Dell is a regular at all previous CES shows, and things will not be any different this year, either. In fact, it seems that those who have been holding out for a new laptop might want to make sure that your patience can stretch a wee bit longer. After all, it would be at CES 2017 that Dell debuts their very own Dell XPS 13, a convertible laptop that can double up as a tablet as and when required. Now before you turn away in boredom knowing that many other similar form factors for laptops have already made it to the market for the past few years, why not consider the fact that Dell is pretty good at what they do -- and the Dell XPS 13 is worth checking out?
Granted, a laptop that doubles up as a tablet is clearly worth having, especially when you take into consideration how there are moments when you simply want tablet functionality and nothing else. Well, the downside would be a dedicated tablet is far lighter than a convertible device, but Dell’s XPS 13 intends to buck the trend as much as possible in terms of its design, features, and functionality.
With the new Dell XPS 13 retaining its close to borderless 5.2mm InfinityEdge display that originally debuted at CES 2015, it will also ensure that the compact screen-to-size ratio remains. According to Dell, the XPS 13 will reign as the smallest 13-inch display model in the world, where all of its innards are able to be crammed into a chassis that would normally hold an 11-inch laptop -- how is that for miniaturization?
With the XPS 13 2-in-1 convertible laptop, sacrifices must be made. It will use Intel’s seventh-generation Intel Core i5-7Y54 or Core i7-7Y75 processor underneath the hood, which would be the less beefy versions of the more powerful Kaby Lake–based Core i3, i5, and i7 processors that see action in the regular XPS 13. That is to be expected, and you get a microSD memory card slot as opposed to an SD memory card slot to further save on physical space in its engineering and design.
The pros? A new foldable hinge which will allow the Full HD or Quad HD display (depending on your budget) fold flat so that it can be used as a tablet. Dell claims that these hinges are able to survive at least 20,000 openings and closings, and proudly marches on with a 15 hour battery life for the Full HD model. No battery life readings for the Quad HD model has been furnished, but do not expect the sun and the moon for it, and logic dictates that it will be less than 15 hours.
Other hardware specifications of the Dell XPS 13 convertible will include carbon fiber palm rests and a machined aluminum shell, USB Type-C ports to keep up with the times and a starting price point of $999 a pop. Shipping of the new Dell XPS 13 convertible is set to happen later this January.
