The Dell XPS line of laptops has remained a top choice for many over the years. Known for their elegant design, vibrant displays, and reliable performance, Dell XPS laptops continue to receive praise from consumers and reviewers alike.
However, the increasing popularity of the XPS line also means a higher starting price tag. This leaves some shoppers wondering if there are more affordable alternatives that can match or even surpass Dell‘s premium ultrabook offering.
This guide will highlight four top-rated Dell XPS alternatives that present excellent value for money while still delivering on the features most users need from a high-end consumer laptop.
Overview of Latest Dell XPS Laptops
Before jumping into the alternatives, let‘s briefly recap what the newest Dell XPS models currently offer.
The Dell XPS 13 and 15 lines received upgrades for 2023 with both featuring the latest 13th generation Intel Core processors for improved productivity and creative workloads.
Some key advantages of the latest Dell XPS laptops include:
- Vibrant displays: Available with up to 4K+ OLED touch options with superb color accuracy and HDR support.
- Premium design and build: Machined aluminum chassis with carbon fiber or woven glass fiber palm rests for an elegant and durable package.
- Excellent performance: With 13th Gen Intel Core i7 and i9 CPUs, integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, up to 32GB RAM and 2TB SSD storage options.
- Thunderbolt 4 ports: For blazing fast connections to peripherals and external displays.
- Advanced thermal management: Dual fans, heat pipes and Gore thermal insulation helps maximize performance.
- 1080p webcams: With noise-reducing mics for high quality video conferencing.
- Software optimizations: Such as ExpressCharge 2.0 for fast battery charging.
Of course, this premium package commands a higher starting price – the XPS 13 currently retails for $1,099 while the cheapest XPS 15 starts at $1,299.
Below are some competitively-priced alternatives that offer excellent value, especially if you don‘t necessarily need all the bells and whistles packed into Dell‘s flagship ultrabook models.
Best Overall Alternative: Lenovo Yoga 9i 14" 2-in-1 Laptop
The Lenovo Yoga 9i stands out as a versatile Dell XPS alternative thanks to its well-rounded feature set packaged in a stylish yet more affordable 2-in-1 convertible chassis.
This thin and light marvel sports a 14-inch FHD+ touch display with 400 nits brightness paired with the latest 13th generation Intel Core i7 CPUs, Intel Iris Xe graphics, 16GB LPDDR5 RAM and up to 1TB SSD storage.
Weighing 3.09lbs, it offers solid productivity performance for most day-to-day tasks while still staying portable enough for frequent travelers. The battery can provide up to 12 hours of usage on a full charge – plenty for those needing all-day computing away from a power outlet.
Complete with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, a backlit keyboard, and a physical webcam privacy shutter – the Yoga 9i checks off all the essentials expected in a premium ultrabook without the excessive pricing.
Its versatile 2-in-1 form factor further sets it apart from the traditional clamshell design of the Dell XPS, allowing for laptop, tent or tablet use cases. This makes it well-suited for tasks like note taking, sketching, presenting and media viewing.
At the time of writing, the Lenovo Yoga 9i went for $1229 from Lenovo.com which makes it a steal compared to the comparable XPS 13 2-in-1 model retailing for $1699.
Key Specs:
- 14" FHD+ Touch Display, 120Hz Refresh Rate
- 13th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- 16GB LPDDR5 RAM
- Up to 1TB SSD Storage
- 2 x Thunderbolt 4 Ports
- 51Wh Battery (Up to 12 Hours)
- Weight: 3.09 lbs
Pros
- Premium metal chassis with stylish design
- Vibrant 14" touch display
- Powerful performance thanks to latest Intel processors
- Over 12 hours of battery life for all-day work or play
- Flexible 2-in-1 form factor provides tablet functionality
Cons
- Display maxes out at 1080p, no 4K screen option
- Lacks discrete graphics so moderate gaming capabilities
- Slightly heavier than XPS 13 though still ultraportable
In summary, for shoppers wanting a more affordable, versatile, yet premium feeling XPS alternative – the feature packed Yoga 9i 14" tickles all the right spots.
Best 17-Inch Display: LG Gram 17Z90Q 17" WQXGA Laptop
The largest screen size available in Dell‘s XPS series tops out at 15-inches which can feel limiting for those wanting more screen real estate for their daily workflow.
