The Dell Precision 5470, being more expensive, offers higher performance for engineering tasks with a superior GPU and a professional business appearance, but it's heavier and has a slightly lower battery life than the XPS 15, affecting its portability. Both models have similar RAM, processors, and no touchscreen, with the XPS 15 having a marginally larger screen and more storage. 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 Precision 5470
Very good portability
Advantages of the Dell XPS 15
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good battery life
Key differences
General Use
7.7/10
8.2/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
500.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
606.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
8.4/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.7/10
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for general use, while the Dell Precision 5470 is good.
The Dell Precision 5470 is considered good for general use due to its balance of CPU performance, RAM, and portability with decent battery life, although it falls short in screen quality when compared to the Dell XPS 15, which has a larger and higher-quality display that contributes to its very good standing for general use, alongside its superior battery life, making it a better choice for long sessions or media consumption.
Content Creation
7.8/10
8.3/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for content creation, while the Dell Precision 5470 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.
Screen Quality
7.3/10
7.4/10
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
500.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
606.0 nits
The Dell XPS 15 has a better screen than the Dell Precision 5470 for content creation, and software development.
The Dell Precision 5470 and XPS 15 boast high-resolution screens and panel types that render crisp and clear images, offering an excellent viewing experience for both general users and professionals in engineering and design, who will appreciate the accurate color representation over a wide gamut. However, for 3D and gaming, the screen quality is less impressive because these laptops may not have high refresh rates that are crucial for the smooth rendering of fast-moving visuals. While the resolution and panel type remain important for these purposes, they do not compensate for the potential lack of fluid motion during intense graphics use.
Portability
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
3.2 lbs
WEIGHT
4.2 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell Precision 5470 has very good portability, while the Dell XPS 15 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,669
$1,000
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Precision 5470 has a price of $1,669 and the Dell XPS 15 costs $1,000.
The Dell XPS 15 and Dell Precision 5470 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
7.8/10
8.1/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
4.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell XPS 15 to be very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Precision 5470 is good.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Software Development
7.7/10
8.1/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell XPS 15 to be very good for software development, while the Dell Precision 5470 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.
Battery
9.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Dell Precision 5470 has 9 hours of battery life. The Dell XPS 15 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.
Build Quality
8.5/10
8.5/10
The Dell Precision 5470 and Dell XPS 15 both have very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Dell Precision 5470 and the Dell XPS 15 compare to other laptops
"The Dell Precision 5470 is a mobile workstation that's far more portable than most alternatives. Between its slim 14-inch design and top-quality MIL-STD 810H build, it's one of the best options around for taking professional-grade performance on the road or to the job site. There are tradeoffs for its portability, and users of the most demanding, graphics-intensive applications will need to carry something heavier. But the Dell's exceptional battery life underscores its desirability as the most portable workstation we've seen."
"The 2023 Dell XPS 15 is more or less exactly what you'd expect from the company flagship. Its fresh components deliver measurably superior power and longevity, while the machine's premium build and design remain intact. It may not be overly exciting, but XPS loyalists and upgraders should be more than happy."
Get a great deal on the Dell Precision 5470 or the Dell XPS 15
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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