The Dell XPS 15 has long been hailed as the Windows answer to Apple’s MacBook Pro, and for good reason. Its sleek design, vibrant display, and solid performance have made it a favorite among professionals and content creators alike. However, even the most beloved laptops have their shortcomings.
If you’ve been researching the XPS 15, you’ve likely discovered its notorious thermal management issues. The laptop tends to run hot under moderate loads, triggering aggressive fan curves that can sound like a jet engine during video calls. Add to that the premium price tag and reports of quality control inconsistencies, and you might find yourself wondering: are there better alternatives out there?
The answer is absolutely yes. Today’s laptop market offers numerous Dell XPS 15 competitors that deliver superior performance, better thermal management, and often better value for your money. Whether you’re a content creator seeking color-accurate displays, a business professional prioritizing reliability, or someone who simply wants a premium Windows laptop without the XPS 15’s drawbacks, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s explore the best laptops similar to Dell XPS 15 that might just be the perfect fit for your needs.
1. ASUS ZenBook Pro 15 OLED – The Creative Professional’s Dream
Starting Price: $1,299 | Display: 15.6″ 4K OLED | Weight: 4.2 lbs
The ASUS ZenBook Pro 15 OLED stands out as one of the most compelling Dell XPS 15 alternatives, especially for creative professionals. Built on Intel’s Evo platform, this laptop delivers the trifecta of performance, portability, and stunning visuals that modern users demand.
What makes this laptop special is its gorgeous 15.6-inch 4K OLED display. Unlike the XPS 15’s LCD panel, the ZenBook’s OLED screen offers true blacks, infinite contrast ratios, and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage. If you’re editing photos or videos, the color accuracy is simply breathtaking.
Performance-wise, you’re looking at up to 12th-gen Intel Core i7 processors paired with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics. This combination handles everything from Photoshop to light video editing without breaking a sweat. The laptop also maintains excellent thermal performance, staying relatively cool and quiet even during intensive tasks.
The trade-offs? Battery life on the OLED model hovers around 6-7 hours of mixed use, which is respectable but not exceptional. The keyboard could also use more travel for extended typing sessions.
2. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 – The Business Professional’s Choice
Starting Price: $1,429 | Display: 14″ WQHD | Weight: 2.48 lbs
Don’t let the 14-inch screen fool you – the ThinkPad X1 Carbon punches well above its weight class and deserves serious consideration as a Dell XPS 15 replacement. This ultrabook represents everything Lenovo has learned about building the perfect business laptop.
The standout feature here is the incredible build quality. The carbon fiber construction feels rock-solid, and the legendary ThinkPad keyboard remains the gold standard for typing comfort. You’ll also appreciate the comprehensive port selection, including two Thunderbolt 4 ports, USB-A, and HDMI – something the XPS 15 struggles with.
Under the hood, you’ll find 12th-gen Intel processors (up to Core i7-1280P) with integrated Iris Xe graphics. While it won’t match dedicated graphics cards, the performance is more than adequate for productivity tasks, light photo editing, and even casual gaming.
The 14-inch 2.8K display offers excellent color accuracy and brightness, making it suitable for professional work. But the real winner is the battery life – expect 12-15 hours of real-world usage, significantly outpacing the XPS 15.
Worth noting: The smaller screen might feel cramped if you’re used to 15-inch displays, and the integrated graphics limit its appeal for content creators needing GPU acceleration.
3. Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio – The Versatile Powerhouse
Starting Price: $1,599 | Display: 14.4″ PixelSense | Weight: 4.0 lbs
Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Studio is perhaps the most innovative Dell XPS 15 alternative on this list. Its unique hinge design allows the screen to fold down into three distinct modes: laptop, stage, and studio – making it incredibly versatile for different work scenarios.
The 14.4-inch PixelSense display supports 120Hz refresh rates and offers excellent color accuracy, making it ideal for both productivity and creative work. The touchscreen is responsive, and if you opt for the Surface Pen, you’ll have one of the best drawing experiences available on a Windows laptop.
Performance options range from Intel Core i5 with integrated graphics to Core i7 with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti. The higher-end configurations handle demanding tasks like video editing and 3D modeling with ease, while maintaining better thermal management than the XPS 15.
