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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated March 22, 2024·
If you prioritize affordability and need a laptop for everyday tasks with easy portability, the Dell XPS 13 is a solid choice. However, if you require top performance for demanding applications like 3D modeling, machine learning, gaming, or engineering software and don't mind a higher price and less portability, the MSI Titan would suit those needs better. Keep in mind, the MSI likely has a shorter battery life due to its powerful components, while the Dell offers longer usage on a single charge, making it more convenient for travel or long work sessions away from a power outlet. 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
- Very good battery life
- Best in class speakers
Advantages of the MSI Titan 18 HX
- Very good for general use
- Best in class for engineering and design
- Excellent for gaming and AI
- Very good for software development
- Excellent for content creation
- Excellent overall display quality
- Best in class keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.7
8.8
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
442.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
10.0/10
9.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
5.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX is very good for general use, while the Dell XPS 13 is good.
The Dell XPS 13 is highly regarded for its balance of portability and sufficient power from its CPU and RAM, coupled with a high-quality screen and strong battery life, making it ideal for everyday tasks and mobility. In contrast, the MSI Titan 18 HX, while offering superior performance due to its more robust CPU and larger RAM, which excels in demanding applications, may be less convenient for on-the-go use because of its larger size and reduced battery life.
Gaming and AI
6.2
9.4
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX is excellent for gaming and AI, while the Dell XPS 13 is only fair.
The Dell XPS 13, with its more modest GPU and screen refresh rate, offers adequate gaming and 3D capabilities for casual use, while the MSI Titan 18 HX, equipped with a high-end GPU and faster screen refresh rate, excels in delivering top-notch gaming and 3D performance. Although both laptops have capable CPUs and good screen quality, it's the GPU and screen refresh rate that primarily distinguish the MSI as being superior for gaming and 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
7.2
9.9
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
The MSI Titan 18 HX is best in class for engineering and design, while the Dell XPS 13 is good.
The Dell XPS 13, with its high-quality screen and robust build, offers decent performance for engineering tasks, made more convenient by its lightweight design and quieter operation, while the MSI Titan 18 HX, with its top-tier CPU, ample RAM, and powerful GPU, excels in handling the most demanding engineering and design workloads, despite being bulkier and potentially louder during heavy use.
Content Creation
7.7
9.0
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
16.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
The MSI Titan 18 HX is excellent 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
8.9
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
10.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX 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
9.2
13.4in
SIZE
18.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
442.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
The MSI Titan 18 HX has a better screen than the Dell XPS 13 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Dell XPS 13 offers a display with good resolution and brightness, making it visually appealing for daily tasks, but its modest refresh rate hampers its effectiveness for 3D applications where smoother motion is crucial. The MSI Titan 18 HX boasts exceptional color accuracy and wider color gamuts, which are vital for professional engineering and design work that requires precision and true-to-life color representation. For gaming and 3D work, despite their high-quality displays, both laptops may fall short due to lower refresh rates which are key for fluid motion and responsive gameplay.
Battery
10.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Dell XPS 13 has 10 hours of battery life. The MSI Titan 18 HX has 4 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
Poor
13.4in
SIZE
18.0in
2.5 lbs
WEIGHT
7.9 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
1.2in
The Dell XPS 13 has excellent portability, while the MSI Titan 18 HX has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$850
$4,949
$0
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$4,000
The Dell XPS 13 has a price of $850 and the MSI Titan 18 HX costs $4,949.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Dell XPS 13 and MSI Titan 18 HX 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 MSI Titan 18 HX compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell XPS 13 | MSI Titan 18 HX |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$850 | $4,949 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2022 | February 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11.6'' x 7.9'' x 0.55'' | 15.9'' x 12.1'' x 1.26'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.59 lbs | 7.93 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.63" | 15.9" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 7.86" | 12.08" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-1250U | Intel i9-14900HX | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 128 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 4 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 4096 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 51 Wh | 99.9 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.4" | 18" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | Mini LED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 3840 x 2400 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 442 nits | 401 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.3/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
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 | 10/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 3 | |
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 | 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."
MSI Titan 18 HX
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | January 2024
"With no new Nvidia GPU this year for laptops, MSI had to refresh everything surrounding the graphics card to make up for it. Users are getting a new 18-inch chassis design, new 14th gen Intel HX CPU, new AC adapter, larger keys, and a new 120 Hz HDR1000 mini-LED 4K display to accompany the high price tag. Most of these changes are a step up from last year's GT77, but users are ultimately getting the same gaming performance out of both models."
Get a great deal on the Dell XPS 13 or the MSI Titan 18 HX
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 MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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