Dell XPS 16 9640 vs Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (2025): Which Laptop Should You Buy?
Quick Verdict
The Dell XPS 16 9640 scores 7.8 versus 7.5 for the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (2025), making it the stronger all-rounder. The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (2025) is the cheaper option at $449. Choose based on the use cases below: the XPS 16 9640 leads overall, while the Chromebook Plus 514 (2025) can still be the better pick for specific needs.
Key Differences
- Faster overall: Dell XPS 16 9640 (Geekbench multi 13,400 vs 6,000).
- Longer battery: Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (2025) (16.2h vs 9h web).
- Lighter: Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (2025) (1.35 kg vs 2.1 kg).
- Display: OLED (Dell XPS 16 9640) vs IPS (Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (2025)).
- Cheaper: Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (2025) (saves about $2,750 CAD).
XPS 16 9640 vs Chromebook Plus 514 (2025): Full Breakdown
Performance: the Dell XPS 16 9640 is the stronger performer, posting a multi-core Geekbench score of 13,400 against 6,000 for the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (2025) — roughly 123% faster in CPU-heavy work like exports and compiling. In our 1080p gaming suite, the Dell XPS 16 9640 averaged 78 FPS versus 12 FPS. The Dell XPS 16 9640 is the better pick if you game or edit video.
Battery and portability: the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (2025) lasts longer away from a charger, running 16.2 hours in our web-browsing test versus 9 hours. The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (2025) is also easier to carry at 1.35 kg versus 2.1 kg, which matters if you commute or travel.
Display: the Dell XPS 16 9640 uses a 16.3-inch OLED panel (3840 x 2400, 90Hz), while the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (2025) has a 14-inch IPS panel (1920 x 1080, 60Hz). 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 Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (2025) is the cheaper option in Canada, about $2,750 less than the Dell XPS 16 9640. Weighed against our test scores (7.8 vs 7.5 overall), the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (2025) 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 Dell XPS 16 9640 review and Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (2025) review.
Where these laptops rank
Both the XPS 16 9640 and the Chromebook Plus 514 (2025) feature in these BestLaptop.ca rankings:
Winner by Use Case
Specs & Scores Comparison
| Spec | XPS 16 9640 | Chromebook Plus 514 (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 7.8 ✓ | 7.5 |
| Price (CAD) | $3,199 | $449 ✓ |
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H | MediaTek Kompanio Ultra 910 |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 (60W) | Arm Mali (integrated) |
| RAM | 32GB LPDDR5x ✓ | 8GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 1000GB ✓ | 128GB |
| Display | 16.3" OLED | 14" IPS |
| Brightness | 408 nits ✓ | 316 nits |
| Battery (web) | 9 h | 16.2 h ✓ |
| Weight | 2.1 kg | 1.35 kg ✓ |
| Geekbench multi | 13,400 ✓ | 6,000 |
| Gaming (1080p) | 78 fps ✓ | 12 fps |
| OS | Windows 11 | ChromeOS |
| Warranty | 1-year limited (onsite available) | 1-year limited |
Which Should You Buy?
The Dell XPS 16 9640 scores 7.8 versus 7.5 for the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (2025), making it the stronger all-rounder. The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (2025) is the cheaper option at $449. Choose based on the use cases below: the XPS 16 9640 leads overall, while the Chromebook Plus 514 (2025) can still be the better pick for specific needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the XPS 16 9640 or the Chromebook Plus 514 (2025)?
The Dell XPS 16 9640 scores 7.8 versus 7.5 for the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (2025), making it the stronger all-rounder. The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (2025) is the cheaper option at $449. Choose based on the use cases below: the XPS 16 9640 leads overall, while the Chromebook Plus 514 (2025) can still be the better pick for specific needs.
Which is better for school?
The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (2025) 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 Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (2025) is the better choice for travel.
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