Dell XPS 13 (2014) Review: Same Style New System

The Dell XPS 13 is back and it’s better than ever. The update injects new life into the line with Intel’s fourth generation Haswell processors and full touch capability, all while retaining the high-end build and svelte design that made the Dell XPS 13 such an alluring choice to begin with.

With solid performance, a great look and a reasonable price tag (starting at $1,050) the refreshed Dell XPS 13 marks a notable improvement over its predecessor to provide an attractive offer.

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Great review, Mike; I fully agree with you they took an already outstanding notebook and made it almost without downsides. The XPS 13 has been on my short list since it was released.

My review: Dell XPS 13 Review: Now with FHD Screen

Jerry's: Dell XPS 13 Review: An Ultrabook For Business Pros

 

great design. just wished it had a dedicated GPU

 

Dell still has very weak configuration options for this machine. First off, if you want W7 on it they only offer the i3. Second, they only offer 128 SSD on the i3 or i5 configurations. If you want a non touch display for the top of the line with i7 that also has a 256 SSD your out of luck. It is going to have the touch with gorilla glass which has horrible reflections. No matte options. That has been the issue with the XPS 13. Horrible configuration options or lack of. I've got two machines that beat this. A lenovo X230 with a matte IPS. Even though its only 720 the screen is so bright and clear with zero reflections and is 300 nit. Also have a Ativ Book 9 13" i7 with 256 SSD MATTE and over 300 nit 1080P. The Samsung IMO, it the best ultraportable ever build. At 2.56 lbs it has good speakers unlike the Dell XPS 13, probably the best matte display ever made, and is probably the best looking notebook ever made. The problem is, I don't think they make this anymore. Its was replaced with a touch screen model that is heavier and has a quad resolution screen which IMO, is too high. Some text will not scale properly with that display. Plus its gloss. Even the newer Lenovo X240 with the 1080P says its touch and non glare. But I've never seen a touch screen that was not glossy. Too much priority is going to touch for machines like the Dell XPS which in my view have little benefit wasting weight adding a thicker touch display and making it too glossy. If 720P is high enough you can still order a X240 from lenovo that is matte, and IPS. Very nice display and also get the faster i5 and i7 processor with many HD configurations/ram to choose from. Other changes in trackpad and design are a step back for the X240. Its why I bought mine on ebay (older gen X230) which IMO, may be the last great thinkpad ever made. I don't like the direction of forcing W8, and only offering glossy touch displays. Its getting really hard to find good business laptops.

The huge issue with Dell is they build only pre configured systems on the Dell XPS 13. No CTO here :\