Dell XPS 13 (7390) 2-in-1 vs HP Spectre X360: Which Is Better 2-in-1 laptop

Estimated read time 17 min read

This is the comparison of Dell XPS 13 7390 and HP Spectre X360 13-inch laptops. Both are 2-in-1 laptops which can also be used as a tablet and both are available in the same size. Decide which one is better for the price you pay through this comparison review.

Dell XPS-13-7390 2-in-1-Laptophp spectre x360 13
BUY NOWBUY NOW
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1HP Spectre X360 13
PROSPROS
Bright and sharp FHD touch display.
Good battery life.
16:10 aspect ratio.
Fast performance from 10th-gen Ice Lake processor.
Stylish design and high-quality finish.
Excellent build quality.
Great battery life.
Fast performance.
CONSCONS
Heavier than you’d expect.
A low-profile keyboard can be divisive.
Not upgradable.
Uncomfortable as a tablet.
Runs a bit warm.

SPECIFICATIONS

DISPLAYDELL XPS 13 7390 2-IN-1HP SPECTRE X360 13
Diagonal Size13.4-inch UHD, WLED, Touch Display13.3″ diagonal FHD IPS BrightView micro-edge WLED-backlit multitouch, 13.3″ diagonal FHD IPS micro-edge WLED-backlit multitouch with anti-reflection and HP Sure View privacy screen, 13.3″ diagonal 4K UWVA BrightView micro-edge AMOLED multitouch
Resolution3840 x 24001920 x 1080, 3840 x 2160
LCD Backlight Technology LED-BacklitLED or WLED-Backlit
Monitor FeaturesMulti-touchMulti-touch
PROCESSORDELL XPS 13 7390 2-IN-1HP SPECTRE X360 13
CPUUp to 10th Generation Intel Core i3 or i5 or i7-1065G7 ProcessorIntel Core i5-1035G4, Intel Core i7-1065G7
Clock SpeedUp to 3.90 GHzUp to 3.90 GHz
Cache8 MB Cache8 MB Cache
MEMORYDELL XPS 13 7390 2-IN-1HP SPECTRE X360 13
Speed3733MHz
TechnologyLPDDR4x
SizeUp to 8GB or 16GB Memory OnboardUp to 8GB or 16GB Memory Onboard
HARD DRIVEDELL XPS 13 7390 2-IN-1HP SPECTRE X360 13
StorageUp to 1 GBUp to 2 GB
Spindle SpeedPCIe NVMe x4 Solid State Drive OnboardNVMe M.2 SSD
AUDIO & VIDEODELL XPS 13 7390 2-IN-1HP SPECTRE X360 13
Graphic ProcessorIntel Iris Plus GraphicsIntel Iris Plus Graphics
SoundStereo speakers with Waves MaxxAudio Pro; 2 W x 2 = 4 W, Dual array digital microphonesBang & Olufsen, dual speakers, HP Audio Boost
CameraIntegrated widescreen HD (720p)HP TrueVision HD IR Camera with integrated dual array digital microphone
OPERATING SYSTEMDELL XPS 13 7390 2-IN-1HP SPECTRE X360 13
TypeWindows 10 Home, Windows 10 ProWindows 10 Home
CONNECTIONSDELL XPS 13 7390 2-IN-1HP SPECTRE X360 13
Ports2 Thunderbolt 3 with Power Delivery and DisplayPort),
1 microSD-card reader, 1 Universal audio jack
1 headphone / microphone combo,
1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A (HP Sleep and Charge), 2 USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C with Thunderbolt-3 (40 Gb/s signaling rate, Power Delivery 3.0, DisplayPort 1.4, HP Sleep and Charge)
Memory cardMicro SD card readerMicro SD card reader
COMMUNICATIONSDELL XPS 13 7390 2-IN-1HP SPECTRE X360 13
Wireless ProtocolKiller Wi-Fi 6 AX1650 (2 x 2) and Bluetooth 5.1Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201 (2×2) and Bluetooth 5 Combo
Wired Protocol
BATTERYDELL XPS 13 7390 2-IN-1HP SPECTRE X360 13
Capacity51 WHr (Integrated)60 Wh Li-ion polymer
Cells4-Cell 4-Cell
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTDELL XPS 13 7390 2-IN-1HP SPECTRE X360 13
Width11.67 in12.08 in
Depth8.17 in7.66 in
Height0.27-0.51 in0.67 in
Weight2.9 lbs2.88 lbs
MISCELLANEOUSDELL XPS 13 7390 2-IN-1HP SPECTRE X360 13
ColorPlatinum Silver, Black interior, Platinum Silver, Arctic White interiorNatural silver, Nightfall Black, Poseidon Blue
KeyboardBacklit Keyboard with Fingerprint ReaderFull-size island-style backlit keyboard
AVAILABLE OPTIONSOption-1
Option-2
Option-3
Option-1
Option-2
Option-3
Option-4
Option-5

INTRODUCTION:

Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1

This is a Dell XPS 7390 2-in-1, a machine that packs the most changes that were ever made to Dell’s popular ultrabook line. This has many positive changes that make it so much better than a standard XPS.

