Laptops have traditionally powered mobile productivity by packing desktop-class performance in a portable construct. However, as smartphones now let us dip into emails and documents on the go, newly evolved super portable notebooks cater perfectly to writing reports in cramped spaces or reviewing spreadsheets on flights.
Let‘s do a thorough feature comparison between laptops and notebooks powered by latest generation hardware to help you make the right choice! I will detail how far notebooks have come to balance portability without compromising on core computing experience for undemanding tasks.
Trends Driving the Portable Computing Market
Notebooks saw a 26% surge in 2022 shipments according to Counterpoint Research, doubling their market share to 26%. This stellar growth is tied to major upgrades making them viable primary mobile devices:
- 12th Gen Intel U15 Core i7 processors deliver a 30% boost over 7th Gen notebook chips
- 16:10 aspect ratio screens, 2.8K OLED options, 90Hz+ refresh rates enhance creativity workflows
- Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 and Thunderbolt 4 reduce dependency on wireless networks
- Integrated Iris Xe graphics allows light 1080p gaming and content creation
While notebooks eat into the laptop turf, gaming and professional models with Intel HX or HS CPUs retain their appeal with unparalleled performance for creative professionals, developers or hardcore gamers.
But can a power notebook now hold its own against mid-range laptops for everyday tasks? Let‘s find out across 7 key metrics!
Portability
| Specs | Dell XPS 13 Notebook | ASUS Vivobook 15 Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 11.63 x 7.84 x 0.58 inches | 14.13 x 9.93 x 0.63 inches |
| Weight | 2.59 pounds | 3.97 pounds |
Clearly, the compact XPS 13 slipseasily into backpacks and handbags for superior portability. The ASUS is still quite portable though and nicely thin at 0.63 inches.
Performance
| Specs | XPS 13 9315 | Vivobook K513 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Core i7-1250U (10 cores, 12MB cache) | Core i7-1165G7 (4 cores, 12MB cache) |
| CPU Benchmark | 11,414 points | 6789 points |
| RAM | 16GB LPDDR5 5200MHz | 12GB DDR4 3200MHz |
| Storage | 512GB NVMe SSD | 1TB PCIe SSD |
Despite its size, the XPS 13 offers a 70% jump in compute score over the 11th Gen Vivobook thanks to the 12th Gen 28W chip and cutting-edge LPDDR5 RAM. Both offer speedy solid state drives.
Battery Life
| Specs | XPS 13 9315 | Vivobook K513 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | 51Wh | 42Wh |
| Rated Battery Life | 12 hours | 6 hours |
| Tested (Web browsing) | 16 hours 32 minutes | 4 hours 50 minutes |
The notebook beats the Vivobook by nearly 3.5X when it comes to continuous browsing away from a socket. Lower power parts pay off along with Dell‘s adaptive battery tech.
Display Quality
| Specs | XPS 13 9315 | Vivobook K513 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 13.4 inches | 15.6 inches |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1200 pixels | 1920 x 1080 pixels |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:10 | 16:9 |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
With slim bezels, the XPS offers an immersive 13-inch screen great for documents and media. But the Vivobook provides over 20% more screen area. Both are sharp Full HD displays but the ASUS supports smoother 120 fps animation in enabled apps.
Gaming and Graphics
| Gaming fps on Ultra Settings at 1080p | XPS 13 | Vivobook |
|---|---|---|
| Counter Strike: Global Offensive | 112 fps | 62 fps |
| GTA V | Unplayable | 24 fps |
The XPS relies on Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics that allows very basic gaming. The Vivobook‘s GeForce MX350 GPU fares significantly better, delivering playable frame rates on AAA games. For casual gaming, the ASUS laptop is still the way to go.
Price
| Specs | XPS 13 | Vivobook |
|---|---|---|
| Base Price | $1,199 | $939 |
With similar specs of Core i7 CPU, 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD, both are decently priced. But you can grab the Vivobook for $260 less during sales, making it very appealing for budget-conscious buyers.
Connectivity
| Ports | XPS 13 | Vivobook |
|---|---|---|
| USB-A | 0 | 2 |
| USB-C | 2 Thunderbolt 4 | 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 |
| MicroSD Slot | 1 | 1 |
| HDMI | No | 1 |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
The paucity of full-sized USB-A ports and lack of HDMI on the XPS may necessitate wireless displays and dongles. The Vivobook offers a well-rounded I/O panel to hook up a monitor and multiple accessories simultaneously with less fuss.
While the XPS 13 offers outstanding portability along with surprising multitasking muscle and battery life, the Vivobook remains a more versatile pick as a primary computing device for home use.
The ASUS laptop provides additional screen space to juggle apps, handles light gaming reasonably well and the variety of new and legacy ports allow hooking up your entire desktop setup through a single Thunderbolt dock.
But frequent travelers who need to an Ultrabook-class machine to stay productive on the move should definitely grab that XPS notebook! It handily displaces an iPad and Android phone combo for content creation and communication on short trips.
I hope this rather lengthy head-to-head gives you clarity on what these portable computing platforms excel at. Feel free to reach out if you still have any questions!
