Choosing between the Dell XPS 15 and the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 centers on your priorities. If high-end graphics and a vibrant display are essential, particularly for creative work or entertainment, the Dell XPS 15 is a strong option, though it usually costs more. On the other hand, if you prioritize a durable build and a keyboard that's comfortable for long typing sessions, the ThinkPad T14 serves you well, often at a lower price point. The XPS is less portable due to its size and weight, while the ThinkPad offers greater portability and often a longer battery life, making it a better fit for travel and extended work 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
Good overall display quality
Very good battery life
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkPad T14
Very good portability
Key differences
Screen Quality
7.4/10
6.9/10
15.6in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
606.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
321.0 nits
The Dell XPS 15 has a better screen than the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design, while the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has a better screen for content creation.
The Dell XPS 15 and Lenovo ThinkPad T14 offer displays with high resolution and brightness, making them suitable for general use where clarity and visibility are key. For engineering and design, both laptops provide broad color coverage, which is essential for accurate color work. However, their screens have lower refresh rates, which isn't ideal for gaming and 3D applications that benefit from smoother motion and quick screen updates.
Portability
Good
Very Good
15.6in
SIZE
14.0in
4.2 lbs
WEIGHT
2.9 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has very good portability, while the Dell XPS 15 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,000
$1,241
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Dell XPS 15 has a price of $1,000 and the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 costs $1,241.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 and Dell XPS 15 are both very good for general use.
The Dell XPS 15 offers high performance with its powerful CPU and ample RAM for demanding applications, plus a superior screen quality for vivid visuals, all with considerable battery life, though it's less portable due to its size. Meanwhile, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14, while also offering strong CPU performance and sufficient RAM for general tasks, is more portable and has renowned keyboard quality, making it ideal for those on the move needing long-lasting battery life and comfortable typing, albeit with slightly lesser screen quality compared to the Dell.
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
6.7/10
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
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
8.3/10
The Dell XPS 15 and Lenovo ThinkPad T14 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell XPS 15, with a dedicated GPU, handles gaming and 3D tasks better than integrated graphics but may not match higher-end gaming laptops; it also has a standard screen refresh rate sufficient for casual gaming. The Lenovo ThinkPad T14, typically with integrated graphics, can manage less demanding games and has a screen quality that's good for general use but falls short for serious gaming or intensive 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
8.1/10
8.0/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Dell XPS 15 and Lenovo ThinkPad T14 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Dell XPS 15, with its powerful CPU, ample RAM, high-end GPU, and superior screen quality, excels in handling demanding engineering software and visual design tasks, yet it might be less portable due to its size and weight. Meanwhile, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 offers a balance between performance for engineering applications and portability, with a comfortable keyboard and quieter operation, although the GPU and speakers may not match the XPS in terms of power and audio quality.
Content Creation
8.3/10
8.3/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell XPS 15 and Lenovo ThinkPad T14 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
8.1/10
8.3/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 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.
Battery
10.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Dell XPS 15 has 10 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has 9 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
8.0/10
The Dell XPS 15 and Lenovo ThinkPad T14 both have very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell XPS 15 and the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 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."
"We like a lot about this laptop. It has many ports, with the inclusion of RJ45-Ethernet as a defining feature. WWAN is upgradable for maximum flexibility and the ThinkPad has many security functions. Working with the ThinkPad input devices is a lot of fun, and Lenovo puts in a serviceable Low Power panel. The AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 7840U delivers a great performance and does not drain the battery fast. Fan noise and temperatures are nothing special, but also far away from bad. With the user replaceable keyboard, the ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 has a special feature rarely present on most modern laptops."
Get a great deal on the Dell XPS 15 or the Lenovo ThinkPad T14
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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
132,495
Recommendations made
28,708
Consumer hours saved
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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
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.
Craig Russell
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.