The unique selling point? The versatility. Whether you’re giving a presentation, sketching concepts, or need a traditional laptop experience, the Surface Laptop Studio adapts to your workflow rather than forcing you to adapt to it.
Considerations: The premium price tag and slightly heavier weight compared to traditional ultrabooks. Also, the proprietary Surface Connect charging port might be limiting for some users.
4. Razer Blade 15 – The Creator’s Gaming Machine
Starting Price: $1,699 | Display: 15.6″ QHD | Weight: 4.4 lbs
If you need serious graphics performance alongside your productivity tasks, the Razer Blade 15 is an exceptional choice among laptops for content creators. This isn’t just a gaming laptop – it’s a legitimate workstation that happens to excel at gaming too.
The build quality rivals any premium laptop, featuring a CNC-machined aluminum chassis that feels incredibly solid. The 15.6-inch display comes in various configurations, including a stunning QHD 240Hz option that’s perfect for both gaming and professional work.
Performance is where the Blade 15 truly shines. With options up to Intel Core i7-12800H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti, this laptop handles 4K video editing, 3D rendering, and AAA gaming with equal prowess. The vapor chamber cooling system, while not silent, manages heat better than many competitors.
Why choose this over the XPS 15? Simply put, the graphics performance isn’t even close. If your workflow involves GPU-accelerated applications like Premiere Pro, Blender, or DaVinci Resolve, the Blade 15 will save you hours of rendering time.
The reality check: This is a thick, heavy laptop with mediocre battery life (4-6 hours). It’s best suited for users who primarily work from a desk but need the option to be mobile.
5. HP Spectre x360 16 – The Balanced All-Rounder
Starting Price: $1,199 | Display: 16″ 3K+ OLED | Weight: 4.45 lbs
The HP Spectre x360 16 represents what happens when a manufacturer gets almost everything right. It’s one of the most well-rounded ultrabook alternatives to the XPS 15, offering excellent performance, stunning design, and remarkable versatility.
The 16-inch 3K+ OLED display is absolutely gorgeous, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks that make both work and entertainment a pleasure. The 360-degree hinge is smooth and sturdy, transforming the laptop into a tablet when needed. The included HP Pen makes it genuinely useful for digital art and note-taking.
Performance comes from 12th-gen Intel Core processors (up to i7-12700H) with optional NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics. This combination handles demanding applications while maintaining reasonable battery life – around 8-10 hours of mixed use.
What sets it apart? The attention to detail. The keyboard is excellent, the trackpad is spacious and responsive, and the Bang & Olufsen speakers actually sound good. HP has also included a comprehensive port selection, including Thunderbolt 4, USB-A, and a microSD card reader.
Minor drawbacks: The laptop can get warm during intensive tasks, and the OLED display, while beautiful, impacts battery life compared to LCD alternatives.
6. Lenovo Yoga 9i – The Premium Convertible
Starting Price: $1,399 | Display: 14″ 4K | Weight: 3.09 lbs
The Lenovo Yoga 9i proves that premium Windows laptops don’t have to be expensive to be excellent. This convertible laptop offers many of the XPS 15’s best features while addressing several of its shortcomings.
The 14-inch 4K display is sharp and color-accurate, perfect for professional work. The 360-degree hinge is robust and smooth, making the transition between laptop and tablet modes seamless. Lenovo has also included a stylus that stores conveniently in the laptop’s body – a thoughtful touch that shows attention to user experience.
Under the hood, you’ll find 12th-gen Intel processors with integrated Iris Xe graphics. While it won’t match dedicated graphics performance, it’s more than capable for most productivity tasks and light creative work. The real standout is the battery life – consistently delivering 10-12 hours of real-world use.
The sound experience deserves special mention. The rotating soundbar hinge houses a surprisingly powerful speaker system that delivers clear audio whether you’re in laptop or tablet mode.
Consider this if: You want a premium convertible with excellent battery life and don’t need dedicated graphics. The smaller screen might feel limiting for extensive multitasking.
7. Framework Laptop 16 – The Modular Marvel
Starting Price: $1,399 | Display: 16″ QHD+ | Weight: 4.7 lbs
The Framework Laptop 16 represents a completely different approach to laptop design, and it’s one of the most interesting Dell XPS 15 competitors available. This laptop is built around modularity and repairability, allowing you to customize ports, upgrade components, and even add a discrete GPU module.
