking to achieve the tablet/notebook hybrids are interesting. I currently have an HP ENVY x2 that takes a different approach by making it so the screen easily separates from the keyboard dock, but when in notebook mode is held in securely using a combination of three connectors that have magnets integrated to make guiding the tablet onto the connectors easy and the hold secure. This is nice as the big downside with the Lenovo / Dell approach is it's a pretty heavy device to be using in tablet mode, far from the portability of a pure slate like the HP x2 offers. Alas, HP decided to go with a 1366 x 768 resolution on the screen with no higher res available. HP is stubborn on the low resolution front these days, it's going to cost them I think.

 

The Envy X2 uses a Clover Trail processor (a netbook-class processor). This allows it to be thinner and lighter than Ivy Bridge tablets like the XPS 12 and Yoga 13 (above and beyond the detaching-versus-folding keyboard issue), and longer-lasting on battery as well, but also means it has significantly less processor power.

As for screen resolution, every single Clover Trail tablet on the market is either 1366x768 or 1280x800. It seems that Clover Trail can't support 1080p like Ivy Bridge can.

 

Both good points. I guess it depends on your usage needs as to whether the Clover Trail processor with slate tablet form factor or a more coupled design with fully fledged Core i5 processor matters. No slate tablet is going to support the power demands and heat dissipation requirements of even a ULV Core i5 so you can't have it all. HP decided people would care more about having a true tablet and notebook and not so much about the performance. Question is whether they made the right decision, right now they're not even marketing this thing that I can see and it's hard to even find on their site. I have no idea what's going on, but it sure seems like they've got the product stage left at the moment for whatever reason.

 

All the OEMs are doing this with their Clover Trail tablets for some reason. Compare the energy Lenovo is putting into promoting their Yoga 13 (Ivy Bridge) and their Thinkpad Tablet 2 (Clover Trail). Or the Dell XPS 12 (Ivy Bridge) versus Latitude 10 (Clover Trail). I don't know why, but the OEMs have basically all decided to offer, but not promote, Clover Trail tablets.

 

At least on the Lenovo side, the issue at the moment is supply. Thinkpad Tablet 2 orders have been repeatedly pushed back, and they're just beginning to accept larger numbers of orders with projected ship dates in the first two weeks of January. The IdeaPad Lynx (also Clover Trail) is not available yet either.

I'm actually looking long and hard at the Thinkpad Tablet 2. I think it provides the power I will likely need, but I'm really turned off by the Bluetooth keyboard. If only it were a physical dock with additional battery life... which would basically be the Lynx... but that lacks a stylus and TrackPoint.

 

Good insight Andrew. I looked up the ENVY X2 after you mentioned it and had a hard time indeed. It's not being promoted period.
HP is finally offering 1080p screens on their Pavilion line (well, ENVY now ) but they are slow indeed ... the world's #1 computer seller is none too agile.

 

Does the XPS have an SD card slot?

How accessible is the HDD?

I've found that SD cards are one of the most useful features for travelers - and the most useful for backups of small word documents and the like.

It's a shame that Dell didn't include one on the XPS 13, not sure about the other XPS models.

 

The Yoga 13 and the Vaio Duo 11 have SD card slots; the XPS 12 does not.

 

Indeed the XPS 12 lacks a media card reader, it's one of the cons I listed in the full XPS 12 review:
Dell XPS 12 Review

I've had a media card reader on every notebook I bought since 2004. Dell has a history of leaving out media card readers; their Latitude line lacked them for the longest time.

 

I think I've narrow down to these two...

Lenovo Yoga 13
* cheaper material compared to XPS 12
* benefit of having 2nd HDD slot for dual SSD
* benefit of removable DIMM
* benefit If using EPP, better deal than Dell XPS 12

Dell XPS 12
* Much better material and built
* two USB 3.0
* better battery power
* negative solder ram
* Benefit, comes standard with better SSD (samsung) vs Yoga
* benefit, better IPS screen
* negative, a bit more expensive than Yoga
* benefit, backlit keyboard

Decision Decision Decision....

