A succesful AI PC, however Home windows on Arm points stay

It is solely been 4 months since we reviewed the latest Intel version of the XPS 13, however now Dell has launched a mannequin constructed for Microsoft’s Copilot+ AI PC initiative. It is working Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X Elite chip, making it an Arm-based laptop computer just like the recent Surface Pro and Surface Laptop. However with that mobile-focused {hardware} comes new expectations: Extra battery effectivity than Intel’s x86 chips, as effectively dramatically sooner AI capabilities because of its beefier NPU (neural processing unit). As with all Arm-based Home windows programs, although, there’s additionally the potential for bother with older x86 apps, which can run slowly via emulation or just not launch in any respect.

It is undoubtedly a chaotic time for the PC business, as chipmakers and PC corporations construct for an unsure AI-powered future. For shoppers, that simply means confusion. That is partially why Microsoft kicked off the Copilot+ program to start with, because it requires system makers to incorporate at the least 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage and an NPU with at the least 40 TOPS (tera-ops per second) of AI efficiency. If it says Copilot+ on the field, it ought to be a good PC.

So does this XPS 13 dwell as much as the Copilot+ branding? Principally, it seems. And it is fascinating to see the way it compares to the present Intel model of the exact same product.

Dell

The XPS 13 is a succesful and classy Copilot+ PC, however it’s nonetheless slower than the Intel mannequin at occasions and doesn’t run some video games and apps. Battery life can also be surprisingly common.

Professionals

• Quicker than the Intel XPS 13 in some benchmarks
• 45TOPS NPU is best outfitted for future AI options
• Beautiful design
• Glorious thin-bezel display screen

Cons

• Home windows on Arm nonetheless runs some apps slowly and fails to launch some video games
• Present AI options are pretty middling
• Common battery life
• Contentious trackpad and capacitive perform buttons

$1,299 at Dell

What’s new in regards to the XPS 13 Copilot+ AI PC?

The largest addition to this XPS 13 — and the principle cause we’re reviewing it — is that Snapdragon X Elite chip. Every little thing else about this XPS 13 is identical because the earlier iteration. There’s its strikingly minimalist design, with an “invisible” touchpad that blends into the wrist relaxation, in addition to large-capped keys working edge-to-edge. And do not forget the capacitive perform row, which stays a baffling characteristic.

In order for you a deeper tackle the XPS 13’s design, simply check out my previous review. In brief, although, it is a machine that mainly prioritizes appears over usability. It is gentle, sturdy and dramatically completely different from each different laptop computer on the market. However to get there, Dell made the trackpad more durable to make use of (it isn’t fairly as correct as Apple’s MacBooks or Microsoft’s Floor PCs), and its capacitive perform row is solely a ache.

As for the XPS 13’s new Snapdragon X Elite chip, it options 12 cores working as much as 3.4GHz, with a dual-core boot reaching 4GHz. As compared, the Intel variant’s Core Extremely 7 155H chip provides 16 cores and reaches as much as 4.8GHz. Qualcomm has the benefit with a extra highly effective 45 TOPS NPU, in comparison with Intel’s 10 TOPS, however I haven’t discovered that to make an enormous distinction with the few AI options in Home windows 11 at this time. Because the benchmarks under present, greater chip numbers do not at all times result in higher efficiency.

What’s good in regards to the XPS 13 Copilot+?

In brief, this XPS 13 delivers most of what you’d need from a contemporary ultraportable, whereas additionally making ready you for a possible future with extra AI-powered apps and options. It’s enticing, quick (for many apps, anyway) and durable. It’s additionally the proper system if you wish to stand out a bit, because it appears not like some other laptop computer on the market.

• It runs most productiveness apps effectively, and had no drawback multitasking after I had dozens of tabs open throughout Chrome and Edge, whereas video conferencing in Zoom and chatting with colleagues on Slack.

