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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Dell XPS 15 is a solid choice if you are looking for a more affordable laptop with a larger screen, a good balance of performance for general use, and a respectable battery life. It offers a midrange price but has less storage and RAM compared to the Lenovo. On the other hand, the Lenovo Slim Pro 9i, while costing a bit more, provides a higher-resolution touchscreen, more storage, double the RAM, and a more powerful graphics card, which makes it better suited for demanding 3D rendering, machine learning, and engineering tasks. However, the Lenovo's battery life is not as long as the Dell's. If you value portability and high-end performance for professional-grade applications, the Lenovo edges out, whereas if you prefer a larger screen and longer battery life for a reduced cost, consider the Dell. 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 battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the Lenovo Slim Pro 9i
- Good for gaming and AI
- Best in class overall display quality
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.8
7.6
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.9/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3072 x 1920
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
9.1/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.0/10
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i is good for gaming and AI, while the Dell XPS 15 is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
8.1
8.9
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i and Dell XPS 15 are both very good for engineering and design, though the Lenovo Slim Pro 9i is somewhat better.
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i takes precedence in engineering and design use due to its superior main processor, double the RAM, and a more powerful GPU than the Dell XPS 15, which translates into faster and smoother handling of demanding tasks. Additionally, the Lenovo's screen offers higher resolution and quality with its Mini LED display versus the Dell's IPS screen, providing sharper images and more vivid colors for detailed design work.
Screen Quality
7.4
9.6
15.6in
SIZE
14.5in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3072 x 1920
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
606.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
618.0 nits
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i has a better screen than the Dell XPS 15 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, and content creation.
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i excels in screen quality for general use and engineering due to its superior panel type and resolution that offer sharper details and higher brightness, coupled with expansive color coverage which ensures accurate color representation critical for design work. However, both the Dell XPS 15 and Lenovo Slim Pro 9i fall short for gaming and 3D applications as they do not prioritize high refresh rates that contribute to smoother motion and better responsiveness. Although the Dell XPS 15 offers a good display for a range of tasks, the Lenovo edges it out in color critical work due to its broader color gamuts, but neither are geared towards the high refresh rate needs of gaming enthusiasts.
Battery
10.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Dell XPS 15 has 10 hours of battery life. The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i has 6 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
$1,000
$1,500
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell XPS 15 has a price of $1,000 and the Lenovo Slim Pro 9i costs $1,500.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.2
8.5
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3072 x 1920
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
606.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
618.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.6/10
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i and Dell XPS 15 are both very good for general use.
The Dell XPS 15 is appreciated for general use due to its solid CPU and RAM configuration that ensures smooth performance, a high-quality, bright IPS screen with good color coverage complementing its portability, and a battery life that allows for extended use. On the other hand, the Lenovo Slim Pro 9i stands out with its even higher RAM and remarkable Mini LED screen that supports touch, higher resolution, and superior color accuracy, yet it trades off some battery life for these advanced features. Both laptops provide ample storage and quality construction but are distinct in screen technology and the balance between performance and battery life.
Content Creation
8.3
8.5
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3072 x 1920
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i and Dell XPS 15 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
8.1
8.3
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3072 x 1920
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i and Dell XPS 15 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
Good
Good
15.6in
SIZE
14.5in
4.2 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Dell XPS 15 and Lenovo Slim Pro 9i both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The Dell XPS 15 and Lenovo Slim Pro 9i 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 Lenovo Slim Pro 9i compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell XPS 15 | Lenovo Slim Pro 9i |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,000 | $1,500 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | February 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 13.6'' x 9.1'' x 0.71'' | 12.9'' x 9.6'' x 0.85'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.21 lbs | 3.7 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13.57" | 12.9" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.06" | 9.64" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700H | Intel i7-13705H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 86 Wh | 75 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 14.5" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | Mini LED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 3072 x 1920 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 606 nits | 618 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.8/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 9.1/10 | 8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 3 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Dell XPS 15
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Matthew Buzzi | May 2023
"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."
Lenovo Slim Pro 9i
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Dig into reviews and images
PCWorld
Matthew S. Smith | August 2023
"The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i is an impressive laptop with a brilliant Mini-LED display, a powerful 100-watt version of Nvidia RTX 4050 graphics, and excellent connectivity. Having run the Cinebench benchmark again, we were impressed with the CPU performance. That makes the Slim Pro 9i is an easy recommendation, especially for those who care about GPU and CPU performance. It’s also a fantastic choice if you frequently view HDR movies and games on your laptop."
Get a great deal on the Dell XPS 15 or the Lenovo Slim Pro 9i
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.
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