Dell XPS Dell - XPS 13 - Copilot+ PC - 13.4” 2K Laptop - Review

A beautifully built ultraportable that's more about the shell than the specs. The 'AI PC' hype is real, but the everyday experience is just… fine. You're buying the XPS name, not a revolution.

The Dell XPS 13 Copilot+ PC is a sleek, well-built laptop that's trying to sell you on the future of AI. The one thing you need to know? It's a premium ultraportable first, and an 'AI PC' second. The build quality is fantastic, it's incredibly light at 1.23kg, and it feels great to use. But if you're buying this specifically for groundbreaking AI features, you might be a bit underwhelmed. It's a solid, modern Windows laptop that happens to have some AI stickers on it.

Performance is fine, but it's not a powerhouse. The Intel Core Ultra 7 and 16GB of RAM land around the 60th percentile in our database, which means it's perfectly capable for daily tasks, office work, and streaming. The integrated Intel Arc graphics are okay for light photo editing, but don't expect to game on it. The real surprise is the screen. It's a 120Hz panel, which is super smooth for scrolling, but it's a VA panel at 1920x1200. For a $1250 laptop, we'd expect a sharper OLED or IPS display. It's a weird mix of high refresh rate and mid-tier panel tech.

At $1249, it's expensive for what you get. You're paying a premium for the XPS name, the compact design, and the 'AI PC' branding. The hardware itself—a mid-tier CPU, integrated graphics, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD—isn't special. You can find laptops with similar or better specs for less money. The value isn't terrible if you absolutely need this specific form factor, but it's not a standout deal.

This sits in a crowded field. The Apple MacBook Air M3 is its direct rival: similar price, better battery life, a sharper screen, and much better integrated graphics, but you're locked into macOS. The ASUS Zenbook Duo offers wild dual-screen flexibility for creatives at a similar price. And if you just want a great Windows ultraportable, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 is another Copilot+ PC that often feels more polished. The XPS 13 wins on pure portability and build feel, but it loses on screen sharpness and, based on our data, perceived reliability.

Skip this if you're a gamer or a creative professional who needs a powerful GPU. The integrated graphics won't cut it. Also, skip it if you want the absolute best screen—go for a MacBook Air or an OLED Windows laptop instead. And if you're on a tight budget, there are way more powerful laptops for less money.

We can't give a full-throated recommendation. It's a good laptop with a great design, but it's held back by a so-so screen and questionable value. If you're a Dell loyalist who needs the absolute smallest and lightest premium Windows machine, and you don't care about top-tier graphics, it'll serve you well. For everyone else, there are better or more interesting options for your money. Wait for a sale, or look at the competition first.