I normally avoid hardware review posts but I'm on my 2nd Dell XPS 13" laptop so wanted to check this out.
I have been super happy with these devices. The first one was the XPS M1210, which in all seriousness was one of the best computers I've ever owned. It's a bit dated now - it was pre-Macbook Air, so by comparison looks huge and chunky, but compared to previous lappys it was a joy to travel with.
The first battery piked after a couple years but this is back in the Good Old Days when buying replacement parts was easy.
The screen crapped out after about 4 years - still usable but had weird patterns all over it. I could have replaced it but by then the newer model was out, and the change in weight profile was significant enough to justify the change.
I've had the new one for over two years and have been really happy with it. I basically only use it when I travel, and it's slimline form is great.
The model I have (2012 I think) only has 4GB of RAM, which has been a bit of a hassle, and the CPU is a bit on the slow side compared to my desktop - but this new one with 8GB looks like it would be great.
It has a nice keyboard with broad, easy to press keys, making it as not-terrible as possible to type on for extended periods (if I'm using it for ages I still plug in a real keyboard though).
If you're looking at a slimline laptop and don't want a Mac, then I seriously recommend checking the XPS series out.