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Updated January 10, 2024·
When choosing between the Dell XPS 13 and Gateway 11.6", consider that the Dell XPS 13 offers high performance for general use and demanding tasks like engineering with its robust processor and ample RAM, though it comes at a higher price. Its larger, higher-resolution screen will also provide a better viewing experience. In contrast, the Gateway is more budget-friendly with basic specs suited to everyday tasks, but limited storage and lower performance. Both laptops share similar portability given their small screen sizes and light weight, but the Dell's longer battery life and better build quality may make it a preferred choice for those requiring a more premium, durable device for varied use. 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
- Good for general use
- Good for engineering and design
- Good for software development
- Good for content creation
- Good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the Gateway 11.6"
- The Gateway 11.6" has no clear advantages over the Dell XPS 13.
Key differences
General Use
7.7
5.6
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
442.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
200.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
9.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.1/10
The Dell XPS 13 is good for general use, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Dell XPS 13 is preferred for general use due to its higher performing CPU, greater RAM, and superior screen quality, providing a smoother experience for multitasking and clearer visuals. Meanwhile, the Gateway 11.6" has a lower-end CPU, less RAM, and a lower resolution screen, which makes it less suitable for demanding tasks and less enjoyable for media consumption.
Gaming and AI
6.2
5.4
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell XPS 13 is only fair for gaming and AI, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Dell XPS 13, with its Intel i7 Iris Xe graphics, handles gaming and 3D tasks better than the Gateway 11.6", which comes with the much less capable Intel UHD Graphics 600. Additionally, while both share a similar screen refresh rate, the Dell's superior CPU and higher screen quality also contribute to a fair gaming performance, in contrast to the poor gaming experience on the Gateway due to its weaker CPU and lower quality display.
Engineering and Design
7.2
5.4
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
The Dell XPS 13 is good for engineering and design, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Dell XPS 13 is equipped with a more powerful CPU, higher RAM capacity, and superior GPU, all crucial for engineering and design software, additionally offering a better screen quality with higher resolution and color accuracy, compared to the Gateway 11.6", which has a lower-end CPU and GPU, minimal RAM, and a screen that's less suitable for design tasks due to its lower resolution and color coverage. While both are portable, the Gateway's strengths in portability and solid build are overshadowed by its inadequacies in hardware performance and screen quality for engineering use.
Content Creation
7.7
5.7
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
16.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell XPS 13 is good for content creation, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
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
5.7
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
The Dell XPS 13 is good for software development, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
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
5.7
13.4in
SIZE
11.6in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
442.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
200.0 nits
The Dell XPS 13 has a better screen than the Gateway 11.6" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the Dell XPS 13 offers superior screen resolution and brightness, making it more comfortable for everyday tasks like browsing and watching videos, whereas the Gateway's lower resolution and brightness may strain your eyes over time. The XPS 13's wider color gamuts ensure more accurate color representation for professionals in engineering and design, which is critical for their work, but this feature is less emphasized in the Gateway 11.6". When it comes to 3D and gaming, the Dell's screen falls short due to a lower refresh rate, leading to less fluid motion, a drawback not as pronounced in general use or detailed design work.
Battery
10.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Dell XPS 13 has 10 hours of battery life. The Gateway 11.6" has 8 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
5.1
The Dell XPS 13 has very good build quality, while the Gateway 11.6" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$850
$89
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell XPS 13 has a price of $850 and the Gateway 11.6" costs $89.
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Key similarities
Portability
Excellent
Excellent
13.4in
SIZE
11.6in
2.5 lbs
WEIGHT
2.6 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell XPS 13 and Gateway 11.6" both have excellent portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell XPS 13 and the Gateway 11.6" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell XPS 13 | Gateway 11.6" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$850 | $89 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2022 | August 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11.6'' x 7.9'' x 0.55'' | 11'' x 7.5'' x 0.7'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.59 lbs | 2.6 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.63" | 11" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 7.86" | 7.5" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-1250U | Intel Celeron N4020 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 4 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 64 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 51 Wh | Unknown | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.4" | 11.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 1366 x 768 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 442 nits | 200 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.3/10 | 9.2/10 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 0 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
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."
Get a great deal on the Dell XPS 13 or the Gateway 11.6"
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 Gateway
Gateway is a laptop and tablet brand owned by Acer which sells budget-friendly laptops exclusively through Walmart. It was previously an American computer company until its acquisition by Acer in 2007, who then revived the brand in 2020. Gateway laptops are manufactured by Chinese company Shenzhen Bmorn Technology, which also makes EVOO-branded models.
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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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