Hardware

Review: The Dell XPS 13 Plus Laptop Is Powerful and Secure

For IT leaders, it’s an easy way to solve a lot of endpoint decision problems while delighting workers.

Carlos Soto is an award-winning reviewer and journalist with 20 years of experience covering technology and business within various sectors and industries.

For businesses of all kinds, and especially small businesses, deploying the right laptops to employees can be a real challenge.

Security concerns top the list of worries. IT leaders deal with constant threats from cybercriminals, and many laptops are, frankly, vulnerable to malware and theft. The devices they select must be compatible with both the IT team’s security standards and the business’s need to use a range of different software applications. At the same time, they don’t want to end up with a hodgepodge of devices from various manufacturers. These concerns are related: Compatibility is a strong pillar of comprehensive data protection.

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A 3.5K Screen, Powerful Battery and Speedy Processing

After testing the Dell XPS 13 Plus laptop, I was impressed with how many boxes it checks: It’s a powerful, lightweight device with security built in and an Intel Core i7 processor that ensures robust multitasking.

Let’s start with security. Personally identifiable information will be safe in the XPS 13 Plus, which comes with several features that ensure data security. These include a built-in fingerprint reader and the Trusted Platform Module chip, which provides hardware-based encryption for increased data protection.

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The XPS 13 Plus also offers optional Intel vPro technology that empowers users with added security and management features, such as proactive threat detection, remote management capabilities and hardware-enhanced security.

Functionality is also superior. The XPS 13 Plus is powerful enough to deliver speedy responses even with multiple applications running. I used it to watch a movie during a cross-country flight while editing a large spreadsheet and building a data-heavy presentation. I also ran a series of videos and streaming images while editing high-resolution graphics. It never hiccupped or stalled during any of these tasks.

The built-in 60-watt lithium-ion battery kept my computer working hard throughout my five-hour flights. The battery is even more impressive when you consider the power-hungry — but gorgeous — 13.4-inch InfinityEdge screen, augmented by a 3.5K resolution, that comes with the XPS 13 Plus and produces vibrant, clean images.

SPECIFICATIONS

Processor: Intel Core i7-1360P/2.2GHz
Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
Memory: 16GB RAM
Touch Screen: 13.4-inch OLED
Resolution: 3456x2160 (3.5K)
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Storage: 512GB SSD NVMe
Connectivity: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)

In terms of storage, the laptop’s large 512GB solid-state drive ensures faster memory recall, shorter boot-up times and quicker access to long-term data such as saved files. I filled the drive to capacity during my tests, and the XPS 13 Plus never faltered in recalling documents.

Businesses deal with many challenges when selecting the right laptops for their users. The Dell XPS 13 Plus checks every box.

Ideal Tech For Working On-The-Go

A laptop is the quintessential business travel technology, meaning it satisfies both corporate needs and consumers’ desire for gadgets that are intuitive and fun to use.

I traveled a lot while reviewing the Dell XPS 13 Plus, logging thousands of miles and hurtling through countless hallways to meeting rooms, hotel rooms and airplanes. While doing so, I kept track of the key benefits we all look for in our technology to help us navigate the crazy world of travel.

It all starts with portability. Dell XPS 13 Plus is lightweight and compact enough for easy transportation. Layover in Las Vegas? No problem, the unit fit perfectly in the laptop sleeve of my backpack, and I found it as easy to remove and slide as any laptop I’ve ever used. This laptop is also durable, as I learned after several “oops” moments.

Another must for a laptop is reliable connectivity. Flying is the best time to catch up on work, so my laptop must be able to easily connect to the internet during flights (or during layovers) through my phone’s hotspot. The XPS 13 Plus delivers.

Finally, with two USB4 ports and support for Thunderbolt 4 along with two USB-C ports, the laptop has everything business travelers need to connect devices and finish work while heading to their destinations.