Dell XPS 15 9520 vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Detailed comparison and review of Dell XPS 15 9520 and Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5). 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 Z16 Gen 1 (21D5) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard feel

powerful AMD processor

high-resolution display

good battery life

heavier than competitors

expensive base model

limited color options

noisy under load

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Dell XPS 15 9520 and Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
85 % - Design
83 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
85 % - Design
85 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Dell XPS 15 9520 vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Dell XPS 15 9520 Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 34.44 cm x 23.014 cm x 1.854 cm 35.44 cm x 23.74 cm x 1.58 cm
Weight 1.92 kg 1.94 kg
Case Material - Aluminium (top), aluminium (bottom)
Colour Silver Black (bottom), arctic grey (top)
DISPLAY Dell XPS 15 9520 Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" 16" OLED
Touchscreen - Yes (10-point multi-touch)
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1200 (Full HD Plus) 3840 x 2400 (WQUXGA)
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 500 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 100% sRGB 100% DCI-P3
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-reflective, One Glass Solution, anti-smudge, Low Blue Light technology, Dolby Vision, 175° viewing angle, 92.3% screen-to-body ratio
PROCESSOR Dell XPS 15 9520 Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
CPU Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 12700H AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850H / 3.2 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.7 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores 14-core 8-core
Cache 24 MB L3 - 16 MB
Features Intel Smart Cache Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Dell XPS 15 9520 Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
RAM 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) 32 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 Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe) 1.024 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Western Digital
AUDIO & VIDEO Dell XPS 15 9520 Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti AMD Radeon 680M
Max Monitors Supported - 3 external monitor(s)
Video Memory 4 GB GDDR6 SDRAM -
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 Windows Hello, fixed focus, e-camera shutter, 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, dual 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 Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E) Bluetooth 5.1, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675 Qualcomm NFA725A
Features Dual stream (2x2) -
BATTERY Dell XPS 15 9520 Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Technology 6-cell Lithium Ion 4-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 86 Wh 72 Wh
AC ADAPTER Dell XPS 15 9520 Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 130 Watt, 20 V, 6.5 A 135 Watt, 5 / 9 / 15 / 20 V
INPUT Dell XPS 15 9520 Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features - Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Dell XPS 15 9520 Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
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-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
2 x USB4 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (SD Card, SDHC Card, SDXC Card) Yes (SD Card, SDXC UHS-II Card)
SOFTWARE Dell XPS 15 9520 Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Operating System (OS) Windows 11 Pro - Dutch / English / French / German / Italian Windows 11 Pro
Software Included Microsoft Office (30 days trial, excludes office licence), McAfee Small Business Security (30 days trial) -
MISCELLANEOUS Dell XPS 15 9520 Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter USB-C slim power adapter
Security Fingerprint reader Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip with Microsoft Pluton, 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, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password, certificate based BIOS authentication, FIDO (Fast Identity Online) authentication
Compliant Standards - RoHS, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified, 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%
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