Final Thoughts
The Dell Inspiron 13 7000 2-in-1 isn't a top-of-the-line product, but it comes pretty close. This convertible packs a great array of hardware into a pretty decent design, without breaking the bank. In fact the Inspiron 13 7000 2-in-1 is pretty competitively priced, even the higher-spec options.
The key selling point is the new 8th generation Intel Core U-series processors. These new CPUs are quad-cores, not dual-cores like pretty much everything in the past, so performance has jumped up significantly compared to previous generations. Just compared to last year's Kaby Lake, users can expect to see a near-50% improvement to multi-threaded performance and around 10 to 15 percent for single-thread workloads. If you're coming from something older, the gains will be even larger.
On top of this, Dell offers a 256GB SSD and 8GB of RAM as standard, which is a great base level combination in 2017. What's even better, though, is that you only need to spend an extra $370 to go from a Core i5 CPU in this storage/RAM configuration, to a Core i7 with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. Granted, the SSD isn't the fastest going around, but the $1250 price point for the top-spec model is very tempting.
And the base model still provides really great value at $880, without resorting to stupidly low hardware like 4GB of RAM. Plus, every model comes with a 13.3-inch 1080p touchscreen with a 360-degree hinge, so that in the off-chance you need to use it in tablet mode, you have that ability.
One of the appealing changes to the new Inspiron 13 7000 2-in-1 is the updated design that shaves a few millimetres from all dimensions. Previous models were on the chunky side, but this is no longer the case. Bezels are smaller, about 300 grams of weight has been removed, and it still uses a mostly metal construction.
My main issue with this laptop is the battery size. 38 Wh is on the slim size for a laptop this size, especially considering the smaller (though admittedly more expensive) XPS 13 packs a 60 Wh battery. Battery life certainly doesn't last as long as the best laptops out there. If you demand stamina, you'll probably have to look to Dell's XPS line or competitors.
Bottom line, the Dell Inspiron 13 7000 2-in-1 is a really solid choice for an upper mid-tier convertible, and it's one of the rare products I can recommend throughout its entire configuration range. Just please, Dell, choose a more catchy name next time.
Shopping Shortcuts:
- Dell Inspiron 13 7000 2-in-1 on Dell.com
score
Pros: Intel's 8th-gen CPUs make this convertible impressively powerful. More portable than ever before. Includes Windows Hello support and an active pen. Decent price point.
Cons: Small battery. Display quality falls short of expectations.