Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 becomes detachable like Microsoft Surface

Dell today unveiled the latest components of its 2022 XPS 13 lineup. Following the release of the XPS 13 Plus earlier this year, Dell announced a more traditional and inexpensive clamshell upgrade to the XPS 13. Dell has also redesigned the XPS 13 2-in-1 from an ultra-light portable device with a 360-degree hinge to a tablet with an optional detachable keyboard cover sold separately.

Specifications XPS 13 2-in-1

Available this summer, the XPS 13 2-in-1 (model 9315) is a base tablet with an Intel Core i7-1250U processor (two high-performance cores clocked at 1.1-4.7 GHz, eight efficient cores clocked at 0.8-4.7 GHz). 3.5GHz, 12 streams). By comparison, a similarly designed removable Microsoft Surface Pro 8 has up to the i7-1185G7 (four cores, eight threads, up to 4.8GHz).

The Dell Removable Module can also be configured with up to 16GB of soldered LPDDR4x-4266 RAM and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 x4 SSD.

9mm bezels surround the tablet’s 13.3-inch 3:2 aspect ratio, 2880×1920 pixel touchscreen. It claims up to 500 nits of brightness, 100 percent sRGB coverage, and an impressive 1800:1 contrast ratio.

The screen should be both anti-reflective and anti-glare, and Gorilla Glass 7 is used for durability.

While the XPS 13 2-in-1’s detachable keyboard/cover/stand will cost you extra, the XPS Stylus is included. It can be attached to the top of the device and charged wirelessly via NFC.

Perhaps, as expected, the choice of ports on the tablet is poor: a pair of Thunderbolt 4 is enough. However, Dell will be kind enough to ship the machine with USB-C-to-USB-A (3.0) and USB-C-to-3.5 adapters mm.

Keyboard type Surface

With a removable secondary keyboard that doubles as a cover and a 13-inch tablet design, the updated XPS 13 2-in-1 is very similar to the Microsoft Surface Pro line, more specifically the flagship Surface Pro 8.

And, as with the Surface Pro 8, you’ll have to pay extra for the Type Cover, or should I say the XPS Folio. The XPS Folio attaches to the PC with magnets and pogo pins, and wraps the top of the screen with a microfiber lining for protection. Installing the XPS Folio would add 1.23 pounds to the computer’s weight when adding a 4.49″x 2.92″keyboard and touchpad.

But one of the reasons Microsoft manages to sell its Surface devices without the Type Cover is because the tablets have a kickstand built into the back. This makes it easy enough to put the Surface Pro on the table for more serious tasks, especially if you already have a compatible wireless keyboard.

However, the XPS 13 2-in-1 doesn’t have a built-in kickstand, which makes the XPS Folio more important. It allows for 100, 112.5, or 125-degree propellers, Dell says.

However, the comfort and performance of the keyboard will be critical for those who plan to use it for significant typing. I briefly tested the XPS Folio and my brief experience was surprisingly similar to what I felt with the XPS 13 Plus’s built-in keyboard in terms of travel. They don’t just look alike; the keys of both keyboards have a travel of 1 mm and a large shape of the keys.