Dell XPS 13 Plus vs Lenovo x1 Carbon

FeatureDell XPS 13 PlusLenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10
Dimensions11.6 x 7.8 x 0.6 inches14 inches
Screen-to-body ratioHigherLower
Bezel sizeThinnerThicker
Display3.5K (3456 x 2160)2.8K (2880 x 1800) OLED
Max screen brightness500 nits400 nits
InputsFewerMore
Price$1199$1639
CPU performance (Cinebench R23)77% better
CPU performance (Geekbench 5)63% better
Potential battery life (light/average use)LongerShorter
Processor optionsi7-8550Ui7-8650U
Weight2.7 lbs2.4 lbs
Thickness15.6mm15.36mm
Value for moneyBetter

The Dell XPS 13 Plus and the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 are both powerful laptops with different features that make them suitable for different needs.

The Dell XPS 13 Plus is more compact with a smaller footprint of 11.6 x 7.8 x 0.6 inches while the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 is larger in every dimension due to its 14-inch screen.

The Dell XPS 13 Plus has a higher screen-to-body ratio and thinner bezels than the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 as well as a high-speed PCI Express Gen 4 interface.

It also provides 25% higher max.

screen brightness at 500 nits compared to 400 nits on the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10.

In terms of design the Dell XPS 13 Plus is potentially the most modern-looking laptop while the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 offers a buffet of inputs.

The biggest difference between these two laptops is price: The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 did officially start at $1639 when it launched in March while the Dell XPS 13 Plus starts at a much cheaper $1199.

In terms of performance the Dell XPS 13 Plus has better multi-core CPU performance in Cinebench R23 test (77% better) and Geekbench 5 (63% better) compared to the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10.

It also has longer potential battery life in light and average use than the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10.

Which Laptop Is Better For Gaming?

The Dell XPS 13 Plus has a sharper 3.5K (3456 x 2160) display than the Lenovo X1 Carbon’s 2.8K (2880 x 1800) OLED panel and its smaller bezels give it a 10% higher screen-to-body ratio.

The XPS 13 also has a much smaller footprint being 16% more compact than the X1 Carbon.

In terms of performance the X1 Carbon is configurable with an i7-8650U processor which offers slightly better performance than the i7-8550U in the XPS 13.

However the XPS 13 lasts significantly longer on a charge at 12 hours and 39 minutes compared to the ThinkPad’s 8 hours and 30 minutes.

Therefore for gaming purposes the Dell XPS 13 Plus is likely to be a better choice.

Which Laptop Is Better For Video Editing?

The Dell XPS 13 Plus is thinner and lighter than the Lenovo X1 Carbon and it also has a brighter display with higher peak brightness.

The XPS 13 Plus is also cheaper starting at $1099 compared to the X1 Carbon’s $1639.

However the X1 Carbon has more powerful hardware options available such as up to an Intel Core i7-1185G7 processor.

Therefore which laptop is better for video editing depends on your budget and performance needs.

Which Laptop Is Better For Students?

The Dell XPS 13 Plus is thinner and lighter than the Lenovo X1 Carbon making it more portable.

The XPS 13 also has a brighter display reaching 417 nits compared to 364 nits for the X1 Carbon.

However the X1 Carbon has a 4K panel that reaches 498 nits.

The XPS 13 is cheaper than the X1 Carbon starting at $1099 compared to $1639 making it more affordable for students.

Which Laptop Is Better Value For Money?

The Dell XPS 13 Plus is more affordable than the Lenovo X1 Carbon starting at $1099 compared to $1639.

The XPS 13 has a brighter display with 417 nits compared to 364 nits on the X1 Carbon and it is also thinner at 15.6mm compared to 15.36mm on the X1 Carbon.

However the 4K panel on the X1 Carbon outshines both laptops with 498 nits.

The XPS 13 tops out at $2200 for a Core i7-1185G7 CPU 32GB of RAM and a 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD while the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (Intel) and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 offer similar specs for less money.