If you need a laptop for typical use like browsing the web, using office applications, and streaming, and you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Gateway 14.1" could be suitable. However, it has less power, storage, and a less capable graphics unit than the Dell XPS 15, which means it may not handle multitasking or more demanding tasks as smoothly. The Dell XPS 15, although typically more expensive, offers significantly better performance for engineering tasks, 3D rendering, and machine learning, with more storage and a stronger processor and graphics unit. The XPS 15 also features a larger screen and better build quality, but it's slightly heavier, which might make it less portable. If gaming is important, the XPS 15 is the only one of the two that is suitable for intensive gaming. 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 15
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Very good battery life
Best in class speakers
Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the Gateway 14.1"
Very good portability
Key differences
General Use
8.2/10
5.6/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
606.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
208.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
7.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for general use, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
The Dell XPS 15 excels in general use due to its powerful CPU, higher RAM, superior screen quality including greater brightness and color coverage, and a robust battery, all of which contribute to a better performance and user experience. In contrast, the Gateway 14.1" falls short with a less capable CPU, lower RAM, a screen with significantly less brightness and color accuracy, and generally lower quality components, making it less suited for demanding tasks and prolonged use.
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
5.4/10
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
9.1/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell XPS 15 is only fair for gaming and AI, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
The Dell XPS 15 is equipped with a stronger GPU, the Intel Arc A370M, and a high-performance Intel i7 processor, which together deliver better graphics rendering and overall power for gaming and 3D applications. In contrast, the Gateway 14.1" has a much weaker Intel UHD Graphics 600 and a less powerful Intel Celeron processor, making it less capable of handling graphic-intensive tasks and thus providing a poorer gaming and 3D experience.
Engineering and Design
8.1/10
5.5/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for engineering and design, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
8.3/10
5.8/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for content creation, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
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
8.1/10
5.8/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for software development, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
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
7.4/10
6.0/10
15.6in
SIZE
14.1in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
606.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
208.0 nits
The Dell XPS 15 has a better screen than the Gateway 14.1" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Dell XPS 15 has a higher resolution and brighter display, which makes it better for tasks like browsing and video conferencing that you typically find in general use. For engineering and design, its wider color gamut ensures more accurate color rendition, crucial for professionals working with visual media. However, its lower refresh rate makes it less suitable for gaming or 3D applications, where a higher refresh rate is key to smoother motion and better responsiveness.
Battery
10.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Dell XPS 15 has 10 hours of battery life. The Gateway 14.1" has 8 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
8.5/10
5.1/10
The Dell XPS 15 has very good build quality, while the Gateway 14.1" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,000
$99
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Dell XPS 15 has a price of $1,000 and the Gateway 14.1" costs $99.
"The 2023 Dell XPS 15 is more or less exactly what you'd expect from the company flagship. Its fresh components deliver measurably superior power and longevity, while the machine's premium build and design remain intact. It may not be overly exciting, but XPS loyalists and upgraders should be more than happy."
"The Gateway Ultra Slim 14" is surprisingly quiet with long battery life. The inexpensive Gateway excels at maximizing performance per dollar with lots of RAM and storage, super-quiet fan, and a long battery life. It can even house up to two M.2 SSDs which we weren't expecting from such a cheap system. However, the iffy reliability of the keyboard and USB-C port on our test unit means users should double-check for these potential issues immediately after purchasing."
Get a great deal on the Dell XPS 15 or the Gateway 14.1"
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 Gateway
Gateway is a laptop and tablet brand owned by Acer which sells budget-friendly laptops exclusively through Walmart. It was previously an American computer company until its acquisition by Acer in 2007, who then revived the brand in 2020. Gateway laptops are manufactured by Chinese company Shenzhen Bmorn Technology, which also makes EVOO-branded models.
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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