Introduction & Specification:
Tablets are extremely popular right now, but many users still need a more powerful machine to do serious work. For people who don't want two devices but desire the touch screen controls and convenience of a tablet, as well as the productivity capabilities of a notebook in a single machine, a convertible ultrabook may be a good fit.
We're starting to see more and more ultrabooks that convert from a traditional laptop into a tablet. Not long ago, we took a closer look at Lenovo's IdeaPad Yoga 13 Ultrabook which features a touchscreen display with a dual-articulating hinge that allows the machine to convert to tablet mode. Today, we're going to take a hands-on look at Dell's XPS 12 convertible ultrabook, which takes a different approach.
Dell's XPS 12 features a display that's surrounded by a thin silver bezel. As you can see from the photos, the display rotates on a hinge located in the middle of this bezel. The machine runs on Windows 8 and takes full advantage of the operating system's touch capabilities with its touch display.
Dell offers various configuration options with the XPS 12. We're testing one of the lower-end models with a Core i5 CPU, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB solid state drive. Other configurations feature up to a Core i7-3517U processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB solid state hard drive.
Dell XPS 12 Ultrabook
Specifications & Features As Tested
Processor
|
Intel Core i5-3317U @ 1.7GHz
|
Operating System
|
Windows 8, 64-bit
|
Display/Resolution
|
12.5-inch FHD 1080p Touch
|
Video graphics
|
Intel HD 4000
|
Hard Drive
|
128GB Solid State Drive
|
Memory
|
4GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM
at 1600MHz
|
Camera
|
1.3MP webcam; 1280 x 1024
pixels with dual digital-array digital microphones
|
Sound
|
Realtek ALC3260
dual digital-array microphones in the camera assembly 2W x1 = 2W total |
Integrated Communications
|
Intel Centrino Advanced-N
6235 802.11 a/g/n with Intel Smart Connect Technology + Bluetooth 3.0
Intel Wireless Display (WiDi) 3.0 ready Intel Smart Connect Technology |
System weight
|
3.35 lbs
|
System dimension
|
0.59 - 0.79 x 12.48 x 8.46
inches (HxWxD)
|
Li-Ion Battery
|
47WHr battery; 6-Cell Lithium
Ion (built-in)
|
Ports
|
9-pin USB 3.0 port
9-pin USB 3.0 port with PowerShare and Windows debugging 20-pin mini-display port headphone/microphone combo port |
Additional features
|
Standard full size, backlit
chiclet keyboard; spill-resistant
Glass integrated button touchpad with gesture support |
Price
|
Starts at $1,199.99
|
Design And User Experience:
The XPS 12 features machined aluminum edges, Corning Gorilla Glass, and a carbon fiber base and lid to give it durability. Rotating the display in and out of tablet mode is smooth, and the machine has a slight catch to lock the display in place in both configurations. When locked in place, the screen is perfectly flush with the aluminum edges. While rotating the display, you'll notice the frame that surrounds the display is nice and solid.
We found the XPS 12's display to be colorful and vibrant. The 12.5-inch screen supports a 170-degree viewing angle and has an HD resolution of 1920 x 1080. This 400-nit display is brighter than the typical 200-nit panels, making the XPS 12's screen easier to see in brightly lit environments and outdoors too.
The XPS 12 has a full size, chiclet keyboard that's spill resistant. This keyboard is also backlit which is a nice extra if you're frequently working at night or in low-light conditions. The XPS 12 also has a glass integrated touchpad with gesture support. This touchpad is nice and roomy. On some occasions, we accidentally hit the touchpad while typing, thereby moving the mouse. This is annoying but if you don't rest your hands while typing, it shouldn't be a problem. The touchpad is flush with the body of the XPS 12.
One of the advantages of the convertible design used by Dell is the fact that the keyboard is hidden when the XPS 12 is in tablet mode. This design prevents you from accidentally hitting keys in tablet mode, protects the keyboard from accidents, and also gives you a smooth surface to grip when holding the machine.
On the left edge of the XPS 12, you'll find a screen-rotation lock button, headphone/microphone combo port, power switch, and volume controls. Instead of a traditional button that you'd push for power, the XPS 12 uses a sliding switch. The right edge of the machine houses five battery status indicator lights, battery status button, USB 3.0 port with PowerShare, another USB 3.0 port, Mini-DisplayPort, and power adapter port.
Above the display, you'll find two digital array microphones, a camera status light, the camera, and an ambient light sensor located near the center of the machine. Centered below the display is a Windows button.
In an effort to keep the XPS 12 thin and light, Dell was forced to make a few sacrifices. Like most other ultrabooks, the XPS 12 does not have an optical drive. It also lacks an HDMI port and a LAN port.
You won't find a lot of icons and clutter on the default Start screen of Dell's XPS 12. Of course, you can still customize this Start screen to your liking. The default desktop is also free from clutter. That's not to say the XPS 12 doesn't come with a few preinstalled apps, however. Out of the box, you'll find various Dell tools preinstalled including Getting Started, Digital Delivery, Dell Shop, Backup and Recovery, PC Checkup, and others. A trial version of Microsoft Office is also preinstalled on the system.
Dell's Support Center is powered by PC Doctor. This app provides information about the specifications of your exact machine as well as providing various checkup and backup services. The app notified us of BIOS updates, Windows updates, and offered to improve the boot up time of the machine.
When using the XPS 12 in tablet mode, the screen will automatically rotate according to orientation. The accelerometer isn't quite as fast to respond as some smartphones, but it still adjusts reasonably quickly.
Conclusion:
As user continue to contemplate the choice between the power and functionality of a full laptop and the portability and touch capabilities of a tablet, we're likely to see more convertible ultrabooks come to market. Dell's implementation of a convertible ultrabook in the form of the XPS 12 is a great one. We like the fact that the keyboard is hidden behind the screen when using the machine in tablet mode. We also appreciate the backlit keyboard on the XPS 12 when using it in laptop mode.
Overall, the XPS 12 performed well in our benchmark tests. It earned the top spot in the PCMark benchmark which measures a system's overall performance and responsiveness. In real-world usage, the system performed well and felt very quick overall. Battery life is a bit of a disappointment with the XPS 12, however. Since the battery is not user replaceable, don’t expect to get a full day's worth of work from the machine without a nearby power source.
Dell offers the XPS 12 at a starting price of $1,199.99. More powerful systems than the one we tested, such as models with a Core i7-3517U processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB solid state hard drive are also available.
If you're in the market for an ultrabook, you'll quickly discover the XPS 12 isn't the cheapest option out there. However, the XPS 12 is a solid, well-built system that has some additional features you won't find on these lower-priced ultrabooks. For anyone who is willing to spend the premium to get a convertible ultrabook, we encourage you to check out the XPS 12.
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