The capacitive touch function row on the Dell XPS 13 Plus is one of the laptop's most controversial features. Here's what you need to know about its reliability and real-world usability.
How It Works
Dell replaced physical F1-F12 keys with a touch-sensitive LED strip. Press the Fn key to toggle between function keys and media controls, or lock your preferred mode with Fn + Escape.
The touch row also includes traditionally physical keys: Escape, Delete, Home, End, Print Screen, and Insert.
Documented Issues
Dell has acknowledged several problems:
- Sleep wake failures: Touch responsiveness may fail after waking
- Ghost touches: Accidental key presses from overlapping fingers
- Temperature sensitivity: Keys may become unresponsive when hot
- Complete failures: Some units experience row failure after extended use
Dell's Fix
BIOS updates have addressed many issues:
- BIOS 2.17.0+: Adds self-initialization after sleep
- Sensitivity adjustments: Reduce ghost touches through firmware
- Most users report significant improvement after updating
The Reality
Beyond reliability, the fundamental design presents challenges:
- No tactile feedback means you must look to confirm presses
- Touch typing habits require adjustment
- Some users adapt in weeks; others never do
Who Should Be Cautious
This design may frustrate:
- Developers relying on function keys
- Spreadsheet power users
- Anyone with shortcut-heavy workflows
Recommendation: Test in person before purchasing if possible. Update BIOS immediately on any new unit.
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Where this comes from: This answer is based on ShopSavvy's product database, real-time pricing from thousands of retailers, and a look at hundreds of user reviews to give you a well-rounded picture.
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The Dell XPS 13 Plus OLED display delivers exceptional color accuracy that rivals professional monitors—outstanding for creative work straight out of the box.
Color Accuracy
| Metric | Value | Interpretation | |--------|-------|----------------| | Average Delta-E | 0.21 | Near perfect | | Minimum Delta-E | 0.18 | Exceptional | | Maximum Delta-E | 2.20 | Still excellent |
Delta-E measures difference between displayed and reference colors. Scores below 1.0 are professional-grade—the XPS achieves 0.21, meaning differences are imperceptible to the human eye.
Color Gamut Coverage
| Color Space | Coverage | Use Case | |-------------|----------|----------| | sRGB | 100% | Web, general content | | DCI-P3 | 100% | Cinema, modern devices | | Adobe RGB | 96% | Print photography | | NTSC | 94% | Broadcast |
What This Means
- Photos and graphics display exactly as intended
- Colors reliable for professional work without calibration
- Skin tones and gradients render accurately
- HDR content displays beautifully
- Professional photographers can trust what they see
Comparison
| Display | Color Accuracy | Notes | |---------|----------------|-------| | XPS 13 Plus OLED | Delta-E 0.21 | Professional-grade | | MacBook Air M2 | Delta-E ~0.5 | Very good | | Most laptop LCDs | Delta-E 2-4 | Consumer-grade | | Pro monitors (BenQ SW) | Delta-E ~0.3 | Similar |
Do You Need to Calibrate?
For most users, factory calibration is excellent. Professional photographers doing critical print work may benefit from hardware calibration (X-Rite, Datacolor SpyderX), but it's not necessary for most workflows.
With only two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a docking station is essential for most XPS 13 Plus users wanting full desktop connectivity.
Premium Thunderbolt Docks
Dell WD22TB4 (~$350)
- Best Dell compatibility
- Up to 130W power delivery with ExpressCharge
- Dual 4K @ 60Hz display support
- 3× USB-A, 2× USB-C, HDMI, DP, Ethernet, SD, audio
- View prices →
CalDigit TS4 (~$400)
- Premium build quality
- 18 total ports (5× USB-A, 3× USB-C)
- 98W charging, 2.5Gb Ethernet
- SD and microSD slots
- View prices →
Plugable TBT4-UD5 (~$280)
- Best value premium dock
- 13 ports, Dual 4K HDMI
- 96W power delivery
- Tom's Guide "Best Docking Station 2024"
- View prices →
Mid-Range Options
Anker 777 (~$150)
- Portable USB-C hub
- HDMI, USB-A, USB-C, Ethernet, SD
- 85W pass-through charging
- View prices →
Budget Options ($30-60)
USB-C adapters from Anker, Ugreen, Amazon Basics provide basic HDMI, USB-A, and SD expansion.
Selection Criteria
| Factor | Recommendation | |--------|----------------| | Power delivery | 90W+ for charging under load | | Display support | Verify 4K @ 60Hz | | Interface | Thunderbolt 4 for best performance | | Compatibility | Dell docks work best with XPS |
The Dell XPS 13 Plus OLED is excellent for photo editing and capable for moderate video editing. Here's what creative professionals should know.
Photo Editing: Excellent
Display Quality
- 3.5K OLED: 100% DCI-P3, 100% sRGB, 96% Adobe RGB
- Delta-E ~0.21 (near-perfect color accuracy)
- Perfect blacks for exceptional shadow detail
- Touch screen useful for selections and retouching
Performance
- Intel Core i7 handles Lightroom/Photoshop smoothly
- 16-32GB RAM processes RAW files efficiently
- Fast NVMe SSD speeds import/export
- Sufficient for batch processing
Video Editing: Capable with Limitations
| Task | Performance | |------|-------------| | 1080p editing | Smooth | | 4K editing | Requires proxies | | Short-form content | Good | | Long-form/effects | Limited | | Rendering | Slower than discrete GPU |
Limitations
- Intel Iris Xe lacks dedicated GPU acceleration
- DaVinci Resolve GPU features limited
- Extended exports drain battery
- Not ideal for professional 4K workflows
Who Should Choose This Laptop
Ideal for:
- Photographers needing accurate colors + portability
- Light video work and social content
- Designers (graphics, web)
- Mobile-first creatives
Consider alternatives if:
- Professional 4K video work
- Heavy effects/motion graphics
- GPU acceleration required
Recommendation
For creative work, choose the OLED model despite lower battery life. The color accuracy is genuinely professional-grade.
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