Dell XPS 13 Plus (2024) vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
The Verdict
Dell XPS 13 Plus delivers cutting-edge performance with Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, 16GB RAM, and a vibrant 500-nit display, making it ideal for demanding creative work. Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 offers exceptional battery life (18 hours vs 12 hours), better portability at nearly identical weight, and includes useful legacy ports like USB-A and a headphone jack. Surface's 12th-gen Intel processors are adequate but lag behind the newer architecture. XPS 13 Plus prioritizes raw power and modern connectivity with dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, while Surface Laptop 5 emphasizes longevity and traditional compatibility. At $300 less, Surface appeals to productivity-focused users, but XPS 13 Plus justifies its premium for performance enthusiasts. Choose XPS 13 Plus if you prioritize speed and future-proofing, or Surface Laptop 5 if battery endurance and port compatibility matter most.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Dell XPS 13 Plus (2024) if…
- →Remarkably thin and light at 1.24 kg
- →Striking futuristic design with zero-lattice keyboard
- →Strong Intel Core Ultra performance
Buy the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 if…
- →Excellent 3:2 aspect ratio PixelSense touchscreen for productivity
- →Alcantara keyboard deck is comfortable and distinctive
- →Lightweight at 1.27 kg for easy portability
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Dell XPS 13 Plus (2024)
Pros
- Remarkably thin and light at 1.24 kg
- Striking futuristic design with zero-lattice keyboard
- Strong Intel Core Ultra performance
- Excellent build quality with premium aluminum finish
- Optional 4K OLED upgrade available
Cons
- Only two Thunderbolt ports — no USB-A, HDMI, or SD card
- Capacitive function row lacks tactile feedback
- Soldered RAM and SSD cannot be upgraded
- Battery life is merely average for an ultrabook
- Haptic touchpad has invisible borders
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
Pros
- Excellent 3:2 aspect ratio PixelSense touchscreen for productivity
- Alcantara keyboard deck is comfortable and distinctive
- Lightweight at 1.27 kg for easy portability
- Up to 18 hours claimed battery life
- Removable SSD for easier data recovery
Cons
- Only one USB-C port and one USB-A port — very limited
- 60Hz display lacks the smoothness of 120Hz competitors
- No Thunderbolt 4 — USB-C is USB 4.0 with limited bandwidth
- Surface Connect charger is proprietary
- 8 GB base RAM is restrictive for multitasking
Full Specifications
| Spec | Dell XPS 13 Plus (2024) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.24 kg | 1.27 kg |
| Material | CNC aluminum | Aluminum and Alcantara |
| Dimensions | 295.3 x 199.0 x 15.3 mm | 308 x 223 x 14.5 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 0 | — |
| USB-C ports | 0 | 1 |
| SD card | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | — |
| USB-A ports | — | 1 |
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| Surface Connect | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 12 hours mixed use | Up to 18 hours |
| Capacity | 55 Wh | 47.4 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 13.4 inches | 13.5 inches |
| Type | InfinityEdge IPS non-touch | PixelSense IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 2256 x 1504 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 400 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB NVMe | 256 GB / 512 GB (removable SSD) |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB LPDDR5x | 8 GB / 16 GB |
| Cores | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) | 10-core (2P + 8E) |
| Chipset | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U / i7-1255U |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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