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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Dell XPS 13 is often slightly more expensive than the LG Ultra 13 and offers double the storage space and a higher resolution screen, giving you more detail for productivity and entertainment. Despite its slightly higher price, the Dell has a brighter screen and more Thunderbolt ports for connecting high-speed devices. However, the LG has a reputation for exceptional heat management, and its lower weight makes it more portable. Both have similar battery life, performance in general usage, and productivity software, but neither is ideal for intensive gaming despite them both being tagged as suitable for it. 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 overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Best in class speakers
- Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the LG Ultra 13
- The LG Ultra 13 has no clear advantages over the Dell XPS 13.
Key differences
General Use
7.7
7.2
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
442.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
9.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.3/10
The Dell XPS 13 and LG Ultra 13 are both good for general use, though the Dell XPS 13 is somewhat better.
The Dell XPS 13 and LG Ultra 13 are both excellent for general use due to their capable CPUs, substantial RAM, and high-quality IPS screens, ensuring smooth performance and clear visuals. While the Dell offers a higher resolution and brighter screen, the LG Ultra 13 stands out for its lighter weight, which enhances portability, and both have long battery lives that support all-day use without needing a charge.
Engineering and Design
7.2
6.6
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.7/10
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 LG Ultra 13 is only fair.
The Dell XPS 13 outperforms the LG Ultra 13 for engineering and design due to its superior CPU and integrated graphics capabilities, which are critical for computational and visual tasks, along with a higher resolution and brightness display that provides better screen quality.
Screen Quality
7.2
6.9
13.4in
SIZE
13.3in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
442.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
The Dell XPS 13 has a better screen than the LG Ultra 13 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Dell XPS 13 and LG Ultra 13 laptops have high-resolution displays and bright panels that make for crisp and clear viewing experiences, ideal for everyday tasks and applications. These laptops include screens with wide color coverage, which provides the accuracy needed for engineering and design work where precise color representation is crucial. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the screens on these laptops aren't optimal because they tend to have lower refresh rates, which can lead to less fluid motion and longer response times during fast-paced scenes.
Build Quality
8.5
7.4
The Dell XPS 13 has very good build quality, while the LG Ultra 13 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$850
$529
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell XPS 13 has a price of $850 and the LG Ultra 13 costs $529.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
6.2
6.1
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
8.0/10
The Dell XPS 13 and LG Ultra 13 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell XPS 13 and LG Ultra 13 are fair for gaming and 3D due to their integrated GPUs, Intel Iris Xe and AMD Vega 7 respectively, which are adequate for moderate gaming but not for high-end gaming which demands more powerful graphics. Additionally, both laptops have a maximum screen refresh rate of 60Hz, which is standard for good image quality but not as fluid as higher refresh rates preferred in gaming and 3D applications.
Content Creation
7.7
7.2
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.7/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell XPS 13 and LG Ultra 13 are both good for content creation.
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
7.2
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell XPS 13 and LG Ultra 13 are both good for software development.
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
10.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Dell XPS 13 has 10 hours of battery life. The LG Ultra 13 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.
Portability
Excellent
Excellent
13.4in
SIZE
13.3in
2.5 lbs
WEIGHT
2.1 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Dell XPS 13 and LG Ultra 13 both have excellent portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Dell XPS 13 and the LG Ultra 13 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell XPS 13 | LG Ultra 13 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$850 | $529 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2022 | January 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11.6'' x 7.9'' x 0.55'' | 12.1'' x 8.1'' x 0.6'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.59 lbs | 2.16 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.63" | 12.08" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 7.86" | 8.14" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-1250U | AMD Ryzen 7 4700U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 256 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 51 Wh | 51 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.4" | 13.3" | |
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 | 300 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.3/10 | 9.3/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
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 | 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."
LG Ultra 13
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Dig into reviews and images
CNET
Joshua Goldman | April 2017
"The 13.3-inch LG Gram is a fine fit if you need to travel as light as possible for as long as possible without spending a fortune to do it. It might not be particularly sturdy or have an eye-catching design and its webcam is less than ideal, but with its sharp touch display, comfortable backlit keyboard, responsive touchpad and a fingerprint reader for extra security, the Gram makes a respectible everyday laptop for business or school work."
Get a great deal on the Dell XPS 13 or the LG Ultra 13
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 LG
LG is a South Korean conglomerate company. While LG is mainly known for various products outside of technology, LG also develops laptops. Within the laptop industry, they are known for their thin-and-light Gram series, as well as their value-oriented Ultra series. LG laptops offer very thin and light laptops with phenomenal battery life, and are often on sale.
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