Dell XPS 13 (9345) with Snapdragon chip in the test: So pleasantly different

DELL XPS 13 9345 (2024)

November 2, 2024 at 10:30 a.m

Invisible touchpad and glowing touchbar, plus an unusual choice of processor: The Dell XPS 13 with Snapdragon X1 Elite CPU is a very interesting notebook. The test reveals whether it is good.

If you’ve had enough of laptop monotony, you should stop by Dell. Their XPS 13 series has always stood for the desire to do things differently than the established competition. We not only remember idiosyncratic, sometimes strange solutions, such as unusual webcam positions. The most important technical data of our test device at a quick overview:

• Typ: Copilot+ PC
• CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon X1 Elite X1E80100 with 12 cores / Qualcomm Hexagon NPU for AI applications
• GPU: Qualcomm Adreno (integrated)
• Display: 13.4 inches, FHD+ resolution, optional touchscreen
• RAM (soldered): 16 gigabytes of LPDDR5x
• Storage: 512 gigabyte SSD
• Connections: 2 x USB-C
• Weight (measured value): 1,224 grams
• Price: from 1,329 dollars

Design and workmanship

The current test model also shows a desire for the exotic. We like this straight away. The first thing you notice is the comparatively low weight of 1.2 kilograms and the compact dimensions (295.3 x 199.1 x 15.3 millimeters).

The Dell XPS 13 disappears so effortlessly into any backpack, it’s almost handbag compatible. The flat and light housing only has to make do with two USB-C ports. There is not the slightest thing to complain about in terms of the quality of workmanship.

If we shake our review copy back and forth vigorously, it doesn’t make a sound. A good sign. We don’t discover any noticeable gaps. If we apply pressure to the closed lid with our finger, it can be pushed in a little – but we can’t get through to the keyboard underneath.

Rather unusual: keyboard and trackpad

The 13-inch display can be opened with one hand with great skill. This would be easier if the US manufacturer had given the housing a saving intended for this purpose. No matter – what emerges is a tidy interior. The eye is drawn to an unusually designed keyboard without a row of function keys. At least that seems to be the case at first glance.

Because Dell relies on backlit sensor keys below the screen. Since these have no pressure point, it takes some time to get used to them. This is especially true for the frequently used ESC key. The function keys F1 to F12 are only displayed when you press the fn key. A special aesthetic approach, but one we can live with.

The actual keyboard has relatively large keys that are close together. The pressure point is crisp and the stroke is more than sufficient. As a rule, you can write quietly and efficiently with the single-level illuminated Dell keyboard.

Dell XPS 13 (9345) in everyday testing

Just like the Dell XPS 13 Plus from 2022, the current test sample also has a trackpad that you can’t see even at third glance. Below the keyboard block there is only a solid white area. Crazy! Not so much once you get used to it. And that happens quickly.

Even though Dell has omitted any kind of markings on the touchpad, it quickly becomes clear in which area your finger acrobatics are recognized and in which they are not. The gliding properties are very good and the working area is large. In short: a very good mouse replacement.

Matte or touch: Different screen options

You can order the Dell XPS 13 with various 13.4-inch screens. We have a variant with an anti-reflective display (anti-glare). Here the resolution is a “narrow” 1,920 x 1,200 pixels. We would have liked more than Full HD, because the image impression was not always clear during the test period. Smaller icons and buttons in particular sometimes look a bit blurry. In the EIZO monitor test, our display always shows white with a clearly noticeable green/yellow cast.

If you can do without effective anti-reflective coating, you can use it Dell configurator It is therefore better to go for the touch-sensitive QHD+ version (2,560 x 1,600 pixels) or the 3K OLED version (surcharge 340 dollars).

Performance and battery life

The built-in ARM hardware including integrated graphics does not mark the end of the performance scale – it is too weak for current gaming blockbusters. That should be clear. A device like the Dell XPS 13 is used for surfing the web, running office applications, writing and spreadsheet processing. With all these tasks, the configuration is not even remotely overwhelmed.

There is always room for improvement and photo editing doesn’t pose too many challenges for the system. However, the Dell laptop is rather unsuitable for video editing.

Speaking of air: If performance is required, you can hear it. The fans installed in the Dell laptop start up comparatively quickly and get up to speed quickly, then produce a kind of white noise. Fortunately, this is not riddled with annoying whistling sounds. When idle, however, the fans stand still for long stretches. Are you bothered by the fans while reading? Then the comparable MacBook Air is an alternative for you.

Due to the ARM architecture, the Dell device may experience compatibility problems with some programs or accessories, it is said. That wasn’t the case for us. The battery life of the Dell XPS 13 is remarkably good. The system lasts a full working day even when the power and brightness controls are at their maximum. When we continuously played a locally stored video, the lights only went out after over 13 hours.

Alternatives

Don’t you like the Dell XPS 13? In this comparison we will introduce you to other current Copilot+ PCs and tell you what to look out for when buying. If it doesn’t necessarily have to be a Windows device, it’s also worth taking a look at Apple’s MacBook Air, which is comparable in price.