Dell XPS 16 (9640) vs Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12
Side-by-side specifications, scores and verdict.
Quick Verdict
Dell's XPS 16 delivers a larger 16.3-inch display with superior 500-nit brightness and InfinityEdge aesthetics, ideal for content creators and multitaskers who value screen real estate. Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 counters with exceptional portability at just 1.09 kg versus 2.13 kg, a thinner 14.96mm profile, Windows 11 Pro, and legacy ports (HDMI, dual USB-A) that business users appreciate. Both share identical Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processors, 16GB RAM, and 512GB storage, with comparable 13-hour battery claims. Performance will be nearly identical between them. The XPS excels for creative professionals needing screen space and brightness; ThinkPad wins for frequent travelers prioritizing ultraportability and business connectivity. At $170 less, the Lenovo offers better value for mobile professionals, while the Dell justifies its premium for those working with visual content. Choose XPS 16 for creative work; select ThinkPad X1 Carbon for business mobility.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Dell XPS 16 (9640) | Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Pro |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.13 kg | 1.09 kg |
| Material | CNC aluminum and carbon fiber | Carbon fiber + magnesium |
| Dimensions | 358.1 x 240.1 x 18.7 mm | 312.8 x 215.0 x 14.96 mm |
| Ports | ||
| SD card | ||
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | 2 |
| HDMI | — | 1 |
| USB-A ports | — | 2 |
| USB-C ports | — | 2 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 13 hours mixed use | Up to 13 hours |
| Capacity | 99.5 Wh | 57 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 16.3 inches | 14 inches |
| Type | InfinityEdge IPS non-touch | IPS, anti-glare |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 1920 x 1200 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | — |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 400 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB NVMe | 512 GB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB LPDDR5x | 16 GB LPDDR5X |
| Cores | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) | 16 cores |
| Chipset | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Dell XPS 16 (9640)
Pros
- Premium CNC aluminum chassis with edge-to-edge keyboard
- Optional 4K OLED touch display available
- Powerful Core Ultra and RTX 4050-4070 GPU options
- Large 99.5 Wh battery
- Three Thunderbolt 4 ports
Cons
- No USB-A, HDMI, or SD card slot
- Capacitive touch function row is divisive
- Invisible haptic trackpad takes adjustment
- Heavy and runs hot under load
- Mediocre battery life with discrete GPU
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12
Pros
- Exceptionally light at 1.09 kg with durable carbon fiber chassis
- Best-in-class ThinkPad keyboard with excellent travel
- MIL-STD-810H tested for durability
- Strong business security with vPro and discrete TPM
Cons
- Premium price compared to similarly specced ultrabooks
- Base 1920x1200 IPS display is uninspiring vs OLED rivals
- Limited GPU performance for creative workloads
- Webcam quality still trails Surface and MacBook competitors
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