If a spacious high resolution display is top priority, the LG Gram 17Z90Q brings it in spades – packing a gorgeous 17-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600) IPS panel into an astonishingly light 2.98 lb chassis.
This feat of engineering packs some serious performance as well, with a 12th generation Intel i7-1260P CPU, integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, LPDDR5 memory and lightning quick NVMe SSD storage options.
Stellar battery life up to 19.5 hours allows all-day use for even the most demanding road warriors. Military grade durability meeting MIL-STD-810G standards also means the LG Gram 17 can keep rolling even in challenging environments.
In comparison, the largest member of Dell‘s premium XPS family – the XPS 15 – feels almost cramped with its 15.6-inch display. To get a 17-inch screen in Dell‘s lineup requires stepping down to their Inspiron series models which also sacrifice the sleek metal build quality offered in the XPS range.
At the time of writing, the LG Gram 17Z90Q retailed for $1,696.99 at Costco.com – making it superb value for those needing serious screen real estate without jumping up to gaming laptop pricing tiers.
Key Specs:
- 17" WQXGA (2560 x 1600) IPS Display
- Intel 12th Gen Core i7-1260P
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- 16GB LPDDR5 RAM
- 1TB NVMe SSD Storage
- 80Wh Battery (Up to 19.5 hours)
- Weight: 2.98 lbs
Pros:
- Gorgeous, expansive 17" 16:10 display
- Remarkably lightweight and portable
- Strong productivity performance
- Excellent battery life – up to 19.5 hours
- MIL-STD-810G certified durability
Cons:
- Design is plain compared to XPS aesthetic
- No discrete GPU option
- Screen maxes out at WQXGA, no 4K display
For shoppers desiring a lightweight machine with desktop-like screen space for work and creative projects, the LG Gram 17 delivers an unbeatable experience.
Best Value for Apple Fans: M2 MacBook Air
Apple fans searching for a mobile powerhouse have fresh motivation to stick within the macOS ecosystem thanks to the new M2-powered MacBook Air unveiled in 2022.
The latest entry brings blazing performance and efficiency improvements over prior generation M1 models, rivalling and even surpassing Intel-powered Windows ultrabooks like Dell‘s XPS series.
The completely fanless unibody design allows silent operation while still cruising through intensive workloads – perfect for open office environments. This is paired with a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, a 1080p webcam, and all-day 18-hour rated battery life.
Priced at $1199, the standard configuration comes well equipped out of the box with 8GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD storage, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, two Thunderbolt ports with charging support plus MagSafe charging compatibility.
Compared against Dell‘s pricing for similarly specced XPS models, the M2 Air brings better value to Apple loyalists wanting leading-edge performance in a refined, travel-friendly chassis.
The slick macOS Ventura platform may still remain a dealbreaker for some Windows users. However, thanks to Apple Silicon, the line between the MacBook Air and XPS 13 has never been thinner.
Key Specs:
- 13.6" Liquid Retina Display (2560 x 1664p)
- Apple M2 chip (8-core CPU, up to 10-core GPU)
- 8GB unified memory
- 256GB SSD storage
- 1080p FaceTime HD webcam
- Two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports
- MagSafe 3 charging port
- 51.5Wh battery (up to 18 hours video playback)
- Weight: 2.7 lbs
Pros
- Silent, fanless operation
- Class-leading Apple M2 performance
- Excellent battery life
- Refined thin & light unibody design
- Liquid Retina display with P3 wide color
- Seamless ecosystem integration
Cons
- Limited to 8GB base memory configuration
- macOS ecosystem may deter some users
- Fewer ports than Dell XPS
- Pricier upgrades compared to rivals
For those already embedded within Apple‘s ecosystem, the latest M2 MacBook Air makes the choice for a premium ultraportable easier than ever.
Best for Gamers: Razer Blade 14
While Dell‘s XPS shines for productivity and creative workflows, its integrated graphics leave much to be desired for gaming enthusiasts.
Here is where the Razer Blade 14 invades territory unmatched by Dell‘s lineup – packing the power of an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti into a super slick 0.66 inch thin CNC aluminum chassis.
Paired with an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX CPU, 16GB of DDR5 memory, 1TB SSD and vibrant 14-inch QHD+ 165Hz display – the Blade 14 brings desktop-class gaming and content creation performance to an ultraportable footprint.
