Dell XPS 13 Plus vs. Lenovo ThinkBook 13x (Gen 2)

Dell Xps 13 Plus 2022 Main
Dell Xps 13 Plus 2022 Main (Image credit: Windows Central)

XPS 13 Plus vs. ThinkBook 13x (Gen 2) tech specs

The XPS 13 Plus (9320) and the ThinkBook 13x (Gen 2) were both announced at CES 2022. They were both expected to launch by Spring 2022, but only the XPS 13 Plus is officially available to purchase. The ThinkBook 13x is still listed as "Coming Soon" at the official Lenovo website.

The XPS 13 Plus is a premium, all-purpose Ultrabook with high-end configuration options, while the ThinkBook 13x (Gen 2) puts more of a focus on business features while still offering a premium build.

We don't yet have all the details when it comes to specifications, but the following is what we could source from official documentation.

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Header Cell - Column 0 Dell XPS 13 Plus (9320)Lenovo ThinkBook 13x (Gen 2)
OSWindows 11 Home
Windows 11 Pro
Up to Windows 11 Pro
Processor12th Gen Intel Core
i5-1240P
i7-1260P
i7-1270P
i7-1280P
12th Gen Intel Core
RAM8GB, 16GB, 32GB
LPDDR5 dual-channel
Up to 32GB LPDDR5
GraphicsIntel Iris XeIntel Iris Xe
Storage256GB PCIe 3.0 SSD
512GB, 1TB, 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD
Up to 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD
Display13.4 inches
16:10 aspect ratio
Dolby Vision
1920x1200 (FHD+)
500 nits, 100% sRGB, anti-glare
1920x1200 (FHD+)
Touch, 100% sRGB, 500 nits, anti-reflective
3456x2160 (3.5K)
OLED, touch, HDR 500, 400 nits, 100% DCI-P3, anti-reflective
3840x2400 (UHD+)
Touch, HDR 400, 500 nits, 90% DCI-P3, anti-reflective
13.3 inches
16:10 aspect ratio
Dolby Vision
2560x1600 (QHD+)
400 nits, touch, anti-glare
PortsTwo Thunderbolt 4Two Thunderbolt 4
3.5mm audio
AudioQuad speakers (8W total)Dual 2W speakers
Dolby Atmos
ConnectivityIntel Killer Wi-Fi 6E 1675
Bluetooth 5.2
Wi-Fi 6E
Bluetooth 5.0
Camera720p (HD) IR camera
Ambient light sensor
720p (HD) IR camera
Human presence detection
Ambient light sensor
Shutter
Keyboard1.0mm travel
Backlit
Backlit
TouchpadHaptic ForcepadPrecision
SecurityIR camera
Fingerprint reader
dTPM 2.0
IR camera
Fingerprint reader
dTPM 2.0
Camera shutter
Glance by Mirametrix
Battery55Wh56Wh
Dimensions11.63 x 7.84 x 0.60 inches
(295.3mm x 199mm x 15.28mm)
11.73 x 8.22 x 0.50 inches
(298mm x 209mm x 12.9mm)
WeightFrom 2.73 pounds (1.24kg)From 2.67 pounds (1.21kg)
ColorGraphite
Platinum
Storm Grey
Cloud Grey

Design and features

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)

These two laptops are within the 13-inch range, and both primarily use aluminum for a premium feel. The XPS 13 Plus weighs just a bit more at 2.73 pounds (1.24kg) compared to 2.67 pounds (1.21kg), and it's slighter thicker at 0.60 inches (15.28mm) compared to 0.50 inches (12.9mm). Both laptops are available in two different color schemes. The ThinkBook 13x (Gen 2) looks a whole lot like the current XPS 13 (9310), while the new XPS 13 Plus has changed up the design.

Dell's Ultrabook now has a full pane of glass below the keyboard, covering the palmrests and touchpad. The touchpad now uses haptics for feedback, meaning it won't physically move but will still feel like it's moving. The keyboard stretches from edge to edge (even more than before), with larger keycaps and 1.0mm travel. Above the keyboard, instead of the usual row of F keys, there are capacitive touch buttons that can swap between function and media keys.