HP Spectre X360 13

This has always been a great machine but in this 2020 model, HP brought it to the next level. This laptop packs most of the great features even in a base model which is a surprising fact. 

 Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 vs. HP Spectre X360 13

DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION:

Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1

With the overall design, this 2-in-1 version of the Dell XPS doesn’t look that much different to other 13-inch XPS. It’s the same design, very rigid with the all-metal and carbon fiber body but when you actually open it up and use it, you’ll see that Dell actually fine-tuned many important details which allows this machine to provide a much more comfortable using experience compared to a standard XPS.

The positive change comes from the new hinge design. It still turns 360 degrees and can be used in a few different modes just like in any other 2-in-1 device, but when this opens, it feels a bit more like a regular laptop. While the old hinge in the previous version sort of made the device feels a bit more separated. This one feels more familiar and it also lifts the device up a little bit when opened, giving it a bit more space underneath to stay cool. Under the hinge, there is a rubber strip which I think is to protect the sharp CNC cuts from scratching and it works in that way.

HP Spectre X360 13

The first thing that you notice right away is the chassis redesign. The machine now has a considerably smaller footprint, thanks to the cutting of the bezels and this thing just looks stunning. It looks much more premium and up-to-date than last year’s model with the thick bezels. With an impressive screen to body ratio of 90%, the machine is now smaller and lighter at 1.3 kilograms which help tremendously considering this is a 2-in-1 device. Tablet mode now feels much more natural on the hands but HP has got to figure out something to do with the keyboard when it’s in tablet mode because it still gets in the way. Anyway, a much better tablet experience than last year but because of the size cut, some sacrifices have been made. Other than that, you still get the same famous gem cut look, a sleek, sharp, square-cut design in an all-aluminum chassis.

The chassis is still very rigid, tough, and sturdy, just how a premium device should be. The whole thing is just a clean and coherent design. The ports are blended in, even the shape of the speakers is consistent with the diagonal lines across the chassis. Look at how the Type-C charger fits perfectly in the angled charging port that just shows the attention to details and this way the charger also gets out of the way leaving a clean obstructed space on the right side. This exact corner on the left is home for the power button which is another way of utilizing every inch of space.

HP has also done really well with the true joint hinge, while it’s not exactly one hand openable. It’s firm and supports the screen really well. So, screen wobbling when touching in clamshell mode is noticeably less in this one than in other convertible devices. The 360-degree turn is also nice and smooth and I really like how it snaps into position, very satisfying.

DISPLAY:

Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1

There is a 13.4-inch display with a ratio of 16:10. Almost every laptop on the market right now uses the 16:9 ratio which is great for media consumption but isn’t as effective for productive tasks like coding or working with document files like Word or Excel, or even just web browsing. The 16:10 is the same ratio seen in MacBooks, it gives you some extra vertical space. Although the ratio changes, it still keeps the same super-thin bezels on three sides of the display – a distinctive feature of the XPS line. The upper bezel still leaves just enough space for the webcam and the microphone, but it’s still very thin by any standard really.

Not only the size of the screen is great but the display quality is also much better. It almost has the highest brightness level in an ultrabook, with a maximum of 425 nits Very impressive. You can comfortably bring it outside while only need to set it at 30 to 40% while using it indoors. The colors are vibrant, smooth, and very accurate, which means that you can confidently buy this machine for graphic design works, but that’s only if you don’t care about the keyboard. The screen is also touch supported, as you would expect in any 2-in-1 device. It’s okay for basic use since it always has a slight delay. It also isn’t as comfortable as using a straight out tablet because it’s quite a bit heavier.

HP Spectre X360 13

In this, you could get the amazing 4K AMOLED display with lower configurations which I think is great. Not everyone would need a high spec but many of us would like to experience this beautiful display. Even a base model with intel core i5, 8 GB of Ram, and 256 GB SSD but it’s equipped with the AMOLED display. It’s so immersive with vibrant colors covering most of the popular gamuts, deep blacks, good contrast, and very high brightness.
You could definitely buy this for high-level graphics works but there are catches. Those problems are, my eyes get tired very fast when I look at an
OLED display, especially in smaller screen sizes where you have to look at it closely maybe the colors are too vibrant, so it puts more screens on your eyes and this may personally affect only some people.

