Derek 'Dez' Maggs 
Having recently taken the the Dell XPS 14 9440 through its paces. I was so excited to be given the opportunity to check out the ultra-portable little brother, the Dell XPS 13 9345. As someone that is looking at getting a new laptop on the boxing day sales, I have my eye on the Dell XPS 14 9440.
But is that about to change with the Dell XPS 13 9345?
Design and Build Quality
The XPS 13 9345 maintains the sleek and premium design that the XPS series is known for, just on a much sleeker scale. The 15.3mm aluminium chassis is both sturdy and lightweight; at just over a kg (1.17kg), you can throw it in your bag & forget you are carrying it around.
The laptop is available in a graphite or platinum finish, which just add to the stylish & clean, sophisticated appearance. I love the graphite look & it just oozes high class and style, everything I’m not; yet feel when I’m carrying & using the XPS13.
The build quality is exactly what you’ve come to expect from Dell’s XPS range, a solid keyboard and a robust hinge without any wiggle or movement. My only real issue with the design is that the graphite case does tend to show up finger prints a bit. As someone that wears glasses I always have a microfibre cleaning cloth nearby, so the price of beauty is just a wipe away!
Display
The XPS 13 9345 comes with a 13.4-inch display with a tiny 3.3mm. Which gives the feel that the screen is much bigger than 13.4inch. Available in both IPS and the breathtakingly stunning OLED options.
Offering a resolution of 1920×1200 pixels for the IPS variant and up to 2880×1800 pixels for the OLED variant. The screen is bright and sharp with 16:10 aspect ratio provides more vertical space, giving your more room to enjoy the Dell XPS 13 9345.
Performance
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processor, the XPS 13 9345 delivers great performance from its 12 cores & out performing its big brother the Dell XPS 14 9440 in Geekbench single & multi-core by approximately 14% & Cinebench single core by a hair. For everyday tasks this little XPS 13 is the work horse you’ve been looking for.
The ARM-based processor is backs a punch & provide many upsides; it allows for longer battery life and cooler operation compared to its Intel counterparts.
However, it may not be the best choice if you plan one using it for gaming, with only an Integrated System Shared Adreno X1 GPU. It offers about half the TFLOPS of the Dell XPS 14 9440 at only 3.8 TFLOPS. Which is a shame as the high refresh rate of the monitor would make gaming of this little thing an experience.
Battery Life
One of the highlights of the XPS 13 9345 is its incredible battery life. Thanks to the previously mentioned efficient Snapdragon X Elite processor, this laptop ran for an impressive 20 hours on a single charge for me & it still had 10% left when I plugged it in.
This battery life makes it an excellent choice for users who need a dependable device that can keep up with their demanding schedules and as someone that isn’t the best sleeper, I couldn’t even stay up late enough to drain this battery in a single day!
Whether you’re working on important projects like this review, taking a break & binging the latest episode of Bering Sea Gold (don’t judge, I love that show), or simply browsing just browsing for the web. The XPS 13 9345 ensures you won’t be left searching for a power outlet throughout the day or days as the case was.
Its long-lasting battery life truly sets it apart in the ultraportable category, providing peace of mind and uninterrupted productivity for all-day/days use.
Connectivity and Ports
The XPS 13 9345 is somewhat limited in terms of ports with only two USB Type-C ports. No SD card or 3.5mm audio jack. This is a bit of a drawback, as most people need multiple connectivity options. And though I can live without a 3.5mm audio jack & an SD card reader, I with they put a third USB Type-C port in this laptop. As it seems small but that is my only real gripe with this laptop.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard on the XPS 13 9345 is comfortable to type on. The small travel on the keys take a little getting used to, but once you’ve used it for about 20 mins, typing became a dream. My fingers simply glided over the keys with only the slightest of touch, bring every thought onto the page quicker than I could think it.
Like the Dell XPS 14 9440, the XPS 13 9345 capacitive touch bar replacing the function keys and invisible touchpad is large and responsive, providing a smooth experience while mirroring the clean & sleek looks of the exterior.
Software and Features
The Dell XPS 13 9345 operates on Windows 11 Home and is fully compatible with Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC initiative.
The Hexagon Neural Processing Unit (NPU) within the Snapdragon X Elite processor is designed to enhance artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. It accelerates AI tasks like machine learning, image recognition, and natural language processing more efficiently than traditional CPUs or GPUs, all while conserve battery life by offloading complex computations to this specialised component.
If you are ready for to explore the world of AI, the XPS 13 9345 is a cutting-edge device, well-prepared to take advantage of it.
Conclusion
The Dell XPS 13 9345 with the Snapdragon X Elite processor is a sleek, stylish, and efficient ultraportable laptop that prioritise portability without sacrificing function or power. Its amazing battery life, portability and design is a selling point, while the limitations in terms of connectivity is easily fixed with a USB C hub from Amazon. Though I would have liked a 3rd port, this is a small price to pay for such a stunning laptop.
This is a great choice if you need a little work horse that can keep working well after your mind has switched off for the night. Whether you’re working late hours or traveling frequently, this laptop ensures you stay productive and connected without constantly worrying about a charger or that dreaded battery percentage.
The Dell XPS 13 9345 initially seemed like the little brother to the Dell XPS 14 9440. However, if that little brother is like Travis Kelce compared to future Hall of Famer Jason Kelce, you won’t hear any complaints from me!
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