When Dell first teased the XPS 13 Plus, it looked like something from the future — no visible trackpad, a row of capacitive function keys, and a super sleek chassis. Now that I’ve spent a few weeks with the 2023 model, I can confidently say: this is one of the most boldly designed ultraportables you can buy. But like any bold move, it comes with a few trade-offs.
Let’s talk about what works, what doesn’t, and who this machine is really for.
Design: A Statement Piece
If there’s one thing Dell nailed here, it’s the aesthetic. The XPS 13 Plus feels like something you’d see in a sci-fi movie — incredibly slim, minimalist, and clean. No physical function keys, no clear trackpad outline, and a seamless edge-to-edge keyboard that looks (and feels) fantastic.
It’s available in two colors: Platinum and Graphite, both of which add to the premium vibe. It’s also super light, weighing in at just around 2.7 lbs (1.2 kg), making it perfect for tossing in a bag and forgetting it’s even there.
The unmarked trackpad is hidden under a single piece of glass and uses haptic feedback — it takes a minute to get used to, but once you do, it’s pretty intuitive. It’s not quite MacBook-level haptics, but close enough to not be a problem.
Display: Bright, Sharp, Beautiful
Dell’s displays have always been top-tier, and this year is no different. The XPS 13 Plus comes with several panel options, but the 3.5K OLED touchscreen is the clear winner if you care about image quality.
- 13.4” InfinityEdge display
- Up to 3456 x 2160 resolution
- 100% DCI-P3 color coverage
- Dolby Vision support
Colors are rich, blacks are truly black, and it gets bright enough for outdoor use. Whether you’re editing photos, watching movies, or just scrolling through Chrome, everything looks sharp and immersive.
Performance: Small Machine, Big Punch
Don’t let the minimal design fool you — under the hood, the XPS 13 Plus is a legit powerhouse for its size. It’s powered by Intel’s 13th Gen Core i7 or i5 U-series processors, paired with up to 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 2TB of PCIe SSD storage.
In real-world use, this thing flies through typical work tasks: browsing, spreadsheets, Zoom calls, and even light content creation like Photoshop or Lightroom. It’s not a gaming rig or a 4K video editing machine, but for 95% of what most people do, it’s more than fast enough.
Keyboard and Trackpad: Futuristic, but a Learning Curve
The zero-lattice keyboard stretches edge to edge, and it feels great. The keys have a satisfying amount of travel, and the layout is super clean. What’s less conventional is the capacitive function row (where F1–F12 and media keys live). It looks cool, but it doesn’t always register the way a real button would — so if you’re a shortcut power user, that might get annoying.
The invisible glass trackpad is cool in theory and mostly fine in practice, but sometimes the lack of physical boundaries means you’ll misclick until your muscle memory adapts.
Battery Life: Good, Not Amazing
Dell claims up to 14 hours, but let’s be real — with the OLED screen and normal usage (browsing, video calls, some light editing), I got around 7 to 8 hours on a full charge. Still solid, but not groundbreaking. The good news is it charges fast with the included USB-C charger.
Ports: Less is… Less
Here’s the minimalist trade-off: just two Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports. That’s it. No headphone jack, no USB-A, no SD card slot.
To Dell’s credit, they include a USB-C to USB-A and USB-C to headphone jack adapter in the box. But let’s be honest — living the dongle life isn’t ideal, especially when other ultraportables like the MacBook Air M2 have a few more options.
Who Is This For?
The Dell XPS 13 Plus is for people who care as much about aesthetics as they do about performance. If you’re a writer, designer, remote worker, or just someone who wants a light, beautiful laptop that stands out from the sea of grey machines, this is a solid choice.
If you’re a ports-heavy power user or someone who needs traditional function keys and long battery life, it might not be the perfect fit — and that’s okay. Dell has other models (like the XPS 15 or XPS 13 regular edition) for those needs.
Final Thoughts: Minimalist Excellence (With Quirks)
The XPS 13 Plus (2023) is a bold move from Dell. It’s one of the sleekest, most futuristic laptops I’ve ever used — but it’s not for everyone. If you value design, portability, and a top-notch display, it’s easy to fall in love with this machine. Just be ready to live with a few quirks along the way.
Pros:
- Stunning OLED display with excellent color and contrast
- Ultra-premium build and futuristic design
- Solid performance for work and media
- Lightweight and travel-friendly
Cons:
- Limited ports, no headphone jack
- Capacitive function keys may frustrate some users
- Haptic trackpad has a learning curve
- Battery life could be better with OLED