A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
Considering your options, the Dell XPS 13 is better suited for general use and tasks that require portability due to its lighter weight and higher general-use performance. It has a higher quality keyboard and display, particularly in color accuracy and brightness, making it ideal for work that may involve color-sensitive applications. On the other hand, if budget is a major consideration and you don't mind a larger, heavier laptop, the Gateway 15.6" could save you some money and still offer comparable storage and RAM, suitable for standard tasks. However, it may not be as robust in build quality or as powerful for more intensive engineering or 3D tasks. Both laptops offer similar battery life for typical usage. 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 engineering and design
- Good for software development
- Good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Excellent portability
- Very good battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the Gateway 15.6"
- The Gateway 15.6" has no clear advantages over the Dell XPS 13.
Key differences
General Use
7.7
7.0
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
442.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
250.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
9.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.3/10
The Dell XPS 13 and Gateway 15.6" are both good for general use, though the Dell XPS 13 is somewhat better.
The Dell XPS 13 stands out for general use with a higher-quality screen, better portability due to its lighter weight and smaller dimensions, and a superior processor for more demanding tasks, whereas the Gateway 15.6" has the same amount of storage and RAM, but offers a larger screen, albeit with lower screen quality, and might not be as easily portable due to its larger size and weight.
Engineering and Design
7.2
6.2
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell XPS 13 is good for engineering and design, while the Gateway 15.6" is only fair.
The Dell XPS 13 is preferred for engineering and design due to its higher quality screen, better CPU, and more powerful integrated graphics; important for software used in these fields. Meanwhile, the Gateway 15.6" offers a larger screen but falls short on CPU performance, graphical capabilities, and overall screen quality, which are crucial for engineering tasks.
Content Creation
7.7
7.0
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell XPS 13 and Gateway 15.6" are both good for content creation, though the Dell XPS 13 is somewhat better.
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
6.7
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
The Dell XPS 13 is good for software development, while the Gateway 15.6" is only fair.
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
6.1
13.4in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
442.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
250.0 nits
The Dell XPS 13 has a better screen than the Gateway 15.6" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Dell XPS 13 likely has a higher resolution with a brighter and higher quality panel, something that enhances the viewing experience for everyday tasks and precision work like engineering, ensuring text and images are sharp and colors accurate. For engineering and design, it also likely covers a broader range of colors, which is crucial for professionals who need to work with color accurate applications. However, for gaming and 3D applications where a high refresh rate is crucial to a smooth experience, this laptop may fall short, prioritizing screen fidelity over fluid motion.
Battery
10.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Dell XPS 13 has 10 hours of battery life. The Gateway 15.6" 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.
Portability
Excellent
Good
13.4in
SIZE
15.6in
2.5 lbs
WEIGHT
4.8 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell XPS 13 has excellent portability, while the Gateway 15.6" has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5
5.1
The Dell XPS 13 has very good build quality, while the Gateway 15.6" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$850
$600
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell XPS 13 has a price of $850 and the Gateway 15.6" costs $600.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
6.2
6.0
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
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 and Gateway 15.6" are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell XPS 13 and Gateway 15.6" are both equipped with integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics and have standard 60Hz refresh rates, making them suitable for casual gaming and basic 3D applications but not for more demanding gaming or 3D tasks. While the Dell has a slightly more powerful CPU and higher screen pixel density, neither laptop has a dedicated GPU or a high refresh rate screen, which are very important for intensive gaming and 3D work.
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How the Dell XPS 13 and the Gateway 15.6" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell XPS 13 | Gateway 15.6" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$850 | $600 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2022 | August 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11.6'' x 7.9'' x 0.55'' | 14.8'' x 9.5'' x 0.77'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.59 lbs | 4.8 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.63" | 14.75" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 7.86" | 9.5" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-1250U | Intel i5-1135G7 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 51 Wh | Unknown | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.4" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 442 nits | 250 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.3/10 | 7.3/10 | |
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 | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
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."
Gateway 15.6"
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Francisco Lahoz | July 2022
"Some concessions have to be made when shopping for a budget laptop. Walmart's Gateway Ultra Slim laptops succeeds on the affordability front and delivers serviceable specs and good battery life, though it's hard to claim it's the best (or even particularly good) at any particular aspect. Its build quality, especially the touchpad, is mediocre, and its performance is decent but doesn't lead the way. The Gateway does undercut the cost of some competitors and offers ample storage with good connectivity, so it's not to be ignored."
Get a great deal on the Dell XPS 13 or the Gateway 15.6"
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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