Acer Aspire 5 (2024) vs Dell XPS 15 (2024)
The Verdict
Aspire 5 and XPS 15 occupy entirely different market segments despite identical screen sizes. Acer delivers solid everyday computing with an Intel Core i5-1335U, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and 512GB storage for $549—excellent value for students and budget-conscious users. Dell's XPS 15 leverages its Intel Core Ultra 7 155H with 32GB LPDDR5x, superior OLED touch display (3456x2160 vs 1920x1080), and premium CNC aluminum construction at $1499. Battery life favors Dell (13 hours vs 9 hours), and its dual Thunderbolt ports offer superior connectivity despite fewer USB-A ports. Performance gap is substantial: the Ultra 7 155H with P+E cores significantly outpaces the i5-1335U for creative work, coding, and multitasking. For professionals needing display quality and processing power, XPS 15 justifies premium pricing. However, Aspire 5 provides remarkable bang-for-buck for everyday tasks. Choose XPS 15 for serious work; choose Aspire 5 for budget-conscious practicality.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Acer Aspire 5 (2024) if…
- →Excellent all-round budget laptop at $549 with 16 GB RAM
- →Intel Core i5 handles everyday productivity and light creative work
- →Expandable storage for future SSD upgrades
Buy the Dell XPS 15 (2024) if…
- →Gorgeous 3.5K OLED touchscreen with vivid colors
- →32 GB RAM standard at this price tier
- →Premium CNC aluminum chassis
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Acer Aspire 5 (2024)
Pros
- Excellent all-round budget laptop at $549 with 16 GB RAM
- Intel Core i5 handles everyday productivity and light creative work
- Expandable storage for future SSD upgrades
- Full-size HDMI and USB-A ports for hassle-free connectivity
- 9-hour battery life is solid for a budget laptop
Cons
- 60Hz FHD display — no high refresh rate or high resolution
- 300-nit brightness is dim for outdoor or bright-room use
- Plastic body feels less premium than aluminum competitors
- No Thunderbolt — USB-C is data/display only
Dell XPS 15 (2024)
Pros
- Gorgeous 3.5K OLED touchscreen with vivid colors
- 32 GB RAM standard at this price tier
- Premium CNC aluminum chassis
- Includes USB-A and HDMI alongside Thunderbolt
- Upgradeable SSD and memory
Cons
- OLED display can exhibit burn-in over time
- Base model ships with integrated Iris Xe graphics only
- Battery drains faster with OLED on
- Runs warm under sustained load
- Fan noise noticeable during CPU-heavy tasks
Full Specifications
| Spec | Acer Aspire 5 (2024) | Dell XPS 15 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 3.9 lbs (1.76 kg) | 1.86 kg |
| Material | Aluminum lid, plastic body | CNC machined aluminum |
| Dimensions | 14.09 x 9.5 x 0.72 inches | 344.4 x 230.1 x 18.0 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | |
| USB-A ports | 2 | 1 |
| USB-C ports | 1 | — |
| SD card | ||
| Thunderbolt ports | — | 2 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 9 hours | Up to 13 hours mixed use |
| Capacity | 50 Wh | 86 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 15.6 inches | 15.6 inches |
| Type | IPS | OLED touch |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 3456 x 2160 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 300 | 400 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe | 512 GB NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB DDR5 | 32 GB LPDDR5x |
| Cores | 10 cores (2P + 8E) | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) |
| Chipset | Intel Core i5-1335U | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in laptops, see all Acer products or all Dell products. View full details for the Acer Aspire 5 (2024) or the Dell XPS 15 (2024).