Following the high fashion of the moment, we propose a new Dell Ultrabook convertible touchscreen. After XPS 10 Windows RT blowing hot and cold, the XPS 12 with Windows 8 it can bridge the gap between laptop and tablet? And here is a hybrid Ultrabook-Tablet on the market anymore. While we were not totally convinced by the Dell Inspiron 1545 and - most importantly - the HP Envy X2, but much more by the Lenovo Yoga 13, see where this is Dell XPS 12. Side specs, first of all, it is rather something to be reassured: Intel Core i5 processor clocked at 1.7 Ghz, Intel HD Graphics 4000 GPU, 4GB DDR3 and SSD Samsung 128 GB Not necessarily the top end, therefore, of what to expect but honest performance for use mainly office. In fact, no hope other than playing "little games" on this machine, the 3D performance is revealing too low. Multimedia side, no complaints, however, playback Full HD video very smoothly, whatever the format. Good news, especially since 12.5' screen up to 1080p. Side look, design and finishes, the XPS 12 is in the line of what Dell: we are dealing here with something very professional, sober and well finished. Dark gray tiled and slightly rubberized back of the screen is pleasant to the touch and breathes strength. This part is surrounded by an aluminum frame rather nice effect, which acts as a pivot to switch to tablet mode (see below). At the weighing machine Dell reached 1.5 kg, the average higher for this kind of Ultrabooks (11 Vaio Duo weighs 1.3 kg, 1.4 kg Envy X2 with its dock). In any case, it is very pleasant to handle, once again thanks to the coating that surrounds both smooth and slightly slip. The connection is itself the most classic and remains chick to our taste only a pair of USB 3.0 ports (both on the right side), a 3.5mm jack and a mini-displayport. We therefore regret the lack of an HDMI port or SD card reader, as well as the low number of USB ports. The keyboard, however, is very pleasant to use, just like the touchpad. Backlit, this area of ??the machine offers a good typing accuracy and size of the Dell E4310 touchpad is sufficient for a fast and efficient. Finally, the right edge has a battery indicator can be activated with a simple push of a button. A good idea and a (small) advantage over the competition. A good compromise between the tablet and Ultrabook? But what interests us most here is of course the famous swivel screen, which allows to transform the Ultrabook "classical" Tablet Windows 8. To switch the format is simple: just apply slight pressure on the back, and the screen out of its frame to turn 360 °. The machine then uses as if it were closed, except that the screen is now available. System HP G32 simple and obvious that works perfectly well. Everything seems strong enough that you can return at will without fear of damaging the pins. This is certainly one of the concepts of transformation that the most confident. The question now remains whether the XPS 12 is actually usable in tablet mode. If we put aside the paradoxes and shortcomings of Windows 8 on this point, now well known, the fact is that the use of the touch screen is nice, but remains confined to a few specific situations. Hard to imagine walking around with these 1.5 kg hand, both the weight eventually be felt. However, for a more sedentary - a sofa, meeting - the XPS 12 in tablet mode is quite pleasant to use. Especially as Dell has done things in the forms on the quality of the screen 12.5' 1080p: color means its delta is 5.5 compared to the sRGB color space, maximum brightness of 267 cd / m² and a contrast ratio of 740:1. It's a bit better than most recent Ultrabook tested and it shows in practice: very bright display offers vivid colors well however on shades hot enough. Even lower light levels, the result is quite convincing that we either indoors or outside in the sun. Silent and autonomous Another crucial point of this type of device: the quality of the HP G4 Battery . Here it is quite satisfactory. In office use, wifi on and brightness third (enough to work in decent conditions), displays the XPS 12 5:50 autonomy. Playing a 720p video can turn it on for 3:29 ET in our Battery Eater test, background brightness, gives a result of 1:40. If it does not reach the Lenovo Yoga 13 records, autonomy XPS 12 is still in the upper middle of the moment Ultrabooks touch. By cons, charging 20% ??to 80% seems quite long, since we have two good hours. This is almost twice the other machines on the market. In contrast, the XPS12 has a distinct advantage: its discretion. The noise of the machine is very low. Inaudible at rest in a room measured 37.7 dB, our meter back barely supported under OCCT (38.5 dB). So, those who seek above all a quiet laptop have an additional argument here to add to the balance. The Dell XPS 12 is overall a good surprise performance as you do not ask him to manage the 3D, it is especially with a flawless finish, a very good HP G6 battery life despite a Full HD screen to unquestionable quality and a transformation system tablet as simple and efficient, and robust a priori. Still, the machine displays a relatively high price to our liking: 1200 € for the "basic" (with 128 GB SSD). Those wishing at all costs to acquire a convertible Ultrabook touch and that swear by the 1080p would still be interested. In the same category, the Vaio Duo 11 is a little more expensive and a little less efficient, while the Lenovo Yoga 13 is less expensive, but it is "only" with a definition of 1600 x 900. In short, we are dealing with a hybrid Ultrabook-Tablet Interestingly enough, on condition that they pay the price. Tags: HP Envy 17T, Latitude E5520 , E6320 batteries
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