Surface Pro 8 vs. Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (9315)
Microsoft’s flagship 2-in-1 has some competition from the new XPS 13 2-in-1 (9315).
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The Surface Pro 8 is the best Surface Pro that Microsoft has ever released. Its hardware might not be as up to date as the XPS 13 2-in-1, but it’s still the right choice for many people as they await the launch of Dell’s competitor.
Dell’s new XPS 13 2-in-1 (9315) has newer CPUs, optional 5G connectivity, anti-reflective display, and a design that’s immediately familiar. It’s set to launch Aug. 25.
Tech specifications
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Dell’s new XPS 13 2-in-1 (9315) is a return of the convertible 13-inch XPS, this time with a design much closer to the Surface Pro 8. Microsoft’s 2-in-1 has long been one of our picks when it comes to thebest Windows laptops, and it’s expected that the new XPS 13 2-in-1 will fit into our collection of thebest Dell laptops.
The new Dell 2-in-1 is expected to launch Aug. 25with a starting price of about $1,099. Models with 5G connectivity are launching at a later date. U.S. and Canadian regions will get access first, with more regions expected to join in the coming weeks. On the other hand, the Surface Pro 8 has been available for some time now, with plenty of configurations available at the official Microsoft site and at third-party retailers.
Here’s a breakdown of the specifications you’ll find in each laptop.
Design and features
In hisSurface Pro 8 review, Executive Editor Daniel Rubino states, “Nearly a decade on and Surface Pro 8, I’d argue, realizes that original idea of what this device could be.” Compared to previous Pro models, the Pro 8 got an upgrade to an aluminum chassis with rounded edges for a more comfortable feel, a thinner display bezel for the larger screen, new speakers, a larger battery, andThunderbolt 4ports.
The Pro 8 now looks a lot like theSurface Pro X, and that’s a good thing. Dell has attempted to mimic the Surface Pro lineup with its new XPS 13 2-in-1 (9315). The display is the same size, it has a similar keyboard that attaches magnetically, and it supports inking. The XPS 13 2-in-1 doesn’t have the same built-in stand on the back, but its attachable keyboard folds back to keep the tablet upright. The upside here is that the XPS 13 2-in-1 weighs less and is thinner than the Pro 8 when used as a tablet.
Microsoft’s tablet has two Thunderbolt 4 ports, Surface Connect, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Dell has shaved things down even further, offering just two Thunderbolt 4 ports. You’ll still be able to connect to one of thebest Thunderbolt 4 docks, but some might miss the headphone jack. To balance things out, the XPS 13 2-in-1 has optional 5G connectivity on top ofWi-Fi 6Eand Bluetooth 5.2. The Surface Pro 8 can be had with 4G LTE, but only if you purchase from the commercial side of Microsoft’s store.
We’ve yet to get our hands on the XPS 13 2-in-1, making it difficult to say how good the cameras and speakers really are. We do know that the Pro 8’s cameras are both excellent. The front-facing 5MP (FHD) cam adds some AI support to track your face and adjust lighting, and the rear 8MP camera can do 4K video. The dual 2W speakers are also superb and come withDolby Atmosfor spatial audio. The XPS 13 2-in-1’s cameras will likely rival those of the Pro 8. The front-facing camera is 1080p with IR and an ambient light sensor, while the rear camera is 11MP and shoots 4K.
Dell includes the keyboard with its XPS 13 2-in-1; Microsoft, in most cases, charges extra. The XPS Folio has 1.0mm key travel and a Precision touchpad, as well as providing a stand to keep the tablet upright. The Pro 8’s Signature Keyboard also has a Precision touchpad and is available in a number of colors to match your style.
One more thing to watch out for is the upgradeable storage on the Pro 8. A small hatch on the back of the tablet gives access to the SSD, allowing you to upgrade in the future. The XPS 13 2-in-1 (9315) appears to be completely sealed up with no access for upgrades.
Display and inking
The Surface Pro 8’s display blew us away when we first saw it, especially coming from the Pro 7. The latest generation moved to a larger 13-inch screen with thinner bezel and increased resolution, matching up the 267 pixels per inch (PPI) of the Pro 7. It still has a boxy 3:2 aspect ratio ideal for a tablet, color reproduction is excellent (100% sRGB), and brightness is decent at about 450 nits.
A new dynamic refresh rate can push it up to 120Hz from the native 60Hz, making inking feel even more natural. There’s pretty much no latency, and new haptic feedback is available in some apps. The Pro 8 also introducedDolby Visionto Surface lovers, providing enhanced video in supported content. There’s also an adaptive color sensor that balances the tone of the screen to match ambient lighting.
Dell has a similar display in its XPS 13 2-in-1 (9315). It has the same 2880x1920 resolution, 3:2 aspect ratio, 100% sRGB color, and Dolby Vision. It also has HDR 400, up to 500 nits brightness, and an anti-reflective layer. That’s a big bonus, as the Pro 8’s glossy finish is certainly a standout flaw.
The XPS 13 2-in-1 is also capable of inking with the XPS Stylus. Like the Pro 8, you’ll be buying the pen separately. We’ll have more information on the XPS 13 2-in-1 (9315)’s display and inking experience when we get a model in for testing.
Performance and price
The Surface Pro 8 is equipped with Intel’s 11th Gen Core i5-1135G7 and Core i7-1185G7 CPUs, with an extra Core i3-1115G4 option on the commercial side. Along with up to 32GB of LPDDR4x RAM and up to a 1TB SSD, it’s an able performer if you’re looking to handle productivity multitasking and even some light gaming. It’sIntel Evocertified to ensure it delivers consistent performance on battery life as well as near-instant wake from sleep. Battery life is also excellent, with most tests reaching 10 hours or more on a charge depending on screen refresh rate and CPU inside.
The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (9315) is launching with12th Gen Intel Core U-Series processorsthat should beat the Pro 8’s performance capabilities. The new hybrid big.LITTLE architecture with Performance and Efficiency cores is just too good, and we’ve seen huge gains in other laptops we’ve recently reviewed. It’s available with up to 16GB of LPDDR4x RAM and up to a 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD.
We’ll have a much closer performance comparison once we’ve put the XPS 13 2-in-1 through ourlaptop testing process.
The Surface Pro 8 is widely available now starting around $870. The XPS 13 2-in-1 (9315) is expected to launch Aug. 25 with prices starting at $1,099.
If you need a premium 2-in-1 Windows laptop right now, the Pro 8 is your only choice between these two devices. It might not have as good of performance, but its display, inking, and overall design are outstanding.
Dell’s XPS 13 2-in-1 (9315) should prove to be strong competition for the Surface Pro 8 when it launches Aug. 25. Hold out for its release if you want 5G, newer performance hardware, and a similar design and display.
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Cale Hunt brings to Windows Central more than eight years of experience writing about laptops, PCs, accessories, games, and beyond. If it runs Windows or in some way complements the hardware, there’s a good chance he knows about it, has written about it, or is already busy testing it.
