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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Dell XPS 15 offers a good balance for general use with slightly better portability and fan noise management, and it typically costs somewhat less than the Lenovo ThinkPad P16. The ThinkPad P16, while heavier, provides a higher-resolution screen, better heat management, and is more suited for engineering and 3D/machine learning tasks. Both have similar battery life and build quality. Choose the XPS 15 for a lighter, more affordable option with solid general use performance. Opt for the ThinkPad P16 if you need a more robust laptop for specialized tasks like engineering and better speaker quality, and don't mind the extra weight and higher price. 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
- Good portability
- Best in class speakers
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkPad P16
- Very good overall display quality
Key differences
Screen Quality
7.4
8.2
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
606.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
569.0 nits
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 has a better screen than the Dell XPS 15 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, and content creation.
For general use, the Dell XPS 15 offers a pleasant visual experience with adequate brightness and resolution, but the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 edges out with superior brightness and sharper resolution, making text and images crisper. When it comes to tasks in engineering and design, the ThinkPad P16 pulls ahead with a wider color gamut, providing a richer palette for precise color work, whereas the XPS 15, while still good, doesn’t match the breadth of color representation. However, for gaming and 3D applications, both fall short due to lower refresh rates, meaning fast-moving visuals might not be as smooth as on laptops specifically designed with high-refresh-rate screens.
Portability
Good
Poor
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
4.2 lbs
WEIGHT
6.5 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
1.2in
The Dell XPS 15 has good portability, while the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.2
8.0
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
606.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
569.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
7.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
5.8/10
The Dell XPS 15 and Lenovo ThinkPad P16 are both very good for general use.
The Dell XPS 15 has a high-quality screen, excellent keyboard, and long battery life, making it well-suited for general use for those who value portability, as it is lighter and has a longer battery life than the Lenovo ThinkPad P16, while still delivering strong performance. Conversely, the ThinkPad P16 boasts a more powerful CPU and GPU, higher screen resolution, and superior build quality, but is less portable and has a lower portability score, aimed at users who need heavier computational lifting and can accommodate reduced mobility.
Gaming and AI
6.8
6.9
2.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
2.8/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
9.1/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 and Dell XPS 15 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell XPS 15 is equipped with an Intel Arc A370M GPU which is suitable for gaming and 3D tasks, and it also features a display with a standard refresh rate of 60Hz at a full HD resolution, targeting casual gamers and professional use where GPU performance is important but screen refresh rate isn't critical. On the other hand, the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 includes a higher-end Nvidia RTX A1000 GPU and offers a significantly higher resolution, which enhances the visual experience for detailed 3D work and immersive gaming, despite also having a 60Hz refresh rate.
Engineering and Design
7.8
7.9
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.7/10
2.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
2.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 and Dell XPS 15 are both good for engineering and design.
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16, with its superior processor and dedicated Nvidia graphics, aligns more closely with engineering and design needs that demand intensive computational and graphics performance, while its higher screen resolution enhances fine detail work, although its increase in size and weight reduces portability compared to the Dell XPS 15, which, despite having a capable processor and graphics unit, falls slightly short for very high-end tasks and has a lower resolution screen.
Content Creation
8.3
8.2
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.7/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell XPS 15 and Lenovo ThinkPad P16 are both very good for content creation.
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
8.3
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 and Dell XPS 15 are both very good for software development.
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.
Battery
10.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Dell XPS 15 has 10 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 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.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Dell XPS 15 and Lenovo ThinkPad P16 both have very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,425
$1,449
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell XPS 15 has a price of $1,425 and the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 costs $1,449.
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How the Dell XPS 15 and the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell XPS 15 | Lenovo ThinkPad P16 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,425 | $1,449 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | July 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 13.6'' x 9.1'' x 0.71'' | 14.3'' x 10.5'' x 1.2'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.21 lbs | 6.5 lbs | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700H | Intel i7-12800HX | |
Graphics | |||
Graphics | Arc A370M (50 W) | RTX A1000 (60 W) | |
Mux Switch / Advanced Optimus | |||
Mux Switch / Advanced Optimus | No | No | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 86 Wh | 94 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 3840 x 2400 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 606 nits | 569 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.8/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 9.1/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Keyboard Lighting Color | |||
Keyboard Lighting Color | White | White | |
Warranty Period | |||
Warranty Period | 1 year | 1 year | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 9.1/10 | |
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 | 3 | |
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."
Lenovo ThinkPad P16
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Eric Grevstad | February 2023
"It's only a few months since we gave the MSI CreatorPro X17 one of our rare 4.5-star ratings and our top mobile workstation honor, but the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 1 matches that achievement in a more premium overall build. Ultimately, its build quality, screen, and keyboard give our latest Editors' Choice nod to the Lenovo—it's enough of a monster on almost all fronts that it simply cannot be ignored."
Get a great deal on the Dell XPS 15 or the Lenovo ThinkPad P16
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 Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
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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
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