How to open Dell XPS 13 9345 – disassembly and upgrade options

Undo the six Torx-head screws on the bottom of the laptop.
Insert a thin plastic tool close to one of the top two edges to create a gap.
Pop the top corner, the side, the front, and the other side of the back cover.
Raise the front of the plate and tilt the panel to release the rear clips.
If the rear clips are not released, pry the sides around the central vent on the back.

More info: The inside of the bottom plate houses numerous plastic elements to enhance internal structural support alongside dust filters for the fans and the speakers.

Battery Removal

Caution: Handle the battery with care to avoid damage or injury.

Grab your gloves before tackling any electrical work.
Undo the single screw that secures the metal cap in place.
Slide the tiny shield to the left to access the battery connector.
Undo the six Phillips-head screws that fix the battery unit to the chassis.
Carefully unplug the battery connector by pulling it towards the bottom of the laptop, holding its rubber handle.
Safely remove the battery from the laptop.

More info: The notebook is equipped with a base 45Wh battery variant. For longer autonomous life, the optional 60Wh model is available, providing around 20 hours of video playback.

You can buy compatible batteries here: Buy from Amazon.com (#CommissionsEarned)

Storage and Memory Upgrade, and Wi-Fi Card Placement

Hint: Handle the SSD with care to avoid any data loss or damage during installation.

Locate the single M.2 slot compatible with 2230 or 2280 Gen 4 NVMe drives.
Peel the Mylar heat shield over the storage section to access the SSD slot.
Undo the single Phillips-head screw securing the metal shield on top of the SSD.
Slide the metal shield to the left and lift it away from the chassis.
Insert the new Gen 4 M.2 NVMe SSD into the slot and secure it with the Phillips-head screw.
The Wi-Fi 7 card is also soldered and it’s placed close to the left fan.

More info: The SSD is additionally cooled by a thermal pad below the metal plate and another pad underneath the SSD itself. Storage-wise, this device offers just one M.2 slot compatible with 2230 or 2280 Gen 4 NVMe drives. The position of the pad below the NVMe isn’t optimal but can be fixed easily.

More info: You get up to 64GB of soldered LPDDR5x-8448MHz RAM in dual-channel mode, providing a future-proof memory capacity. However, the lack of SODIMM slots could be a limitation for some users.

Note: This laptop features soldered RAM modules, which are not user-upgradable.

Hint: Don’t forget to check out our Top M.2 SSDs Performance Rankings for insights on the best storage options available.

You can buy compatible SSDs here: Buy from Amazon.com (#CommissionsEarned)

Cooling System Overview

More info: The cooling system is efficient for a 14-inch laptop. It includes a pair of fans, one long thick heat pipe, two heat sinks, and a heat spreader to ensure effective thermal management.

Inspect the pair of fans to ensure they are free of dust and debris.
Check the one long thick heat pipe for any signs of wear or damage.
Verify that the two heat sinks are properly seated and unobstructed.
Ensure that the heat spreader is securely in place to maintain optimal cooling performance.

Dell XPS 13 9345 in-depth review

Snapdragon Copilot+ devices are appealing to users seeking powerful AI and 3D rendering capabilities. On top of that, the Dell XPS 13 9345 offers great portability and a very long battery life. We bought a bit more modest configuration with that base 1200p 120Hz IPS panel, 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM, and a 512GB 2230 SSD. This one seems powerful enough for work. Light gaming may be possible but it depends on the title. Counter-Strike 2 runs fine on Low details.In terms of display, there are two optional touchscreens, one 120Hz 1600p IPS model, and a 60Hz 2880 x 1800p OLED variant. Since this devi[...]

Read the full review

Pros

The fans are almost quiet during max CPU loads in "Ultra Performance" mode
Aluminum chassis built like a tank
Light and thin (up to 1.24 kg / 15.95 mm)
Comfortable keyboard
PWM-free (SHP1593)
95% sRGB coverage + accurate colors with our "Design and Gaming" profile (SHP1593)
2000:1 contrast ratio + 470 nit max brightness (SHP1593)
2x USB4 ports with PowerDelivery and DisplayPort capabilities
Very long battery life (20 hours of videos)
1080p IR Web camera
Fingerprint reader
The CPU can sustain a 3.81 GHz clock in short and medium loads
Good comfort during max stress
Well-cooled and snappy NVMe (512GB WD PC SN740)
Good 3D rendering performnce
Up to 64GB of LPDDR5x memory
Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4