Dell XPS 12

Bottom Line

Reviewers say the Dell XPS 12 is the best example yet of a Windows 8 convertible, packed with blisteringly fast laptop hardware and sporting a bright, crisp 1,080p display that proves very responsive to multitouch controls. Rotating the screen and closing the lid transform the Ultrabook into a large 12.5-inch slate, but experts say its price and size make it better in a laptop-first role.

Breaking It Down

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 okay 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 the convertible 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. Yet the Windows Store's selection is currently very skimpy, severely limiting the number of touch-optimized programs available.

The front-facing webcam helps with video chatting but doesn't take especially good pictures, reviewers say, and others are disappointed with the lack of an SD card slot.

Ease of use

Great input tools, iffy interface. Testers say the Dell XPS 12's keyboard, touchpad and touchscreen 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.

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.

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

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 great option and the best Windows 8 hybrid thus far. If you're looking for a more tablet-centric experience, this convertible may be too heavy, large and expensive. Good alternatives include the fourth-generation iPad with Retina Display (*Est. $500 and up) and the productivity-focused Asus Transformer Pad Infinity TF700 (*Est. $480 and up) with optional keyboard dock (*Est. $150).