While it is small, the touchpad is only meant to be a secondary input device because this thing has a multi-touch display which is also quite fast and responsive but I find the screen surface, not the smoothest to slide your finger across, it’s a little sticky, a little resistant. One good thing is the glass screen doesn’t get dirty very quickly with sweats and fingerprints compared to many other 2-in-1 touch screens. Anyways if your hands sweat a lot, you can always use the stylus that HP includes with the machine. It’s quite nice for basic use. One pretty silly thing is that there’s nowhere to stow the pen.

For the display, I would love to see the Spectre switch to a taller aspect ratio. It feels really short, especially because the footprint is so small. The Windows taskbar to the side helps clear out the vertical space a little but still, 16 by 9 is starting to look abnormally wide and short.

 Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 vs. HP Spectre X360 13

FEATURES:

Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1

This device uses the Vapor chamber cooling, an upgrade from the heat pipe from the previous model. Thinking of upgrading your XPS down the line? don’t even think about it. RAM, SSDs, Wi-Fi card, Pretty much everything is soldered on. In terms of ports, only two Type-C Thunderbolt 3 ports, one on each side plus a microSD card slot, not many options there.

The next change is found in the trackpad. It’s 19% larger and it’s a glass surface. It also uses a Windows Precision driver, which provides very accurate tracking.

I was really happy with the display, performance, and overall design of this machine. However, whenever I need to use the keyboard, I feel very let down. Dell calls this a “low-profile” keyboard but really it’s just a fancy name for the very low travel of this keyboard. It’s only 0.7 millimeter which tires your fingers out pretty quickly and what’s worse is the amount of force that’s needed for the different keys are also not consistent. The space bar in particular requires more force than the rest of the keys which results in missing the space in between words quite often.

I had very high hopes in the beginning because the keyboard design actually looks very decent. The keys are stretched to the edges of the base panel, the keycaps are large and the overall layout is just very spacious. The power button, which doubles as a fingerprint sensor, is also made larger so it almost never misses my finger. However, the low profile keyboard would be a turn-off to a lot of people. I think it’s also very hard to get used to.

HP Spectre X360 13

On the upper bezel, HP still managed to squeeze in a webcam and the world’s smallest Windows Hello IR camera. It’s very fast, instantly unlocks you in as soon as you open the device. You also have a fingerprint sensor, also very responsive. You also have a camera switch to turn off the webcam located on the right side of the machine. I prefer this compared to the physical slider because it makes for a cleaner and less distracting upper bezel. You would have this dedicated function key to turn off the microphone which is another great touch for privacy.

The keyboard is great, good standard layout, stretch to the very edges, keycaps are sufficiently large. The only thing is the arrow keys are still cramped and easy to miss. There are also dedicated page up and page down keys for those who need them. The typing feel is a little stiffer than last year but I get used to it fairly quickly. Travel is very decent for thin and light ultrabook good tactile feedback. The white backlight is bright and even but because the machine is shrunken, there is now very little palm rest area which can make typing a bit less comfortable, especially if you have larger hands. The bottom part of my hands very often slips out of the palm rest which is a pretty uncomfortable position.

Another sacrifice for the smaller footprint is that the touchpad’s height got shortened making it quite cramped. If you do a lot of vertical scrolling, you might want to increase the sensitivity or you hit the edges quite often. The width is good though and the glass surface feels really nice, very smooth and resistant to sweat, fast and super accurate with windows precision driver, an upgrade from last year’s Synaptics which drew a lot of complaints.

Another component taking the hit for a smaller device is the speaker system. To keep the size of the keyboard, the two front-firing speakers are eliminated. So, the quad-speaker system from last year is reduced to a dual speaker one and it doesn’t sound spectacular, it doesn’t get very loud lacking depth and bass. Highs and mids are okay, these are one of the speaker systems that are just there for when you need it, not one for you to enjoy.

You get two Type-C Thunderbolt 3, the same USB-A in a drop-down mechanism since the side of the machine is too small to hold. I appreciate the effort to include the USB-A and it’s definitely better than nothing. Other than that, you also have a micro SD card slot which is not as useful as a full-size one but it’s becoming increasingly popular in ultrabooks and might be the future of media transfer. There’s not much to upgrade in this machine except that you can swap out the SSD, Ram is unfortunately soldered on, a pretty common thing in convertible ultrabooks.

CPU OPTIONS:

Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1

Dell as well as many other manufacturers are vastly benefiting from the performance of the 10th-gen Ice Lake Intel CPU. The options available here for the CPU are 10th gen Intel Core i3-1005G1, i5-1035G7, i7-1065G7 processors. It’s cooler and more powerful. It’s great for 2D graphic designing and basic video editing is also comfortably handled by this machine.

HP Spectre X360 13

Performance is really good at this year’s i5 model and the i7 will be better than the i5 model in performance. A workload of multiple Chrome tabs, Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Lightroom at medium levels are comfortably executed by this machine. You can run Premiere quite well with basic editing too. A very good performance for a convertible thin and light ultrabook for entertaining purposes.

