Dell XPS 13 vs. Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 13.5

Last Updated & Fact Checked:  July 4, 2026

If you are looking for a compact, high performance Windows-based laptop, the Dell XPS 13 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 13.5 will already be on your radar. Both are excellent 13-inch laptops but we break down the specs to help you make the right purchasing decision.

At Product Versus, we’ve tried to make the Dell XPS 13 vs. Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 13.5 comparison as simple as possible – and there’s a clear winner when it comes to performance.

Dell XPS 13 vs. Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 13.5 Comparison: Which one is better?

Preview
Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 – 13.5" Touch-Screen – Intel Core i5 - 8GB Memory - 128GB Solid State Drive (Latest Model) – Platinum with Alcantara
CPU
Intel i5-1035G7 or Intel i7-1065G7
GPU
Intel Iris Plus
Memory
8 or 16GB of DDR4
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB SSD (replaceable)
Display
13.5-inch PixelSense 2256 x 1504, 400 nits (touch and inking)
Speakers
Omnisonic speakers with Dolby Audio
Aspect ratio
3:2
Ports
1x USB-C, 1x USB-A, 3.5mm audio
Biometrics
Windows Hello-enabled 720p camera
Connectivity
Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.0
Battery
10-12 hours
Weight
2.79-2.84 lbs
More Information
Preview
Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 – 13.5" Touch-Screen – Intel Core i5 - 8GB Memory - 128GB Solid State Drive (Latest Model) – Platinum with Alcantara
CPU
Intel i5-1035G7 or Intel i7-1065G7
GPU
Intel Iris Plus
Memory
8 or 16GB of DDR4
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB SSD (replaceable)
Display
13.5-inch PixelSense 2256 x 1504, 400 nits (touch and inking)
Speakers
Omnisonic speakers with Dolby Audio
Aspect ratio
3:2
Ports
1x USB-C, 1x USB-A, 3.5mm audio
Biometrics
Windows Hello-enabled 720p camera
Connectivity
Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.0
Battery
10-12 hours
Weight
2.79-2.84 lbs
More Information

Our Winner? The Dell XPS 13

The Dell XPS 13 is simply our favorite laptop. The display quality is amazing and the performance will never let you down – it’s what the entire Product Versus website has been created on and we use it extensively every day!

As well as the superior display quality and overal performance, the Dell XPS 13 also has a far superior battery life – which can be a significant factor for some people.

If budget isn’t a major factor for you, the Dell XPS 13 is the laptop for you. However, if your laptop budget is tight, then the Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 13.5 is an excellent option until you can upgrade to the Dell XPS 13 – our favorite laptop of all time!

Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 – 13.5" Touch-Screen – Intel Core i5 - 8GB Memory - 128GB Solid State Drive (Latest Model) – Platinum with Alcantara
  • Clean, elegant design — Thin and light, starting at just 2.79 pounds, Surface Laptop 3 is easy to carry
  • Choose from rich tone-on-tone color combinations: New Sandstone, plus Matte Black, Cobalt Blue, and Platinum
  • Improved speed and performance to do what you want, with the latest processors – Surface Laptop 3 is up to two times faster than surface Laptop 2
  • More ways to connect, with USB-C and USB-A ports for connecting to displays, docking stations and more, as well as accessory charging
  • All-day power on the go, with up to 11.5 hours of battery life, plus standby time when you’re away. Go from empty to a full battery with fast charging - up to 80% in about 1 hour

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