The Dell XPS 15 offers higher performance suitable for engineering tasks, 3D work, machine learning, and gaming but comes with a higher price tag and is heavier, which can affect portability. On the other hand, the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" is more budget-friendly and lighter, making it ideal for general use and carrying around, but it may not handle demanding tasks as efficiently. The XPS 15 also typically has a longer battery life, beneficial for those needing to work on the go without frequent charging. Choose the Dell XPS 15 for performance-intensive activities or the Lenovo IdeaPad if portability and cost are more critical. 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
Best in class speakers
Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15"
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" has no clear advantages over the Dell XPS 15.
Key differences
General Use
8.2/10
7.3/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
606.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
7.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for general use, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" is good.
The Dell XPS 15, with a more powerful CPU and higher RAM, delivers better performance for multitasking and demanding applications, and its superior screen quality enhances the user experience for both work and entertainment. In comparison, the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" is lighter and potentially offers similar battery life, making it a more portable option, but it compromises on both power and screen quality, which may be less suitable for intensive tasks and discerning users.
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
6.1/10
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
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
9.5/10
The Dell XPS 15 and Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Dell XPS 15 is somewhat better.
The Dell XPS 15 provides better gaming and 3D experiences due to its more powerful Intel Arc A370M GPU compared to the less capable integrated Vega 8 graphics on the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15". Both laptops have similar screen refresh rates which are adequate for gaming, but the superior GPU in the Dell will deliver smoother and more detailed graphics, especially in more demanding gaming scenarios.
Engineering and Design
8.1/10
6.6/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
12.0 GB
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" is only fair.
The Dell XPS 15 offers superior performance for engineering and design use with a more powerful CPU and GPU, more RAM, and a higher-quality screen with better brightness and color coverage compared to the Lenovo IdeaPad 1. While the IdeaPad is lighter and thus more portable, its less powerful integrated graphics and lower screen quality make it less suitable for demanding engineering tasks or design work that requires accurate color representation and processing power.
Content Creation
8.3/10
7.4/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
12.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for content creation, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" 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
8.1/10
7.3/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
12.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for software development, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" 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
7.4/10
6.4/10
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
606.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
The Dell XPS 15 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Dell XPS 15 has a higher resolution and better brightness, making it great for daily tasks and detail-oriented work in engineering and design due to its superior panel that displays crisp and vibrant colors. However, its standard refresh rate is less suitable for 3D applications and gaming, which demand faster screen refreshes for smooth visuals. On the other hand, the Lenovo IdeaPad falls short on screen sharpness and peak brightness for day-to-day use and color-sensitive work, and similarly lacks the high refresh rate needed for optimal gaming and 3D rendering experiences.
Build Quality
8.5/10
6.0/10
The Dell XPS 15 has very good build quality, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,000
$741
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Dell XPS 15 has a price of $1,000 and the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" costs $741.
"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 Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" is affordable and pretty efficient. At the end of the day, the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 (15″, 2023) is one of the better affordable laptops money can buy right now. It has a decent performance, albeit coming from a CPU that is based on old architecture. Playing low-intensity games is possible but at low to medium settings. We are really happy with the cooling setup, but the main event here is the battery life. We got 9 hours of either Web browsing or video playback, which is a great result. Especially if you compare this device with the ASUS E410."
Get a great deal on the Dell XPS 15 or the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15"
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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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.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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
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