Dell XPS Duo 12-l221x Pro Reviews

What at first might seem like a gimmick seems to be something of a double-edged sword. In fact, it's not a gimmick, the rotating screen has some very real uses, and even as a tablet it's perfectly usable, if a little heavy. Following on from the other Dell Ultrabooks, the XPS 12 is supremely usable. The keyboard is very pleasant, and we wrote this whole review on it. That makes it better than most tablets, even those with keyboard covers and those with Bluetooth keyboards. What we liked most was this pin-sharp 1080p screen though. It's bright, the viewing angle is a lot better than the 720p generation of XPS laptops - like the original XPS 13 - and it produces a staggering image on-screen that works fantastically for HD video or typing.

Dell offers the XPS 12 at a starting price of $1,199.99. More powerful systems than the one we tested, such as models with a Core i7-3517U processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB solid state hard drive are also available. If you're in the market for an ultrabook, you'll quickly discover the XPS 12 isn't the cheapest option out there. However, the XPS 12 is a solid, well-built system that has some additional features you won't find on these lower-priced ultrabooks. For anyone who is willing to spend the premium to get a convertible ultrabook, we encourage you to check out the XPS 12.

The tablet mode isn’t entirely successful, but the XPS 12 will definitely earn its keep as a powerful, lightweight Ultrabook that you can use for work on the road or in the office. The tablet mode is really just a nice bonus for when you want to have a bit of fun, or let the kids loose with apps such as FreshPaint.

With the XPS 12, Dell has made some conscious decisions about what features they're going to include and omit, as well as where to spend money and where to cut corners. The materials and build quality are very good, but a few of the components would benefit from some additional TLC (e.g. please use a Synaptics touchpad and drivers next time, or at least ElanTech or Alps). The dimensions and weight are another area Dell chose to go a bit bigger rather than cut battery capacity or keyboard travel. In the end, the XPS 12 works quite well in most areas, but I'm not convinced $1200+ touchscreen Ultrabooks are going to sell as well as the OEMs might like. Vizio's Ultrabook offerings seem to prove that prices well south of $1000 are possible, and that's what we're likely to recommend.

Dell has really hit on something with this spinning screen convertible notebook malarkey. Rotate the XPS 12’s display one one way and you have an no-compromise Ultrabook - though as an Ultrabook, it is a compromised notebook: no optical drive or Ethernet, for starters. Flip the screen in the other direction and you have an excellent if slightly heavy Windows 8 tablet. Granted, it’s not cheap, but I defy anyone to buy one and not think it money well spent.

In many ways, the Dell XPS 12 can be considered a microcosm of everything that’s right and wrong with the Windows 8 ecosystem. It provides a decent, albeit clunky tablet experience but ultimately needs a screen and onscreen pointer to get by. Their competitors have tried to find the perfect balance of these factors and have failed but Dell succeeded by delivering a solid design that hides many of Microsoft’s missteps.

The Dell XPS 12 brings the full Windows 8 experience to the table thanks to its convertible tablet form factor. Dell's screen flipping mechanism is as unique as it is rock solid; it turns into a great tablet in a matter of seconds. The 12.5-inch display is absolutely beautiful and the touch screen functionality works perfectly in Windows 8. The screen's full HD resolution (1920x1080) has tons of space to use two windows side by side or look at high-res pictures and video in exquisite detail. And if you don't want to use the tablet mode, the XPS 12's backlit keyboard and clickpad are fantastic. The XPS 12's build quality is superb thanks to extensive use of carbon fiber and metal alloy; it's quite portable at under 0.8" thin and 3.4 pounds. The battery life is 3.5 hours using our new test (it would be 5+ on our old test) which is reasonable for an ultraportable notebook. System performance is good thanks to the Core i5 processor and 128GB Samsung SSD.

Dell’s XPS 12 is a stylish, ingeniously designed hybrid, but it’s still a better Ultrabook than it is a tablet

Though the XPS 12's size and weight make it a bit unwieldy as a substitute tablet, it's still a compelling option if you're in the market for a high-end, touch-enabled Ultrabook. The XPS 12 is almost as light as other Ultrabooks, with a premium industrial design, comfortable keyboard, gorgeous 1080p screen and a super-fast boot-up time. The biggest drawbacks seem to be the flaky trackpad and the relatively short battery life, which doesn't improve much when you dim that 400-nit display. We'll be curious to see how other touchscreen Ultrabooks fare, particularly those with similarly versatile designs. In the meantime, though, the XPS 12 represents a solid start for this new wave of Windows 8 shape-shifters.

