Dell XPS 13 9360 vs. Surface Laptop: Which laptop should you buy?

It'south no secret here at Windows Primal how much we love both Microsoft's Surface Laptop and Dell's XPS xiii 9360. They're both clamshell-style notebooks and they're both built to a loftier standard, just most people are in the market for simply one laptop.

At that place's no better time to shop and salvage money on a new laptop. Exist sure to bank check out our continuously updated article on the best Dell XPS 13 Black Fri deals.

While the redesigned XPS xiii 9370 is available now, the older 9360 volition remain for sale for the time beingness. Why bother with the older model? It'southward undoubtedly a bully laptop with USB-A ports and an SD card reader, a more traditional XPS expect, and a cheaper price tag.

If y'all're shopping around for a new device and have the Surface Laptop and XPS thirteen 9360 in your grouping of top contenders, nosotros'll brand it a bit easier for yous to make a final decision by laying out the similarities and differences.

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Dell XPS 13 vs. Surface Laptop: Specifications

Category	Dell XPS 13	Surface Laptop
OS	Windows 10 Home Windows 10 Pro	Windows 10 Due south (upgradeable to Pro)
Processor	Seventh-gen Intel Core i3-7100U, i5-7200U Eighth-gen Intel Core i7-8550U	Seventh-gen Intel Core i5-7200U, i7-7660U
Brandish size	13.3 inches	13.5 inches
Display resolution	ane,920 x 1,080 non-touch/touch 3,200 ten 1,800 touch	2,256 x 1,504 touch
RAM	4GB/8GB/16GB DDR3	4GB/8GB/16GB DDR3
Graphics	Intel HD 620 Intel UHD 620 (Eighth-gen)	Intel Hard disk drive 620 (i5) Intel Iris Plus 640 (i7)
Storage	128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB SSD	128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB SSD
Camera	Front-facing 720p	Front-facing 720p (with face hallmark)
Ports	Two USB-A 3.0 USB-C Thunderbolt iii SD bill of fare reader iii.5mm jack	USB-A 3.0 Surface Connect Mini DisplayPort three.5mm jack
Battery	60WHr	45.ii WHr
Dimensions	11.98 inches x vii.8 inches ten 0.33-0.threescore inches 304mm x 235mm x 9-15mm	12.13 inches 10 8.78 inches x 0.57 inches 308mm x 223mm x xiv.5mm
Weight	2.7 pounds (1.2kg) non-touch on 2.9 pounds (1.29kg) touch	2.76 pounds (1.25kg)

Dell XPS 13 vs. Surface Laptop: Performance

Before discussing how operation differs between these two laptops, let's take a look at some hard benchmarks to mensurate processor (CPU), graphics (GPU), and a mix of all performance hardware. Both laptops here are the Core i7 models, though the XPS 13 is using eighth-gen while the Surface Laptop is using seventh-gen hardware.

Geekbench iv.0 benchmarks (higher is better)

Device	CPU	Single core	Multi core
Dell XPS 13	i7-8550U	4,690	14,334
Surface Laptop	i7-7660U	4,714	9,535

Thanks to the eighth-gen, quad-core Intel CPU in the XPS 13, its multi-cadre score is much higher. For tough tasks or for some serious multitasking, the Cadre i7 model of the XPS 13 volition be able to take you farther.

However, if you're looking at something with less ability, both the XPS 13 and Surface Laptop are using the same Cadre i5-7200U CPU and you can expect about the same performance from both. For a laptop with a Core i3 CPU, you're stuck with the XPS xiii.

Geekbench iv.0 OpenCL (higher is meliorate)

Device	GPU	Score
Dell XPS xiii	UHD 620	22,555
Surface Laptop	Iris Plus 640	31,010

The Core i3 and i5 XPS 13 models both come with Intel Hd 620 integrated graphics, and the eighth-gen Core i7 model comes with Intel UHD 620, which is basically just a rebrand for the new generation.

In whatever instance, the Iris Plus 640 integrated GPU in the Surface Laptop is going to deliver a lot more power if you're interested in some multimedia editing or medium gaming.

PCMark Habitation Conventional 3.0 (higher is better)

Device	Score
Dell XPS 13	3,280
Surface Laptop	3,156

The PCMark Dwelling Conventional test measures how well your PC'southward hardware works together to perform a number of everyday tasks, and it's clear from these results that both of laptops are fix to deliver serious performance. As long every bit yous're non looking at whatever specialized tasks, either laptop will handle what you need to get done.

Dell XPS thirteen vs. Surface Laptop: Display

Surface Laptop display

Clamshell notebooks with touch displays might take a bit of getting used to, but they can prove useful, particularly when paired with a device similar the Surface Pen.

