The Dell XPS 13 9370 was billed back in 2018 as one of the most compelling ultrabooks available, boasting a compact design, impressive specifications, and a high-quality display. But did it live up to the hype? This article will explore the design, display, hardware performance, and overall user experience of the XPS 13 9370 based on ownership and use for several years. For those interested in purchasing newer models or exploring more about the specifications, you can check out the Dell UK website.
TL:DR – The Dell XPS 13 9370, equipped with Intel's i7 processor, offered an impressive range of features at the time including a high-definition FHD display, USB-C and Thunderbolt, compact build, and fast performance options. An absolute bargain now second hand, potential buyers may want to carefully consider potential cooling issues before making a decision - although replacement fans are super easy to find and fit.
Design and build quality
The XPS 13 9370 exemplified modern aesthetics with its sleek, minimalistic design. The laptop's dimensions are marginally smaller than its predecessor but are surprisingly effective in enhancing portability. The use of premium materials like carbon fibre for the palm rest and machined aluminium for the chassis contributed to an overall structure that was both sturdy and lightweight. The narrowed bezels around the display yield a nearly edge-to-edge screen, offering an immersive visual experience while maintaining a compact footprint.
Keyboard and trackpad performance
While the XPS series has a reputation for its excellent keyboard design, opinions diverge regarding the 9370's layout. The keys have a satisfying tactile feedback and adequate travel, but many users, including past enthusiasts, might prefer the softer key experience that characterised previous models. The layout is fairly standard, which reduces the learning curve for new users; however, some might find the overall typing experience less engaging than on older builds.
The glass trackpad is another highlight, providing an impressive gliding experience that is both precise and responsive. Dell has taken significant strides to enhance the click functionality, ensuring it does not hinder usability. Despite this, occasional misclicks can occur, primarily due to the expansive surface area. It's worth noting that, unlike many laptops, this trackpad has minimal palm rejection issues, which could enhance productivity in extended work sessions. Typically though I have found it better to use an external mouse.
Display options and experience
The Dell XPS 13 9370 comes with two display variants: a non-touch glossy panel and an ultra-high-definition touchscreen. Mine is the touchscreen version. The FHD panel is a popular choice. Its brightness and colour accuracy provide an outstanding viewing experience, perfect for both work and multimedia consumption. However, some users have noted uniformity issues affecting the lower section of the screen, which could detract from an otherwise stellar visual experience.
On the flip side, while the UHD display offers superior detail, it may also demand more power, leading to faster battery depletion, which is already a concern with this model. Prior iterations of the XPS series experienced issues with Adaptive Brightness Adjustments (CABC), but the 9370 presents a BIOS fix for this annoyance, allowing for greater control over brightness settings. Viewing angles remain excellent, making collaborative viewing possible without significant colour distortion.
Specifications and performance
Mine is powered by an Intel Core i7-8550U processor, supplemented by 8GB of RAM and a 512GB PCIe SSD. While this configuration delivers commendable performance under typical workloads, prospective buyers should be aware that the real-world performance improvement over an i5 counterpart may not be as pronounced as one might expect. Indeed, for everyday tasks such as web browsing, office applications, and video streaming, even the lower-spec model can perform admirably.
However, for users engaging in resource-intensive applications—be it video editing, graphic design, or programming akin to machine learning—the i7 model certainly holds advantages. The specifications of the i7 not only promise better multitasking capabilities but can also significantly expedite compile times and rendering processes. Yet buyers should be prepared for potential throttling under extended loads, particularly during demanding operations such as running stress tests or intensive gaming scenarios.
Thermal performance and battery life
It is apparent that the compact design of the XPS 13 9370 may pose challenges when subjected to demanding tasks. During rigorous use, users may notice a drop in performance due to thermal throttling, a common occurrence in ultrabooks striving to maintain a balance between power and portability. The cooling system, though efficient under normal operating conditions, can struggle to maintain peak performance during tasks that generate significant heat.
