Review: Dell Chromebook 13

Introduction and design

Perhaps high-end Chromebooks were inevitable, but it looks like the systems like the Chromebook Pixel have started a new trend. Although many Chromebooks still offer budget hardware to run Chrome OS – a largely cloud-based operating system – manufacturers are starting to take things to the next level by offering specs and features you might find on a Windows machine.

Chromebooks are ready to be taken seriously in the business world, and the Dell Chromebook 13 joins the Chromebook Pixel and HP Chromebook 13 in making that point.

It features an FHD screen, more memory, and more processing power than one might expect, or arguably need, from an average Chromebook. However, the Dell Chromebook 13 is designed to work in a fast-paced business or IT setting.

Perhaps it's overpowered, but the growing popularity of Chromebooks in recent years begs for some kind of upgrade, if for no other reason than to stand out from the previous generation. The Dell Chromebook 13 does just this, distinguishing itself in much the same way a BMW does in a parking lot full of Hondas.

Although it shares the same minimalistic focus on light productivity and web browsing as other Chromebooks, the high-resolution screen and spiffy internals indicate that Chromebooks are moving toward a higher class of computing.

Design

If it weren't for the colored logo on the lid, one might not be able to tell that it's a Chromebook at first glance, and that might be the point. The black carbon fiber cover and magnesium alloy chassis suggest there are high-end components inside.

It's a very attractive notebook that fits in perfectly with Dell's other business-class machines. It's a classy setup that lets users be productive without necessarily breaking the bank.

Although, there are more powerful models available, the one I tested here is the base model with a 1.5Ghz Intel Celeron processor, 4GB of memory, and a 16GB solid state drive, which puts it in the same class as most other Chromebooks. However, the premium frame and 1080p screen basically doubles the price to $613 (about £484, AU$969).

That's still enough power to efficiently run Chrome OS, since it relies heavily on the cloud for storage and running apps. The internal storage is supplemented with a microSD slot and two USB ports (one of which is USB 3.0).

Upgrading to Business Class

The Dell Chromebook 13's matte FHD 13-inch screen has excellent viewing angles and works reasonably well in sunny conditions. It also sports a backlit keyboard, which makes it convenient to work with in darkened rooms.

With everything, including the long-lasting battery, taken into consideration, we have a well-balanced and compact notebook that's ideal for both work and life. However, it does feel a little heavy for its size (3.23 pounds).

That said, it is about the same as the Chromebook Pixel (3.3 pounds) and is likely due to the metal chassis and size. By comparison, the HP Chromebook 13, made from aluminum, beats out both systems at 2.86 pounds.

Web pages and cloud-based applications load quickly, but text often appears very small on the 13-inch screen, which made working with documents a pain. Unless you're keen on squinting a lot, there are some adjustments to make reading comfortable, including zooming in the browser or changing the default font size, but these may negatively impact how some pages look.

That being said, streaming video from YouTube and Netflix looks sharp at Full HD, although the picture can be a bit dark at half brightness. In fact, the brightness has to be turned up all way in sunlit spaces. Otherwise, the picture ends up looking almost solid black.

Slim speaker grilles are located on the bottom of its tapered sides, so the sound comes out clearly and loud, especially on solid surfaces. If you don't find all that satisfactory, there's always the option of plugging in headphones.

If you want to step up your entertainment experience altogether, then you can use the Chromebook's HDMI port to a secondary display for big screen viewing and presentations.

Specifications, performance and features

With a Celeron processor, 4GB of memory and a 16GB SSD, the base Dell Chromebook 13's hardware isn't all-too-different from most Chromebooks on the market. Still, it offers solid performance and handles most business and everyday tasks brilliantly.

Spec Sheet

Here is the Dell Chromebook 13 configuration sent to techradar for review:

• CPU: 1.7Ghz Intel Celeron 3215U (dual-core, 2MB cache)
• Graphics: Intel HD Graphics GT1
• RAM: 4GB DDR3L
• Screen: 13.3-inch 1920 x 1080 Matte FHD LCD
• Storage: 16GB M2.NGFF Solid State Drive, MicroSD slot
• Optical drive: N/A
• Ports: 1x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0, HDMI, headphone and microphone combo jack
• Connectivity: Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 802.11AC, Bluetooth 4.0
• Camera: Built-in 720p HD video camera
• Weight: 3.23 pounds
• Size: 12.93 x 9.03 x 0.84 inches (W x D x H)

The Dell Chromebook 13 comes in four different varieties, with one that includes a touch screen display, but no 2-in-1 functionality. The most expensive configuration has a 2.9GHz Intel Core i5 processor with 8GB of memory and a 32GB SSD. The high-end model goes for about $927 but does not include a touch screen. That might sound pretty pricey for a Chromebook, even a high-end one, but it's still under the $999 starting price of a Chromebook Pixel.

