STACK #264 October 2026

TECH REVIEW

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Available in 8GB vs 16GB RAM models 8GB: A good fit for browsing, streaming, email, documents, and lighter multitasking 16GB: More breathing room for tab hoarders, heavier multitasking, and demanding apps Both keep the same Intel

Core 5-320 processor, 512GB SSD, and 2.5K touchscreen

REVIEW

Budget ultraportable laptops are on the rise, and Dell has joined the fray with its impressive little XPS 13, running Windows 11 Home.We took the 8GB model for a spin, and here are our thoughts. Words Amy Flower An ultraportable whiz Dell XPS 13 13.4" 2.5K Touch Laptop

Integrated Intel Graphics handle everyday visuals, but AAA gaming and demanding creative work such as Photoshop or Premiere call for something more powerful. The 512GB SSD should be enough for most users, and we found the XPS 13 a nimble performer. Battery life You want an ultraportable to have enough juice to see you through a busy day, and the XPS 13 really delivers. Dell claims up to 17 hours of life from a full charge, and it’s believable, bearing in mind that it also depends upon what you’re doing, how bright you have the screen, and other variables. Connectivity Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 keep wireless connectivity up to date. We were online in seconds, and pairing a Bluetooth mouse was equally speedy. The compact design does limit ports: you get just two USB-C connections. That should suffice on the move, but a hub will be useful at home for a monitor, card reader, and other accessories. There’s also no headphone socket, making Bluetooth headphones the obvious option. Audio The built-in quad-driver speakers are surprisingly good for a budget ultraportable, delivering more punch than you might expect from such a compact machine, and working well for movies on the go. Webcam The Full-HD webcam delivers smooth video for Zoom calls and supports Windows Hello, but there’s no physical privacy shutter. The bottom line For a Windows ultraportable, the XPS 13 is a very appealing option. It looks and feels premium, has an impressive screen, travels easily, and offers enough battery life to see most users through a busy day.

Design and build The XPS 13 immediately looks premium, in keeping with the series’ roots. Its slim 12.7mm aluminium chassis punches above its weight, with none of the budget plastic you might expect at this price. At just 1kg, it well and truly ticks the ultraportable box, while still feeling sturdy enough to handle life on the move. Display

Performance At its heart is Intel’s Core 5 320 Wildcat Lake processor, designed for entry-level, low powered systems and well suited to students and everyday users. Email, web browsing, Microsoft 365, and video playback are handled without raising a sweat. Our 8GB review unit can slow down with lots of browser tabs or several programs open at once. If heavier multitasking is a priority, the available 16GB model offers noticeably more breathing room.

The 13.4-inch IPS touchscreen has slim bezels all around, so most of the machine’s compact footprint is taken up by screen. A 2560×1600 (2.5K) resolution, ~500-nit brightness, vivid colour, and dynamic refresh rate up to 120Hz make it one smooth little visual performer. Touch functionality is a welcome bonus for a budget-conscious laptop and works flawlessly, although it’s worth keeping a cleaning cloth handy because the shiny screen retains fingerprints.

60 OCTOBER 2026

jbhifi.com.au