Cannot decide between XPS 13 and XPS 15

I have been trying to decide between these two laptops for over a week now. I've read every review and watched every video possible. Obviously it comes down to personal preference portability vs power.

I have the option between two laptops both pretty much the same specs

• QHD or 4k screen depending on model
• i7
• 16gb RAM
• 512gb Harddrive

I have always had larger laptops so am not sure how having a smaller ultrabook would be. I am hoping it might make me more likely to take it with me due to increased portability and better battery life.

However, with the XPS 15 I would have near desktop performance and might even be able to eliminate my desktop by using thunderbolt to drive my large 4k Monitors I currently use at home.

As far as my uses are I would break them down as the following

• 70% Web Browsing
• 5% Office Docs
• 15% Photo editing
• 10% video editing ... All short 5 min or less clips that are mostly shot in 1080P

If anyone has had both laptops or currently has both of them I would really appreciate your feedback.

 

I've had both. I like the XPS 15 more, it's just much more impressive (with the 4k screen).

The performance difference between the two is palpable as well. 6500u just can't handle tasks as the 6700hq

 

15" is like a 14" size wise due to the smaller bezel so a good step down in size anyway.

 

Here's a good guideline.

If you play games, get the XPS 15. If you don't, get the XPS 13.

The extra portability of the XPS 13 is worth far more than whatever screen size advantage you could get from a non-gaming XPS 15


Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

 

I have had both as well. I voted for the 15. The 13 is great, but the screen size is fairly small... specially if you are coming from 15+. Portable is nice but I really think that the 15 is not too big where it looks out of place. I am not sure if you plan to have/use a smaller tablet for reading or "on the go" but I personally prefer splitting up my devices like that. Thin/Light tablet + larger laptop for heavy lifting. The 13 can bridge the gap, but its no tablet. I am not old, but my vision is going and having the larger screen really has improved my productivity. The 960m has decreased it, but its great to have (Even though the 1060m is going to destroy it....).

I am not sure if you are really set on the 4k screen, but after seeing the 1080p and the 4k and realizing the battery drain, I went with the 1080p and never looked back. With scaling its nearly the same, but again... back to older eyes... the 1080p is practically the same and the anti-glare helps for work. Also a touchscreen on how far the screen is away from my hands... I'd never use it. On the opposite side, I have a 12.5 toshiba 4k and think its better suited there because its a "yoga" style and mainly for content consumption. Either way, I would really focus on the differences and see what would be better for you. Money saved and battery life were my focus and I never looked back.

GL, let us know what you get.

 

Not sure what desktop you have, but I'm pretty sure the 15 will not have desktop performance.

I picked up the XPS511Z back in the day and thought it would be similar to desktop performance, but when doing CAD work, the desktops of the day with a non-mobile GFX card blue the 511Z out of the water.

Now I've got a nice desktop for heavy lifting, and an XPS13 for portablity and getting lighter work done while out and about.

Whatever you get, I'd stick with the FD screen over the QHD screen. I had a QHD screen on my Yoga2Pro, and the extra resolution was a headache. Windows just isn't ready for HDPI screens yet. And 1080 looks great on that size screen.

 

15 all the way. Mine screams along. It was already great, but I upgraded to some a hyper x ram and a 950 pro SSD. I'm not sure if there's a perceivable difference in performance in general usage, but I punish it with heavy workloads (multiple vm's) and it handles it like a champ. The ability to play a casual 3d game here and there is a nice bonus. Best laptop I've owned. For comparison I also have a 13, and whilst I love the form factor I will echo previous comments in saying the 15 has zero issues with portability. The 15 is really a 14 and the 13 is really a 12 thanks to Infinity edge display. If portability is your main concern do not hesitate to get the 15 unless you have the tiniest backback/bag ever made. If so, you might need to take a look in the mirror and question your masculinity...

 

I had the same dilemma. I got the XPS 13 first. Then I purchased the XPS 15, which is the one I kept. Since you said 70% of the time you would be using it for Web Browsing. Then I suggest the 13. I personally spend approximately 50% of my time on the 15 editing videos and photos. If I don't have it hooked up to a monitor, the 15 is a better option as the 13 is entirely too small. Remember, it's small. It was more like a 12" to me.