The Dell XPS lineup has at all times been there to tackle the MacBook Pro, offering wonderful efficiency in a transportable chassis – not less than the 15- and 13-inch variations. The Dell XPS 17, nevertheless, because of its bigger measurement, is all about offering top-notch efficiency and a very good show for people that want one thing a bit beefier to get by means of their work.
And the most recent Dell XPS 17 actually delivers. The mannequin reviewed right here is completely full of essentially the most highly effective {hardware} yow will discover in a laptop computer in its class proper now. We're speaking an Eleventh-gen Intel Core i7 processor, 32GB of RAM and a discrete Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU. This is a laptop computer that, regardless of its skinny 0.77-inch-thick chassis, can completely energy you thru no matter artistic workload you've gotten, on the go.
Though, to be honest, you are going to must pay to deal with this sort of energy. Our configuration will set you again a whopping $2,949 (about £2,130, AU$4,020), so this should not be your first guess in the event you simply need it for an on a regular basis pc and even as a trendy gaming laptop computer. Even a Razer Blade with related specs can be cheaper.
The Dell XPS 17 is for the artistic skilled on the go that desires a particularly highly effective and versatile PC, however one which's trendy and will not look misplaced in an workplace. However, its thinness does find yourself being sort of its bane in that regard, because the port choice is not fairly what it's possible you'll wish to see.
Price and availability
Spec sheet
Here is the Dell XPS 17 (2021) configuration despatched to SociallyTrend for review:
CPU: Intel Core i7-11800H (8-core, 24MB Intel Smart Cache, as much as 4.6GHz with Turbo Boost)
Graphics: Intel Iris Plus; Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060
RAM: 32GB DDR4 (3,200MHz)
Screen: 17-inch UHD (3,840 x 2,400) contact
Storage: 1TB SSD (PCIe, NVMe, M.2)
Ports: 4 x Thunderbolt 4, SD card reader, combi audio jack
Connectivity: Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650, 2 x 2, Bluetooth 5.0
Camera: 720p IR Webcam
Weight: 5.34 kilos (2.42 kg)
Size: 14.74 x 9.76 x 0.77 inches (374.45 x 248.05 x 19.05 mm; W x D x H)
The Dell XPS 17 2021 is obtainable now, beginning at $1,549 (£1,649, about AU$2,110). That configuration will get you an Eleventh-generation Intel Core i5-11400H, 8GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD and a 17-inch 1200p show.
Of course, you may improve mainly each part to a extra highly effective model, and we'd positively advocate you achieve this. That base configuration is sweet sufficient for on a regular basis computing, however there is not any cause to pay additional for a 17-inch laptop computer in the event you're not utilizing it for some sort of heavy lifting.
You can push all of it the best way as much as $3,749 (£3,899, AU$6,998), which can internet you the Intel Core i7-11800H, 32GB of RAM, a 4TB SSD, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 and a 4K contact show. Though, within the UK and Australia, the SSD storage caps out at 2TB as an alternative of 4TB.
That's one beefy laptop computer. The configuration listed to the correct can be a bit extra accessible, costing $2,949. That 4TB SSD within the completely maxed out model is perhaps good, nevertheless it's actually not value the additional $800 tacked onto the value – particularly since you may improve the SSD later.
For most individuals, we might advocate trimming down the RAM to 16GB and the display screen to the FHD choice from the mannequin we reviewed. Unless you are doing heavy video enhancing work you are not likely going to note the distinction in efficiency. Making these two adjustments brings the value right down to $2,399 (about £1,730, AU$3,270) which is far more aggressive with equally specced laptops.
Design
This in all probability is not tremendous shocking, however the Dell XPS 17 is a beautiful laptop computer. All silver with a Dell brand on the again of the display screen, it seems just like the MacBook Pro competitor that it's. And, not like the MacBook, it has this delicate end on the deck of the laptop computer that makes the laptop computer far more comfy to work on.
