ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 vs Dell XPS 16 9640: Which Laptop Should You Buy?
Quick Verdict
The Dell XPS 16 9640 scores 7.8 versus 7.2 for the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34, making it the stronger all-rounder. The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is the cheaper option at $499. Choose based on the use cases below: the XPS 16 9640 leads overall, while the Chromebook Plus CX34 can still be the better pick for specific needs.
Key Differences
- Faster overall: Dell XPS 16 9640 (Geekbench multi 13,400 vs 5,200).
- Longer battery: ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 (12.6h vs 9h web).
- Lighter: ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 (1.44 kg vs 2.1 kg).
- Display: IPS (ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34) vs OLED (Dell XPS 16 9640).
- Cheaper: ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 (saves about $2,700 CAD).
Chromebook Plus CX34 vs XPS 16 9640: Full Breakdown
Performance: the Dell XPS 16 9640 is the stronger performer, posting a multi-core Geekbench score of 13,400 against 5,200 for the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 — roughly 158% faster in CPU-heavy work like exports and compiling. In our 1080p gaming suite, the Dell XPS 16 9640 averaged 78 FPS versus 10 FPS. The Dell XPS 16 9640 is the better pick if you game or edit video.
Battery and portability: the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 lasts longer away from a charger, running 12.6 hours in our web-browsing test versus 9 hours. The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is also easier to carry at 1.44 kg versus 2.1 kg, which matters if you commute or travel.
Display: the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 uses a 14-inch IPS panel (1920 x 1080, 60Hz), while the Dell XPS 16 9640 has a 16.3-inch OLED panel (3840 x 2400, 90Hz). The Dell XPS 16 9640 measured brighter at 408 nits, and covered 100% of DCI-P3 — relevant for outdoor use and colour work.
Price and value: the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is the cheaper option in Canada, about $2,700 less than the Dell XPS 16 9640. Weighed against our test scores (7.2 vs 7.8 overall), the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 offers the better value for the money, while the Dell XPS 16 9640 is the stronger laptop outright if budget is not the deciding factor.
For the complete testing data, read our full ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 review and Dell XPS 16 9640 review.
Where these laptops rank
Both the Chromebook Plus CX34 and the XPS 16 9640 feature in these BestLaptop.ca rankings:
Winner by Use Case
Specs & Scores Comparison
| Spec | Chromebook Plus CX34 | XPS 16 9640 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 7.2 | 7.8 ✓ |
| Price (CAD) | $499 ✓ | $3,199 |
| CPU | Intel Core i3-1215U | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H |
| GPU | Intel UHD (integrated) | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 (60W) |
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR5 | 32GB LPDDR5x ✓ |
| Storage | 128GB | 1000GB ✓ |
| Display | 14" IPS | 16.3" OLED |
| Brightness | 302 nits | 408 nits ✓ |
| Battery (web) | 12.6 h ✓ | 9 h |
| Weight | 1.44 kg ✓ | 2.1 kg |
| Geekbench multi | 5,200 | 13,400 ✓ |
| Gaming (1080p) | 10 fps | 78 fps ✓ |
| OS | ChromeOS | Windows 11 |
| Warranty | 1-year limited | 1-year limited (onsite available) |
Which Should You Buy?
The Dell XPS 16 9640 scores 7.8 versus 7.2 for the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34, making it the stronger all-rounder. The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is the cheaper option at $499. Choose based on the use cases below: the XPS 16 9640 leads overall, while the Chromebook Plus CX34 can still be the better pick for specific needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Chromebook Plus CX34 or the XPS 16 9640?
The Dell XPS 16 9640 scores 7.8 versus 7.2 for the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34, making it the stronger all-rounder. The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is the cheaper option at $499. Choose based on the use cases below: the XPS 16 9640 leads overall, while the Chromebook Plus CX34 can still be the better pick for specific needs.
Which is better for school?
The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is the better choice for school.
Which is better for business?
The Dell XPS 16 9640 is the better choice for business.
Which is better for gaming?
The Dell XPS 16 9640 is the better choice for gaming.
Which is better for multimedia?
The Dell XPS 16 9640 is the better choice for multimedia.
Which is better for programming?
The Dell XPS 16 9640 is the better choice for programming.
Which is better for travel?
The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is the better choice for travel.
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