What To Know
- The ZenBook features a unibody aluminum construction with a brushed metal finish, while the XPS 15 sports a carbon fiber and aluminum chassis with a matte black finish.
- The ZenBook offers a slightly wider selection of ports, including a full-size HDMI port and a USB Type-C port with Power Delivery, while the XPS 15 has a smaller footprint and a more minimalist port layout.
- The Asus ZenBook features a superior OLED display with deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and higher contrast ratios compared to the IPS LCD display on the Dell XPS 15.
Premium ultrabooks have become a staple in the laptop market, offering a blend of portability, performance, and style. Two of the leading contenders in this segment are the Asus ZenBook and Dell XPS 15. In this comprehensive comparison, we will pit these two exceptional laptops against each other to determine which one emerges victorious.
Design and Build Quality
Both the Asus ZenBook and Dell XPS 15 boast sleek and sophisticated designs. The ZenBook features a unibody aluminum construction with a brushed metal finish, while the XPS 15 sports a carbon fiber and aluminum chassis with a matte black finish. Both laptops are incredibly thin and lightweight, with the ZenBook measuring 0.57 inches thick and weighing 2.45 pounds, and the XPS 15 measuring 0.63 inches thick and weighing 2.97 pounds.
Display
The display is a crucial aspect of any laptop, and both the ZenBook and XPS 15 offer impressive options. The ZenBook comes equipped with a 15.6-inch OLED display with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, while the XPS 15 offers a 15.6-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 3840 x 2400 pixels. The OLED panel on the ZenBook provides superior contrast ratios, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to the IPS LCD panel on the XPS 15.
Performance
Under the hood, the Asus ZenBook and Dell XPS 15 are powered by different processors. The ZenBook features Intel‘s 11th-generation Core i7-1165G7 processor, while the XPS 15 comes equipped with Intel’s 10th-generation Core i7-10750H processor. The ZenBook’s newer processor offers slightly better performance in single-core tasks, while the XPS 15’s processor provides an edge in multi-core tasks. Both laptops come with integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, which are sufficient for basic gaming and creative tasks.
Battery Life
Battery life is another important consideration when choosing a premium ultrabook. The Asus ZenBook boasts a larger battery capacity of 67Wh compared to the Dell XPS 15’s 56Wh battery. In real-world usage, the ZenBook offers slightly longer battery life, lasting up to 10 hours on a single charge with moderate usage. The XPS 15, on the other hand, provides around 8-9 hours of battery life under similar conditions.
Features and Connectivity
The Asus ZenBook and Dell XPS 15 come equipped with a comprehensive range of features and connectivity options. Both laptops feature Thunderbolt 4 ports, USB-A ports, HDMI ports, and microSD card slots. The ZenBook offers a slightly wider selection of ports, including a full-size HDMI port and a USB Type-C port with Power Delivery, while the XPS 15 has a smaller footprint and a more minimalist port layout.
Price and Value
The Asus ZenBook and Dell XPS 15 are priced similarly, with starting prices around $1,500. However, the specific configurations and features can vary the price significantly. When comparing similar configurations, the ZenBook tends to be slightly more affordable than the XPS 15.
Verdict: The Victor Emerges
After a comprehensive evaluation, the Asus ZenBook emerges as the victor in this battle of premium ultrabooks. It offers a combination of exceptional design, brilliant OLED display, solid performance, and impressive battery life. While the Dell XPS 15 is a formidable contender, the ZenBook’s superior display and more affordable pricing give it a slight edge.
Answers to Your Most Common Questions
1. Which laptop has a better display?
The Asus ZenBook features a superior OLED display with deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and higher contrast ratios compared to the IPS LCD display on the Dell XPS 15.
2. Which laptop is more powerful?
The Dell XPS 15 has a slight edge in multi-core performance due to its 10th-generation Core i7-10750H processor, while the Asus ZenBook offers slightly better single-core performance with its 11th-generation Core i7-1165G7 processor.
3. Which laptop has longer battery life?
The Asus ZenBook offers slightly longer battery life, lasting up to 10 hours on a single charge, compared to the Dell XPS 15’s 8-9 hours of battery life under similar usage conditions.
