The Dell XPS 15 features an Intel i7 processor and an Intel Arc GPU, a larger battery, and a 15.6-inch screen which results in greater performance for engineering tasks, but at a weight that affects portability. The HP EliteBook 845 G9 comes with an AMD Ryzen 5 processor and integrated AMD graphics, which offers sufficient power for general use and maintains better portability due to a smaller 14-inch screen and lighter weight. For extensive color work, the Dell's display covers a wider range of colors. However, the HP EliteBook has a longer battery life, making it more suitable for long work sessions away from power outlets. 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
Best in class speakers
Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the HP EliteBook 845 G9
Very good portability
Key differences
General Use
8.2/10
7.7/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
606.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
402.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
12.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
7.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.3/10
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for general use, while the HP EliteBook 845 G9 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.
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
6.3/10
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
9.1/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.0/10
The Dell XPS 15 and HP EliteBook 845 G9 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Dell XPS 15 is somewhat better.
The Dell XPS 15 typically boasts a more powerful GPU and higher screen refresh rate, which are crucial for smooth gameplay and rendering 3D graphics, making it a better choice for gaming and 3D applications. The HP EliteBook 845 G9, while having a competent CPU and screen quality, doesn't usually match the Dell in terms of GPU performance and refresh rates, which makes it less optimal for these intensive tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.1/10
7.2/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.3/10
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for engineering and design, while the HP EliteBook 845 G9 is good.
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
7.6/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.3/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for content creation, while the HP EliteBook 845 G9 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.
Screen Quality
7.4/10
7.1/10
15.6in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
606.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
402.0 nits
The Dell XPS 15 has a better screen than the HP EliteBook 845 G9 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
Both the Dell XPS 15 and HP EliteBook 845 G9 have high-resolution displays with bright panels, making them suitable for general use where clarity and visibility are key. Their screens cover a wide color gamut, crucial for engineering and design professionals who need accurate color representation for their work. However, they fall short for Gaming and 3D tasks, where a high refresh rate is vital for smooth visuals, and their screens are not optimized for this purpose.
Battery
10.0 Hours
12.0 Hours
The Dell XPS 15 has 10 hours of battery life. The HP EliteBook 845 G9 has 12 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
Good
Very Good
15.6in
SIZE
14.0in
4.2 lbs
WEIGHT
3.0 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The HP EliteBook 845 G9 has very good portability, while the Dell XPS 15 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,000
$740
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Dell XPS 15 has a price of $1,000 and the HP EliteBook 845 G9 costs $740.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell XPS 15 to be very good for software development, while the HP EliteBook 845 G9 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.
Build Quality
8.5/10
8.0/10
The Dell XPS 15 and HP EliteBook 845 G9 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 15 and the HP EliteBook 845 G9 compare to other laptops
"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 high-end version of the HP EliteBook 845 G9 with a Ryzen 9 PRO 6950HS, 32GB of RAM and a 1 TB SSD packs a lot of power, but is still quiet and cool enough to operate in noise-sensitive environments. Quiet, cool and drawing on a massive 40 watts from the APU at the same time, however, is not possible. The 14-incher only has a single-fan solution and it only just manages to keep an near unthrottled Ryzen 9 in check."
Get a great deal on the Dell XPS 15 or the HP EliteBook 845 G9
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 HP
HP, also known as Hewlett-Packard, is an American technology company that develops personal computers and computer peripherals. In the laptop industry, HP is known for its entry level Essential series laptops, its mid-range Pavilion, Envy, and Victus series, and high-end Omen and Spectre series, in addition to its business-oriented EliteBook, ProBook, and Dragonfly series laptops. HP laptops generally undercut other mainstream competitors in terms of price, placing itself as the value-oriented mainstream brand.
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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Joe Golden, Ph.D
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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.
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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.