Source: Lenovo (Image credit: Source: Lenovo)

The ThinkBook 13x (Gen 2) has a more traditional keyboard and touchpad, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. The backlit keys are comfortable for typing, and the Precision touchpad is sized appropriately for a modern laptop this size. Not everyone is going to love the haptic touchpad and touch bar on the XPS 13, and Lenovo isn't messing with a good thing on its ThinkBooks.

Underneath the XPS 13's keyboard are dual 2W tweeters. They're joined by two down-firing 2W woofers, together delivering an impressive sound system. The ThinkBook 13x has a more traditional setup with dual 2W down-firing speakers with Dolby Atmos support. As for cameras, both laptops are still using an HD resolution (yawn). The XPS 13 Plus has separated the IR portion, giving some extra pixels for image quality. An ambient light sensor helps with automatic screen brightness.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)

The ThinkBook 13x steps things up with a webcam shutter, IR camera, Time-of-Flight sensor, and human presence detection through Glance by Mirametrix. Both laptops also have a fingerprint reader. If you're concerned about privacy and data safety, the ThinkBook's extra features will offer more peace of mind.

Port selection is similarly lean across both laptops. These are both thin and light devices, so there's not a ton of room for older connections. The XPS 13 Plus and ThinkBook 13x have two Thunderbolt 4 ports, while Lenovo's laptop adds a 3.5mm audio jack. Both devices sport Wi-Fi 6 wireless connectivity; the XPS 13 Plus has Bluetooth 5.2 while the ThinkBook has Bluetooth 5.0.

Display

Source: Lenovo (Image credit: Source: Lenovo)

Dell's XPS lineup is never shy about offering multiple display options, and the XPS 13 Plus is no different. There are four displays from which to choose, all with a 16:10 aspect ratio and Dolby Vision support. The baseline non-touch display has an FHD+ resolution, with 500 nits brightness, 100% sRGB color, and an anti-glare finish. Next is a touch version of the FHD+ display, with 100% sRGB color, 500 nits brightness, and anti-reflective finish.

Getting into the high-res screens, Dell starts with a 3.5K OLED touch option with DisplayHDR 500, 100% DCI-P3 color, anti-reflective finish, and 400 nits brightness. Finally, the highest-res option is a UHD+ touch display with DisplayHDR 400, 90% DCI-P3 color, and anti-reflective finish.

The ThinkBook 13x (Gen 2) has just one display available in touch and non-touch flavors. They have the same tall 16:10 aspect ratio and Dolby Vision support as the XPS 13's displays, but they have a QHD+ resolution with 400 nits brightness, anti-glare finish, and low blue light. Both laptops have a thin bezel all the way around for a modern appearance.

Performance and price

Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

The XPS 13 is getting Intel's new 12th Gen P-Series mobile CPUs, which are specifically designed for thin and light devices. Lenovo hasn't listed exactly which 12th Gen Intel chips it's putting into the ThinkBook 13x (Gen 2), but I suspect it will likely be the same P series.

Both laptops will have up to 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM, as well as up to 2TB of speedy PCIe 4.0 SSD storage. The XPS 13 Plus and the ThinkBook 13x (Gen 2) will have Intel Evo certification, ensuring that they live up to certain performance and responsiveness requirements. These laptops shouldn't have any problems handling productivity work and even some more specialized tasks like photo editing. Neither one has a discrete GPU, relying on integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics instead.

XPS 13 Plus laptops are currently available starting at about $1,273. It's already a strong contender in our collection of the best Windows laptops, as have been its predecessors. The ThinkBook 13x (Gen 2) should start at a slightly lower $1,099; we're still awaiting its full release.

Cale Hunt
Senior Editor, Laptop Reviews

Cale Hunt is formerly a Senior Editor at Windows Central. He focuses mainly on laptop reviews, news, and accessory coverage. He's been reviewing laptops and accessories full-time since 2016, with hundreds of reviews published for Windows Central. He is an avid PC gamer and multi-platform user, and spends most of his time either tinkering with or writing about tech.