Comparably spec'd, an XPS 13 with a Core i5, 16GB RAM, 512GB storage and a standard FHD touchscreen is currently $1,399 for the XPS 13 Plus and $1,149 for this standard XPS 13. It's less expensive, certainly powerful enough for everyday tasks, and the touchpad and Function keys are just easier to use in their traditional format, even if the Plus versions look cooler. While the Plus is visually arresting, powerful and very thin, I did knock it for losing the headphone jack, something that very few laptops have done to date, even though it's standard operating procedure for phones right now.Īnd even though it's a disappointment to see the standard XPS 13 follow suit in ditching a built-in audio connection, I still prefer it to the fancier Plus model.

That mimics the recent XPS 13 Plus, which is a higher-end version that tried some ambitious design tweaks, including a seamless touchpad and capacitive touch buttons for Function keys. The 2022 version is even more minimalist, with only two USB-C ports, and not even an audio jack. That original $999 model had two USB-A ports (one USB 2.0 and one USB 3.0), plus DisplayPort and an audio output. One of the big concerns was a lack of ports. I went back to my review of the first XPS 13, from 2012, to refresh my memory, and found that the high points back then were a sharp design and a footprint slightly smaller than other 13-inch laptops (yes, like the MacBook Air). Having covered this particular product line since its launch, I've seen it evolve away flaws like poor or poorly placed webcams.

Lower-power chips hold back performance.

Dell xps 13 2012 8cell batter