Review: Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook

Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook
Price: Rs 79,900
Specs: 13.3-inch Hi-Def (720p) True Life(1366x768) WLED Display; Intel Core i5-2467M; 4 GB RAM; 256 GB SSD; Intel HD 3000 graphics; Bluetooth 3.0, Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6230 802.11 a/g/n; 2 USB; 1.36 kg weight.

No one has to tell you that the Dell XPS 13 is an Ultrabook. It tries to stick to the Intel standard almost to the last letter. Though it is slightly fatter, the curved silver-grey metal body that will remind you of the Macbook Air. And, the carbon fiber base is something the others should also been looking to adopt. We said fatter than the Ultrabook, but still the XPS 13 is just 18 mm at its thickest point. And it is pretty lightweight at just 1.36 kg. Open the lid and all-black interiors stare at you.

We doubt if many others have a keyboard that is good to use. There is just enough travel in the keys, which are not at all plasticky. In fact, the rubber finish of the palm rest really makes it easy to type for long hours. The trackpad, however, is a bit too smooth and lacks grip. But the killer feature is the backlight which comes on as you touch a key or trackpad and sleeps if there is no activity.

SCREEN & SOUND
The screen is edge-to-edge bonded Corning Gorilla Glass, which when not powered gives you the impression of looking into a tinted screen. Despite the glass, the HD screen does not reflect ambient light. However, you might have some trouble finding the right angle if you switch off the lights. We doubt if we have tested a louder, distoritionless 13-inch laptop, thanks to the Waves MaxxAudio speakers.

PERFORMANCE
This Ultrabook took exactly 14 seconds to start up and under three seconds from sleep. On a full charge the XPS 13 is ready for at least six hours of heavy duty use. And at the end of all this, the device still manages to remain cool. For security, there is a fast access facial recognition which will open up only when faced with the owner's mug.

VERDICT
Overall the XPS 13 is one of the best Ultrabooks that we have tried. Yes, we would have loved pinch and zoom in the trackpad and at least one more USB port. And, the price is a bit too steep for the base Intel Core i5 version.

BAG IT OR JUNK IT? Great ultrabook, but very costly.

Courtesy: Gadgets and Gizmos