At Computex 2019 Dell announced that it would bringing improvement to its XPS 15 and XPS 13 2-in-1 models along with a full redesign for the XPS 13 2-in-1. The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 was an interesting device from a few years ago, but things like its Y-series processor and so-so battery life held it back from greatness. Dell has heard the feedback though and this brand-new XPS 13 2-in-1 – the 7390 – could be the best convertible Ultrabook of 2019.
First up, Dell has reworked the display finally answering one of my main criticisms of laptops: those narrow 16:9 displays. The 7390 opts for a 13.4-inch 16:10 aspect ratio, which delivers a taller screen with about 7 percent more display area. While not quite as tall as the Surface’s 3:2 aspect this new dimension is, in my opinion, the sweet spot to getting customers to transition from the aging 16:9 form factor.
Dell doesn’t stop there though as users can configure the display up to a 4K Infinity Edge touch LCD panel with a stunning 500 nits of brightness and HDR400 certification. If 4K is too much for you, there’s also a 500-nit full HD version that is Dolby Vision certified, that is anti-reflective, anti-smudge, and has new Eyesafe tech to filter our blue light without distorting the color profile.
Instead of an anemic Y-series processor, Dell is using Intel’s 10th generation 10nm Core i U-series processor, including Core i3-1005, Core i5-1035, or Core i7-1065. That long-awaited 10nm chipset means the motherboard is significantly smaller and runs cooler with better battery life. Intel’s new 10nm Ice Lake chips, which are now from the more powerful U-Series line instead of the fanless Y-Series models found in the older XPS 13 2-in-1.
Users can configure RAM up to 32GB of DDR4 with up to 1TB storage. Unfortunately, everything here is soldered to the board – RAM, the CPU, and SSD meaning you cannot upgrade anything in this laptop post-purchase.
Being a 2-in-1 the 7390 also supports inking with Dell’s new dual-protocol Premium Active Pen.
Other notable features include a fingerprint reader built into the power button for Windows Hello, a top-mounted ultra-small 2.25mm web camera, and Dell’s second-generation MagLev keyboard, something that premiered in the 15-inch 2-in-1 last year. There’s also Killer AX1650 with Wi-Fi 6, a respectable 51WHr battery for up to 16 hours of battery life, and an option for Dell’s arctic white woven glass fiber or the more traditional black carbon fiber composite. The total starting weight is just 1.32 kg or 2.9 lbs.
The update to the XPS 15 is a little less exciting in comparison. In addition to the top-placed webcam, Dell is offering Intel’s latest 9th Gen Core processors (with an i5, i7, and i9 option available), NVIDIA’s new GTX 1650 GPU, and up to 64GB of RAM. There’s also a new option for a 4K OLED panel that looks absolutely gorgeous in person.
Availability for both products has yet to be announced. but the regular XPS 15 will start at $999.99, while the OLED version will start at an eye-watering $1,899.99.
