Ultrabook king
Dell has achieved the perfect Ultrabook with the latest XPS 13, no small feat, and while it costs a little more, you should definitely get one if you're looking for a great laptop.
For
- Micro-thin bezels on all four-sides
- Exceptional 16:10 anti-reflective full HD display
- Magnificent look and design
- Excellent keyboard and audio
- Iris Plus graphics
Against
- More expensive than 7390
- No official pen support
Top convertible
The Spectre x360 is a phenomenal 2-in-1 laptop with an attractive price and a truly excellent value package that has a lot to offer anyone looking for a convertible.
For
- Thin bezels, small footprint
- Pen and leather case sleeve included
- Excellent keyboard and audio
- Excellent display
- Outstanding value
Against
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- Drop-jaw Type-A port is frustrating
How do you choose between two of the absolute best laptops on the market today? It's a tough one, but there are some areas of consideration that can help you make the best choice for you.
Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 vs. HP Spectre x360 13t tech specs
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Dell XPS 13 (9300) | HP Spectre x360 13t |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i3-1005G1Intel Core i5-1035G1Intel Core i7-1065G7 | 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G410th Gen Intel Core i7-1065G7 |
| RAM | 4/8/16/32GB LPDDR4X 3733MHz | 8/16GB LPDDR4-3200 |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB PCIe NVMe SSD | 512GB or 1TB SSD and 32GB Intel Optane256GB to 2TB SSD |
| Display size | 13.4-inch | 13.3-inch |
| Display resolution | 1080p non-touch1080p touch>4K touch | 1080p touch4K UHD AMOLED touch |
| Graphics | Intel UHDIntel Iris Plus | Intel Iris Plus |
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 33.5mm headphoneType-C to Type-A converter included | 2x USB 3.1 Type-C with Thunderbolt 3One USB 3.1 Type-AMicroSD reader |
| Security | Windows Hello IR camera (face)Windows Hello fingerprint (power button) | Windows Hello IR, fingerprint |
| Battery | 52Wh | 60Wh |
Pricing and performance
When it comes to pricing, HP certainly has the edge, making the Spectre x360 an incredible value package. Not only does it undercut the XPS 13 on price, but it tosses more into the bargain. HP includes a pen and a sleek leather case with the laptop, whereas the XPS 13 doesn't even officially support pen input at all.
Hardware-wise they're very similar, but there are some differences. Where both use the latest 10th Gen Intel processors, HP uses the superior Iris Plus graphics on all versions of the Spectre x360. Storage and RAM is close, too, albeit Dell uses faster RAM and offers more of it at the higher end, while HP is implementing Intel Optane memory on its lower-spec storage options to add some additional performance.
But there's still only one winner on the overall value front, and that's HP. The Spectre x360 is just less expensive and for a very similar package to Dell with some additional bonuses thrown in. Even adding a 4K display costs less at $200 vs. $300, and it's an AMOLED panel, too.
Do you want a convertible or not?
While HP wins on the value front, a bigger question is how you want to use your laptop. The Dell XPS 13 is pound-for-pound the best Ultrabook on the market right now, perhaps even the overall best laptop you can buy. But there are some things it doesn't do, notably have a display that folds around or that properly supports a digital pen.
If either of those appeals to you, then the HP also wins out, but as a pure laptop, then the XPS 13 is still the king of the hill.
The design has been refined to its best yet, and so now you not only get an incredibly compact laptop but one without any real bezels around the display. You get a matte finish on the non-touch versions and an anti-reflective on the touch, killing unwanted glare. You also have excellent battery life, a fantastic keyboard, and all-round strong performance.
The XPS 13 is our top recommendation to anyone looking for an Ultrabook. The Spectre x360 is our top recommendation to anyone looking for a 2-in-1, or for anyone looking to spend a little less.
The best Ultrabook you can buy
The latest XPS 13 features a taller 16:10 display, 10th-Gen Intel processor with all-day battery life, and a design unmatched by any other PC on the market. It's flawless in features and functionality, making it the best 13-inch non-convertible Ultrabook around, without question.
Top choice for a 2-in-1 laptop right now
The HP Spectre x360 only had a few things keeping it from greatness, and now those things are here. Microsoft Precision touchpad drivers, 4K AMOLED display with anti-glare, 4G LTE, new 10th Gen Intel processor, and a massive 60 percent reduction in bezel size makes this all-new Spectre x360 13 the best convertible ever.
