The ASUS ROG Flow X16 offers robust performance for intensive tasks, 3D rendering, machine learning, and gaming thanks to its high-end AMD Ryzen processor and Nvidia RTX graphics, but it's heavier and bulkier, which reduces portability. On the other hand, the Dell XPS 13, with its Intel i7 processor and integrated graphics, isn't as powerful for demanding tasks or gaming, but it's much lighter and thinner, making it ideal for general use and portability. The ASUS is the better choice for gaming and heavy-duty engineering work, while the Dell excels in general use and is easier to carry around. Choose based on whether performance or portability is more important for your needs. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the ASUS ROG Flow X16
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Advantages of the Dell XPS 13
Excellent portability
Very good battery life
Excellent keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.6/10
6.2/10
7.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 is good for gaming and AI, while the Dell XPS 13 is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 is superior for gaming and 3D applications because it has a powerful Nvidia RTX 3060 graphics card and a high screen refresh rate of 165 Hz, enhancing visual fluidity and gaming performance. In contrast, the Dell XPS 13 features a less capable Intel i7-1250U Iris Xe graphics solution and a standard 60 Hz refresh rate, which contributes to its fair performance in gaming and 3D tasks due to lower graphical processing power and less smooth on-screen motion.
Engineering and Design
8.3/10
7.2/10
8.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.2/10
7.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell XPS 13 is good.
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 excels in engineering and design because it boasts a powerful CPU, ample RAM, a high-performance discrete graphics card, and exceptional screen quality, making it well-suited for demanding tasks. However, the Dell XPS 13, while offering sufficient CPU and RAM for engineering tasks and a good screen, prioritizes portability and has an integrated graphics card, which is less conducive for intensive graphical work compared to the ASUS.
Screen Quality
8.5/10
7.2/10
16.0in
SIZE
13.4in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
502.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
442.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has a better screen than the Dell XPS 13 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 excels in screen quality for general use and engineering due to its high resolution and bright display, with wide color gamuts ensuring accurate color representation for design work. The Dell XPS 13, while offering a sharp and bright display suitable for everyday tasks and detailed engineering designs, may fall behind the ASUS due to a potentially narrower range of colors. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the ASUS's lower refresh rate limits its performance compared to laptops designed specifically for gaming with faster screens, affecting the fluidity and smoothness of high-speed visuals.
Battery
5.5 Hours
10.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has 5.5 hours of battery life. The Dell XPS 13 has 10 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Good
Excellent
16.0in
SIZE
13.4in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
2.5 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Dell XPS 13 has excellent portability, while the ASUS ROG Flow X16 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS ROG Flow X16 to be very good for general use, while the Dell XPS 13 is good.
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 stands out for its 2-in-1 convertible design, larger screen with higher resolution, and more powerful AMD Ryzen CPU with Nvidia GPU, but it is heavier and has shorter battery life, making it less portable than the Dell XPS 13, which offers excellent portability and longer battery life with a reliable Intel CPU and integrated graphics, although with a smaller screen and lower resolution.
Content Creation
8.0/10
7.7/10
8.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.2/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS ROG Flow X16 to be very good for content creation, while the Dell XPS 13 is good.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.7/10
7.5/10
8.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 and Dell XPS 13 are both good for software development.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Build Quality
8.5/10
8.5/10
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 and Dell XPS 13 both have very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,300
$1,399
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has a price of $1,300 and the Dell XPS 13 costs $1,399.
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How the ASUS ROG Flow X16 and the Dell XPS 13 compare to other laptops
"Above all else, the Asus ROG Flow X16 is one thing - versatile! It is a thin, mobile work device, it's a 2-in-1, tablet, a powerful workstation and even a gaming PC. But something even more surprising: It does all of these things really well without making any big blunders. It's anything but a lazy compromise. Because, despite its compact dimensions and 2-in-1 functionality, the hardware isn't throttled and boasts, at least in turbo mode, above-average performance."
"In the past, the XPS 13 was a hands-down contender for the best laptop on the market. But the Apple-silicon MacBook has since barrelled onto the scene, and it wipes the floor with most of the ultraportable Windows laptops that cross my desk on a daily basis. This XPS is no exception. Compared to the M2 MacBook Air, battery life is worse."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Flow X16 or the Dell XPS 13
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
About Dell
Dell is a highly recognizable American technology company, and is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. Their laptops are very popular for both personal and professional use, and they also own the Alienware brand which makes mid to high end gaming laptops. Their premium XPS range of laptops offer great build quality and portability, while Latitude and Precision laptops are known for reliability, repairability and performance for business users.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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