Dell’s refreshed XPS 13 2-in-1 is more tablet than laptop

It looks like Dell is aiming directly for Microsoft’s Surface Pro with its refreshed XPS 13 2-in-1. At its core, the new modal device from Dell comes in a 13-inch tablet form. You can add on accessories like a stylus or keyboard attachment to the XPS 13 2-in-1, transforming it into a canvas or a laptop.

The refreshed XPS 13 2-in-1 features a varied design from Dell’s previous model, which was far more of a flexible laptop than an actual tablet. With the new design, Dell is hoping that its XPS 13 2-in-1 can attract those who are looking for even more versatility with a device that can stream content and be used for work.

Transforming tablet — The main portion of the XPS 13 2-in-1 is the 3K resolution touch display. The display has a five-megapixel 1080p front-facing webcam and an 11-megapixel 4K camera on the back. The XPS 13 2-in-1 can be built with up to a 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1250U, up to 16GB of LPDDR4x memory, and up to 1TB of PCIe SSD.

Depending on what you want to use the XPS 13 2-in-1 for, there’s a couple of crucial accessories. If you’re looking to use it for more creative purposes, the XPS Stylus makes the tablet feel more like something you can draw on. The stylus attaches to the top of the XPS 13 2-in-1 and can run for about 50 days on a full charge.

If you’re trying to make it into a work device, the XPS Folio is a keyboard that magnetically attaches to the bottom of the device. The XPS Folio can be adjusted to 100, 112.5, and 125 degrees. Both the XPS Folio and the XPS Stylus will be sold separately.

Dell kept the XPS 13 2-in-1 very thin at 0.29 inches, but it also only offers two Thunderbolt 4 ports with DisplayPort and power delivery functionality. The lack of ports definitely points to its tablet-leaning design, but Dell is including a USB-C to USB-A adapter and a USB-C to 3.5mm audio adapter for when you want it to be more than a tablet.

Pricing predictions — Dell said the XPS 13 2-in-1 will be the first XPS device to offer 5G connectivity, with that model coming in slate and a little thicker at 0.31 inches. The standard WiFi 6E model will be available in sky blue instead. Both versions will be available in the summer 2022 and Dell is planning to confirm pricing when we’re closer to the release date.

The previous generation XPS 13 2-in-1 retails for $1,320, but if Dell expects to compete with the likes of the Surface Pro 8 or even the iPad Pro, it will have to reduce the price tag by a good amount. A price reduction would make a lot of sense here though, since the refreshed XPS 13 2-in-1 is really just the tablet portion, with the option for add-ons.