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.
Cinebench 24 MC Geekbench 6.2.2 SC Geekbench 6.2.2 MC Dell XPS 13 (Snapdragon X Elite) 997 2,830 14,687 Dell XPS 13 (Intel Core Ultra 7 "Lunar Lake") 552 2,743 11,005
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.
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この記事を読んで真っ先に思ったのは、最近の開発のペースは速すぎてついていけないことです。オプションのOLED画質がどれだけ良いのか、実際に自分の目で見てみたいです。テープアウトの競合製品と比較すると、価格とパフォーマンスのバランスをうまくとっていると思います。でも、バッテリーの持ちは本当に大丈夫?🤔
The XPS 13's tandem OLED display sounds amazing! I'm curious how it stacks up against my MacBook's screen in real-world use. 😎
The XPS 13's tandem OLED sounds amazing! Can't wait to see those visuals pop. How's the battery life with that display?
The XPS 13's tandem OLED display sounds like a visual feast! 😍 I'm curious if the Lunar Lake chip really lives up to the hype—anyone tested its AI tasks yet?

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.
| Cinebench 24 MC | Geekbench 6.2.2 SC | Geekbench 6.2.2 MC | |
| Dell XPS 13 (Snapdragon X Elite) | 997 | 2,830 | 14,687 |
| Dell XPS 13 (Intel Core Ultra 7 "Lunar Lake") | 552 | 2,743 | 11,005 |
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.
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この記事を読んで真っ先に思ったのは、最近の開発のペースは速すぎてついていけないことです。オプションのOLED画質がどれだけ良いのか、実際に自分の目で見てみたいです。テープアウトの競合製品と比較すると、価格とパフォーマンスのバランスをうまくとっていると思います。でも、バッテリーの持ちは本当に大丈夫?🤔
The XPS 13's tandem OLED display sounds amazing! I'm curious how it stacks up against my MacBook's screen in real-world use. 😎
The XPS 13's tandem OLED sounds amazing! Can't wait to see those visuals pop. How's the battery life with that display?
The XPS 13's tandem OLED display sounds like a visual feast! 😍 I'm curious if the Lunar Lake chip really lives up to the hype—anyone tested its AI tasks yet?





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