Weighing just 3.92lbs, it stays reasonably travel-friendly while outpunching any XPS regarding graphics capability with its 80W Max-Q spec RTX 3080 Ti.
For gaming on-the-go, Razer implements intelligent vapor chamber cooling paired with dual exhausts to keep frames high and temperatures in check. Ports include HDMI 2.1, Thunderbolt 4, three USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, RJ45 ethernet plus wireless with WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.
Priced at $2,899.99 at Razer.com during time of writing, the staggering performance does command a premium over Dell‘s consumer offerings. However, it handily fills the mobility gap left by gaming focused alternatives like Dell‘s bulky Alienware models.
For gamers and creatives needing genuine desktop-replacement graphics power compressed into a supremely portable chassis, the Blade 14 stands leagues beyond anything currently offered in Dell‘s mainstream XPS series.
Key Specs:
- 14” QHD+ 165Hz IPS Display
- AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX CPU
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU (80W Max-Q)
- 16GB DDR5 RAM
- 1TB SSD Storage
- 4-Cell 62WHr Battery
- 100W USB-C Power Delivery Charging
- Weight: 3.92 lbs
Pros
- Desktop-level gaming performance in ultrabook form factor
- Stunning 14” display with 165Hz refresh
- Remarkably thin 0.66” aluminum unibody
- Advanced vapor chamber cooling technology
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti graphics
Cons
- High premium over traditional consumer notebooks
- Limited maximum battery life during gaming usage
- Runs warm when gaming for extended periods
- No webcam built-in
If gaming chops tops the priority list for an XPS alternative, few serious contenders can rival the disruptive power packed into Razer’s impressively engineered Blade 14 powerhouse.
Quick Comparison Table
| Lenovo Yoga 9i | LG Gram 17 | MacBook Air (M2) | Razer Blade 14 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $1229 | $1696 | $1199 | $2899 |
| CPU | 13th Gen Core i7 | 12th Gen Core i7 | Apple M2 (8 cores) | Ryzen 9 6900HX |
| GPU | Intel Iris Xe | Intel Iris Xe | 10-core GPU | Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti |
| Display | 14” FHD+ Touch | 17" WQXGA IPS | 13.6” Liquid Retina | 14” 1440p 165Hz |
| Memory | 16GB LPDDR5 | 16GB LPDDR5 | 8GB unified | 16GB DDR5 |
| Battery Life | 12 hours | 19.5 hours | 18 hours (video) | TBD |
| Weight | 3.09 lbs | 2.98 lbs | 2.7 lbs | 3.92 lbs |
Key Considerations When Choosing a Dell XPS Alternative
Shoppers evaluating alternatives to Dell‘s XPS line should weigh a few key criteria:
Budget – Cost will naturally guide options, though excellent value can still be found for under $1500. Consider both current pricing plus costs of future upgrades.
Performance Requirements – Evaluate CPU and GPU needs depending on workload types. Integrated graphics generally suit basic work/productivity while discreet GPUs greatly benefit intensive gaming, video editing and 3D rendering uses.
Form Factor – Standard laptop vs convertible 2-in-1? Do you need tablet functionality? Consider display size and resolution along with touch capabilities.
Brand Ecosystem – Do you prefer Windows or macOS environments? Narrow choices based on software ecosystem familiarity and compatibility requirements.
Build Quality & Features – Metal chassis and backlit keyboards now common in mid-high range models from most brands. However premium details like OLED display, Thunderbolt 4 or high refresh panels may demand extra budget.
Carefully analyzing specs against these criteria will help identify options bringing the best blend of features, performance and quality to match – or even exceed – Dell’s strong XPS value proposition.
The Bottom Line
Dell‘s XPS ultrabooks set a high standard that makes for stiff competition. However, alternatives do exist that can equal and sometimes surpass Dell‘s offering at more budget-friendly price points.
Options like the Lenovo Yoga 9i, LG Gram 17, MacBook Air M2 and Razer Blade 14 presented here all make compelling cases covering a range of user needs.
Matching priorities around pricing, capability requirements and preferred brand experience to the models highlighted will surely lead buyers to great Dell XPS alternatives ready for their next portable computing adventure.
