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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Dell XPS 13 offers better portability with a lighter weight and higher portability score, making it a good choice for frequent travel or commuting. It's also less expensive and provides a high-quality keyboard experience. However, the XPS 15, despite being heavier and more expensive, comes with a larger screen, a more powerful processor, and a better GPU, which means it will perform better for demanding tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, or engineering software. Both have similar battery life and do not come with number pads, but the XPS 15 has a slightly better display and screen color coverage, so it's also a superior option for visual work. 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 XPS 13
- Excellent 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
Key differences
General Use
7.7
8.2
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
442.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
606.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
9.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.7/10
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for general use, while the Dell XPS 13 is good.
The Dell XPS 13 offers great general use qualities such as a lighter weight, making it more portable, and it has a high-quality screen which is also suitable for such use, yet the battery life is less than the XPS 15, which may require more frequent charging.
Gaming and AI
6.2
6.8
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.4/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
9.1/10
The Dell XPS 15 and Dell XPS 13 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Dell XPS 15 is somewhat better.
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
7.2
8.1
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell XPS 13 is good.
The Dell XPS 13, with its Intel i7-1250U processor, integrated graphics, and smaller screen, is a strong choice for engineering and design due to its high-quality display and substantial processing power in a compact and portable form. Meanwhile, the Dell XPS 15 steps up performance with a more powerful Intel i7-13700H CPU and dedicated Intel Arc A370M GPU, coupled with a larger, brighter screen which provides a superior visual experience for design tasks, though at the expense of greater weight and reduced portability.
Content Creation
7.7
8.3
6.2/10
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 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
7.5
8.1
6.2/10
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
The Dell XPS 15 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
7.2
7.4
13.4in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
442.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
606.0 nits
The Dell XPS 15 has a better screen than the Dell XPS 13 for general use, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Dell XPS 13 and XPS 15 both have high-resolution screens that deliver sharp images and bright displays, enhancing the experience for everyday tasks and making them suitable for general use. Engineers and designers will appreciate their wide color gamuts, which ensure accurate color representation vital for professional editing and CAD work. However, for 3D applications and gaming, the refresh rate is more critical, and these laptops may not meet the mark, leading to less fluid motion on the screen.
Portability
Excellent
Good
13.4in
SIZE
15.6in
2.5 lbs
WEIGHT
4.2 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell XPS 13 has excellent portability, while the Dell XPS 15 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$850
$1,000
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Dell XPS 13 has a price of $850 and the Dell XPS 15 costs $1,000.
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Key similarities
Battery
10.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Dell XPS 13 has 10 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
8.5
The Dell XPS 13 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 XPS 13 and the Dell XPS 15 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell XPS 13 | Dell XPS 15 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$850 | $1,000 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2022 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11.6'' x 7.9'' x 0.55'' | 13.6'' x 9.1'' x 0.71'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.59 lbs | 4.21 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.63" | 13.57" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 7.86" | 9.06" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-1250U | Intel i7-13700H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 51 Wh | 86 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.4" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 1920 x 1200 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 442 nits | 606 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.3/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8.8/10 | 9.1/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 10/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Dell XPS 13
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Dig into reviews and images
The Verge
Monica Chen | April 2023
"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."
Dell XPS 15
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Matthew Buzzi | May 2023
"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 XPS 13 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.
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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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