The 16-inch QHD+ display offers excellent color accuracy and brightness, making it suitable for professional work. The keyboard and trackpad are both excellent, and the modular port system means you can configure exactly the connectivity you need.
Performance options include AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors, and the optional GPU module houses an AMD Radeon RX 7700S – providing serious graphics performance when needed. The modular design also means you can upgrade RAM, storage, and even the mainboard as technology advances.
Why this matters: This is the anti-throwaway laptop. When something breaks or becomes outdated, you can replace just that component rather than the entire machine. It’s a refreshing approach in an industry built on planned obsolescence.
The trade-offs: The modular design adds weight and thickness compared to traditional laptops. It’s also a newer company, so long-term support remains to be proven.
8. ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 – The Creative Professional’s Workstation
Starting Price: $1,799 | Display: 16″ 4K OLED | Weight: 5.0 lbs
For content creators who need workstation-level performance in a laptop form factor, the ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 is hard to beat. This laptop is specifically designed for creative professionals who demand color accuracy, powerful graphics, and professional-grade features.
The 16-inch 4K OLED display is factory-calibrated and covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color space, making it ideal for professional photo and video editing. The ASUS Dial – a physical control wheel – provides intuitive control over creative applications, speeding up workflows in programs like Photoshop and Premiere Pro.
Performance is exceptional, with options up to Intel Core i7-12700H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti. This combination handles 4K video editing, 3D rendering, and other GPU-intensive tasks with ease. The laptop also includes ISV certifications for professional applications, ensuring compatibility and stability.
The professional touches set this apart: comprehensive port selection, excellent keyboard and trackpad, and a vapor chamber cooling system that manages heat effectively even under sustained loads.
Consider the weight: At 5 pounds, this is clearly a desktop replacement rather than an ultrabook. It’s designed for professionals who need maximum performance and are willing to sacrifice some portability.
9. Alienware x15 R2 – The Compact Gaming Powerhouse
Starting Price: $1,799 | Display: 15.6″ QHD | Weight: 4.81 lbs
The Alienware x15 R2 might seem like an unusual choice as a Dell XPS 15 alternative, but hear us out. This laptop offers similar screen size and premium build quality while delivering significantly better performance for users who need serious computing power.
The 15.6-inch QHD display offers excellent color accuracy and supports high refresh rates, making it suitable for both gaming and professional work. The build quality is exceptional, with a magnesium alloy chassis that feels incredibly solid.
Performance is where this laptop truly excels. With options up to Intel Core i7-12700H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti, it handles demanding applications with ease. The advanced cooling system, while not silent, manages heat better than many competitors.
The surprising versatility comes from Dell’s color-accurate display options and the laptop’s ability to switch between performance and quiet modes depending on your needs.
Reality check: This is a thick, heavy laptop with gaming-focused design elements. It’s best suited for users who need maximum performance and don’t mind the aesthetic.
Making the Right Choice: Which Dell XPS 15 Alternative Is Perfect for You?
Choosing the right laptop depends on your specific needs and priorities. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:
Choose the ASUS ZenBook Pro 15 OLED if you’re a creative professional who prioritizes display quality above all else. The OLED screen is unmatched for color-critical work.
Choose the ThinkPad X1 Carbon if you value portability, exceptional battery life, and the best typing experience available. Perfect for business professionals and writers.
Choose the Surface Laptop Studio if you want maximum versatility and plan to use touch and pen input regularly. The unique design makes it suitable for multiple work scenarios.
Choose the Razer Blade 15 if you need serious graphics performance for content creation or gaming. It’s the best balance of performance and portability for demanding users.
Choose the HP Spectre x360 16 if you want a well-rounded laptop that excels in multiple areas without major compromises. It’s the safest choice for most users.
The laptop market has evolved significantly, offering numerous premium Windows laptops that address the XPS 15’s shortcomings while delivering superior performance and features. Whether you prioritize display quality, performance, portability, or value, there’s a Dell XPS 15 alternative that’s perfect for your needs.
The key is identifying your primary use cases and choosing the laptop that excels in those areas. With any of these options, you’ll get a premium computing experience that rivals or exceeds what the XPS 15 offers – often at a better price point and with fewer compromises.
