Dell XPS 13 (2022) vs XPS 13 2-in-1 (2022): What are the differences?

Every year for the past few years, Dell has been releasing new versions of the Dell XPS 13 along with a 2-in-1 version for those who prefer convertibles. These two forms are often nearly identical in most respects, so it’s really a matter of choosing which form factor you like best. This year, there is a lot to her. The 2022 Dell XPS 13 is still a laptop, but the 2022 XPS 13 2-in-1 is a tablet. It’s a radically different design, and if you’re choosing between the two, there’s a lot to consider.

We’re here to help, so we’ll take a look at all the differences between the 2022 Dell XPS 13 and XPS 13 2-in-1 models. Both are some of the best Dell laptops of the year, but they’re definitely geared toward different audiences. Let’s delve into it.

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Dell XPS 13 (2022) vs. Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2022): Specifications

Design and form factor: The XPS 13 2-in-1 is now a tablet

Obviously, the first and biggest difference to note between these two things is the form factor. While previous versions of the Dell XPS 13 and XPS 13 2-in-1 were essentially identical in terms of looks and general design language, things have changed drastically this year.

The standard Dell XPS 13 is still a basic clamshell laptop, although it does come with a fresh new design and colors. Now available in Sky (light blue) and Umber (dark burgundy) colors, it’s the thinnest XPS 13 laptop ever, at just 13.99mm thick. Additionally, it is also fairly light, with a base weight of 2.59 pounds.

However, the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 is no longer a convertible in the traditional sense. Instead of a 360-degree hinge, the XPS 13 2-in-1 is now a tablet, and you can choose to attach or detach the XPS Folio Keyboard to use as a laptop. That comes with portability benefits, since the XPS 13 2-in-1 now weighs just 1.6 pounds and is just 7.4mm thick (on the Wi-Fi only model, at least).

Of course, the addition of the keyboard makes it heavier, which is actually heavier than the XPS 13 itself in this case. However, if you only want a tablet, it’s now more portable.

However, it also makes this a less convenient device if you want something that really works like a laptop. Even with the XPS Folio Keyboard, the XPS 13 2-in-1 won’t give you the same kind of flexibility for how you position the screen with a typical hinge, and the keyboard may not be as solid. Also, keep in mind that unlike Microsoft’s Surface devices, the XPS 13 2-in-1 doesn’t have a built-in kickstand, so if you want to back it up, you need the keyboard.

The different form factor also affects other things like screen, camera, and connectivity.

Presentation: Big changes to the 2-in-1 model

Moving on to the screen, the regular XPS 13 didn’t change again. It still comes with a 13.4-inch panel and is available in either Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) or Ultra HD+ (3840 x 2400) options. The OLED configuration option has been lost, but the format and remaining options are the same as previous models, including up to 500 nits of brightness.

With the change in form factor, the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 also comes with a completely different display. It’s now a smaller 13-inch panel, but it has the advantage of using a 3:2 aspect ratio, similar to Microsoft’s Surface Pro 8. In fact, the resolution is also the same, being 2880 x 1920. The only configuration available is, realistically, the only one you need. It’s pretty sharp, and with a brightness of 500 nits, it should come in handy outdoors too. Dell also mentions DisplayHDR 400 and Dolby Vision support for this monitor, although not for the regular XPS 13.

Of course, some differences are also inherent in the form factor. While the Dell XPS 13 can be configured with touch, the 2-in-1 supports touch and stylus input in every configuration (as you’d expect for a tablet). It’s also protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, as the screen is more likely to get damaged from touch input.

As for the webcam, the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 has a major advantage. While Dell refuses to upgrade to 1080p webcams on the regular XPS 13, the new XPS 13 2-in-1 now comes with a 5MP camera capable of 1080p video, making it the best webcam ever in an XPS laptop. It’s great for video calls, and if you want to record video, you’ll also get a rear camera for the first time in an XPS. This 11MP camera is capable of 4K video recording, so it’s perfect for recording videos in a jiffy.

As for audio, both models have dual speakers and dual microphones. In general, tablets tend to offer a better audio experience, but both should work just fine.

Ports and connectivity

Normally, tablets are famous for having fewer ports than regular laptops, but the Dell XPS 13 family didn’t have as many ports, and this year it has even fewer. Both the regular Dell XPS 13 and the 2-in-1 have only two Thunderbolt 4 ports, with adapters for USB Type-A and a 3.5mm headphone jack included in the box.

So, the differences are mostly in terms of wireless connectivity. Both models have Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 support, as you’d expect for modern laptops. However, the XPS 13 2-in-1 is the first XPS ever to support 5G.

In fact, if you buy the Slate colorway from the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1, you get the option of an Intel 5000 5G solution. This means that you can connect to the Internet from just about anywhere, without having to rely on unsecured public Wi-Fi networks. This is ideal if you need to work on the road, and adds to the idea that the XPS 13 2-in-1 is ideal for portability.

Performance: clamshell variant with high specification

We’ve left performance for last because it’s an area in which these two laptops are very similar. However, there are some differences. Both come with 12th generation Intel processors, specifically the U9 series. This means they have a default TDP of 9W, but on the clamshell model, Dell is already boosting the processors so they always run at 12W. This is not the case with the 2-in-1 model, therefore, you are bound to get more performance from the clamshell version.

Another advantage of the regular XPS 13 is that you can configure it with up to 32GB of RAM if you wish, instead of the maximum 16GB available in the 2-in-1 version. Furthermore, the clamshell model uses the latest LPDDR5 RAM , which is likely to be faster than the tablet’s LPDDR4x RAM. As for storage, both models come with a solid-state drive of up to 1TB, so there aren’t much differences there.

As for battery life, Dell doesn’t provide very specific estimates, but it will vary depending on your configuration. The two devices have similarly sized batteries, but due to a higher CPU boost on the clamshell model, that might give this tablet an edge. But you’ll also need to consider display resolution and support for 5G, which consumes more battery.

Finally, it’s worth noting that while both models come with Windows 11 and that would be the most popular option, the clamshell XPS 13 gives you the option of Ubuntu if you prefer. This is more for developers or a more specialized group of professional users, but it may be enough to affect you.

Dell XPS 13 (2022) vs. Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2022): Final Thoughts

It’s incredibly clear that these devices are intended for different audiences, and perhaps it’s easier than ever to choose the one you want. The XPS 13 clamshell edition gives you more performance, a sharper screen (if you pay for the upgrade), and a more robust design that’s easier to handle if you want a decent laptop.

On the other hand, the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 puts more emphasis on portability. It’s significantly lighter (without the keyboard), and gives you the option to support 5G. In addition, it has a better webcam (and a secondary camera on top), and it has a sharper screen compared to the basic shell configuration. And of course, since it is a tablet, it supports touch and stylus input by default, so it can be more user-friendly.

The last thing to consider is the price, but we don’t yet know the official price for the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1. However, based on what we mentioned above, you probably already know what you want.

For now, you can buy the Dell XPS 13 using the link below, and the 2-in-1 will go on sale sometime in July. If none of these pique your interest, maybe check out the best laptops overall to see some other great options.