Dell's latest XPS 13 hits the sweet spot of performance and value for me. Here's why

However, gamers might find the function row a bit tricky. The XPS's bold design choice to forgo a physical function row can lead to spotty responsiveness during gaming sessions, even the casual ones. And it's not just gaming; you'll need to get the hang of the LED feedback for keys like Home, End, and Delete in Google Docs. Once you've got the muscle memory down, though, it's smooth sailing.

One thing that irked me a bit is Dell's SupportAssist program, which tends to meddle with the battery settings, scaling back performance to save power even at 85% battery. It feels a tad overzealous and adds unnecessary noise from Windows. Thankfully, it's easy to tweak or disable these settings.

Comparing it head-to-head with the Windows Copilot+ configuration and Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite, the XPS 13 with Lunar Lake scored a bit lower on our benchmarks but matched it in battery life. And here's the kicker: the Snapdragon version with the same specs will set you back an extra $500.

So, the bottom line? The Intel Core Ultra 7 Lunar Lake XPS 13 offers performance that's neck-and-neck with the Snapdragon version, but at a more wallet-friendly price and without the ARM compatibility headaches.

ZDNET's Buying Advice:

Here at ZDNET, we're all about the XPS lineup, and the Dell XPS 13 (9350) is a laptop I'd happily use as my daily driver. Sure, its bold design might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's more than just looks. It's a well-optimized, functional device that packs a punch.

With Intel's Core Ultra 7 Lunar Lake processor, Dell's 2024 XPS lineup gets a more accessible option that's nearly as fast as the Snapdragon X Elite model. It's speedy, stylish, and boasts impressive battery life—the trifecta of usability that makes it a solid choice for anyone in the market for a new laptop.