xps 13 (2015) or Surface pro 3?

Since the last time I posted, I needed a new ultrabook and considered the xps 13.
I ended up getting a Vaio Z from work which really served me well, but unfortunately there was a time limit I could use it and now I have to find my own.

Right now my set up is:
desktop at work (to run engineering programs), vaio z at home (but I travel every week so its light weight is very useful), an iPad and iphone 6 plus. I occasionally do light gaming such as world of tanks, which can run on the vaio Z on low settings.

I was considering the XPS 13 because the reviews on the new model make it look like the ultrabook to beat. Especially with that long battery life.

But the Surface Pro 3 also looks appealing because I can replace both my ipad and ultrabok. The keyboard is just okay so likely I might need to buy a dock and hook up a better keyboard. Anyone own both?

 

I only own the Surface 3 Pro, but, being a geek, I also like the XPS 13 very much. I would say the only downside to the Surface 3 Pro as a laptop substitute is the non-rigid display hinge system. Basically, it is not so comfy to use it on uneven surfaces.

As far as the keyboard is concerned, it has full-sized keys and I can type just as fast on it as on my desktop or my older notebook.

As for the tablet format, I think the Surface 3 cannot be beat there. (I sold my Galaxy Tab 10.5S and do not miss it one bit)

I would say if you need / like the tablet format the Surface 3 Pro is a very good compromise. If you only need the a laptop go with the XPS because there are no compromises in the hinge system.

 

Yep, i guess he´s right cause Surface Pro 3 will be successor if you´re wanted in to replace your tablet.

So for me i´m owning an ASUS TF300 & later TF701 since a long period of time now and i´ll never use this thing in "Tablet Mode" as i hate thablet´s this size (>8 inch) which is unconfortable and ... yeah i don´t get how to use that.

So out of my perspective I´m really fine with an small Laptop which contains an Touchscreen, as that is my daily usage at home (always: Laptop/Dockmode). A friend owns a SurfacePro/or 2pro and those things rock (Formfactor, Performance, Quality) and also there´s an "Laptopmode" possible, but not as good as TF701 or an small Laptop ;o)

Please note, the Surface 3 got a different screen-scaling than the XPS13 (which is more widescreen) where i´ll prefer the Surface for productivity i guess in some cases, so the screen of the Surface 3 is really nice format.

But i bought an XPS13 QHD+ (which not yet arrived) in cause of it´s really "sexy" device, i want touchscreen & I need a machine which is running Linux native, and i love and prefer the "Notebookmode" really hard, where no other successor was available in this size.

Regards
aVa

 

If you travel a lot and do want to replace both laptop and ipad, why don't you take a look at yoga?
I recently got a yoga 3 11 (had a yoga 2 pro before), it is really good both as laptop and tablet. Thin and light, all metal body, fanless, long battery life.

If XPS 13 does have a 360 rotation hinge, or SP3 does have a real keyboard dock (like the keyboard of thinkpad helix), they can easily be the perfect 2 in 1.

I am waiting for SP4, and hoping for a real keyboard dock to replace my helix gen1. I really like the screen of XPS 13, but pen and 360 rotation hinge are deal breakers for me.

 

My vote goes to the xps. If you are mobile there are times you will want to use it on your lap. Cant do that with the surface except in tablet mode.

 

You might split the difference and go with one of the fold-over-backward models. HP's Spectre x360 is looking pretty nice and getting good reviews.

The choice between tablet and laptop depends so much on working style. It's hard to say what'll work best for someone else. My experience when travelling is that a tablet becomes redundant with my phone. It's either more convenient to whip out the phone, or I'll unfold the laptop for a working session. I find myself not using a tablet even when I pack one. I also do not like fiddly bits and do not want to mess with a folding kickstand and flappy keyboard on an airline tray table. So it's laptop for me, but I respect that others may have differing preferences.

It's all down to preference , and the type of work that you do.

p.s. Battery life on the XPS-13 is not what Dell advertises. Chop Dell's numbers in half. I've got the QHD+ screen, and I'm getting around five hours battery life on a charge. It's a gem of a machine though.

 

I will chime in here and say that the SP3 will not replace your tablet and ultrabook. I'd say it does an ok job as both but does not excel at one well enough. I have an ipad air 2 and tried to do the same with a SP3. Its just too big as a tablet (and heavy) and not big enough to get 2 tabs open side by side comfortably. I'd say its better to keep the ipad as your tablet for light duty and have a good ultrabook for work. Also putting all your eggs in 1 basket as far as battery goes is not very fun when on vacation and plugs may be far apart. With that said the XPS 13 is a great machine. Its portable and excels at being an ultrabook.

 

I just had to make the same choice. I was debating on getting the $1499 surface pro vs ultrabook and table. I decided with the latter choice. I purchased a $1k ultrabook and I'm planning on getting an atom based table with the remaining $500 to $600. I can't imagine writing code for long periods of time on the surface pro 3.

 

I own the XPS 13. I would not recommend it solely due to the garbage trackpad driver. It has input lag problems when using 2 fingered scrolling and does not support 3 and 4 finger gestures like swiping to go back and forth on webpages. The XPS 13 uses the Microsoft precision trackpad driver, rather than a Synaptics driver and this is the whole root of the problem. I absolutely love this laptop, but the trackpad is so gawd awful, that I cannot put my hand on my heart and say you should buy one.

There is a huge thread on the Dell community support forums where Dell is basically ignoring everybody who complains about this issue and to those of us that manage to get in touch with somebody, they tell us to kick rocks and that the problem is not their problem. It is extremely frustrating.

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19616659?pi239031352=8#20760429