Dell XPS 15 9520 vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HM)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Detailed comparison and review of Dell XPS 15 9520 and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HM). With our comprehensive overview, you can simply compare dimensions, performance, storage, functions, but also other key features of both laptops and easily decide which one is the right choice for you. Our goal is to help you identify the main differences between products and find the laptop that best fits your needs and expectations.

Dell XPS 15 9520 Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Dell XPS 15 9520 based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

stunning 4k display

powerful intel performance

solid build quality

good battery life

advanced thermal design

high base price

heavier than competitors

no full-size usb port

limited color options

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HM) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HM) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

lightweight and portable

robust build quality

excellent keyboard comfort

impressive battery life

high-resolution display

higher price point

limited graphics performance

no HDMI port

fewer color options

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Dell XPS 15 9520 and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HM)
85 % - Design
83 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
81 % - Design
85 % - Display
85 % - Performance
86 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Dell XPS 15 9520 vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HM) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Dell XPS 15 9520 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HM)
Product Type Notebook Notebook - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 34.44 cm x 23.014 cm x 1.854 cm 31.56 cm x 22.25 cm x 1.536 cm
Weight 1.92 kg 1.12 kg
Case Material - Aluminium (bottom), carbon fibre (top)
Colour Silver Deep black paint
DISPLAY Dell XPS 15 9520 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HM)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" 14" - IPS
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1200 (Full HD Plus) 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA)
Pixel Density (ppi) 145 -
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. 60 Hz -
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 16:10
Image Brightness 500 cd/m² 400 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 100% sRGB 100% sRGB
Features Anti-glare, Infinity Edge display, Wide Viewing Angle, ±85° horizontal viewing angle, ±85° vertical viewing angle, 35 ms response rate, 0.18 mm pixel pitch, Eyesafe technology Anti-glare, Low Power, Eyesafe technology
PROCESSOR Dell XPS 15 9520 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HM)
CPU Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 12700H Intel Core i5 (13th Gen) 1335U / 1.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.7 GHz 4.6 GHz
Number of Cores 14-core 10-core
Cache 24 MB 12 MB
Platform Technology - Intel Evo
Features Intel Smart Cache Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Dell XPS 15 9520 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HM)
RAM 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) 16 GB (provided memory is soldered)
Max RAM Supported 64 GB -
RAM Type DDR5 SDRAM LPDDR5 SDRAM
Speed 4800 MHz 6400 MHz
Rated Speed 4800 MHz 6400 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 262-pin -
Slots Qty 2 -
Empty Slots 0 -
STORAGE Dell XPS 15 9520 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HM)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe) 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Dell XPS 15 9520 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HM)
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported - 3 external monitor(s)
Video Memory 4 GB GDDR6 SDRAM -
Video System Features - Functions as Intel UHD graphics (for single-channel memory)
Camera Yes - 1280 x 720 (standard), 576 x 360 (infrared) Yes - 1080p
Resolution 0.9 Megapixel (standard), 0.2 Megapixel (infrared) -
Camera Features IR/RGB camera, 78.5 degrees Privacy shutter, Windows Hello, fixed focus, hybrid FHD/IR camera
Image Sensor Type CMOS -
Video Resolutions 1280 x 720 -
Frame Rate 30 frames per second -
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, two tweeters, two woofers, quad array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3281 Realtek ALC3306
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos
Audio Features - Input: Dolby Voice, 360° far-field
COMMUNICATIONS Dell XPS 15 9520 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HM)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E) NFC, Bluetooth 5.1, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675 Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211
Features Dual stream (2x2) Dual stream (2x2)
WWAN
Generation - 4G/5G upgradable
BATTERY Dell XPS 15 9520 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HM)
Technology 6-cell Lithium Ion Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 86 Wh 57 Wh
AC ADAPTER Dell XPS 15 9520 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HM)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 130 Watt, 20 V, 6.5 A 65 Watt
INPUT Dell XPS 15 9520 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HM)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features - Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad, air intake key design
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Dell XPS 15 9520 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HM)
Interfaces USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort Alt Mode) (Power Delivery)
2 x USB4 Gen 3x2 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
2 x USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI (4K support)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (SD Card, SDHC Card, SDXC Card) -
SOFTWARE Dell XPS 15 9520 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HM)
Operating System (OS) Windows 11 Pro - Dutch / English / French / German / Italian Windows 11 Pro - English
Software Included Microsoft Office (30 days trial, excludes office licence), McAfee Small Business Security (30 days trial) Glance by Mirametrix, Intel Connectivity Performance Suite
MISCELLANEOUS Dell XPS 15 9520 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (21HM)
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter USB-C slim power adapter
Security Fingerprint reader Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type Noble Wedge security slot Kensington nano security slot
Theft/Intrusion Protection Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately) Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Features - Administrator password, system password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, NVMe password, Firmware Resiliency 3.0, certificate based BIOS authentication, FIDO (Fast Identity Online) authentication
Compliant Standards - RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 6, TCG Certified, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 26, TCO Certified 9.0
Max Operating Temperature 35 °C 35 °C
Min Operating Temperature 0 °C 5 °C
Humidity Range Operating 10 - 90% (non-condensing) 8 - 95%
Manufacturer Warranty - Base warranty - 3 years - pick-up and return
Base warranty - battery - 1 year
Extended warranty - 3 years - on-site - response time: next business day
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