Laptop Tests: 13'' models from Dell and Samsung

Today we've got two more 13'' laptops, one from Samsung and the other by Dell.  Despite adopting the same form factor, each is aimed at a very different market.

The Dell Studio XPS 13 is a well-rounded computer, with good solid performance on most of our tests.  It's a worthy competitor to the 13'' version of the MacBook and could be a great alternative for the average user who doesn't want to leave PCs behind but is looking for something stylish.

The Samsung X360, meanwhile, has mobility in mind and is as light--if not lighter--than some netbooks.  To get it so small, some sacrifices have to be made, including the removal of the DVD writer (which is now an external accessory) and a wise choice of parts to create an incredibly thin computer.  The end results are impressive, though, as we found the average battery life to be around 4 hours 15 minutes.

> Product Survey: Laptops