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

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Dell’s XPS 13 (9350) with the Intel Core Ultra 7 “Lunar Lake” chip is on sale at Best Buy for $999.
• Intel’s new high-performance processor brings snappy performance and a fantastic battery to the most compact member of the XPS lineup.
• The two USB-A ports won’t cut it for many users.

We’ve tested a handful of Dell XPS laptops this year, including two other configurations of the XPS 13: one with the Snapdragon X Elite chip, and one with the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H. We praised both versions of the lineup’s smallest, most portable laptop, and called out the bold design and standout performance across chipsets.

The latest version to hit the market is the Dell XPS 13 (9350) with the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V “Lunar Lake” processor, a follow-up to the Core Ultra 7 155H version released earlier in 2024, refreshed with Intel’s newest and most future-facing chipset. 

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The Lunar Lake series of processors (also sometimes called the Core Ultra Series 2) comes at a complicated time for Intel, with many people banking on these chips’ performance to prove the company is still in the game with a product to rival empowered competitors.

I’ve tested a few other devices with Intel’s Lunar Lake processors and found them not-so-surprisingly impressive. The chips offer noteworthy performance, fantastic battery life, and updated architecture to run cooler on thinner, lighter machines. 

The Asus Zenbook S 14, for example, is sleek and slim, and has an unexpectedly robust battery, while Lenovo’s Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition brought a handful of unique Intel-only features in an attempt to showcase some innovation. 

So, when Dell’s XPS 13 powered by the “Lunar Lake” series 2 processor dropped, I jumped at the chance to investigate. The XPS line features some of my favorite laptops from 2024, including the XPS 16, our favorite Windows laptop of the year here at ZDNET. 

The thin and light form factor of the XPS 13 is unchanged compared to the Snapdragon X Elite configuration from earlier this year, and all the iconic touchstones of the XPS line remain: from the zero-lattice keyboard to the invisible trackpad to the ultra-minimalist (restrictive, even) total of two USB-C ports.

Paired with the light and sleek form factor, the Wi-Fi 7 compatibility and 1080p webcam make it a solid pick for freelancers and remote workers who need reliable performance in a small package, particularly in this increasingly competitive sub-$1,500 price range. 

By this point, most consumers have decided whether or not they’re fans of the XPS line’s divisive design elements. Either you think the LED function row is sleek and forward-facing, or you can’t quite get used to spamming little lights instead of keys, but either way, Dell has proven that it’s committed to the aesthetic, and these features are here to stay.

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The configuration I went hands-on with has 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, 1920 x 1200 non-touch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Power from the aforementioned Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 2 processor results in a fast, responsive machine that’s highly optimized for the things most users will do on their computers daily. 

Boot times are fast, apps load instantly, multiple browser windows with dozens of tabs open move flawlessly, and connecting to external monitors results in no discernable slowdown. The build quality of the XPS 13 is fantastic. The keyboard is positively silent, and the haptic glass touchpad is satisfying and responsive. 

With all the different configurations available for the XPS laptops, this one is unique in a few ways. First, the (optional) tandem OLED display is the first of its kind on an XPS 13, and second, it’s one of the first XPS devices powered by Intel’s Lunar Lake. These processors, as previously mentioned, showed impressive performance and battery life on the other devices I tested, and that trend continues with the XPS 13. 

During the standard ZDNET battery test that involves running a livestream video at 50% brightness over Wi-Fi, I got over 16 hours of battery during one test, and over 14 on another. This difference was attributable to updates and settings. During the regular workday, this laptop will have no trouble getting through the day on a single charge, although the OLED configuration will see a few hours shaved off those numbers. 

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The display is, unsurprisingly, one of the features that makes this laptop a pleasure to use. I tested a unit with the LCD display, and it looks premium and vivid, with an anti-glare coating that gives a matte texture with minimal glare while resisting fingerprints. 

Additionally, the integrated Intel Arc 140V graphics card is more than capable of handling gaming. I’m typically suspicious of gaming on such thin and light laptops without robust cooling systems, but the XPS 13 can hold its own on casual titles that don’t make too intense demands on the hardware. 

The fans will kick in if things start heating up, and it does reach higher temps than the Snapdragon chip. However, performance is smooth enough to pop into Steam and fire up most titles thanks to support for ray tracing, 100% DCI-P3 color, and the 120Hz refresh rate. 

Gamers might encounter some usability issues in games that use the function row. The lack of a physical key is the core of the XPS’ commitment to bold design, but it could mean spotty responsiveness in practice during even the most laid-back gaming sessions. 

Even outside of gaming, you have to hit the LED just right to register feedback, even while navigating with the Home, End, and Delete keys in Google Docs. However, once you’re used to the placement it becomes a lot more natural with some muscle memory.

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Another thing I’m not a fan of is Dell’s SupportAssist program stepping in to automatically adjust the laptop’s battery settings, which scales back performance to save power, even with as high as 85% battery. The feature seems a little paranoid and contributes to more noise from Windows that the user shouldn’t have to contend with. Luckily, these functions are easy to disable or personalize. 

When it comes to direct comparisons with the Windows Copilot+ configuration and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite processor, this XPS 13 got slightly lower numbers in our Benchmarking tests, but almost the same in terms of battery life. Additionally, the Snapdragon XPS 13 with the same 16GB of RAM and 512 SSD configuration will cost you $500 more. 

The name of the game here, then, is Intel’s Core Ultra 7 Lunar Lake XPS 13 bringing comparable performance to the Snapdragon configuration, but in a more affordable package and without any of the emulation or compatibility issues you can run into with ARM-compatible architecture.

ZDNET’s buying advice

It’s no secret that we’re fans of the XPS lineup here at ZDNET, and the Dell XPS 13 (9350) is a laptop that I would consider using as a main driver. The bold design elements aren’t for everyone, but they contribute to a well-optimized and functional device that isn’t just a pretty face. 

Intel’s Core Ultra 7 Lunar Lake series processor rounds out Dell’s 2024 XPS lineup with a slightly more accessible configuration that comes very close to the raw performance metrics of the XPS 13 with the Snapdragon X Elite. It’s fast, looks good, and has a strong battery, which is the holy trifecta for usability.