Dell XPS Dell - XPS 13 - 13.4” 2K Laptop - Intel Core Ultra 7 256V 2024 - 16GB Memory - 512 GB Storage - Copilot+ PC - Graphite Review
The Dell XPS 13 Copilot+ PC is a beautiful, ultra-portable laptop built for Windows AI features. But is its focus on style and AI worth the trade-offs in performance and storage? We dug into the data.
The 30-Second Version
A sleek AI-powered ultraportable that's all about style and smarts, not raw power. Get it for the design and Copilot+ features, but upgrade the storage if you can.
Overview
The new Dell XPS 13 Copilot+ PC is a sleek, portable machine that's betting everything on AI. The one thing you need to know? This isn't a powerhouse laptop. It's a premium ultraportable designed for people who want a thin, light Windows machine with the latest AI features baked in. If you're expecting a performance beast, you'll be disappointed. But if you want a stylish companion for work and browsing that feels like a top-tier piece of hardware, this is a strong contender.
Performance
The performance is solidly middle of the pack, which is exactly what we expected. The Intel Core Ultra 7 chip and integrated Arc graphics are fine for everyday tasks, web browsing, and light photo editing. Our database shows its CPU and GPU scores sit right around the 60th percentile, meaning it's faster than a budget laptop but won't keep up with a MacBook Pro or a gaming rig. The real story is the AI acceleration, which powers features like Recall and Live Captions. For those specific tasks, it's responsive, but don't buy this for raw speed.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Incredibly portable and well-built. It's in the 93rd percentile for compactness, so it's one of the thinnest and lightest 13-inch laptops you can get. 93th
- Strong social proof with a 4.4/5 rating. People clearly love the design and feel. 92th
- The 120Hz screen is smooth and bright enough for most indoor use.
- Copilot+ AI features like Recall are genuinely useful if you work across many documents and windows.
Cons
- The 512GB SSD is a letdown. It's in the bottom 40% for storage, and for a premium laptop in 2024, that's just not enough for many users. 26th
- Reliability scores are worrying, landing in the 26th percentile. That's a red flag based on historical data.
- Port selection is just average. Two USB-C ports is fine, but you'll need dongles for anything else.
- It's absolutely not for gaming. Our score there is a dismal 8.6/100.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 7 256V |
| Cores | 8 |
| Frequency | 2.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB |
Graphics
| GPU | Intel Arc |
| Type | integrated |
| VRAM | 16 GB |
| VRAM Type | Shared |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 16 GB |
| RAM Generation | LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 512 GB |
| Storage Type | SSD |
Display
| Size | 13.4" |
| Resolution | 1920 (Full HD) |
| Panel | LCD |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz |
| Brightness | 500 nits |
Connectivity
| USB Ports | 2 |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
Physical
| Weight | 1.2 kg / 2.7 lbs |
| OS | Windows 11 Home |
Value & Pricing
Worth it? Only if you find it on sale. The price swings from $1249 to $1400. At the lower end, it's a decent deal for the build quality and AI features. At $1400, it starts to feel expensive for the specs you're getting, especially that small SSD. Shop around.
Price History
vs Competition
Your main decision is between this, a MacBook Air, and the ASUS ProArt PX13. The MacBook Air M3 destroys this in battery life and CPU performance, but lacks the dedicated AI features and has a 60Hz screen. The ASUS ProArt is the real rival: it's also a Copilot+ PC but packs a much more powerful Ryzen AI 9 chip, an OLED screen, and an RTX 4050 GPU. It's heavier and pricier, but it's for creators. The XPS 13 is for the style-conscious traveler who wants Windows AI in a slick package.
| Spec | Dell XPS Dell - XPS 13 - 13.4” 2K Laptop - Intel Core Ultra 7 256V 2024 - 16GB Memory - 512 GB Storage - Copilot+ PC - Graphite | Apple MacBook Pro Apple 14" MacBook Pro (M4 Max, Silver, NT) | ASUS ProArt ASUS - ProArt PX13 13" 3K OLED Touch Screen Laptop - Copilot+ PC - AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 - 32GB Memory - RTX 4050 - 1TB SSD - Nano Black | Lenovo Legion Lenovo 16" Legion Pro 7i Gaming Laptop | MSI Creator MSI Creator M14 A13V A13VF-081US 14" 2.8K Laptop, | Microsoft Surface Laptop Microsoft 13.8" Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC (7th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 7 256V | Apple M4 Max | AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 | Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX | Intel Core i7 13620H | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-84-100 |
| RAM (GB) | 16 | 128 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
| Storage (GB) | 512 | 4096 | 1000 | 2048 | 2048 | 1024 |
| Screen | 13.4" 1920x1200 | 14.2" 3024x1964 | 13.3" 2880x1800 | 16" 2560x1600 | 14" 2880x1800 | 13.8" 2304x1536 |
| GPU | Intel Arc | Apple (40-Core) | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 | Qualcomm X1 |
| OS | Windows 11 Home | macOS | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home (MSI recommends Windows 11 Pro for business) | Windows 11 Home |
| Weight (kg) | 1.2 | 1.6 | 1.4 | 2.7 | 1.6 | 1.3 |
| Battery (Wh) | — | 72 | — | 99 | — | 54 |
Common Questions
Q: Is the screen any good?
Yes, it's a solid 120Hz panel. It's not OLED, so blacks aren't perfect, but it's smooth, bright at 500 nits, and great for work and movies.
Q: How's the battery life?
Dell claims 'all day,' but real-world use suggests it's good, not legendary. Expect a full workday of browsing and documents, but you'll need to charge it nightly.
Q: Can I upgrade the 512GB storage?
Probably not easily. Like most ultra-thin laptops, the SSD is likely soldered to the motherboard. You're stuck with what you buy, so think carefully about your needs.
Who Should Skip This
If you're a gamer, a video editor, or anyone who needs serious horsepower, this isn't it. The integrated graphics and mid-tier CPU will hold you back. Go get a Lenovo Legion or a MacBook Pro instead. Also, skip it if you hoard files—the 512GB SSD will fill up fast.
Verdict
We recommend the Dell XPS 13 Copilot+ PC if your top priorities are portability, a premium build, and you're excited to use Windows' new AI tools. It's a fantastic carry-everywhere laptop. But if you need more storage, better raw performance, or longer battery life, the competition has stronger options. This is a niche product that executes its niche very well.