A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize customization and repairability with lower cost, the Framework Laptop may be suitable, as it is designed to be modular and user-serviceable. For those who need higher performance for intensive tasks and a premium display, the Dell XPS 13 Plus is more expensive but offers a high-resolution OLED screen and more robust processing power. The Dell has a better build and battery life for general use, but the Framework offers a superior webcam and more versatile port selection, including expandable storage and RAM options, catering to future upgradability. Both have sufficient battery capacity, but the Dell's efficiency might result in longer use between charges. 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 Plus
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Excellent portability
- Very good battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
- The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has no clear advantages over the Dell XPS 13 Plus.
Key differences
General Use
8.4
7.5
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
374.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
472.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
9.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.8/10
The Dell XPS 13 Plus is very good for general use, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is good.
PerfectRec’s General Use Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for general productivity, web browsing, streaming, video calls, and running a wide variety of apps and programs.
Engineering and Design
8.2
7.3
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.8/10
3.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
32.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Dell XPS 13 Plus is very good for engineering and design, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is good.
The Dell XPS 13 Plus excels in engineering and design use with a powerful Intel i7 CPU, plentiful 32 GB of RAM, and high-quality OLED screen ensuring vivid colors and sharp details, which are very important in this field. The Framework Laptop 13, while offering a lesser Intel i5 CPU and 8 GB of RAM, still delivers a good engineering and design experience, with its decent IPS screen and the advantage of being more customizable and easier to repair, enhancing its long-term usability and adaptability to specific needs.
Content Creation
8.3
7.5
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.8/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
32.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell XPS 13 Plus is very good for content creation, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) 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
8.3
7.6
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.8/10
32.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Dell XPS 13 Plus is very good for software development, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) 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
8.4
7.4
13.4in
SIZE
13.5in
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
374.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
472.0 nits
The Dell XPS 13 Plus has a better screen than the Framework Laptop 13 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Dell XPS 13 Plus offers a higher resolution and brightness which is great for everyday tasks and ensures crisp, clear visuals for detailed engineering work due to its wider color gamut. The Framework Laptop, while having good color coverage necessary for accurate design work, may not match the Dell's higher brightness and resolution that contribute to screen clarity. For gaming and 3D applications, both laptops fall short as they don't have high refresh rates, which are crucial for smooth motion and fast-paced visuals.
Battery
10.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The Dell XPS 13 Plus has 10 hours of battery life. The Framework Laptop 13 has 7.5 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
7.8
The Dell XPS 13 Plus has very good build quality, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,849
$1,079
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Dell XPS 13 Plus has a price of $1,849 and the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) costs $1,079.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Laptop
Find your new laptop
Key similarities
Gaming and AI
6.4
6.3
3.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell XPS 13 Plus and Framework Laptop 13 (2023) are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell XPS 13 Plus is better suited for gaming and 3D applications due to its more powerful Intel i7 processor, which can handle demanding tasks more efficiently than the Intel i5 found in the Framework Laptop 13 (2023). Additionally, the Dell model's OLED screen offers superior image quality with higher brightness and color space coverage, compelling for those visually intensive activities, compared to the IPS panel in the Framework, despite both having the same refresh rate.
Portability
Excellent
Very Good
13.4in
SIZE
13.5in
2.7 lbs
WEIGHT
2.9 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell XPS 13 Plus to have excellent portability, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell XPS 13 Plus and the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell XPS 13 Plus | Framework Laptop 13 (2023) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,849 | $1,079 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11.6'' x 7.8'' x 0.6'' | 11.7'' x 9'' x 0.62'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.71 lbs | 2.95 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.63" | 11.7" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 7.84" | 9.01" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-1280P | Intel i5-1340P | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 256 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 7.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 55 Wh | 55 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.4" | 13.5" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | OLED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2400 | 2256 x 1504 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 374 nits | 472 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 | |
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 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Dell XPS 13 Plus
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | July 2022
"The XPS 13 Plus is powerful, but has its drawbacks. Dell did not only update the processor generation, but also decided to offer two completely different models from now on. The XPS 13 Plus gets the faster Intel Alder Lake-P chips, and the Core i7-1260P in our review unit offers good performance figures. However, the device once again shows the problems of the current Intel CPUs, because the high performance requires a lot of power. This affects the battery runtime as well as temperatures, so the new model (even with the Optimized power profile) is louder than the older model."
Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Wired
Scott Gilbertson | July 2023
"If you’re thinking of investing in your first Framework, now is the time. The kinks and rough edges have all been smoothed out and this is a very nice machine with a bright, upgradable future. The only reason I can think of to wait is the AMD model, which I’ll be sure to test as soon as I can get my hands on one."
Get a great deal on the Dell XPS 13 Plus or the Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
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 Framework
Framework is a new American laptop manufacturer, specializing in modular and repairable laptops with the goals of promoting longevity and reducing electronic waste. They are a strong proponent of the right to repair movement. Framework laptops have replaceable RAM, storage, ports, keyboards, display bezels, mainboards, and more, making them a great choice for repairability-oriented individuals.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Laptop guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Dell XPS 13 Plus vs. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
VS
Compare Dell XPS 13 Plus vs. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15
VS
Compare Dell XPS 13 Plus vs. Acer Predator Helios 16
VS
Compare Framework Laptop 13 (2023) vs. Lenovo LOQ 15i
VS
Compare Framework Laptop 13 (2023) vs. LG Gram 17
VS
Compare Framework Laptop 13 (2023) vs. Acer Predator Helios 300
VS
FAQs
FAQs about laptops
Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
132,195
Recommendations made
28,643
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.
Featured in
