Dell XPS 15 (2024) vs Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11
The Verdict
Dell's XPS 15 delivers a larger 15.6-inch OLED display with stunning 3456 x 2160 resolution and 400 nits brightness, paired with a newer Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor and 32GB RAM standard. Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 counters with exceptional portability at just 1.12kg versus Dell's 1.86kg, plus superior brightness at 500 nits, longer battery life up to 15 hours on IPS models, and carbon fiber construction. The X1 Carbon includes two USB-A ports and a headphone jack while maintaining a slimmer 15.36mm profile. Dell excels for content creators needing screen real estate and processing power, while Lenovo prioritizes business travelers seeking ultraportability and all-day battery. At virtually identical pricing, your choice depends on priorities: choose Dell for creative workflows and large displays, Lenovo for mobility and durability.
Who Should Buy
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
Buy the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 if…
- →Incredibly light at 1.12 kg — ideal for travel
- →Optional 2.8K OLED display is stunning for media and creative work
- →Best-in-class ThinkPad keyboard with excellent key travel
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
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
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11
Pros
- Incredibly light at 1.12 kg — ideal for travel
- Optional 2.8K OLED display is stunning for media and creative work
- Best-in-class ThinkPad keyboard with excellent key travel
- MIL-STD 810H tested for ruggedness and durability
- Good port selection includes USB-A, HDMI, and Thunderbolt 4
Cons
- OLED option significantly reduces battery life to around 10 hours
- 60Hz IPS panel feels behind the times
- Starting price of $1449 is expensive for the base config
- Soldered RAM limits upgradeability
- Integrated graphics only — not suitable for GPU-heavy workloads
Full Specifications
| Spec | Dell XPS 15 (2024) | Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Pro |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.86 kg | 1.12 kg |
| Material | CNC machined aluminum | Carbon fiber and magnesium alloy |
| Dimensions | 344.4 x 230.1 x 18.0 mm | 315.6 x 222.5 x 15.36 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | 1 |
| USB-A ports | 1 | 2 |
| SD card | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | 2 |
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 13 hours mixed use | Up to 15 hours (IPS) / 10 hours (OLED) |
| Capacity | 86 Wh | 57 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 15.6 inches | 14 inches |
| Type | OLED touch | OLED (IPS optional) |
| Resolution | 3456 x 2160 | 2880 x 1800 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz (90Hz OLED) |
| Brightness (nits) | 400 | 500 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB NVMe | 512 GB / 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 32 GB LPDDR5x | 16 GB / 32 GB LPDDR5x |
| Cores | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) | 10-core (2P + 8E) / 14-core (6P + 8E) |
| Chipset | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | 13th Gen Intel Core i7-1365U / i7-1370P |
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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.
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