All models sport 1,920 x 1,080 FHD displays, which may sound disappointing when compared to how the HP Chromebook 13 can support a QHD+ 3,200 x 1,800 screen while the Chromebook Pixel has 12.8-inch 2,560 x 1,700 IPS touch display. However, considering how small text looks on an FHD display, higher resolutions would almost certainly be overkill.

If you're looking for a Chromebook that scores high in almost every area of design, then the HP Chromebook 13 is looking to be the clear winner. The competitor is lighter, slimmer, and supports a higher resolution screen. HP starts with a $499 Pentium model, and stepping up to the Intel Core m3 model will cost $599.

The mid-range HP Chromebook is better priced than the base model Dell I tested, even though it features a faster processor and double (32GB) the storage capacity. Without taking discounts and sales into consideration, it seems clear that the HP Chromebook 13 offers a significantly higher value than the Dell.

Despite the slick look, it's still a Chromebook, meaning that most of the heavy lifting is done in the cloud. The fact that I was able to get a lot of practical use out of the base model demonstrates how you don't need a lot of extra power to be productive.

Extra storage would certainly come in handy for installing a multitude of apps and storing files locally, which helps reduce Chrome OS's reliance on a constant Internet connection, but there's no reason to when the microSD slot adds relatively low-cost storage for large offline files. Those that need the extra space can still do so without breaking past the $1,000 mark.

Performance

The Dell Chromebook 13 is designed with business use in mind, but it's balanced enough to for both work and entertainment. I spent much of the time using it to look up information, check email, read documents, browse Amazon, listen to Google Music and watch streaming video from YouTube and Netflix.

As stated earlier, web pages and images loaded quickly, even when bringing up a wall of animated gifs on giphy, although I had to adjust the Chrome browser's settings to read text comfortably.

The Chromebook's physical weight becomes more noticeable over time, especially when continually picking it up to quickly check something and putting it away again – like when looking up characters while watching Game of Thrones.

Benchmarks

Here's how the Dell Chromebook 13 performed in our suite of benchmark tests:

• Octane: 13,795
• Mozilla Kraken: 2,139.6ms
• Battery Life (techradar movie test): 14 hours and 30 minutes

The Dell Chromebook 13's Celeron processor offers some impressive performance. The system scored well in both the Octane and Mozilla Kraken JavaScript benchmarks.

Dell certainly delivers on its promise of strong performance for low cost, which can only get better with the higher-end models. The only question is, given the scores of the base model, is that faster hardware really necessary?

A Marathon Runner

The battery is rated for 12 hours, and it means it. In fact, our movie test ran for 12 and a half hours at 50% brightness, and the battery still had 19% left in it, which Chrome OS estimates to be a little over 2 hours of usage. Running the movie test with the brightness at maximum brightness for 10 hours left about 16% in the battery.

Given what the Chromebook was designed for, it isn't difficult to imagine that this particular model would only need to be charged once or twice a week with average use.

Verdict

The Dell Chromebook 13 marks a new era for Chromebooks, where they are as at home in an office environment as more established Windows and Mac notebooks. Its black carbon fiber exterior and mag-alloy chassis looks great in both the office and home, and it has the performance to support the needs of both life and work. And it does this all without necessarily hurting your wallet.

Although it can feel a little heavy at times, especially for a small system, the exceptional battery keeps you productive while on the go without having to search for an outlet all the time.

We liked

Although the Dell Chromebook 13 has a minimally designed black carbon fiber and metal exterior, less is definitely more in this case. It's sleek, attractive, and looks right at home when placed alongside Windows or Mac notebooks.

While Chrome OS is still a matter of taste, users can be productive with the notebook (even offline) without having to spend too much money. While the base model's hardware isn't too different from what you'd find in many other competing Chromebooks, it still offers impressive performance and quickly loads web pages.

Outside of business use, the crisp FHD screen is perfect for watching streaming video and is complemented by loud and well-positioned speakers. Then there's the battery, which can go all day without needing a charge or for you to bring the power plug.

We disliked

Even with its small size (or perhaps because of it), the system can feel a little heavy for a Chromebook, especially given how there are competing notebooks available that are faster, lighter, and cost about the same or less.

Other than that, there isn't a whole lot to dislike about the Dell Chromebook 13, except for perhaps some minor issues like how the picture practically turns black in sunlight unless the brightness is turned all the way up. In fact, the base model performs well enough that it makes me wonder if it's even worthwhile to spend the spend the extra money on a higher-end model, considering how Chrome OS relies heavily on the cloud.

Final verdict

The Dell Chromebook 13 is a great looking little notebook that, at first glance, is almost indistinguishable from other brands of business class systems. It offers strong performance and is ready for both work and play. However, its weight is noticeable after an extended period of time, and you pick up a competing system such as the HP Chromebook 13, which offers some better features, for roughly the same amount of money.

Either way, the Dell makes an excellent addition to the Chromebook lineup, and should impress both in and out of the office.