While all models of the Surface Laptop accept a touch display and sit at a 2,256 x i,504 resolution, there are three options for the XPS 13. You tin find 1080p not-impact versions, 1080p bear upon versions (albeit with a seventh-gen Cadre i7 CPU), and 1800p affect versions. Withal, none of these models work with Dell'south Active Pen.

Both laptops offer outstanding displays with deep color and dissimilarity, so it really comes down to office. If you lot're an artist or someone who likes taking notes by paw, the Surface Laptop volition no doubt exist bonny when couple with a pen. If you'd just like the highest resolution, touch or not, the XPS 13 volition likely be your first selection.

Dell XPS 13 vs. Surface Laptop: Keyboard and touchpad

XPS 13 touchpad

Around the keyboard and touchpad on the Surface Laptop is an Alcantara end, which makes it just a chip more luxurious and soft on the hands than the carbon terminate on the XPS xiii. However, the Alcantara fabric might pick up stains easier, and might not be quite as resilient over the years. Nevertheless, information technology'southward available in more than colors.

Both keyboards are backlit and utilise chiclet keys, and both have well-sized Precision touchpads that runway without flaw. It's difficult to say exactly what a person volition relish without personally testing them out, simply in that location is ample key travel on both laptops, which volition keep typing comfortable over long periods of fourth dimension. We'll go on this section a draw.

Dell XPS thirteen vs. Surface Laptop: Features

XPS 13 ports

Two of the biggest features that the XPS 13 is missing are facial recognition for Windows How-do-you-do and pen support for Windows Ink. Sure, you can tack a fingerprint reader on to the XPS thirteen for a scrap more than coin at checkout, but the Surface Laptop comes with an IR photographic camera built right in. On a related annotation, the XPS thirteen's 720p webcam is located below the display, creating a scrap of a nose evidence that many people despise.

The Surface line wouldn't exist the aforementioned without pen support, and although information technology'southward sold separately (about $100), the Surface Pen is uniform. For the aforementioned experience from an XPS 13, yous'd have to look at Dell's 2-in-1 option, which is an entirely dissimilar PC.

Dear information technology or hate information technology, the Surface Laptop comes with Windows 10 South installed. This is a version of Windows ten that works essentially the same every bit Home or Pro, except it's locked to using apps straight from the Windows Store. This is Microsoft's answer to Chrome OS, and if you aren't comfortable with that, it only takes seconds to upgrade to Windows x Pro.

Finally, there'southward a flake of a gap when it comes to port availability. If you lot'd like at least 2 USB-A 3.0 ports, a USB-C Thunderbolt iii, and an SD bill of fare reader. it'south the XPS xiii you'll desire. However, if you're invested in Surface products, the Surface Connect port and unmarried USB-A 3.0 should do well enough. You're also looking at a Mini DisplayPort for video purposes.

Dell XPS xiii vs. Surface Laptop: Bombardment

Surface Laptop

Despite the XPS 13 having a quad-core i7 CPU, both laptops actually sit at a 15W thermal pattern indicate (TDP). All that actress power is sucking up near the same amount of juice, and even with the 1800p touch display, yous're looking at about ten hours on a unmarried charge. Drib that downward to 1080p non-touch, and you'll no incertitude push that number even higher.

For the Cadre i7 version of the Surface Laptop, you're going to go about eight hours of life. The battery is a bit smaller, and so there'south no surprise in that location. For the best battery life possible, it looks like you'll desire to stick with the XPS thirteen.

Dell XPS 13 vs. Surface Laptop: Pricing

Equally a starting betoken, a Core i3 XPS xiii with 4GB of RAM, a 128GB SSD, and a 1080p non-touch display costs most $800. For a baseline Surface Laptop with a Core i5 CPU, 4GB of RAM, a 128GB SSD, and a touch display, y'all're looking at about $one,000.

As we scale upward, an XPS 13 with an eighth-gen Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and an 1800p touch display will set you dorsum nigh $two,050. For a Surface Laptop with essentially the same specs except for a seventh-gen Core i7 CPU, yous're looking at virtually $two,700.

Dell XPS 13 vs. Surface Laptop: Conclusion

XPS 13

Choosing betwixt these two laptops, like most, comes downwardly to what you're going to be using it for. Heavy multitasking tin be tackled with the quad-core i7 CPU in the XPS 13, while medium gaming can be enjoyed thanks to the Iris Plus 640 integrated GPU in the Surface Laptop.

If you'd rather forego a impact display, the XPS 13 is actually your simply choice, but if you lot honey a touch brandish and would similar to use a pen with it, yous'll want the Surface Laptop.

Continue in mind that both of these laptops are able machines, and you won't be disappointed in either. If you'd just like an able device for everyday tasks, yous're probably more interested in the cost, in which example the XPS xiii becomes more attractive as y'all scale up the hardware.

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Encounter at Microsoft Store

For more data on both of these laptops, be sure to have a look at our in-depth reviews.

Dell XPS xiii review (tardily 2022)
Surface Laptop review

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