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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize battery life and lighter weight for ease of portability, the LG Ultra 16 is a better choice, with excellent battery performance and a fanless design that makes it quieter. However, if you require more robust performance for general use and tasks like 3D rendering or engineering, the Dell XPS 15 offers stronger performance all around, particularly in these areas. Both laptops sport similar screen sizes and resolution, but the Dell XPS 15 provides higher screen color accuracy, which might be important for graphic design or video editing. Given the Dell's higher price, you should consider it if performance and screen quality outweigh the need for longer battery life and a quieter, lighter machine. 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 16
- Excellent battery life
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.8
6.2
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
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
10.0/10
The Dell XPS 15 and LG Ultra 16 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Dell XPS 15 is somewhat better.
The Dell XPS 15 has a dedicated Intel Arc A370M GPU which is more capable for gaming and 3D applications when compared to the LG Ultra 16's integrated AMD Ryzen 7 7730U Vega 8 graphics. Furthermore, the Dell's higher screen brightness and greater color coverage suggest a potentially more vibrant and immersive visual experience for gaming and 3D content.
Engineering and Design
8.1
7.0
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
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 16 is good.
The Dell XPS 15, with its Intel i7 processor, dedicated Intel Arc GPU, and high screen brightness and color coverage, promises powerful performance and a vivid display for engineering and design tasks, alongside a quality keyboard but in a less portable package with potentially louder operating noise. On the other hand, the LG Ultra 16 features an integrated AMD Ryzen GPU and also strong CPU capabilities suitable for similar tasks, offering a more portable option with silent operation, although it may fall short in screen color fidelity and has a fair keyboard quality.
Content Creation
8.3
7.7
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
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 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.
Software Development
8.1
7.5
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.7/10
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for software development, while the LG Ultra 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.
Screen Quality
7.4
6.2
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
606.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
270.0 nits
The Dell XPS 15 has a better screen than the LG Ultra 16 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the Dell XPS 15 has superior resolution and brightness, making for a more vivid and clearer display. Engineering and design professionals will find the XPS 15's color accuracy and wider color gamuts more conducive to their work, providing more precise color representation. However, gamers and those working with 3D applications may find both laptops underwhelming due to their lower refresh rates, which can lead to less fluid motion and responsiveness in fast-paced visual content.
Battery
10.0 Hours
17.0 Hours
The Dell XPS 15 has 10 hours of battery life. The LG Ultra 16 has 17 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
6.5
The Dell XPS 15 has very good build quality, while the LG Ultra 16 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.2
7.7
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
606.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
270.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
17.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.7/10
7.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.9/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell XPS 15 to be very good for general use, while the LG Ultra 16 is good.
The Dell XPS 15 excels in general use due to its powerful Intel i7 processor and dedicated Intel graphics, providing smooth operation for demanding tasks, and its high-quality screen with wide color gamut coverage and brightness ensures superior visual clarity, although its portability is less favorable given its weight.
Portability
Good
Good
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
4.2 lbs
WEIGHT
3.6 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The LG Ultra 16 and Dell XPS 15 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,000
$1,000
$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 16 costs $1,000.
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How the Dell XPS 15 and the LG Ultra 16 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell XPS 15 | LG Ultra 16 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,000 | $1,000 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | March 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 13.6'' x 9.1'' x 0.71'' | 14'' x 9.8'' x 0.64'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.21 lbs | 3.63 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13.57" | 14.02" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.06" | 9.78" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700H | AMD Ryzen 7 7730U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 17 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 86 Wh | 72 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 1920 x 1200 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 606 nits | 270 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.8/10 | 7.9/10 | |
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 | 10/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 7/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 3 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
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 16
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Sebastian Jentsch | October 2022
"Unlike the gram, the Ultra PC isn't designed to be as lightweight as possible. The 16-inch laptop is a whole 400 g (0.88 lb) heavier than its 16-inch gram counterpart partly because its chassis is not made of magnesium. Other than that, the Ultra PC seems like a copy of the gram – but with longer battery life, lower noise levels, and a clean, delicate look."
Get a great deal on the Dell XPS 15 or the LG Ultra 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.
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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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