If you’re in the market for a laptop that delivers exceptional performance, stunning visuals, and a sleek design, the Dell XPS 17 (9730) should be at the top of your list. This latest iteration of Dell’s popular XPS series combines cutting-edge hardware with a design that’s both modern and practical. In this Dell XPS review, we’ll dive deep into what makes this laptop stand out, along with some areas where it could improve.
Introduction to the Dell XPS 17
When you first lay eyes on the Dell XPS 17, it’s clear that this laptop is designed to impress. The sleek aluminum chassis, combined with a virtually borderless display, gives the XPS 17 a premium look and feel that’s hard to match. But this laptop isn’t just about looks—it packs some serious power under the hood.
The Dell XPS 17 is equipped with Intel’s latest 13th-generation processors, and you can configure it with up to an Intel Core i9-13900H. Pair that with up to 64GB of RAM and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 GPU, and you’ve got a machine that’s ready to tackle almost anything, from video editing to gaming.
Performance and Hardware
One of the standout features of the Dell XPS 17 is its performance. Whether you’re a creative professional or a power user who needs a reliable laptop for multitasking, the XPS 17 doesn’t disappoint. The base configuration starts with an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. But if you need more power, you can easily upgrade to the top-tier model with the Intel Core i9, 64GB of RAM, and up to 8TB of storage.
This Dell XPS review wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the graphics options. The laptop offers several GPU configurations, starting with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 and going up to the RTX 4080. These options make the XPS 17 a versatile machine capable of handling anything from everyday tasks to intensive graphical workloads, including gaming and video rendering.
Display and Visual Experience
The 17-inch display on the Dell XPS 17 is nothing short of spectacular. You have two main options: a Full HD+ (1920×1200) non-touch display and a UHD+ (3840×2400) touch display. The latter is perfect for those who need higher resolution and more detailed visuals, making it ideal for creative professionals who work with high-resolution images and video.
The display also features Dell’s InfinityEdge design, which means the bezels are incredibly thin, giving you more screen real estate without increasing the overall size of the laptop. Colors are vibrant and accurate, with the UHD+ model offering 100% Adobe RGB and 94% DCI-P3 color coverage, making it a great choice for photo and video editing.
Design and Build Quality
The design of the Dell XPS 17 is one of its most impressive features. Despite its large screen size, the laptop is surprisingly compact, thanks to its thin bezels and smart design choices. The chassis is made from machined aluminum, giving it a sturdy yet lightweight feel. The keyboard area is decked out in carbon fiber, which not only looks great but also adds durability and comfort for long typing sessions.
However, the Dell XPS 17 is not without its drawbacks. At over five pounds, it’s not the most portable laptop out there. If you’re someone who needs to carry their laptop around frequently, you might find the weight to be a bit of a burden. Additionally, the laptop’s port selection is somewhat limited, with only four Thunderbolt 4 ports, a headphone jack, and an SD card reader. There’s no USB-A port, which means you might need to carry adapters for your older peripherals.
Drawbacks and Considerations
While the Dell XPS 17 excels in many areas, it’s important to consider some of its limitations before making a purchase. The most significant drawback is the price. The base model starts at around $1,599, but if you opt for the higher-end configurations, the price can quickly soar to over $4,000. This makes the XPS 17 one of the more expensive laptops on the market, which might be a dealbreaker for some users.
Another area where the Dell XPS 17 could improve is its webcam. Despite the laptop’s premium price, the webcam is only 720p, which feels outdated in 2024, especially when many competitors are offering 1080p or even 4K webcams. If video conferencing is a big part of your daily routine, you might be disappointed by the webcam’s quality.
Finally, the battery life on the Dell XPS 17 is decent but not outstanding. With a large 4K display and powerful internals, the laptop tends to drain its battery relatively quickly under heavy use. While you can expect around 8-10 hours of battery life for general use, more demanding tasks like video editing or gaming will significantly reduce this time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Dell XPS 17 (9730) is a powerhouse of a laptop that delivers top-tier performance, a stunning display, and a premium design. It’s an excellent choice for creative professionals, gamers, and power users who need a reliable machine that can handle demanding tasks. However, its high price, limited port selection, and mediocre webcam are points to consider before making a purchase.
If you’re willing to invest in a high-end laptop that offers exceptional performance and build quality, the Dell XPS 17 is definitely worth considering. Just be prepared to pay a premium for all that power and style. This Dell XPS review has highlighted both the strengths and weaknesses of this laptop, giving you a comprehensive overview to help you make an informed decision.
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