The Dell XPS 15 offers stronger performance and is thus better suited for intensive engineering tasks and gaming, featuring a dedicated GPU and a screen that is more vibrant and color-accurate. However, it is heavier and pricier than the LG Gram 16. On the other hand, the LG Gram 16 stands out for its longer battery life and lightweight design, making it more portable, yet it has a less powerful integrated graphics solution, making it less ideal for demanding graphics applications. If portability and budget are your top concerns, the LG Gram 16 is a compelling option; otherwise, the Dell XPS 15 is the choice for higher performance needs. 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
Very good overall build quality
Best in class speakers
Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the LG Gram 16
Very good portability
Excellent battery life
Key differences
Engineering and Design
8.1/10
7.5/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for engineering and design, while the LG Gram 16 is good.
The Dell XPS 15 and LG Gram 16 are well-suited for engineering and design due to their capable internal components and screen quality; the XPS 15 with a dedicated GPU and higher brightness is ideal for graphics-intensive work, while the Gram 16, being lighter with a larger, high-resolution display, is preferable for on-the-go use and long battery life despite a less powerful integrated graphics solution. Considering portability and speaker quality, the lighter LG Gram 16 offers silent operation and longer battery life, making it a better choice for those prioritizing mobility and less intrusive sound, albeit with a tradeoff in GPU performance compared to the Dell XPS 15.
Content Creation
8.3/10
7.8/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for content creation, while the LG Gram 16 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
7.3/10
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
606.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
347.0 nits
The Dell XPS 15 has a better screen than the LG Gram 16 for software development, and content creation.
For general use, both the Dell XPS 15 and LG Gram 16 boast high-resolution displays and excellent brightness, making text and images sharp and easy to view in various lighting conditions. In engineering and design, these laptops offer wide color gamuts, ensuring that colors are accurate and consistent, which is crucial for professional photo editing and graphic design work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, their lower refresh rates can lead to less fluid motion, which could detract from the overall visual experience where fast-moving visuals are common.
Battery
10.0 Hours
15.0 Hours
The Dell XPS 15 has 10 hours of battery life. The LG Gram 16 has 15 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
16.0in
4.2 lbs
WEIGHT
2.6 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The LG Gram 16 has very good portability, while the Dell XPS 15 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5/10
7.0/10
The Dell XPS 15 has very good build quality, while the LG Gram 16 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,000
$1,450
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell XPS 15 has a price of $1,000 and the LG Gram 16 costs $1,450.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell XPS 15 to be very good for general use, while the LG Gram 16 is good.
The Dell XPS 15 stands out for general use with its more powerful CPU and higher graphics capabilities, leading to better performance for varied tasks, alongside a brighter screen and better speaker quality, though it is heavier and has a shorter battery life than the LG Gram 16. The LG Gram 16 is also well-suited for general use, offering a lighter, more portable form factor and longer battery life, but compromises slightly on performance due to a less robust CPU and integrated graphics, yet benefits from a higher resolution screen and quiet, efficient heat management.
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
6.4/10
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
9.1/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
10.0/10
The Dell XPS 15 and LG Gram 16 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell XPS 15 is better suited for gaming and 3D tasks because it features a dedicated GPU, the Intel Arc A370M, which generally outperforms the integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics found in the LG Gram 16. Additionally, the XPS 15's screen, while having a standard refresh rate, is paired with a more capable GPU which is very important for these purposes, and its higher-end CPU also contributes to better performance in these areas compared to the LG Gram 16.
Software Development
8.1/10
7.9/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell XPS 15 to be very good for software development, while the LG Gram 16 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.
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How the Dell XPS 15 and the LG Gram 16 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 LG Gram 16 is a lightweight device with stability issues. The LG Gram 16Z90Q with a Core i7-1260P is made with portability in mind and places less of a focus on users with high demands on performance. The compact and light chassis is particularly practical when you are on the go. The device is not only comfortably small and lightweight, it also boasts a great battery life. When connected to mains, on the other hand, the 16-inch device is rather disappointing. The standard cooling mode causes extreme volatility in terms of CPU, SSD and iGPU performance. The meager stability of the chassis may also put off some potential buyers."
Get a great deal on the Dell XPS 15 or the LG Gram 16
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 LG
LG is a South Korean conglomerate company. While LG is mainly known for various products outside of technology, LG also develops laptops. Within the laptop industry, they are known for their thin-and-light Gram series, as well as their value-oriented Ultra series. LG laptops offer very thin and light laptops with phenomenal battery life, 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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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
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