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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the Dell XPS 15 and MSI Summit E16 Flip involves weighing your priorities. The Dell XPS 15 is sleek and offers solid performance with a high-quality screen, which is suitable for general use and productivity tasks, but it's not as graphically powerful as the MSI. On the other hand, the MSI Summit E16 Flip features a convertible design that allows it to double as a tablet, has a higher resolution screen, and is equipped with a more powerful graphics card, making it better for creative tasks, 3D work, and light gaming. It also comes with a larger storage capacity. Both laptops have similar portability, so your decision may hinge on whether you value flexibility and graphics performance over the traditional laptop form factor. 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
- Very good battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Summit E16 Flip
- Very good overall display quality
Key differences
Screen Quality
7.4
8.0
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
606.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
294.0 nits
The Dell XPS 15 has a better screen than the MSI Summit E16 Flip for software development, and content creation, while the MSI Summit E16 Flip has a better screen for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
For general use, the Dell XPS 15's display offers a balance of resolution and brightness, making it pleasant for everyday tasks like browsing and watching videos, but the MSI Summit E16 Flip excels with even higher brightness and sharpness, enhancing the viewing experience. When it comes to engineering and design, both laptops provide wide color coverage, essential for precise color work, yet the Summit's slightly better range gives an edge for professional color grading. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the lower refresh rates on both laptops make them less suitable for fast-paced visuals, which benefit from quicker screen updates to reduce motion blur and provide smoother gameplay.
Battery
10.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Dell XPS 15 has 10 hours of battery life. The MSI Summit E16 Flip 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.
Build Quality
8.5
7.4
The Dell XPS 15 has very good build quality, while the MSI Summit E16 Flip has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,000
$1,550
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell XPS 15 has a price of $1,000 and the MSI Summit E16 Flip costs $1,550.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.2
7.9
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
606.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
294.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
7.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.6/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell XPS 15 to be very good for general use, while the MSI Summit E16 Flip is good.
The Dell XPS 15 offers a higher screen brightness, which is better for screen quality, a slightly longer battery life, and lower operating noise for a quieter experience, making it very good for general use. The MSI Summit E16 Flip includes a higher resolution screen and is a 2-in-1 convertible giving it versatility as a tablet, with a larger storage capacity and a better GPU for graphics-related tasks, categorizing it as good for general use with additional flexibility.
Gaming and AI
6.8
6.8
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.6/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
9.1/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell XPS 15 and MSI Summit E16 Flip are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell XPS 15 offers solid gaming and 3D performance with its Intel Arc A370M graphics card and a standard screen refresh rate, whereas the MSI Summit E16 Flip ups the ante with an Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti graphics card and a higher refresh rate, which provides smoother visuals, benefiting fast-paced gaming and 3D rendering. While both laptops have quality displays and competent processors, the MSI's superior GPU and refresh rate make it more suited for intensive gaming and 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.1
7.7
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell XPS 15 to be very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Summit E16 Flip is good.
The Dell XPS 15 is equipped with an Intel i7-13700H processor and Intel Arc A370M graphics, catering to demanding engineering tasks and design work while providing a high-quality IPS screen, although lacking a higher resolution or touchscreen features.
Content Creation
8.3
7.9
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
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell XPS 15 to be very good for content creation, while the MSI Summit E16 Flip 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
7.6
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 MSI Summit E16 Flip 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.
Portability
Good
Good
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
4.2 lbs
WEIGHT
4.1 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Dell XPS 15 and MSI Summit E16 Flip both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Dell XPS 15 and the MSI Summit E16 Flip compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell XPS 15 | MSI Summit E16 Flip |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,000 | $1,550 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | January 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 13.6'' x 9.1'' x 0.71'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.66'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.21 lbs | 4.19 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13.57" | 14.09" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.06" | 10.18" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700H | Intel i7-1260P | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 86 Wh | 82 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 606 nits | 294 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.8/10 | 7.7/10 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 3 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
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."
MSI Summit E16 Flip
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Sascha Mölck | October 2022
"The MSI Summit E16 Flip is a 2-in-1 laptop with pen, 16:10 display, and RTX 3050 Ti. The Summit E16 Flip is a 2-in-1 laptop from the business segment that primarily targets creative users. MSI combines a 16-inch touchscreen in the 16:10 format with a powerful midrange GPU. While the 2-in-1 laptop from MSI isn't meant for everybody, it should definitely attract some followers. The touchscreen display (2,560 x 1,600 pixels) covers the DCI-P3 color space. This is accompanied by stable viewing angles, a good color reproduction, short response times, and a good contrast level."
Get a great deal on the Dell XPS 15 or the MSI Summit E16 Flip
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 MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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Why trust us
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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About the laptop team
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CEO and Laptops Editor
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
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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