Yoga 2 Pro vs Dell XPS 11

Question

From what I can tell in the current marketplace, these two tablets are at the top of the heap and the only true competition for each other.
The Yoga 2 Pro and Dell XPS 11 each exceed the other in numerous metrics.
Here is a quick comparison:
1) Price - Yoga 2 Pro gives you an i5 with 128 gb SSD for $999.  The XPS gives you only an i3 with an 80 gb SSD for that price.
2) Ports - XPS 11 wins this one with 2 USB 3.0 ports vs the Y2P 1 USB 3.2 andd 1 USB 2.0.
3) Screen - Y2P offers more real estate and higher PPI by 20 points than XPS 11.
4) Portability - XPS 11 is thinner, has a smaller footprint and is 1/2 pound lighter.
5) Keyboard - Y2P offers an excellent real keyboard.  XPS offers a weird kind of flat, non-depressable surface that offers haptic feedback but apparently is hard to type fast on, especially if you have fingernails.
6) Active Digitizer - Easy win for XPS 11 here.  Big fumble by Y2P.
7) Best for Business - Depends.  Bigger better screen and better keyboard vs thinner, lighter, smaller footprint and a pen.  Some Legacy programs such as Access with forms designed for desktops may be a bit small on the XPS.
8) Best Desktop Replacement - Have to give this to the Y2P based upon the larger screen.
9) Wifi - This one goes to the XPS11 as it offers dual channel AC.
So it's a tough call.  What do you guys think?  IMHO if the Y2P had included an active digiitizer this would have been a no-contest win for the Y2P.

Answer 1

To do a proper comparison, items that are purely personal preference pieces (size of display, keyboard style etc) should be left out. When this is done, it really is a no brainer. The XPS 11 is hands down the superior machine. This is not to say that one machine will be more compatible or a better match for a particular person based on those personal preference items or perceptions of them. Everyone has a different liking as to what is an ideal display size or keyboard style for them. That is also why many people use a docking station setup so they can use full size keyboards and large 27" screens while working in the office for 8 plus hours. Price difference between the 2 machines is not siginificant and not a consideration if the superior XPS 11 machine has additional value that justifies it to the owner That said, there are other significant core advantages associated with the XPS 11 not mentioned. The XPS 11 uses state of the art NBT Corning Gorilla glass. If you read up on what that means you will see why that is hugh and also why there is additional cost to manufacture with it. The Y2P uses the "U" series processor and not the lower voltage "Y" series used by the XPS 11. The "Y" series is better suited to small form factor ultrabooks and power efficiency. The XPS 11 has a higher display NITS rating of 400. This is at the top of its class and is extremely important for those that may use them in an outdoor mobile activity. The XPS 11 is constructed of carbon fiber and not of the cheaper and much weaker external plastic construction of the Y2P. At 11.6" and 2.5 pounds, the XPS 11 is closer to a comfortable large tablet usage size than a 13" and half pound heavier Y2P. Given the wireless AC standard, it is becoming poor corporate judgement to release a new ultrabook that does not support it. For Lenovo to release an ultrabook that does not support dual band wireless when dual band access points have been in homes for years is completely unacceptable. Same goes with no pen support when the machine is a convertible hybrid. The XPS 11 material comprising the flat keyboard suface grips better when face down than hard plastic buttons. The closer you look at the engineering, design considerations, materials used, the more it becomes clear as to which platform is better built and thought through. Dell has had the luxury of analyzing Lenovo's Yoga build history and has done an incredible job addressing the serious short comings in the Yoga series. That is a significant achievement since the Yoga is still a very good overall machine.