Best answer: Dell's XPS 13 (9300) has a bunch of set configurations available, with the ability to customize internal hardware to your liking. Those with general productivity in mind can get by with a lower-end configuration. At the same time, those with heavy multitasking and even a bit of editing will want something with heavier-hitting hardware.
- Latest and greatest model: XPS 13 (9300) (From $1,000 at Dell)
What's new with the XPS 13 (9300)?
The most significant difference in the latest XPS 13 (9300) compared to the previous XPS 13 (7390) is no doubt the 13.4-inch display. It has moved from a 16:9 aspect ratio to a 16:10 aspect ratio, effectively eliminating bezel on all four sides. There's no more chin along the bottom, and the result is a truly eminent look. Despite the thin bezel, Dell has still managed to fit an IR camera for Windows Hello above the display.
The keyboard has now been spread out over the chassis, with keys reaching from edge to edge. There's more space for larger keycaps, and you'll feel a lot less jammed up while typing. The Precision touchpad has also been blown up to make the best use possible of space below the keyboard.
Inside, Dell has moved to Intel's 10th Gen 10nm "Ice Lake" processors (CPU) compared to 10th Gen 14nm "Comet Lake" hardware. If you're in search of high-performance integrated graphics, Intel Iris Plus from the Core i7-1065G7 CPU should be what you're looking for. And if you're future-proofing, the XPS 13 (9300) offers Wi-Fi 6 connectivity just like we saw in the 7390 model.
Which XPS 13 (9300) model is best for you?
Dell has four different configurations to choose from when it comes to the XPS 13 (9300), but each is customizable to your liking. That means you should be able to mix and match hardware to get precisely what you need without overspending. Because you get the same ports, keyboard and touchpad, speakers, battery, and display size no matter the configuration, choice will mostly come down to CPU, RAM, solid-state drive (SSD), and display resolution.
The baseline configuration starting at about $1,000 includes an Intel Core i3-1005G1 CPU with two cores, 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM, a 256GB M.2 PCIe SSD (which can be sized up), and a 1920x1200 (FHD+) non-touch display with about 500 nits brightness. If all you want is a premium laptop that can handle word processing, email, web browsing, and some video streaming, this configuration should suit you well and will save you the most money.
You can even add a stunning 3840x2400 (UHD+) touch display to the mix if you're particularly interested in using the XPS 13 as a media centerpiece. The privilege adds about $300 to the price. Just want a touch display and don't mind the FHD+ resolution? You're looking at about $100 tacked on to the $1,000 price tag. Not bad.
Moving up a step, the Core i5-1035G1 quad-core model is going to be much better prepared for long days of multitasking. If you hate the idea of any slow down with tens of browser tabs open and multiple apps running at once, this should be where you begin. The recommended configuration from Dell includes 8GB of LPDDR4 RAM, a 256GB M.2 PCIe SSD, and FHD+ non-touch display, altogether costing about $1,250.
If 256GB of storage isn't quite enough, you can add up to a 2TB M.2 PCIe SSD, though 1TB at $150 extra seems to be the best deal. RAM is likewise configurable up to 16GB for an additional $100, but 8GB coupled with a Core i5 CPU is not a bad combination for most tasks. And, like the Core i3 model, you can pick up to a 4K touch display if you'd like the best picture possible.
Finally, models with a Core i7-1065G7 are reserved for those who want the best performance possible from their Ultrabook. It's still a quad-core CPU, but it notably has a higher clock speed and includes integrated Intel Iris Plus Graphics. If you're interested in some specialized tasks like photo editing or gaming and don't want a laptop with a discrete graphics card (GPU), this will make a great option.
Those with a big budget can grab this model anyway just for the sake of having the best-performing XPS 13. Still, if you're on a tight budget and don't foresee anything more than standard office work, this is likely not going to be worth the extra $200 over a Core i5 model. A baseline Core i7 model with 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD, and FHD+ non-touch display costs about $1,450.
Just like the other XPS 13 options, you can configure with either 8GB or 16GB of RAM, up to a 2TB M.2 PCIe SSD, and a UHD+ touch display. A completely maxed-out XPS 13 — even with the extra $50 included for the white chassis — totals up to about $2,250.
Latest and Greatest
Dell XPS 13 (9300)
Lots of configurations available
Whether you need a simple but premium machine for office work, a mid-range performer for multitasking, or a high-end Ultrabook for some specialized work, the XPS 13 (9300) has the right hardware for the job.