Dell XPS 13 – Battery
The XPS 13 is powered by a 56WHr Dell quotes as offering 18 hours of mixed use off one charge. I never once squeezed 18 hours of life out of the XPS 13, but found its battery is still pretty decent.
Using the XPS 13 as my primary work machine it easily breezed through a full work day and discharged 7-14% per hour. The day involved constant web browsing and word processing, occasional photo touch-up work and watching a couple of videos on Netflix during lunch.
More demanding tasks, like video streaming on Netflix, made a slightly bigger dent in the battery. Streaming video the XPS 13 lost 14-18% of its charge per hour. Gaming put a similar drain on the battery.
Dell XPS 13 – Sound
Laptop speakers generally aren’t very exciting, especially in small devices. Most small laptops I test have poor, underpowered speakers that offer tinny, unbalanced audio with close to no bass. The XPS 13’s stereo speakers don’t completely change this trend, but are pretty good by portable laptop standards.
The speakers don’t have terribly strong low end and do begin to distort when you crank them to their maximum volume. But they are more than good enough for watching Netflix or playing games. They don’t have the tinny, nasal quality I hear on most laptop speakers and at low to middle volumes offer reasonably balanced audio.
Should I buy the Dell XPS 13?
The first 2015 Dell XPS 13 was one of the best portable ultrabooks around. Offering a compact design, solid performance and comfortable typing experience, it was an exceptional mobile productivity aid.
As a result, it’s no surprise that the refreshed sixth-generation Intel-powered model is also excellent and easily outclasses competing ultrabooks, such as the Lenovo Yoga 900. If you want a portable laptop then you should definitely consider the XPS 13.
However, the basic £850 version's display isn’t the best I’ve seen. Those with the cash would do better to invest in the more expensive QHD+ touchscreen model.
If you’re not dead set on getting a proper laptop, there are also a number of convertibles at the same price point, like the Surface Pro 4, that are also worth a look.
Verdict
The Dell XPS 13 is one of the best no-nonsense portable laptops around.
