The Dell G15 5520 is better for gaming and intense engineering tasks with its higher performance graphics card, while the HP Spectre x360 offers more portability, longer battery life and comes with a touchscreen. The Dell is suitable for users needing a robust laptop for demanding programs and games, albeit with a shorter battery span compared to the HP. The HP Spectre, on the other hand, would suit users looking for a versatile machine that's easier to carry around and has longer usage away from a power source, with the added benefit of a high-resolution touchscreen for more interactive tasks. Both laptops have similar core specifications but are optimized for different use cases. 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 Dell G15 5520
Good for gaming and AI
Advantages of the HP Spectre x360
Very good for general use
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall build quality
Good portability
Very good battery life
Best in class speakers
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.7/10
6.6/10
7.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3072 x 1920
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.0/10
The Dell G15 5520 is good for gaming and AI, while the HP Spectre x360 is only fair.
The Dell G15 5520 is equipped with an Nvidia RTX 3060, offering strong gaming and 3D performance, supported by a high refresh rate screen, which is crucial for smooth visuals in games. On the other hand, the HP Spectre x360, while having a high-resolution display with excellent screen quality, utilizes integrated graphics which may not match the Dell in raw graphic performance, though it offers better portability and battery life.
Software Development
7.5/10
8.3/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3072 x 1920
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The HP Spectre x360 is very good for software development, while the Dell G15 5520 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
7.1/10
7.6/10
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3072 x 1920
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
251.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
406.0 nits
The Dell G15 5520 has a better screen than the HP Spectre x360 for gaming and AI, while the HP Spectre x360 has a better screen for general use, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
When considering general use, the Dell G15’s decent resolution and brightness provide a comfortable viewing experience for everyday tasks, whereas the HP Spectre x360's very good resolution and brightness levels ensure crisp, vibrant images that stand out. For engineering and design work, the Spectre x360 excels with its superior color gamut coverage, presenting more accurate and wider ranges of colors, which is vital for precision work, while the G15 may fall short. However, for gaming and 3D projects where smooth motion is key, Dell G15's lower refresh rate might hinder performance, and although the Spectre also struggles due to a similar limitation, both laptops' resolutions and panel types provide only an average experience in fast-paced visual environments.
Battery
6.0 Hours
11.0 Hours
The Dell G15 5520 has 6 hours of battery life. The HP Spectre x360 has 11 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
Fair
Good
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
5.5 lbs
WEIGHT
4.7 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The HP Spectre x360 has good portability, while the Dell G15 5520 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4/10
8.5/10
The HP Spectre x360 has very good build quality, while the Dell G15 5520 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers HP Spectre x360 to be very good for general use, while the Dell G15 5520 is good.
PerfectRec’s General Use Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for general productivity, web browsing, streaming, video calls, and running a wide variety of apps and programs.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
8.0/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
7.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell G15 5520 and HP Spectre x360 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Dell G15 5520 is preferred for engineering and design use due to its higher-end GPU and a processor suited for intense tasks, while its heavier weight and louder operation might be a tradeoff. The HP Spectre x360's smooth pen input on its higher-resolution touchscreen and lightweight 2-in-1 design offer more portability and flexibility for design work, though it might not handle demanding engineering software as effectively due to its integrated graphics.
Content Creation
7.9/10
8.2/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3072 x 1920
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers HP Spectre x360 to be very good for content creation, while the Dell G15 5520 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.
Cost
$1,000
$1,000
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Dell G15 5520 has a price of $1,000 and the HP Spectre x360 costs $1,000.
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How the Dell G15 5520 and the HP Spectre x360 compare to other laptops
Olivier Martin, Ryan Lim, and John Peroramas | April 2023
"The Dell G15 (2022) is a 15.6-inch budget gaming laptop, and is great for gaming. You can configure the laptop with powerful Intel 12th Gen. CPUs and various NVIDIA dedicated GPUs, all of which deliver a smooth gaming experience at 1080p. There's also a QHD 240Hz display option if you want better visuals, though you'll have to pair it with the top-end NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti to get good frame rates. It doesn't get overly hot or loud under load, and there's no noticeable throttling on the CPU or GPU. Unfortunately, the 120Hz panel has a slow response time, causing noticeable ghosting, and it doesn't support variable refresh rate."
"As we said, Lenovo's Yoga 9i is a tough competitor to the Spectre with an equally admirable OLED display. We're sad that neither of them has an HDMI port nor a niche or slot to hold the stylus, though the HP wins points for its bundled mini docking station and magnetically attached pen. Your choice will come down to screen shape—and in our eyes, just as seeing an OLED screen spoils you for an IPS panel, enjoying a tall 3:2 display spoils you for a more conventional view. The HP Spectre x360 13.5 is our new favorite 2-in-1."
Get a great deal on the Dell G15 5520 or the HP Spectre x360
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.
About HP
HP, also known as Hewlett-Packard, is an American technology company that develops personal computers and computer peripherals. In the laptop industry, HP is known for its entry level Essential series laptops, its mid-range Pavilion, Envy, and Victus series, and high-end Omen and Spectre series, in addition to its business-oriented EliteBook, ProBook, and Dragonfly series laptops. HP laptops generally undercut other mainstream competitors in terms of price, placing itself as the value-oriented mainstream brand.
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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