The Dell XPS 13 Laptop is on sale right now for $949.99, which is $350 off the regular price. If you want a small, light laptop that still feels fast and premium, this one checks a lot of boxes. The Intel Core Ultra 7 processor with 8 cores and speeds up to 4.8 GHz gives you more than enough power for everyday work, lots of browser tabs, light coding, and content work like photo edits or basic video trimming. Paired with Intel Arc graphics, you get smoother visuals for things like streaming, light gaming, and hardware-accelerated tasks without needing a separate graphics card. The 16GB of LPDDR5X memory is soldered in and fast, so you do not have to worry about slowdowns when you are multitasking with several apps open.
The 13.4-inch 2K display is another strong point if you care about how your screen looks. It is non-touch, but you get a sharp 2K resolution with a 30–120Hz refresh rate and 500 nits of brightness, which means text looks clean, motion is smoother, and the screen is easy to see in brighter rooms or near windows. The InfinityEdge design keeps the bezels thin, so even though the laptop is small, the screen still feels roomy enough for work or watching shows. At around 2.6–2.7 pounds and under an inch thick, it is easy to throw in a bag and carry all day, which helps if you move between rooms, offices, or travel often. The CNC-machined aluminum chassis and platinum finish make it feel solid instead of flimsy, so you do not feel like you are carrying a cheap plastic notebook.
Storage and inputs are set up for someone who wants speed and a clean look. You get a 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD, which means fast boot times, quick file loads, and enough space for documents, a good number of apps, and some media before you need an external drive. The port selection is simple: two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports with power delivery and DisplayPort. That works well if you like to plug into a dock, external monitor, or fast storage, but you will probably want a USB-C hub if you still use older USB-A devices. The keyboard is backlit and includes a fingerprint reader, which makes logging in quick and keeps the laptop usable in darker rooms. The precision touchpad supports multi-touch gestures and feels more natural if you scroll and swipe a lot instead of reaching for a mouse.
This setup ships with Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS, so it targets you more if you are a developer, tech user, or just someone who prefers Linux over Windows. You do not get Microsoft Office here and it is listed as not compatible with Windows OS in this config, so you should be ready to use web apps or Linux-friendly office tools for your documents and spreadsheets. On the plus side, Ubuntu tends to run lean, and the hardware here lines up well with that, so the laptop should feel quick and responsive for coding, terminals, Docker work, or just everyday browsing and media. Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 give you newer wireless support, which helps if you have a newer router or use wireless headphones all day. The quad-speaker setup with 8W total power is better than what you get on many small laptops, so calls, videos, and music sound less thin and tinny.
You also get 1 year of ProSupport with next business day onsite service after remote diagnosis, which gives you better support than basic warranty if something goes wrong with hardware or software. There is no accidental damage coverage included and no extra home security software, so you may want to be a bit careful with drops and spills, and add your own security setup if you need it. The 3-cell 55 Wh battery and 60W USB-C charger should be fine for a full workday of mixed use, and USB-C power means you can charge from other USB-C chargers in a pinch. If you want a small premium laptop that runs Linux out of the box, has a sharp 2K screen, fast modern Wi-Fi, and a strong CPU and RAM combo, this Dell XPS 13 at $949.99 is a solid deal while that $350 discount is still live.