Mine started to show its thermal performance limitations when I connected it to a Dell Thunderbolt dock. The fan made an aircraft engine style noise and a quick search determined that this is a common problem with the second fan failing. It was easy to find, order, and fit a replacement here in the UK from Black Cat PC, a small business specialising in Dell parts. Perhaps the thermal problems were the original fans - because once fitted no more fan problems, and really no more thermal problems.
As for the battery life, Dell quotes up to 21 hours, yet, realistic usage reveals a more modest figure closer to 10-12 hours under mixed-use scenarios. While this is commendable in its own right, particularly for an ultrabook, users should adjust expectations accordingly, especially if running applications known to consume more battery power. Be prepared for a charging routine, especially during intensive work sessions.
Ports and connectivity
Port selection on the XPS 13 9370 is another area where form and function engage in a delicate dance. The device relies primarily on USB Type-C connections, with limited legacy ports apart from a single USB Type-A dongle included in the box. This modern connectivity approach supports Thunderbolt 3, offering exceptional data transfer rates and the convenience of docking solutions. Thus, while users benefit from cutting-edge technology, those reliant on older peripherals may find themselves purchasing additional adapters and/or dongles.
Importantly there is also a microSD slot which is very handy for file transfer and data.
Moreover, wireless connectivity is robust, featuring the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards. This ensures reliable connections to all manner of devices, ranging from printers to headphones. While it lacks a dedicated HDMI output, users capable of leveraging USB-C/HDMI adapters can still connect to external displays with relative ease, though it’s a concession some might be unwilling to make.
Optional Thunderbolt 3 docking station
The one you want is the Dell WD19TBS Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station (180W Power Adapter). This connects your Dell XPS via one Thunderbolt 3 (Type-C) cable, to a variety of useful ports. It has a dock button is designed to replicate your system's power button. If you connect the Dell Thunderbolt Docking Station WD19TBS to supported Dell systems like the Dell XPS 9370 the dock button works like your system's power button and you can use it to power on/sleep/force shutdown the system with the lid closed. The front of the docking station has a USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C port and a USB 3.2 Gen1 port with PowerShare. The side has two lock slots, a wedge-shaped one and a Kensington lock slot. The rear ports have everything you might need! Two DisplayPort 1.4 ports, HDMI 2.0 port, USB 3.1 Gen1USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C port with DisplayPort 1.4, two USB 3.1 Gen1USB 3.2 Gen1 ports, an RJ-45 network connector, a power supply connector and a USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-C with Thunderbolt 3 port (connected to a Thunderbolt 3 host)/ Type-C USB2.0 port (connected to a non-Thunderbolt host). It is a swiss army knife of a docking station and was ridiculously expensive new. So hunt around for a used one as it completely changes your world to just have to deal with one cable to connect at home or at your desk.
Price and value proposition
The price point of the Dell XPS 13 9370 warrants careful consideration, with costs varying significantly based on chosen configuration. when new these started around £1,000 for the base model, going all the way up to £1,850 for the fully specced version, it positions itself firmly in premium territory. Early adopters and enthusiasts appreciated the robust feature set, but one must question their residuals as these laptops are cheap as chips for what they are on the second hand market now and can be found with Windows 11, 16GB 512GB SSD and touchscreen for under £400.
Although it's helpful to weigh the XPS 13 9370's specifications against competitive offerings, such as the HP Spectre 13 or the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon you've probably already chosen Dell. While numerous factors contribute to value, including build quality and user satisfaction, buyers should endeavour to trial different models including the later 9570 to determine the most suitable choice for their needs although of course the price will be higher!
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Dell XPS 13 9370 is a great example of modern ultrabook design, boasting an incredibly compact size, premium materials, and solid performance capabilities. It excels in portability and aesthetics, making it an attractive option for professionals on the move. However, potential concerns arise regarding thermal performance, limited port options, and pricing that may deter budget-conscious users, although replacement fans are easily available and perhaps are the solution to this issue.
As such, if you're in the market for a high-quality ultrabook that can handle daily tasks with style and efficiency, the XPS 13 9370 should certainly find a place on your consideration list. Should you wish to purchase this device or explore additional options, consider visiting Dell XPS 13 9370 on Amazon UK for a variety of purchasing options.
