Choosing the right laptop can be a daunting task, especially with so many great options on the market. For gamers, tech enthusiasts, and savvy shoppers, two names that often come up are the Surface Laptop Go 3 and the Dell XPS 13. These two laptops promise to deliver exceptional performance, stunning displays, and robust battery life. But how do they stack up against each other? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the key differences, features, and performance metrics to help you decide which laptop is the best fit for your needs.
Review Overview
In this review, we’ll compare the Surface Laptop Go 3 and the Dell XPS 13 across several critical areas. From design and display to CPU performance and battery life, we’ll cover everything you need to know. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of which laptop is the superior choice for gaming, productivity, and everyday use.
Key Differences
Before we dive into the specifics, let’s highlight some of the key differences between the Surface Laptop Go 3 and the Dell XPS 13:
- Design: Both laptops boast sleek, modern designs, but they differ in build materials and aesthetic appeal.
- Display: The display quality, resolution, and refresh rates vary, impacting your viewing experience.
- Battery Life: Battery performance under different usage scenarios, including programming, web browsing, and intensive tasks.
- CPU and GPU Performance: How each laptop handles various tasks, from casual web browsing to demanding photo and video editing.
- Connectivity and Ports: The available ports and connectivity options each laptop offers.
Now, let’s explore each category in detail.
Case
The design and build quality of a laptop are essential factors for many users. The Surface Laptop Go 3 features a lightweight aluminum body, making it easy to carry around. Its minimalist design exudes elegance and simplicity, which is perfect for professionals and students alike. On the other hand, the Dell XPS 13 boasts a premium carbon fiber and aluminum construction. This combination provides durability while maintaining a sleek and sophisticated look. The XPS 13 also offers a slightly smaller footprint, making it more portable.
Display
When it comes to the display, both laptops offer impressive visuals, but there are some notable differences. The Surface Laptop Go 3 comes with a 12.4-inch PixelSense display with a resolution of 1536 x 1024 pixels. While the display is sharp and vibrant, it falls short of the XPS 13’s 13.4-inch InfinityEdge display, which offers a stunning 1920 x 1200 resolution. The XPS 13 also provides an optional 4K UHD+ display, delivering even sharper and more detailed visuals. For gamers and tech enthusiasts, the higher resolution and better color accuracy of the XPS 13 make it the superior choice.
Battery
Battery life is a critical factor for those who need their laptop to last through a full day of work or play. The Surface Laptop Go 3 claims up to 13 hours of battery life, while the Dell XPS 13 promises up to 12 hours. However, real-world usage often tells a different story. Let’s break down the battery performance in various scenarios.
Battery Life on Programming/Coding
For programmers and developers, battery life during coding sessions is crucial. The Surface Laptop Go 3 performs admirably, offering around 10 hours of battery life when running code editors and development tools. The Dell XPS 13, with its more powerful components, delivers approximately 9 hours of battery life under similar conditions. While both laptops provide ample battery life for a full day’s work, the Surface Laptop Go 3 has a slight edge in this category.
Battery Life on Web Browsing
Web browsing is a common activity for most users, and both laptops handle it efficiently. The Surface Laptop Go 3 can last up to 12 hours on a single charge when used primarily for web browsing. The Dell XPS 13, with its higher resolution display, offers around 10 hours of battery life. The difference is marginal, but the Surface Laptop Go 3 once again takes the lead in this scenario.
Battery Life on Full Brightness and CPU Intensive Tasks
When it comes to more demanding tasks, such as running at full brightness or performing CPU-intensive activities, both laptops see a reduction in battery life. The Surface Laptop Go 3 manages around 6 hours of battery life under these conditions, while the XPS 13 delivers approximately 5 hours. Although both laptops perform well, the Surface Laptop Go 3’s lower resolution display helps conserve battery life during intense use.
CPU
The CPU is the heart of any laptop, and both the Surface Laptop Go 3 and the Dell XPS 13 come equipped with powerful processors. The Surface Laptop Go 3 features Intel’s 10th Gen i5 processor, which provides excellent performance for everyday tasks and light gaming. The Dell XPS 13, on the other hand, offers Intel’s 11th Gen i7 processor, delivering superior performance for more demanding applications.
CPU Performance Comparisons
In terms of raw performance, the Dell XPS 13 takes the lead with its 11th Gen i7 processor. Benchmarks show that the XPS 13 outperforms the Surface Laptop Go 3 in multi-core processing, making it a better choice for multitasking and running intensive applications. However, for everyday use, the Surface Laptop Go 3’s i5 processor is more than capable.
Web Browsing Performance
Both laptops handle web browsing with ease, but the Dell XPS 13’s faster processor ensures smoother performance when running multiple tabs and resource-heavy websites. The Surface Laptop Go 3 performs well, but users may notice a slight lag when switching between numerous tabs or streaming high-definition videos.
Photo and Video Editing
Photo and video editing are demanding tasks that require powerful hardware. The Dell XPS 13 excels in this area, thanks to its 11th Gen i7 processor and optional 4K display. Editing software runs smoothly, and rendering times are significantly faster compared to the Surface Laptop Go 3. While the Surface Laptop Go 3 can handle basic photo editing, it struggles with more complex video editing tasks.
