If I had to describe in just one word the way most reviewers tend to view the Dell XPS 13 9370, it would have to be “beloved.” From the minimalist design to the fantastic performance of the quad-core i7 processor, there’s plenty for everyone to love about this laptop. While not a perfect laptop (does that even exist?), the Dell XPS 13 9370 is a superb choice for a wide variety of users, and it makes the cut for our top three list of the best Ubuntu laptop and the best laptop
Why We Like It – Dell XPS 13 9370
What’s not to like? The Dell XPS 13 9370 has a lot of great things about it, like its stellar processing power, 4K touch screen, 1TB SSD, and more, all packed into a beautiful, minimalist chassis. Inside and out, this laptop just looks good.
- 3 USB Type C ports, 2 with Thunderbolt compatibility
- Beautiful and durable aluminum unibody chassis
- Impressively vibrant 4K touch screen
- Awkwardly placed webcam
- No USB A or HDMI ports
- Shallow and clicky keyboard
Related: Find something new in our Dell XPS 13 9365 review
Power/Performance
The Dell XPS 13 9370 does everything, and more, that most people want from a laptop. The CPU, in conjunction with the SSD, runs incredibly fast, far faster than the Acer Aspire E 15. Even when intentionally pushing this laptop to its limits, most reviewers find it stays relatively cool and quiet with minimal fan noise. The 4K Infinity Edge touch screen is absolutely gorgeous with bright, vivid colors and crisp, clean edges. What’s more, this screen is plenty bright, meaning you don’t have to crank the brightness all the way up to enjoy a movie or edit a video.
Battery
Fantastic performance doesn’t come without some cost, although that cost on the Dell XPS 13 9370 is relatively minimal. Dell markets this laptop as having over 10 hours of battery life, and while that is attainable depending on tasks and settings, it’s more likely to be between 8 to 9. By comparison, the base model with a Full HD non-touch display can reach an astonishing 16 hours of battery life. Still, the Dell XPS 13 9370 can last an entire workday and matches the battery life of competitors like the Lenovo Thinkpad t580 and the Dell XPS 15 9560.
Ports/Expandability
Ports are the other area where the Dell XPS 13 9370 is a bit of a letdown, but not necessarily for everyone. In the interest of keeping things this laptop thin and light, Dell decided to forgo legacy ports like USB-A and instead opted for one USB C port, two Thunderbolt 3 ports, an audio jack, and an SD card reader. While some users might find this selection lacking, it’s inevitable that older ports are less and less necessary for the average user, so it’s hardly a surprise to see slim laptops like this get rid of them entirely.
Build Quality
The Dell XPS 13 9370 is a fantastic-looking laptop that is meant to be portable, meaning it’s built for durability. The unibody aluminum chassis is super strong, as are the carbon fiber palm rest and the Corning Gorilla Glass screen. Some reviewers do find the keyboard doesn’t provide the greatest typing experience, as the keys are rather shallow and have minimal travel. The touchpad is accurate and easy to use, although some reviewers found the buttonless pressing a bit too stiff to their liking. One final, odd choice on the Dell XPS 13 9370 is the location of the webcam: unlike most laptops with this feature that have it above the screen, this laptop’s webcam is under the screen and thus is at a rather awkward angle for video calls.
Value
The Dell XPS 13 9370 is on the pricier side, but the ratio of quality performance to price is absolutely fair. Any users that want to pay a little bit less can opt for a different configuration with an Intel Core i5 processor, non-touch display, and/or Full HD screen. If, however, the Dell XPS 13 9370 fits into your budget, it’s an outstanding choice for school, work, and creative projects. Thanks to the Thunderbolt ports, it’s entirely possible to use an external GPU for gaming as well.
Related: If you are yet to find a suitable device, check the Dell XPS 13 9380 review
Dell XPS 13 9370 Wrap Up
The Dell XPS 13 9370 is a high-quality, durable, and lightweight laptop that is certain to impress many buyers. Many will be pleased with the added capabilities they have with the two Thunderbolt ports, and many more will be delighted by the stunning 4K touch display. Like many laptop keyboards, this one is a bit shallow, and the lack of any USB A or HDMI ports might be a major turnoff for some. One final gripe is the awkward webcam placement just under the screen, resulting in what some dub a “nose cam.” Overall, though, this laptop is stellar both to look at and to use, and it certainly deserves its “beloved” status.
