HP Spectre x360 15 vs. Dell XPS 15: Which is a better buy?

Dell Xps 15 9500 Review Hero
Dell Xps 15 9500 Review Hero (Image credit: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

Ultimately, the HP Spectre x360 15 offers the most value between these two devices since with it, you can get your hands on a powerful 4K device for less than what the most affordable 4K Dell XPS 15 costs. That being said, the Dell XPS 15 has more configuration options that will appeal to people at both the high and low end, and it also has some small, yet notable hardware and performance advantages.

Spectre x360 15 vs. Dell XPS 15: Comparison and specs

This comparison is an interesting one since both laptops have very similar specs. The HP Spectre x360 15 and Dell XPS 15 both feature an Intel i7-10750H, NVIDIA GeForce 1650 Ti graphics, and both laptops can be configured with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD space. Additionally, both laptops have 4K display options, Wi-Fi 6 support, and Bluetooth 5.0 compatibility.

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Header Cell - Column 0 HP Spectre x360 15Dell XPS 15
CPUi7-10750Hi5-10300HIntel i7-10750Hi9-10885H
GPUNVIDIA 1650 TiIntel UHD GraphicsNVIDIA 1650 Ti
Memory8GB16GB8GB16GB32GB64GB
Storage256GB SSD512GB SSD1TB SSD256GB SSD512GB SSD1TB SSD2TB SSD
Display15-inch UHD IPS touch (400 nits)15-inch UHD OLED touch (400 nits)15-inch FHD+ non-touch (500 nits)15-inch UHD+ InfinityEdge touch (500 nits)
SpeakersQuad-speaker designQuad-speaker design
Ports1x Thunderbolt 31x USB-C1x USB-A2x Thunderbolt 31x USB-CUSB-C to USB-A converter
BiometricsWindows Hello-enabled 720p cameraFingerprint readerWindows Hello-enabled 720p cameraFingerprint reader
ConnectivityWi-Fi 6Bluetooth 5.0Wi-Fi 6Bluetooth 5.0
Battery5-6 hours8-9 hours

The key factors in this matchup are the pricing and the different configuration options. You can get a version of the Spectre x360 15 that has an Intel i7-10750H, NVIDIA GeForce 1650 Ti GPU, 8 GB of RAM, 256GB of SSD space, and a 4K IPS screen for $1,300 — a full $562 less than the equivalent Dell XPS 15, which is excellent value. However, the Dell XPS 15 can be configured with a wider range of hardware than the Spectre x360 15 can. For example, there's a budget-focused $1,127 version with an i5-10300H, Intel UHD graphics, and a FHD display. There's also a beefy variant that has an i9-10885H, up to 64GB of RAM, and up to 2TB of SSD space. This makes the Dell XPS 15 better for people who are looking for something specific at the low or high end of the spectrum.

Something also worth noting is that each device has some small, but notable advantages. The Dell XPS 15's displays are 100 nits brighter (500 compared to the Spectre's 400). Secondly, its port selection is better overall — you get dual Thunderbolt 3 ports, a USB-C port, and a USB-C to USB-A converter, whereas with the Spectre, you get a single Thunderbolt 3 port, a USB-C port, and a USB-A port. Finally, the device sports a battery that lasts for roughly three hours longer. Meanwhile, with the HP Spectre x360 15, you get the flexibility offered by convertible laptops as well as support for inking, which will be important for artists or notetakers.

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Source: Dan Thorp-Lancaster / Windows Central HP Spectre x360 15. (Image credit: Source: Dan Thorp-Lancaster / Windows Central)

Both of these laptops are excellent, and no matter which one you go with, you're going to be happy. Ultimately, neither one of them is better than the other; it comes down to what you're looking for. If you want to get your hands on a powerful 4K laptop for a very attractive price, the HP Spectre x360 15 should be your pick since it's priced excellently. However, if you're looking for a very specific configuration at the high or low end or you like the sound of the small advantages offered by the device, look no further than the Dell XPS 15. If neither of them are the right fit for your needs, check out our best Windows laptop picks for more options.

Brendan Lowry

Brendan Lowry is a Windows Central writer and Oakland University graduate with a burning passion for video games, of which he's been an avid fan since childhood. He's been writing for Team WC since the summer of 2017, and you'll find him doing news, editorials, reviews, and general coverage on everything gaming, Xbox, and Windows PC. His favorite game of all time is probably NieR: Automata, though Elden Ring, Fallout: New Vegas, and Team Fortress 2 are in the running, too. When he's not writing or gaming, there's a good chance he's either watching an interesting new movie or TV show or actually going outside for once. Follow him on X (Twitter).