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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated March 21, 2024·
If budget is a major concern and general use is your priority, the Dell XPS 13 offers value and is highly portable with a sleek design, making it easier to carry around. However, if you often perform engineering tasks or need a machine that can withstand rougher handling, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is sturdier and may provide more robust performance, though at a higher cost and with less emphasis on portability. Each excels in different scenarios, so consider if the price difference is justified for your specific needs. 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 overall display quality
- Excellent portability
- Very good battery life
- Best in class speakers
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkPad T14
- 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
8.5
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
442.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
321.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
9.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is very good for general use, while the Dell XPS 13 is good.
The Dell XPS 13 offers a lightweight design and a high-quality screen, making it easy to carry and enjoyable for media consumption, but its average battery life may require more frequent charging. Whereas the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 boasts a stronger CPU and RAM combination for more demanding tasks, a more robust keyboard for comfortable typing, and longer battery life, it is slightly less portable than the XPS 13 due to its larger size.
Engineering and Design
7.2
8.0
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell XPS 13 is good.
The Dell XPS 13, with its high-quality CPU, ample RAM, and superior screen, favors those engaging in engineering and design tasks requiring impressive processing power and visual fidelity. Meanwhile, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14, though similar in CPU and RAM, offers a robust GPU and a well-regarded keyboard, making it a suitable choice for engineering software and extended typing sessions while maintaining a balance between performance and portability.
Content Creation
7.7
8.3
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 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
8.3
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 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
6.9
13.4in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
442.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
321.0 nits
The Dell XPS 13 has a better screen than the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design, while the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has a better screen for content creation, and software development.
When considering laptops for general use, the Dell XPS 13 and Lenovo ThinkPad T14 offer screens with sufficient resolution and brightness, ensuring clear and vibrant displays for everyday tasks. For engineering and design, both laptops provide good coverage of color gamuts like DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB, which are essential for precise color work and detailed design projects. However, for gaming and 3D applications, which demand high refresh rates to render smooth motion, both laptops fall short, as their screens prioritize resolution and color accuracy over the faster refresh rates preferred in these scenarios.
Portability
Excellent
Very Good
13.4in
SIZE
14.0in
2.5 lbs
WEIGHT
2.9 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell XPS 13 has excellent portability, while the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$850
$1,241
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Dell XPS 13 has a price of $850 and the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 costs $1,241.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
6.2
6.7
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
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
8.3/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 and Dell XPS 13 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell XPS 13, while boasting a crisp display and efficient processor, doesn't excel in gaming or 3D work due to an integrated GPU less powerful than dedicated gaming options and a standard screen refresh rate. The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 similarly offers good screen quality and reliable CPU performance but lacks the graphics horsepower and high refresh rates desired for optimal gaming and 3D applications.
Battery
10.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Dell XPS 13 has 10 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has 9 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
8.0
The Dell XPS 13 and Lenovo ThinkPad T14 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 Lenovo ThinkPad T14 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell XPS 13 | Lenovo ThinkPad T14 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$850 | $1,241 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2022 | September 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11.6'' x 7.9'' x 0.55'' | 12.5'' x 8.9'' x 0.7'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.59 lbs | 2.96 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.63" | 12.51" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 7.86" | 8.93" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-1250U | AMD Ryzen 7 7840U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 51 Wh | 39.3 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.4" | 14" | |
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 | 321 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.3/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | Yes | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8.8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1440p | |
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 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 3 | |
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."
Lenovo ThinkPad T14
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Benjamin Herzig | December 2023
"We like a lot about this laptop. It has many ports, with the inclusion of RJ45-Ethernet as a defining feature. WWAN is upgradable for maximum flexibility and the ThinkPad has many security functions. Working with the ThinkPad input devices is a lot of fun, and Lenovo puts in a serviceable Low Power panel. The AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 7840U delivers a great performance and does not drain the battery fast. Fan noise and temperatures are nothing special, but also far away from bad. With the user replaceable keyboard, the ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 has a special feature rarely present on most modern laptops."
Get a great deal on the Dell XPS 13 or the Lenovo ThinkPad T14
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 Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
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