Dell 2015 XPS 13: Smallest 13" Notebook With Broadwell-U, QHD+ Display Reviewed

MojoKid writes Dell's 2015 XPS 13 notebook made a splash out at CES this year with its near bezel-less 13-inch QHD+ (3200X1800) display and Intel's new 5th Gen Core series Broadwell-U processor. At 2.8 pounds, the 2015 XPS 13 isn't the absolute lightest 13-inch ultrabook book out there but it's lighter than a 13-inch MacBook Air and only a few ounces heavier than Lenovo's Core M-powered Yoga 3 Pro. The machine's Z dimensions are thin, at .33" up front to .6" at its back edge. However, its 11.98" width almost defies the laws of physics, squeezing a 13.3" (diagonal) display into an 11.98-inch frame making it what is essentially the smallest 13-inch ultrabook to hit the market yet. Performance-wise, this review shows its benchmarks numbers are strong and Intel's Broadwell-U seems to be an appreciable upgrade versus the previous generation architecture, along with lower power consumption.

Comments

Re:OK, based upon notebook shopping thus far

[fuzzyfuzzyfungus]

I suspect that in a computer of that size you wouldn't want anything other than integrated graphics. Sure, AMD or NVIDIA could provide a part low clocked enough, or cut down enough, to fit within the size and thermal constraints; but once they've done that they probably won't be much better than the already-integrated graphics.

Unless you have enough room for a proper GPU, low end discrete GPUs are increasingly somewhat pointless, since they always add complexity and cost; but don't necessarily outperform integrated ones by all that much.

Re:What the Macbook 13" should be

[BaronAaron]

The Dell 2015 XPS 13 uses machined aluminum and carbon fiber. How is this different in terms of build quality than a Macbook?

Re:What the Macbook 13" should be

[danbob999]

The Dell 2015 XPS 13 uses machined aluminum and carbon fiber. How is this different in terms of build quality than a Macbook?

It isn't but people here equate "build quality" with "looks". Especially if it looks like an Apple product.

Re:What bothers me since... ever:

[slaker]

AMD doesn't have a CPU with that level of performance with appropriate TDP.