Dell XPS 13 (7390) 2-in-1

GPU OPTIONS:

Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1

You could also play light games like CS: GO with very high FPS since the Iris Plus integrated graphics on this new chip has received some strong upgrades with a two-fold increase compared to the UHD 620. Again, unless you plan to use an external keyboard, gaming on this machine won’t exactly be a great experience.

HP Spectre X360 13

This model is also upgraded to the Intel Iris Plus graphics. So, you can run lighter game titles very well. The fans also run very quietly which is a great thing for a laptop like this. The only complaint I have is that the machine can run quite hard, especially at the bottom. So, you should really refrain from using it on your laps, especially during extended and more intensive walking sessions but nevertheless, heating is almost unavoidable in a thin and light laptop like this, especially with more powerful hardware.

BATTERY:

Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1

The 51-WHr battery gives around 6 to even 8 hours if you use the device indoors with basic light tasks and screen brightness at around 30%.

HP Spectre X360 13

4K screens have been known as a battery killer plus the OLED technology. It definitely took a toll on this machine with the regular mix use of web browsing, content writing, and some occasional youtube videos. The 60-watt hour battery only lasts me around 5.5 to 6 hours with 80% brightness, pretty low for a flagship ultrabook standard. So, if battery life is a big concern for you, go for the Full HD option. With the 13-inch screen size, you’re not going to be able to tell much of a difference in pixel density with a 4K resolution anyway.

HP Spectre x360 13

WHICH TO BUY?

This is a line of laptops that doesn’t make a lot of changes throughout the years. It usually keeps the same design but that’s until this 7390 version came along. It gives Dell’s premium ultrabook line some refreshing touches, from the beautiful display, better cooling, touchpad, performance, and even the design is elevated. Not a lot of manufacturers will make changes to the display because they usually order already-made panels in large quantities to save on costs. To switch to a new display size, definitely increased the price of this machine. But a lot of people are still gonna buy it because the quality of the computer line has been proven. However, despite all the great things that this machine has to offer, maybe some persons will not stick to it, just because of the really bad keyboard.

The HP Spectre X360 is obviously a great product but it also comes with a pretty steep price tag. The base model without the 4K AMOLED display already starts at 1200 dollars and still, it is a worth buying machine. Maybe, it doesn’t have the highest spec for the price but what HP provides with this premium product of theirs is attention to detail in order to give consumers the best user experience. In my opinion, the keyboard is not good on XPS 7390, and other than that everything is great. So, if you prefer a good tactile keyboard with all the same specs and all, then HP Spectre X360 will be better.

Expert reviews of Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1:

By Pcgamesn
The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 was my fleeting taste of the good life – where all of the latest technologies and standards converged into a single product, operating as Silicon Valley…

By Expertreviews
The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2019) is a superb laptop by any measure – and the convertible design is the icing on the cake.

By Theverge
Overall, the XPS 13 2-in-1 is the computer I’ve been wanting Dell to make — more daring and interesting than the staid standard model, but still maintaining the qualities that have made the XPS 13 a perennial contender. The 2-in-1 makes no compromises when it comes to performance, is just as compact and portable as the standard XPS 13, and has a more usable display.

By 91mobiles
The Dell XPS 13 7390 price in India starts at Rs 1,13,990 for the base model with the Core i5 chipset. The higher-end variant that I’ve reviewed will set you back by Rs 1,73,990. Now, if you’re looking for a portable-yet-powerful machine, then you can’t…

Expert reviews of HP Spectre X360 13:

By Pocketlint
A very small footprint and 4K OLED panel makes it a star – both indoors and outside. However, pure power and battery credentials aren’t as impressive as an HP Envy. Still, this Spectre is one of the best slim and light laptops HP has ever made.

By Engadget
HP’s latest Spectre x360 is its most stylish laptop yet, refining the jewelry-like style the company has been pushing for years. It simply looks astounding, but also packs in plenty of power.

By Reviewed
The HP Spectre x360 has everything we look for in a premium laptop: jaw-dropping design, all-day battery life, top-of-the-line speed, and enough creature comforts that you don’t mind shelling out the extra money—especially compared to the much more expensive entry-level MacBook Pro models that tend to define most people’s concept of a “high-end” laptop.

By Expertreviews
An expensive and visually striking convertible that comes complete with all the modcons you could ever want.

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Arya

Hello! I'm Surendar Arya, a passionate tech writer from Uttar Pradesh, India. I'm a freelance contributor to the tech blog - The World's Best And Worst. My enthusiasm for technology drives me to explore the latest trends and innovations in the field. I take immense pleasure in guiding individuals on how to leverage technology for their benefit, making their lives easier and more efficient.

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