OLED has been widely used in high-end televisions for some time, but it has only just begun to make its way into the mainstream of laptops. That’s excellent news for consumers who want a more vivid multimedia experience while they buy. OLED screens offer unrivaled contrast ratios, blending the darkest possible blacks with the whitest possible whites to produce the most vivid conceivable images. These individuals take entertainment to a whole new level, and they may also give a helping hand with innovative picture and video work.
Not long ago, OLED laptops were considered a high-end buy. Smaller mainstream OLED devices, on the other hand, are becoming more prevalent with each passing year. Whether you’re a die-hard OLED fan or just searching for a method to improve your movie-watching experience, you now have two great 13-inch OLED computers to pick from: the Dell XPS 13 and the Asus ZenBook 13. The Dell XPS 13 is a 13-inch OLED laptop with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The issue is, which one should you choose to purchase?
Simply said, the XPS is more costly and more specialized than the ZenBook, and the ZenBook offers more configuration choices. That should be made clear in the specifications and pricing. There are no other CPU choices available for Dell’s computer, which is powered by an Intel Core i7-1185G7. You can get that CPU with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage for $1,549.99, and you can upgrade to 2TB of storage and 16GB of RAM for $1,999.99, or 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage for $2,269.99. You can also get that processor with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage for $2,269.99.
With the ZenBook 13 OLED, you have the option of selecting your own CPU. For a starting price of $799.99, you may buy an AMD Ryzen 5500U processor with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, or a Core i5-1135G7 processor with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for the same amount of money. Afterward, you can get a Core i7-1165G7 or a Ryzen 7 5700U, both of which come with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage, for $899.99, respectively. A variant with a Core i7-1165G7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage are available for $1,099.99 as an additional option.
As a result, these laptops serve quite diverse purposes. The ZenBook is a cost-effective choice for a range of uses, while the XPS is a capable computer for those with more financial resources. Whether the additional advantages of the OLED XPS are worth the more cost is the most important question to ask yourself.
Below is a summary of each product’s selling features and disadvantages, which should assist you in answering that question.
The Dell XPS 13 useful features
- LED Numpad on the touchpad.
- The following processors are available: AMD Ryzen 5500U, Intel Core i5-1135G7, and AMD Ryzen 7
- 5700U with an Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor
- RAM configurations are 8GB and 16GB (only available with Core i7)
- Storage choices include 256GB (available exclusively with Core i5) and 512GB.
- Dimensions and weight: 11.97 x 7.99 x 0.55 inches, 2.5 lbs Dimensions and weight: 11.97 x 7.99 x 0.55 inches
- Battery capacity: 67Wh
- Resolution of the display: 1920 x 1080
Make no mistake about it: Asus’ ZenBook 13 OLED is one of the finest 13-inch laptops money can buy, despite its cheap price. The battery life is the major selling feature of this device. The AMD setup that I tested performed very well in this area, with an average runtime of more than 11 hours. It’s also one of the lightest laptops in its class, weighing little more than two and a half pounds when empty.
The second major advantage of the ZenBook is its versatility – you may choose whatever processor you want to use. Along with its long-lasting battery, the AMD model’s eight-core processor provided great performance, shredding through my everyday routine while also running lighter games at reasonable frame rates. Those who wish to connect Thunderbolt 4 peripherals (a standard that is not available on the AMD versions) or who want to make use of Intel’s Quick Sync function for video work may choose the four-core Intel machines over the AMD ones, according to the company.
For the money, this is a fantastic bundle.
Having said that, there are a few concessions you must make in exchange for this cheap pricing. Placed next to the XPS, it will be immediately apparent which one is more costly – the ZenBook has a rather plasticky appearance and feel, with a good amount of movement in the chassis as well as a floppy hinge, which makes it the more expensive of the two. The lid is also a strong magnet for fingerprints, which detracts from the overall appearance of the otherwise cool concentric swirl pattern.
The screen resolution is the other main point of difference. While many OLED displays are 4K, the ZenBook’s OLED display is really a Full HD screen. However, it will not be nearly as beautiful as a 4K OLED device (such as Gigabyte’s creator-focused Aero 15 OLED) in terms of visual fidelity. Oh, and there isn’t a headphone jack either.
The Asus ZenBook 13 useful features
- Processor choices include the Intel Core i7-1185G7.
- RAM configurations are 16GB and 32GB (only available with 1TB)
- Storage capacities are as follows: 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB.
- 11 x 7.82 x 0.58 in. (2.8 lbs) Dimensions and weight: 11.64 x 7.82 x 0.58 in.
- Battery capacity: 52Wh
- Resolution of the display: 3456 x 2160 pixels
The XPS 13 OLED is a high-end computer designed for consumers that want the best of the best in terms of performance and design. The first thing you notice about this laptop is that it features a 3.5K display, which produces an absolutely stunning image. It is likely that you will notice a difference in the sharpness of this display when compared to the ZenBook’s display if screen quality is important to you. (Though, then again, the ZenBook’s design is beautiful and should be sufficient for most people).
The second significant difference is the range of specifications offered. The XPS 13 is equipped with a Core i7-1185G7 processor, which outperformed our ZenBook unit in our content production testing. Given how much more costly this laptop is, it is, of course, what we would expect to see happen.
And, of course, there are some further advantages to Dell’s offering over the ZenBook. It features a 16:10 aspect ratio screen, which provides a little extra vertical space. The fact that it is a little heavier means that it is also considerably stronger, and the build quality is notably better. Additionally, the keyboard and touchpad have been improved. It’s a little improvement across the board, but the screen and CPU are the most significant aspects of what you receive for your money.
A computer that costs a lot of money.
In spite of these considerations, even if you are ready to spend more money for the XPS’s advantages, there is one very essential factor to consider: battery life. As a result of the high-resolution screen, the fast CPU, and the smaller battery, the XPS 13 OLED had some disappointing battery life problems during my testing. XPS 13 OLED Battery Life While testing, I only got approximately five hours of use out of the device, which is less than half the amount of time I got out of the ZenBook in the same situation.
So, even if money isn’t an issue, you’ll still need to evaluate if power or battery life is more essential to you. In light of the fact that the ZenBook’s choices are sufficient for most of the jobs that the majority of people need, my opinion is that only individuals with very specialized workflows who don’t need to move about much are better served by the XPS series. If you are someone to whom the OLED is worth the price, as I said in my review, you are most likely aware of whom I am referring.
