The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X offers more power for tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, and engineering, with its robust processor and high-performance graphics. However, it's heavier and pricier, making it less ideal for frequent travel. On the other hand, the Dell XPS 13 is more affordable and portable due to its light weight and compact size, which could make it more suitable if you're looking for everyday use and mobility. The tradeoff lies between the ASUS's advanced capabilities for intensive tasks and the Dell's advantage in cost and ease of carrying around. Give Feedback
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Advantages of the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Advantages of the Dell XPS 13
Very good overall build quality
Excellent portability
Very good battery life
Excellent keyboard
Key differences
General Use
8.3/10
7.7/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
354.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
442.0 nits
7.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
7.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.3/10
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is very good for general use, while the Dell XPS 13 is good.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X excels in general use due to its high-performance CPU, quality OLED screen with high resolution and full color coverage, and dedicated GPU, making it suitable for demanding tasks, but it is less portable and has shorter battery life compared to the Dell XPS 13. The Dell XPS 13, while still good for general use with a quality screen and sufficient RAM, offers better battery life and portability due to its smaller size and lower weight, but it has a less powerful CPU and lacks a dedicated GPU, which limits its performance for more intensive tasks.
Gaming and AI
7.5/10
6.2/10
6.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is good for gaming and AI, while the Dell XPS 13 is only fair.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X outperforms the Dell XPS 13 in gaming and 3D applications mainly due to its superior Nvidia RTX 3060 graphics card, which is much more adept at handling graphic-intensive tasks than the Dell's integrated Iris Xe graphics. Additionally, the Zenbook Pro's screen quality is enhanced by its OLED display, providing richer colors and deeper blacks, although both laptops have the same screen refresh rate, which is also a crucial factor for smooth gameplay and 3D rendering.
Engineering and Design
8.6/10
7.2/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.2/10
6.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell XPS 13 is good.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X, with a more powerful CPU, advanced GPU, larger screen, and higher screen resolution, is better suited for demanding engineering and design tasks that require top graphical and computational performance. On the other hand, the Dell XPS 13, being lighter and more compact, offers greater portability, although with a less powerful GPU and smaller screen, making it more suited for less intensive tasks and on-the-go usage.
Content Creation
8.5/10
7.7/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.2/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is 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
8.2/10
7.5/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is very good for software development, while the Dell XPS 13 is good.
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.
Screen Quality
8.3/10
7.2/10
16.0in
SIZE
13.4in
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
354.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
442.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X has a better screen than the Dell XPS 13 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X's display offers superior resolution and brightness, making images and text crisp and easy to view, while the Dell XPS 13, though still good, has slightly lower specs in these areas. In engineering and design tasks, the ASUS excels due to wider color gamuts allowing for more accurate color representation, which is crucial in these fields, in contrast to the Dell XPS 13, which is adequate but less capable in color precision. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the ASUS falls short because of a lower refresh rate, which impacts the smoothness of fast-moving visuals, whereas the Dell's display, while sharing a similar disadvantage in refresh rate, also lacks in resolution and panel quality, affecting overall gaming and 3D experience.
Battery
7.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X has 7 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
5.2 lbs
WEIGHT
2.5 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Dell XPS 13 has excellent portability, while the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.6/10
8.5/10
The Dell XPS 13 has very good build quality, while the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,300
$850
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X has a price of $1,300 and the Dell XPS 13 costs $850.
"The new Zenbook Pro 16X is more powerful, quieter and doesn't need to shy away from dedicated workstations and gamers. It is also comparatively compact, and our test device is the best Zenbook that we've reviewed so far. It seems equally suitable for content creators and gamers or anyone looking for a very powerful laptop that is still slim."
"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 Zenbook Pro 16X 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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