Luke Larsen / Digital Trends
window manufacturers have been hungering for a chipset that can keep up with Apple ’s very fast and effective M3 computer architecture . Enter Qualcomm with itsSnapdragon Xand Intel with iLunar Lake . Each train at cater better battery animation with safe performance , as well as adding quicker on - equipment AI speeds to plunk for Microsoft ’s Copilot+ PC initiative .
The XPS 13 9345 is among the first Qualcomm laptops and the Zenbook S 14 is the first Lunar Lake laptop computer that we ’ve reviewed . This makes it an of import struggle to see which platform can make it to our listing of thebest laptops .
Luke Larsen / Digital Trends
Specs and configurations
There ’s only one configuration usable so far with the Zenbook S 14 . Not coincidently , it was our reexamination unit that cost $ 1,500 with an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V chipset , 32 GB of RAM , a 1 TB SSD , and a 14 - inch 2.8 K OLED exhibit .
The XPS 13 9345 set out at $ 1,200 for a Qualcomm Snapdragon X elect chipset , 16 GB of RAM , a 512 GB SSD , and a 13.4 - in FHD+ IPS display . upgrade that model to 32 GB and 1 TB results in a $ 1,500 damage , similar to the Zenbook . With a 3 K OLED display , the XPS 13 9345 be $ 1,860 .
you may get the XPS 13 9345 for less , but when configured the same as the Zenbook S 14 , the XPS 13 is more expensive .
Design
The XPS 13 has perhaps the most modern design among laptops today , with a aerodynamic , all - aluminum chassis and several futurist touches indoors . The thing is , the zero - grille keyboard , hide haptic touchpad , and dustup of spot light-emitting diode occasion tonality are controversial and do n’t really add much to the laptop computer ’s functionality . The Zenbook S 14 has a more standard invention , although it utilizes a geometrical pattern on the hat and an unusual texture to make its own aesthetic argument .
Both laptops are solidly built . Both also have liquid hinge that allow opening the lid with one deal . In this obedience , these are intimately fit laptop computer .
Now , we get into those controversial XPS 13 feature . The zero - lattice keyboard has very large keycaps , but zero headstone spatial arrangement , and even though its switch are nice and snappy , the keyboard take some getting used to . The Zenbook ’s keyboard is a more typical island keyboard , but with a good layout and evenly good switches . The XPS 13 ’s haptic touchpad works well , but it ’s hidden on the deoxyephedrine laurel wreath rest , so it ’s soft to lose track and swipe the palm eternal sleep . The Zenbook ’s mechanically skillful touchpad is a little large , but it has a more typical feel . And the XPS 13 ’s touch LED function keys extend no actual value .
Connectivity is another winnings for the Zenbook S 14 . It has a solid assembly of Thunderbolt 4 and bequest ports . And , it has a 3.5 mm audio jack , which the XPS 13 lacks . Both have the most up - to - date wireless connectivity .
Both laptops have 1080p webcam with infrared cameras for Windows 11 facial credit . The XPS 13 also has a fingerprint reader embed in the keyboard . Both have fast Neural Processing Units ( NPUs ) that support Microsoft ’s Copilot+ PC initiative , but for now , there ’s not a lot of AI functionality to show off the NPUs ’ performance .
Performance
This is a fight between two fresh chips aimed in large part at producing Windows laptop computer that can compete with MacBooks in terms of efficiency . But carrying into action matter as well . Qualcomm ’s Snapdragon X Elite chipset with 12 cores is very debauched , although it does run on Windows on Arm , so some apps will run slower via emulation . Intel ’s Lunar Lake chipset , also fuck as Core Ultra Series 2 , is n’t quite the same kind of standout . We reviewed the Zenbook S 14 with the Core Ultra 7 258V , a 17 - James Watt , 8 - essence , 8 - yarn chipset .
In our benchmarks , the XPS 13 was significantly quicker across the add-in . That includes its Adreno GPU that ’s a slew faster than the Zenbook ’s Intel Arc 140V graphics .
Display
We review the XPS 13 with one of three displays , an FHD+ ( 1920 x 1200 ) IPS display running at 120Hz . There are also QHD+ IPS and 2.8 K OLED alternative . The Zenbook S 14 has one video display , a 2.8 K ( 2880 x 1800 ) OLED display running at 120Hz .
According to our colorimeters , the Zenbook ’s OLED panel has the usual wide coloration and near - perfect blacks , although our review social unit ’s color truth was right smart off . The XPS 13 ’s IPS display was very bright with great contrast for an IPS video display .
Ultimately , both laptops have great displays , and our XPS 13 recapitulation building block offers a good selection if battery life is your primary concern .
Portability
The XPS 13 is built around a 13.4 - column inch display and so is smaller than the Zenbook S14 with its 14 - inch display . But the Zenbook is thin and around the same weight unit . So , it ’s knockout to say one laptop computer is more portable than the other .
But stamp battery life is key here , given that efficiency is a focus of both young chipsets . The Zenbook gets substantially better battery life history , although its battery is a lot bigger , and that ’s with a more power - hungry OLED show . The matter is , the XPS 13 shows similar efficiency to most Qualcomm laptops we ’ve review — it gets the safe battery living when looping picture , but that drop off with web browsing and when a demand trial is guide Cinebench R24 . The Zenbook ’s stamp battery life was more systematically good .
Both are long - last machines , but the Zenbook last longer when it ’s doing literal work .
The Zenbook S 14 shows off Lunar Lake’s efficiency
The XPS 13 9345 is the good and worst of that laptop line ’s design , with several controversial features that fail to offer much advantage . It ’s well - built and fast , and it gets pretty just battery life history . But its unusual innovation hold it back .
The Zenbook S 14 has a more traditional intention that ’s still very well - progress and attractive , and it gets ripe battery life . Its performance is n’t as fast , however . Overall , though , the Zenbook is a lot easier to recommend , especially considering its lower cost .