 

I've always had bad experiences with Sony... to much "proprietary" junk (card slots and what not) included, as well as too much crapware. Reviews for the Duo 11 seem to fall short as well. Add other stuff that Sony has done over the years (CD Root kits, Removing Other OS on PS3, general corperate a**-hattery) - I wouldn't touch a Sony Tablet with a 10 foot poll.

I'm looking at options for myself... and for a gift for an 18 year old, soon to graduate and college bound cousin. At this point, I'd probably lean towards the XPS 12. I'm also looking seriously at the Surface Pro. I just can't wrap my head around the keys on the outside when Yoga is in tablet mode. My choice would be XPS for Cousin, Surface Pro for me... but we'll see.

 

You can play casual game like LOL in yoga 13 without problem.(the fans aren't even running loud.)
But, you will get burned in XPS 12, because XPS 12 is even worse than XPS 13, I hate my XPS 13 a lot because of the incredible poor heat management and the worst screen in the world as $1000 sub notebook. Even a $500 notebook does better job than XPS 13
Not even mention the ad in feature- FREE Aircraft Jet engine sound effect from XPS 13

Dell never step up and never learn to improve their noise and heat management for consumer notebooks. While I'm using M4600, man, it's such well designed notebook. I don't see how they can poorly design AW and XPS heat management system.

 

Looks like I'll wait for a revision of the Yoga 13...

None of the tablet PCs out there are perfect right now..

 

- There's no Sony tablet in that post. Where did you bring up Sony from?

- You didn't list any valid reasons for not liking the Duo 11. Proprietary "card slots and whatnot"? Does Sony being "proprietary" explain why their tablet convertible has a Multi-Reader card slot and is the only one with Full HDMI and VGA ports? while most other tablets and convertibles features the miniature versions that require adapters to use?

- Reviews falling short? The Duo 11 was given a score of 87% on notebookcheck.net compared to the XPS 12's 86% and the Yoga 13's 85%

 

Thought you guys might like my thoughts on my last few months' experience with the xPS-12.. I don't have the Lenovo or the Duo 11, and haven't seen them in person.

Overall I really like the XPS-12, having replaced my Thinkpad R61. I LOVE the ultrabook form factor, especially with a touch screen and Win8.

Pros:
Keyboard feel is the best I've ever seen - right up there with my Thinkpad
Great keyboard backlighting with proximity sensor.
Very lightweight and sturdy, with the aluminum frame.
Great screen, although now and then the touch stops working for no apparent reason. I have to sleep it and wake it to get it back on.
SSD rocks
I do like the swivel screen design, except for it's propensity to come loose at inopportune times. Kids like it too.

Cons:
Sometimes the screen breaks loose from it's housing without me wanting it to.
The touchpad is really not very good. Responsiveness is iffy, and the physical clicks are loud and hard to press, and the left click is hard to find without looking.
I HATE that the PgDn/PgUp/End/Home keys are hidden in the Fn key world. And they are on the opposite side of the keyboard from the Fn key, so I can't activate them one-handed.
I can't get the screen dark enough for night use.
Wish there was a bigger SSD available.

Overall, I'm very happy with my purchase, but I will keep my eyes open for a better specimen over the next few months. Might be a Dell, maybe even a Surface Pro - we'll see.

Happy to answer any questions

 

I was looking between the XPS 12 and the Yoga 13 too. I decided to go with the XPS 12 because of the 1080p screen and the better tablet design. I'm not too worried about the soldered memory, by next year I'll upgrade to something better anyways.

 

The Vaio Duo 11 is worth a serious look then. The fixed-angle slider design means that the screen will never pop loose or rotate back--it's very stable for touch input. It's available with up to 512 gb of SSD storage. There's a FN key right next to the arrow keys so you can do PGUP, PGDN, HOME, and END with one hand. And the N-Trig stylus offers excellent precision for tiny menus and the like, so don't worry about the lack of a trackpad.