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The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
When choosing between the Dell XPS 15 and the LG Ultra 13, consider the following: the Dell XPS 15 has a larger screen and a more capable processor with a discreet GPU, better for engineering and more intensive 3D tasks, but it's less portable and typically costs more than the LG Ultra 13. The LG, on the other hand, is lighter and boasts better portability without compromising much on general performance; it's best suited for general use and light engineering work, but its smaller storage space and integrated GPU may limit performance for demanding applications and workloads. 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 LG Ultra 13
- Excellent portability
Key differences
General Use
8.2
7.2
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
7.5/10
7.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.3/10
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for general use, while the LG Ultra 13 is good.
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for general use due to its powerful Intel i7 processor, larger RAM, and high-quality screen, but it is heavier and less portable than the LG Ultra 13, which is good for general use with its AMD Ryzen 7 processor, solid RAM, and lighter build, offering great battery life and portability for everyday tasks.
Gaming and AI
6.8
6.1
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
8.0/10
The Dell XPS 15 and LG Ultra 13 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Dell XPS 15 is somewhat better.
The Dell XPS 15 offers better gaming and 3D performance due to its dedicated Intel Arc A370M GPU, which outperforms the integrated AMD Vega 7 graphics found in the LG Ultra 13. Additionally, while both laptops have similar screen refresh rates, the GPU is the more critical factor for gaming and 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
8.1
6.6
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.7/10
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for engineering and design, while the LG Ultra 13 is only fair.
The Dell XPS 15, with its more powerful Intel processor and dedicated Intel Arc A370M graphics, offers better performance for engineering and design tasks, along with a larger and higher-quality screen that boasts more brightness and a higher color coverage, which matters for detailed work.
Content Creation
8.3
7.2
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.7/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for content creation, while the LG Ultra 13 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
7.2
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for software development, while the LG Ultra 13 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
6.9
15.6in
SIZE
13.3in
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 LG Ultra 13 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, having a high-resolution display with quality panel types and brightness means both the Dell XPS 15 and LG Ultra 13 provide clear and vivid visuals for everyday tasks like browsing and video streaming. In engineering and design work, accurate colors are crucial; these models deliver strong performance in color gamuts, allowing for precise color representation which is essential for professional photo editing and graphic design. However, with lower refresh rates, both laptops may not offer the smooth visuals desired in high-speed gaming or advanced 3D modeling, which could make them less favorable for those specific activities.
Portability
Good
Excellent
15.6in
SIZE
13.3in
4.2 lbs
WEIGHT
2.1 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The LG Ultra 13 has excellent portability, while the Dell XPS 15 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5
7.4
The Dell XPS 15 has very good build quality, while the LG Ultra 13 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,000
$529
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Dell XPS 15 has a price of $1,000 and the LG Ultra 13 costs $529.
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Key similarities
Battery
10.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Dell XPS 15 has 10 hours of battery life. The LG Ultra 13 has 10 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.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell XPS 15 and the LG Ultra 13 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell XPS 15 | LG Ultra 13 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,000 | $529 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | January 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 13.6'' x 9.1'' x 0.71'' | 12.1'' x 8.1'' x 0.6'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.21 lbs | 2.16 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13.57" | 12.08" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.06" | 8.14" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700H | AMD Ryzen 7 4700U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 256 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 86 Wh | 51 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 13.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 606 nits | 300 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.8/10 | 9.3/10 | |
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 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
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 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
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."
LG Ultra 13
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Dig into reviews and images
CNET
Joshua Goldman | April 2017
"The 13.3-inch LG Gram is a fine fit if you need to travel as light as possible for as long as possible without spending a fortune to do it. It might not be particularly sturdy or have an eye-catching design and its webcam is less than ideal, but with its sharp touch display, comfortable backlit keyboard, responsive touchpad and a fingerprint reader for extra security, the Gram makes a respectible everyday laptop for business or school work."
Get a great deal on the Dell XPS 15 or the LG Ultra 13
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.
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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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