The XPS 12 has its flaws, but this brilliant laptop/tablet hybrid still delivers in spades

The XPS 12 Convertible Touch Ultrabook is a clever and stylish design, and it obviates the need to carry a tablet with you. At least if a Windows 8 tablet is what you want. It's on the heavy side, but that's may be a common theme with touchscreen laptops for the foreseeable future. It could also use another USB port, but that will limit relatively few users.

Dell’s attempt to create a non-compromising convertible laptop works as well as we could have hoped. The XPS 12 absolutely nails the fundamentals of display, endurance, and interface. We would be eager to recommend this device even if it were only an Ultrabook. The ability to turn it into a tablet is just a bonus. And we do mean just a bonus. Gravity is a cruel mistress that brings this device’s tablet aspirations down to earth. This device weighs too much to allow frequent or long-term use in tablet mode without a stand or piece of furniture to rest on. Tablet mode is great for quickly browsing the Web or watching a YouTube video with friends, but it’s no replacement for the real thing. Surprisingly, this device offers a reasonable value. Lenovo’s Yoga 13 costs less, but it also provides less: fewer pixels, a slower default processor, and a smaller battery. Toshiba’s U925t is similarly priced but has a lower display resolution. Samsung’s ATIV Smart PC Pro 700T is the most convincing competitor, and it is sold at the same price, but we’ve yet to have hands-on time with it. The XPS 12 is a convincing first step for premium Windows convertibles. Its weight prevents it from standing in for a dedicated tablet, but this potential flaw is saved by the device’s excellence as an Ultrabook. Any consumer interested in an Ultrabook or a convertible tablet should check out what Dell is offering.

Dell knocked it out of the park with its first Windows 8 convertible. The thin, light, and carbon-fiber-clad chassis make the hybrid a great option for on-the-go students and business types, especially when you factor the machine's all-day battery life into the equation. Few ultrabooks can match the XPS 12's keyboard, while few Windows laptops, period, sport such an impressive touch pad. We can't praise the stunning 1080p display enough, and even better, Dell managed to back up the superb build with performance that's competitive with anything in its price class. There's no two ways about it: Everything about the Dell XPS 12 screams quality, and it's a serious contender in the newfangled hybrid category. Sure, the scant port selection is a bit of a downer, as is the hybrid's relative heft during extended tablet-mode sessions. We also have unresolved qualms with Windows 8. Swapping between the tile array and traditional desktop is almost—almost—as jarring as swapping between the slightly different controls used for touch and mouse gestures, but that's going to hold true for every hybrid-style device, not just the XPS 12, and Dell's tutorials help to leap that hurdle.

The Dell XPS 12 is unique among the Windows 8 laptops we've previewed and reviewed, offering a different take on the convertible laptop/tablet concept. At the same time, it's not exactly an original idea, being based on one of Dell's previous high-concept designs, the Inspiron Duo. The flip-screen construction is surprisingly practical for sharing your screen with others, and using a touch screen with a keyboard and touch pad works well in Windows 8. But it's hard to justify spending $1,699 when the XPS 12 doesn't entirely satisfy as a slate-style tablet, even if Microsoft shoulders most of the responsibility for that. If you're in love with the XPS 12's design, I'd suggest sticking to the less expensive configurations.

The Dell XPS 12 hybrid ultrabook/tablet features a flip-and-fold display, providing ultrabook specs and performance with tablet functionality.

A sensational start: the XPS 12 is an amazing pick of hardware built by Dell. Even though we tested the precursor model, we found few flaws. The case originates from the Ultrabook XPS 13 and the laptop can be quickly transformed into a tablet. Despite this freely-movable display, the case proves to be very sturdy, which also shows in the higher weight. In tablet mode, the XPS should be used on the lap or lying on the table. A stand is not necessary - just open up the notebook backwards and place it on the table. The Metro interface and touchscreen grants Windows 8 an interface which is as comfortable as that of iOS or Android. Classical Windows programs can be used with the touchpad and the keyboard, which are also quite good. The brilliant IPS screen is a great feature. It sports the very fine FullHD resolution and offers great viewing angles, strong backlight and nice contrast. This screen would be ideal if it had better color spectrum coverage. Outdoors, the screen remains legible, till the battery depletes itself after 5-6 hours (normal use without full load).