Dell XPS 12

Bottom line

Reviewers say the Dell XPS 12 is a very good Windows 8 convertible laptop, packed with blisteringly fast hardware and a bright, crisp 1,080p display that proves very responsive to multi-touch controls. Rotating the screen and closing the lid transform the Ultrabook into a 12.5-inch slate, but experts say some other convertible laptops surpass its performance and value.

Performance

Are you sure this is a tablet? The Core i5 processor, 128 GB solid-state drive and 4 GB of RAM in the base model might be typical Ultrabook fare, but it's tremendously potent for a tablet. Reviewers say the system blazes through tasks while the 1,080p display looks crisp and clear, with exceptionally wide viewing angles. Battery life lasts between 5.5 and 8 hours, which is great for a laptop but just OK for a tablet. The sound gets loud but is a bit muddled, critics report.

Features

Split personality. The Dell XPS 12's calling card is its swiveling screen, which allows it to switch between a large-screen tablet and a full-fledged Windows 8 Ultrabook. As a Windows 8 device, the XPS 12 can run both traditional desktop Windows programs as well as the tablet-friendly apps found in the Windows Store. The Windows App Store's selection is fairly skimpy, however, limiting the number of touch-optimized programs available. A front-facing webcam helps with video chatting but doesn't take especially good pictures, reviewers say, and others wish the laptop had an SD card slot.

Ergonomics

Great input tools, iffy interface. Testers say the Dell XPS 12's keyboard, touchpad and touch screen all feel comfortable and responsive, while the powerful internals eliminate lag entirely. The display sports wide viewing angles and a light sensor that automatically adjusts the screen brightness to match the environment.

The biggest stumbling block will likely be Windows 8 itself, which sports a radically new interface that uses different controls depending on whether you use gesture controls or the touchpad and mouse. Dell includes several video tutorials explaining how to get around the new operating system, which reviewers say helps drop the learning curve dramatically, but not completely.

Design

A laptop first, a tablet second. As a laptop the 3.35-pound Ultrabook weighs remarkably little, but that heft and the 12.5-inch screen make the XPS 12 bulky as a tablet. Experts say it works better if you consider it a top-notch laptop with the ability to transform into a tablet when needed, rather than the other way around.

Support & reliability

In a word, disappointing. Dell's customer service and technical support has come in for some knocks in recent years. The brand is the lowest-rated laptop vendor in a survey at Laptop Magazine, where staffers can't get phone reps to answer even simple questions and one goes so far as to fake a sweepstakes to up-sell an extended warranty. Dell also scores below average compared to other top laptop makers in annual satisfaction surveys at PCMag.com, although that represents a step forward from rankings in previous years.

The XPS 12 is backed by a 1-year warranty that includes 1 year of on-site service following remote diagnosis and 1 year of phone support, so that's a plus.

Value

All in how you look at it. If you want a single device that serves as both a functional and powerful laptop as well as a functional and powerful tablet, experts call the Dell XPS 12 a good option among Windows 8 hybrids. However, we've seen more positive feedback for the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 (Est. $1,000 and up) . A bigger screen and niftier folding mechanism make that convertible laptop a better value overall.