A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Dell XPS 15, with its high-performance processor, dedicated graphics, larger screen, and higher resolution, is better suited for intensive tasks like video editing, 3D modeling, and gaming. However, it's heavier, making it less portable. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2, on the other hand, offers a smaller, lighter, and more portable design with a touch screen and sufficient capability for general use, like web browsing, office applications, and media consumption. It's also less expensive than the Dell XPS 15. Battery capacity is significantly larger in the Dell XPS 15, which can translate to longer usage time depending on your work. Choose the Dell if performance is key and you need a color-accurate screen and more storage and RAM, whereas the Surface is more convenient for on-the-go usage and lighter tasks. 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
- Very good battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
- Excellent portability
Key differences
General Use
8.2
7.0
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
606.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
7.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.2/10
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for general use, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is good.
The Dell XPS 15 excels in general use due to its robust processor, ample RAM and storage, high-resolution screen, and a battery that supports longer use, making it suitable for demanding tasks and multi-tasking. In comparison, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 offers greater portability with its smaller size and lower weight but has a less powerful processor, less RAM and storage, and a battery that doesn't last as long, aligning it more with lighter use and travel convenience.
Gaming and AI
6.8
6.0
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
9.1/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell XPS 15 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Dell XPS 15 is somewhat better.
The Dell XPS 15 is equipped with a dedicated Intel Arc A370M graphics card and a larger 15.6-inch screen, providing more power for gaming and 3D applications compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2, which relies on integrated graphics with the Intel i5-1135G7 Iris Xe and a smaller 12.4-inch screen.
Engineering and Design
8.1
6.5
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is only fair.
The Dell XPS 15, with its stronger Intel i7 processor, dedicated Arc A370M GPU, and greater RAM, makes it more suitable for demanding engineering and design tasks than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2, which has a less powerful Intel i5 processor and integrated Iris Xe graphics.
Content Creation
8.3
7.1
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for content creation, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 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
7.0
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for software development, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 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
12.4in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
606.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
The Dell XPS 15 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
When considering screen quality for general use, the Dell XPS 15 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 both offer high resolution and brightness, providing crisp visuals and ease of viewing in various lighting conditions. For engineering and design tasks, while both laptops deliver good screen quality, professionals might seek displays with wider color gamuts for more accurate color representation, which could be a limitation. However, for gaming and 3D applications, their screens fall short due to lower refresh rates, meaning they are not as well-suited for fast-paced visuals that benefit from smoother motion.
Battery
10.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Dell XPS 15 has 10 hours of battery life. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has 8 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
Excellent
15.6in
SIZE
12.4in
4.2 lbs
WEIGHT
2.4 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has excellent portability, while the Dell XPS 15 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5
7.8
The Dell XPS 15 has very good build quality, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,000
$774
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Dell XPS 15 has a price of $1,000 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 costs $774.
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How the Dell XPS 15 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell XPS 15 | Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,000 | $774 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | June 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 13.6'' x 9.1'' x 0.71'' | 11'' x 8.1'' x 0.62'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.21 lbs | 2.48 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13.57" | 10.95" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.06" | 8.12" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700H | Intel i5-1135G7 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 128 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 86 Wh | 41 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 12.4" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 1536 x 1024 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 606 nits | 401 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | |
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 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 1 | |
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."
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | August 2022
"The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 review is a compact companion with old hardware. The Surface Laptop Go 2 shows some weaknesses. Microsoft didn't really develop the second generation of the Surface Laptop Go 2 any further but has only equipped it with a slightly more powerful Core i5 processor. However, the performance still remains at a fairly low level overall, but for many users, it definitely should still be sufficient for everyday tasks."
Get a great deal on the Dell XPS 15 or the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
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 Microsoft
Microsoft is an American technology corporation. Microsoft is best known for their Windows operating system and Surface laptop series. The Surface Laptop is their standard notebook offering, while their Surface Go, Surface Pro, and Surface Studio are their 2-in-1/tablet offerings in order of increasing capability. Although Microsoft charges a premium price tag for their laptops, buyers can expect a well integrated and packaged device since Microsoft develops the Windows operating system.
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