Dell XPS 12: Elegantly efficient

It is stylish and a decent performer. But shoddy battery life might overshadow its pros

Hybrid laptops are all the rage these days, but I've always had difficulty coming to terms with the flimsy magnetic keyboards they come with. However, the Dell XPS 12 changed my mind.

The Dell XPS 12 is one of the most beautifully designed hybrid laptop I've come across. Like every other hybrid, this Windows 10 laptop doubles up as a tablet once it is unhinged from the keyboard. The keyboard is more like a cradle in which the tablet fits snugly. You can easily work on it without worrying about the tablet falling backwards. There are, however, some downsides to it. When it is attached to the keyboard, the tablet cannot be tilted backwards or forward since it is fixed at a certain angle.

The laptop also comes with Corning Gorilla Glass protection on the front, which makes it scratch-resistant.

I liked the keyboard the most. The keys aren't too small and comfortable.

The review unit I received had a 12.5-inch screen with a 3,420x2,160p UHD display, which is perfect for watching movies and shows. The display was sharp and the colours vivid. I used it to watch Orange is the New Black on Netflix and thoroughly enjoyed it. Though I'd recommend a good pair of headphones, instead of relying on its speakers for an optimal experience.

Under the hood, it houses a 6th-Gen Intel Core m7 processor with 8GB of RAM. For everyday usage, the laptop is great. It runs without any hiccups and carries out everyday tasks with efficiency. But if you think you'd like to run games, then I'd recommend using a different device. The Dell XPS 12 is not heavy-duty performance machine, so you have to keep your needs in mind before buying the device.

The device has an 8 megapixel (MP) rear and a 5MP front camera. Both of them are decent enough for video calls but don't expect anything more out of them.

However, the most disappointing aspect is its battery life. Even on moderate usage, I couldn't make it last for more than four hours. This makes is unsuitable for people who work while on the go.

The Dell XPS 12 starts at Rs 1,24,990 going up to Rs 1,50,990. It is super stylish and a decent performer. But the shoddy battery life might overshadow its pros.