Finally, the Dell XPS 13 2022 model is here, with some serious updates and a few questionable design choices. The laptop is bound to become another contender for the leading elite in the ultrabook category—but, just like in previous years, reviewers and long-termed fans of the XPS series still have mixed feelings about the device. Here is a more detailed review of this laptop: its bright sides and flaws.
NewForTech Review
Pros:
- Beautiful Design: The Dell XPS 13 is the epitome of the sleek and refined design tradition continued by the company.
- Beautifully Priced: The starting price will be competitive.
- Light: A lightweight build helps to ensure good portability.
- Good Performance: For ordinary usage and productivity, it’s good enough.
Cons:
- Design Controversies: The redesign will not please everyone.
- Under Heavy Loads: Performance isn’t up to par with more intensive tasks.
- Fewer Ports: There’s only the availability of two Thunderbolt 4 ports.
- Webcam Quality: Subpar for video calls.
Still, if your pocket allows not that much, then the 2022 model’s discounts may make it worth considering.
Design: A Double-Edged Sword
The Dell XPS 13 (2022) has seen a styling refresh, and it’s at the heart of a passionate debate. It surely looks beautiful with that all-aluminum chassis and such a dashing screen, though. Replacing the carbon fiber palm rest that so many people adored with a more streamlined aluminum deck, Dell seems to have split folks down the middle.
It is genuinely thin and light for a laptop, very much perfect for anybody on the go. There is also a new Umber color option that declassifies this variant a bit but still, there is a traditional Sky silver variant that comes along. A lot of the aesthetic appeal is saved, though practical issues creep in; not having real ports is one. With just two Thunderbolt 4 ports, you will have to get into dongles and adapters if you are planning on using accessories/instruments fairly often.
The keyboard is still a high point: comfortable to type on. The laptop’s audio, however, is pretty average; it comes with down-firing speakers, which fail to produce proper sound. The bezel houses a 720p webcam that serves its purpose reasonably well, but it lacks a privacy shutter, which most modern laptops incorporate.
Performance: Enough to Get By
Designed for the XPS 13 (2022), this laptop is meant for users who want more dependability for their everyday tasks, web surfing, and light productivity workload. It breezes easily through web browsing, video streaming, and light productivity—exactly what it’s made for. However, the system is not up to the mark for rigorous applications and software like Adobe Premiere Pro or complex 3D modeling packages.
Benchmark results reflect this, with the laptop doing well for normal tasks but poorly under heavy loads. For casual users and users of cloud apps, this works well. If you need a machine for heavy work or gaming, though, this ultrabook will disappoint.
Battery Life: A Step Back
Battery life on the XPS 13 (2022) does take a slight step back compared to the previous generation. It lasts, as on average, for seven hours and a half according to the PCMark 10 battery test, and it takes around nine hours according to the continuous video playback test. That’s well down from the almost 12-hour battery life that the 2020 version had. That slide is due, in part, to the switch to Intel’s Alder Lake processors, which generally use more power than their predecessors.
Value for Money: Strong but Not Perfect
The latest XPS 13, in 2022, is priced at $899 for decent value. It gives a premium impression, despite competition from older brothers and enemies such as the MacBook Air, which is very closely priced at the lower end. The base configuration offers an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD, so this should suffice for most users who do not need extreme performance but desire a quality ultrabook.
If you’re willing to pry your wallet open a little more, it is possible to get higher configurations with better processors and more RAM, though the base model should more than suffice for most users. So it’s still a great buy with its price cut compared to the previous XPS 13 model, which still appealed to budget-conscious buyers.
Should You Buy the Dell XPS 13 (2022)?
Buy it if:
- You’re in the market for a sleek, ultra-portable laptop.
- You want something great for your buck’s worth in an Ultrabook.
- You need a machine to serve you through some everyday usage and a bit of light productivity.
Do not buy it if:
- You need high performance for demanding applications.
- You liked the look of the old XPS models better.
- You need extensive options for ports without dongles.
Well, in a nutshell, the Dell XPS 13 probably stands as one of the most powerful machines in the ultrabook category, boasting great design and value. Although it might not meet the demands of high-performance or multiple-connectivity users, this unit will still come at a great value for many who would want a slick portable laptop at a reasonable price.