Exporting 4k/8k Videos
Exporting high-resolution videos is another area where the Dell XPS 13 shines. The combination of the 11th Gen i7 processor and powerful GPU allows for quick export times, even for 4K and 8K videos. The Surface Laptop Go 3, with its less powerful hardware, takes considerably longer to export high-resolution videos. For content creators and video editors, the Dell XPS 13 is the clear winner.
Benchmarks
To provide a comprehensive comparison, let’s take a look at some benchmark scores for both laptops. Benchmarks offer a standardized way to measure performance across different tasks and applications.
3D Marks
In the 3DMark benchmark, which measures graphics performance, the Dell XPS 13 scores significantly higher than the Surface Laptop Go 3. This is due to the XPS 13’s more powerful GPU, making it a better choice for gaming and graphic-intensive applications.
Cinebench
The Cinebench benchmark tests CPU performance, and the Dell XPS 13 once again outperforms the Surface Laptop Go 3. The 11th Gen i7 processor in the XPS 13 delivers better multi-core performance, making it ideal for multitasking and running demanding applications.
Userbenchmark
Userbenchmark provides a comprehensive overview of overall system performance. The Dell XPS 13 scores higher across the board, with better CPU, GPU, and SSD performance. While the Surface Laptop Go 3 performs well in everyday tasks, it falls short in comparison to the XPS 13’s superior hardware.
Graphics Card
Graphics performance is essential for gamers and those who work with visual content. The Dell XPS 13 features Intel’s Iris Xe graphics, providing excellent performance for integrated graphics. The Surface Laptop Go 3 comes with Intel UHD graphics, which perform well in light gaming and everyday tasks but struggle with more demanding applications.
RAM and Storage
Both laptops offer configurable RAM and storage options. The Surface Laptop Go 3 comes with up to 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of SSD storage. The Dell XPS 13 offers up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of SSD storage. For users who need more memory and storage, the XPS 13 provides greater flexibility.
Sound
Sound quality is an often-overlooked aspect of laptops, but it’s crucial for an immersive experience. The Surface Laptop Go 3 features Omnisonic speakers with Dolby Audio, delivering clear and balanced sound. The Dell XPS 13, with its Waves MaxxAudio Pro tuning, offers rich and immersive audio. Both laptops provide excellent sound quality, but the XPS 13 has a slight edge in volume and clarity.
Connectivity
Connectivity options are vital for users who need to connect various peripherals. The Surface Laptop Go 3 includes a USB-C port, a USB-A port, a headphone jack, and a Surface Connect port. The Dell XPS 13 offers two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a microSD card reader, and a headphone jack. While both laptops provide essential connectivity options, the XPS 13’s Thunderbolt 4 ports offer faster data transfer speeds and more versatility.
Conclusion
In the battle between the Surface Laptop Go 3 and the Dell XPS 13, both laptops have their strengths and weaknesses. The Surface Laptop Go 3 excels in portability, battery life, and affordability, making it an excellent choice for students and professionals who need a reliable laptop for everyday tasks. The Dell XPS 13, with its superior performance, higher resolution display, and better build quality, is the ideal choice for gamers, content creators, and tech enthusiasts.
Ultimately, the best laptop for you depends on your specific needs and budget. If you’re looking for a lightweight, affordable laptop with great battery life, the Surface Laptop Go 3 is a fantastic option. However, if you need a powerful, versatile laptop that can handle demanding tasks, the Dell XPS 13 is the better choice.
Whatever your decision, both laptops offer exceptional value and performance, ensuring you’ll be satisfied with your purchase.
Here’s a detailed comparison table for the Surface Laptop Go 3 and Dell XPS 13, two popular ultra-portable laptops:
| Feature | Surface Laptop Go 3 | Dell XPS 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-1235U (12th Gen) | Intel Core i5-1340P / i7-1360P (13th Gen) |
| RAM | 8GB / 16GB LPDDR4X | 8GB / 16GB / 32GB LPDDR5 (Soldered) |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD |
| Graphics | Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics | Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
| Display | 12.4-inch PixelSense (1536 x 1024), 3:2 aspect ratio, 330 nits | 13.4-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200) or UHD+ (3840 x 2400), 16:10 aspect ratio, 500 nits |
| Battery | Up to 11 hours | Up to 12 hours |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home / Pro |
| Weight | Approx. 1.13 kg (2.49 lbs) | Approx. 1.27 kg (2.8 lbs) |
| Ports | 1 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A, Surface Connect, 3.5mm audio jack | 2 x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), microSD Card Reader, 3.5mm audio jack |
| Keyboard | Standard Keyboard | Edge-to-edge Backlit Keyboard |
| Wireless Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1 | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Webcam | 720p HD Camera | 720p HD IR Camera with Windows Hello |
| Audio | Omnisonic Speakers with Dolby Audio | Stereo Speakers with Waves MaxxAudio Pro |
| Build Quality | Aluminum top, polycarbonate composite base | CNC-machined aluminum with carbon fiber or woven glass palm rest |
| Price Range | Starts around $799 | Starts around $1,000 |
