What Engadget's recap says about the XPS 13
Engadget's October 10 roundup includes a section titled "Dell's XPS 13, revisited". The recap says the original review found the base model's 8GB of memory inadequate for Windows 11. Senior reviews editor Sam Rutherford then got to test a midrange spec and found that spending a bit more pays off.
Rutherford also gave the 8GB model some credit. He conceded that if a laptop runs so much better with 16GB, there's a fair argument the 8GB version shouldn't exist. But he said he appreciates that the option is there for people on tight budgets, "even if it's far from an ideal solution."
The recap doesn't give benchmarks, the exact midrange configuration, the price gap or the specific symptoms. Those details aren't in the roundup, so I won't invent them.
Minimum requirements versus a good experience
This is the distinction that matters. Engadget's original review said it still didn't think 8GB of RAM is enough to comfortably use Windows 11, especially if you plan to keep the XPS 13 for more than a few years. That is a judgment about comfort and longevity, not about whether the OS will install.
Microsoft's own published floor is much lower. Its Windows 11 requirements list 4GB of memory, alongside a compatible 64-bit processor, 64GB of storage, UEFI with Secure Boot, TPM 2.0 and a DirectX 12 capable GPU. By that measure an 8GB laptop is fully eligible. Microsoft also notes that some features have requirements beyond the baseline.
So "not enough" here means "not enough for a smooth experience under typical use". It does not mean Windows 11 can't run on 8GB.
Other reviewers saw the same thing
Engadget isn't alone, though the evidence isn't uniform.
- Engadget's original review: It rated the laptop 7.5/10 and listed "8GB of RAM just can't cut it" as a con. In use, the reviewer said that as soon as Windows booted, about 80 percent of the memory was already committed to background processes.
- TechRadar: It called the 8GB base configuration fundamentally insufficient for current Windows software. It was less harsh about day-to-day use. The reviewer reported good performance in everyday work, with virtually no slowdown even with half a dozen Chrome tabs open.
- RTINGS: It said the 8GB entry-level unit can limit heavier multitasking in Windows 11, while the pricier 16GB configurations handle multiple apps and browser tabs more effectively.
- Gizmodo: Its reviewer said he hadn't yet tested the 8GB version, so that outlet's stance on 8GB is an expectation rather than a measurement. His example was Slack plus two Chrome windows with around 20 tabs each, which used close to 14.5GB (presumably on the 16GB unit). Treat that as one reviewer's workload, not a universal figure.
The consensus is consistent. Light use is tolerable on 8GB, and anything beyond it gets painful. Heavy browser tabs, chat apps and background security tools are what push the machine over.
Buying advice
This is general industry reasoning, not a finding from the recap.
- Match RAM to your workload. Light, single-task use may be fine on 8GB. If you run a browser with many tabs, a chat client and Office apps at once, 16GB is the safer choice.
- Think about the machine's lifespan. Windows and apps tend to use more memory over time. Engadget's original review flagged this when it said 8GB is a concern if you plan to keep the laptop for years.
- Don't assume you can upgrade later. Some reviews list these as LPDDR5x configurations. RTINGS lists 8GB and 16GB LPDDR5x 7467MT/s options. Soldered-style memory in thin laptops is often not user-upgradable. Confirm the specific model's upgradeability before counting on it, because the recap doesn't say.
- Compare the real price gap. Engadget's original review pegged the entry model at $700. Check what Dell charges today for the 16GB version before deciding the extra is "a little."
The bigger picture
Hardware minimums are written so Windows can install and run. They aren't written to make a laptop pleasant. The XPS 13 is the latest example: a well-built, light machine whose reviews keep circling back to one spec. If Dell kept the 8GB option purely to hit a price, reviewers are telling shoppers to look past it.
Engadget's recap says the same thing in a single paragraph. If your budget stretches to the 16GB configuration, it's the one reviewers say you'll be happier with.