Dell XPS 16 (9640) vs LG Gram 17 (2024)
The Verdict
Both laptops feature identical Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processors and 16GB LPDDR5x RAM, but diverge significantly in design philosophy. Dell's XPS 16 prioritizes display brightness (500 nits vs 350) and premium build quality with CNC aluminum/carbon fiber construction, delivering superior color accuracy for creative work. LG's Gram 17 emphasizes portability at just 1.35kg versus Dell's 2.13kg, while offering sharper resolution (2560x1600), better battery life (17 hours), and more versatile ports including SD card and legacy USB-A connectivity. The XPS excels for professionals needing vibrant visuals and premium feel; the Gram suits mobile workers and those prioritizing endurance. At $300 less, LG delivers exceptional value with practical features, though Dell's brighter display justifies the premium for content creators. Choose Gram for everyday productivity and travel; select XPS if display quality is paramount.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Dell XPS 16 (9640) if…
- →Premium CNC aluminum chassis with edge-to-edge keyboard
- →Optional 4K OLED touch display available
- →Powerful Core Ultra and RTX 4050-4070 GPU options
Buy the LG Gram 17 (2024) if…
- →Remarkably light for a 17-inch laptop at just 1.35 kg
- →Up to 17-hour battery life is class-leading at this size
- →MIL-STD-810H certified for everyday durability
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
LG Gram 17 (2024)
Pros
- Remarkably light for a 17-inch laptop at just 1.35 kg
- Up to 17-hour battery life is class-leading at this size
- MIL-STD-810H certified for everyday durability
- Generous port selection including USB-A and full-size SD card
- Large 2560x1600 display ideal for productivity
Cons
- 350-nit display brightness is modest in bright environments
- IPS display lacks the vibrancy of OLED alternatives
- No discrete GPU option
- 60Hz refresh rate feels dated compared to 90–120Hz peers
- Thin chassis can flex under pressure
Full Specifications
| Spec | Dell XPS 16 (9640) | LG Gram 17 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.13 kg | 1.35 kg |
| Material | CNC aluminum and carbon fiber | Magnesium alloy (Nano skin finish) |
| Dimensions | 358.1 x 240.1 x 18.7 mm | 381.3 x 261.5 x 13.0 mm |
| Ports | ||
| SD card | ||
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | 2 |
| HDMI | — | 1 |
| USB-A ports | — | 3 |
| USB-C ports | — | 1 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 13 hours mixed use | Up to 17 hours mixed use |
| Capacity | 99.5 Wh | 90 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 16.3 inches | 17.0 inches |
| Type | InfinityEdge IPS non-touch | WQXGA IPS anti-glare |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 2560 x 1600 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 350 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB NVMe | 512 GB NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB LPDDR5x | 16 GB LPDDR5x |
| Cores | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) |
| Chipset | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | 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 Dell products or all LG products. View full details for the Dell XPS 16 (9640) or the LG Gram 17 (2024).