• Throughout most benchmarks like Geekbench 6 and Cinebench 2024, this XPS 13 simply trounced its Intel sibling by a number of thousand factors.

• Qualcomm’s 45 TOPS Snapdragon X Elite NPU makes the Copilot+ XPS 13 extra future-proof than the present Intel mannequin.

• Battery life was wonderful, reaching a mean of 17 hours and 47 minutes after working the PCMark 10 Functions battery benchmark twice. It is value noting it took a number of software program updates to get to this consequence, however our testing constantly reveals it holding round that point. As compared, the Intel XPS 13 lasted for 13 hours and quarter-hour. Microsoft’s Floor Professional Copilot+ system, in the meantime, ran for twelve hours and quarter-hour within the Functions check.

• Dell’s XPS 13 keyboard is lusciously extensive and delivers wonderful suggestions. It might take a little bit of getting used to although, because the spacing differs from most different notebooks.

• I examined the XPS 13’s base-level 1080p+ non-touchscreen show, and whereas it wasn’t as superb because the OLED-equipped XPS gadgets I’ve seen, it nonetheless seemed sharp and colourful.

• As at all times, Dell’s skinny InfinityEdge bezels additionally assist the display screen pop much more.

What’s unhealthy in regards to the XPS 13 Copilot+ AI PC?

Take a lot of the downsides from the Intel model of the XPS 13, in addition to issues nonetheless plaguing Arm-based Home windows gadgets just like the Surface Pro, and you have got the massive points with the XPS 13 Copilot+ PC.

• Some emulated x86 apps like Evernote run into noticeable slowdowns. I typically encountered lag when switching between notes, in addition to scrolling down lengthy paperwork.

• The built-in AI options in Paint and Pictures are principally ineffective, and it is nonetheless unclear when the long-awaited Recall characteristic will arrive for basic customers.

• We additionally do not know when to count on some other AI options within the OS, or when different builders will begin releasing extra AI capabilities of their apps.

• Video games like Fortnite, Future 2 and League of Legends will not run on the XPS 13, as a result of their anti-cheat software program is not appropriate with Arm chips.

• I am nonetheless not a fan of the XPS 13’s invisible trackpad. It is typically exhausting to find and swiping round is not as easy as on Apple’s MacBook Air.

• The XPS 13 desperately wants greater than two USB-C ports, in any other case many customers shall be caught dwelling the dongle life.

• The capacitive perform row nonetheless disappears in direct daylight and it is unimaginable to make use of with out straight it. In any case, it is exhausting to construct up contact typing reminiscence with out bodily keys.

Must you purchase the XPS 13 Copilot+ AI PC?

The XPS 13 sometimes begins at $1,300 with the Snapdragon X Elite chip, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. On the time of this evaluation, it’s at present on sale for $999, however it’s unclear how lengthy that low cost will final. The Intel mannequin additionally begins at $1,300 with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, however you’ll have so as to add one other $100 to get 16GB of reminiscence. (The Intel XPS 13 was just lately marked right down to $1,200, so don’t be shocked if you happen to see Dell’s costs fluctuate steadily.)

If you happen to want a strong 13-inch laptop computer proper now, the XPS 13 Copilot+ is a strong selection. Simply be cautious of the downsides and potential software program points I discussed above. If you happen to’re on the fence, although, it might be value ready till Dell refreshes the XPS 13 as soon as once more with Intel’s new Lunar Lake CPU. That is anticipated to reach this fall, and it will characteristic an NPU that is even sooner than the Snapdragon X Elite’s. And because it’s an x86 chip, the Lunar Lake XPS 13 will not need to emulate older software program, and it’ll additionally have the ability to run video games like Fortnite.

Replace 8/30 11:10AM: After putting in the newest updates from Dell and Home windows, the XPS 13’s battery life jumped to 17:38 in PCMark 10’s benchmark. We have repeated this check twice to substantiate the upper determine. For that reason, we’re rising the XPS 13’s rating from 80 to 84.