When choosing between the Dell XPS 13 Plus and the Lenovo ThinkPad X13, consider that the Dell XPS 13 Plus usually offers a sleeker design and more powerful internals, which is ideal for demanding applications but comes at a higher cost. In contrast, the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 is known for its durability and keyboard comfort, making it a workhorse for business users who prioritize these features and want to save money. The XPS may have a better display and sound, beneficial for media consumption, while the ThinkPad's better connectivity options suit professionals who need a variety of ports. If battery life is crucial, the ThinkPad often outlasts the XPS, and its lower price can also leave room in your budget for accessories or future upgrades. 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 overall display quality
Excellent portability
Very good battery life
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkPad X13
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 has no clear advantages over the Dell XPS 13 Plus.
Key differences
Screen Quality
8.4/10
6.9/10
13.4in
SIZE
13.3in
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
374.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
321.0 nits
The Dell XPS 13 Plus has a better screen than the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
The Dell XPS 13 Plus offers a high-resolution display and exceptional color accuracy which benefits engineering and design tasks that demand detail and color precision, but its lower refresh rate detracts from the smooth visuals crucial for gaming and 3D applications. On the other hand, the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 provides adequate resolution and color representation for everyday computing and professional design work, but like the Dell, it isn't designed with gaming in mind, lacking the high refresh rates for optimal motion rendering. Both excel in vibrant and sharp imagery for daily use and professional tasks, but gamers and 3D enthusiasts should consider other options tailored for those specific needs.
Battery
10.0 Hours
8.5 Hours
The Dell XPS 13 Plus has 10 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 has 8.5 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.
Cost
$1,849
$1,459
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Dell XPS 13 Plus has a price of $1,849 and the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 costs $1,459.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 and Dell XPS 13 Plus are both very good for general use.
The Dell XPS 13 Plus offers a high-quality screen, robust CPU, and substantial RAM, making it ideal for smooth performance in everyday tasks with a balance of portability and reasonable battery life. The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 also provides a powerful CPU and enough RAM for general use, with an emphasis on keyboard quality and durability, but it typically offers longer battery life, essential for those who work on the go.
Gaming and AI
6.4/10
6.7/10
3.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 and Dell XPS 13 Plus are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell XPS 13 Plus and the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 have integrated graphics that handle light gaming and 3D tasks but lack the power of dedicated GPUs necessary for demanding games or professional 3D work. While both have quality displays and capable processors, their screen refresh rates are not high enough to satisfy hardcore gamers or professionals who require smoother visuals for fast-paced games or high-level 3D rendering.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
8.0/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
3.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Dell XPS 13 Plus and Lenovo ThinkPad X13 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Dell XPS 13 Plus offers a high-end CPU, ample RAM, and a superior GPU, which paired with its exceptional screen quality, provides a robust platform for engineering tasks and graphic design work. In contrast, the Lenovo ThinkPad X13, while also equipped with powerful CPU and RAM options, excels in portability and has a well-regarded keyboard, making it a reliable choice for professionals on the move who need a durable machine for engineering design without compromising on performance.
Content Creation
8.3/10
8.2/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell XPS 13 Plus and Lenovo ThinkPad X13 are both very 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
8.3/10
8.1/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Dell XPS 13 Plus and Lenovo ThinkPad X13 are both very 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.
Portability
Excellent
Very Good
13.4in
SIZE
13.3in
2.7 lbs
WEIGHT
2.8 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell XPS 13 Plus to have excellent portability, while the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5/10
8.5/10
The Dell XPS 13 Plus and Lenovo ThinkPad X13 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 Plus and the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 compare to other laptops
"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."
"The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 G4 has very good input devices, a wide array of security features and ports as well as 5G in the tested configuration. It is more compact and lightweight compared with its predecessor, and it has improved speakers and a slightly better webcam. On the other hand, the fan is more annoying and the performance is barely improved. The battery is worse as well, but this is primarily attributable to the OLED screen - if this aspect is important, buyers should choose the IPS Low Power LCD."
Get a great deal on the Dell XPS 13 Plus or the Lenovo ThinkPad X13
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.
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.
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