The 17-inch measurement after all additionally permits for the XPS 17 to have far more area on the keyboard deck, and it is sort of shocking how Dell put it to make use of right here. Instead of placing a full keyboard with a numpad, like many laptops on this measurement class, Dell as an alternative places an ordinary laptop computer keyboard in and surrounds it with audio system as an alternative.
That signifies that the Dell XPS 17 has a really related design to the MacBook Pro on this regard, and we completely adore it. There are completely people which are going to desire a full keyboard, however the audio system that Dell was in a position to put in right here sound incredible.
Even when listening to tremendous bass-heavy music like Kittie's "What I Always Wanted", the audio system are clear and may sustain with the crunchy guitars and screams.
They're nonetheless not higher than having some PC audio system or headphones to hearken to music, however not less than it is not going to butcher your music like another Dell laptops do – you Dell XPS 13.
The show can be merely unimaginable. Dell despatched us the 4K contact model, and whereas the OLED Dell XPS 13 remains to be higher – it's OLED in any case – that is nonetheless probably the greatest laptop computer shows we have used.
The show hits a median of 464 nits of brightness and covers greater than 100% of the sRGB coloration spectrum. This makes the show wonderful for media work, although it nonetheless falls in need of the 99% DCI-P3 coloration spectrum that will make it a really professional-grade show.
But although Dell did not actually develop the keyboard past what it's on the Dell XPS 15, it is nonetheless a well-spaced and cozy keyboard. Travel is sweet and deep and all of the keys are simple to achieve.
The solely factor that sort of sucks is the smaller up and down arrow keys – although that can solely have an effect on you in the event you're spending a number of time in Excel or Google Sheets.
For a 17-inch laptop computer, the Dell XPS 17 is extremely small. It measures simply 0.77 inches thick and weighs simply 5.34 lbs (2.42 kg), which makes it simple to throw into your backpack and carry to work – one thing that is positively good to have when you think about the excessive quantity of energy that this laptop computer has to supply.
The thinness of the XPS 17 does have one draw back, although, and that is ports. All you get is 4 Thunderbolt 4 ports, an audio jack and an SD card slot: the laptop computer straight up is not thick sufficient for the rest to suit on the chassis.
So, whereas we might quite there be not less than one USB-A or HDMI port, we completely get why Dell could not match these ports on the Dell XPS 17. Still, it is one thing you ought to be conscious of when contemplating this laptop computer.
You can improve the Dell XPS 17 as properly, which ought to allow you to save a bit up entrance. All it is advisable to do to open it up is take away 8 hex screws on the underside of the laptop computer and pry off the underside of the case.
It's a little bit of a ache the primary time round, however you must be capable to get into the laptop computer ultimately. Once you are in there, you may simply improve your RAM and system storage, and the Dell XPS 17 will help as much as 64GB of RAM.
Performance
Benchmarks
Here’s how the Dell XPS 17 (2021) carried out in our suite of benchmark assessments:
Cinebench R23 CPU: 9,923 factors
3DMark Time Spy: 7,049; Fire Strike: 15,643; Night Raid: 24,830
GeekBench 5: 1,574 (single-core); 8,994 (multi-core)
PCMark 10: 6,558
PCMark 10 Battery: 7h 10m
Battery Life (SociallyTrend film take a look at): 6h 26m
Metro Exodus (1080p, low): 144 fps (1080p, Ultra): 52 fps
Total War: Three Kingdoms (1080p, low): 192 fps (1080p Ultra): 57 fps
Blender (classroom) (seconds): 162.24
Blender (fishy_cat) (seconds): 96.43
Handbrake: 42.05 fps
Adobe Premiere (Puget Bench): 697 factors
Adobe Photoshop (Puget Bench): 913 factors
Because the Dell XPS 17 is full of an Eleventh-generation Intel Core processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, it in all probability should not be tremendous shocking that it completely chews by means of most workloads.
The devoted GPU right here makes it in a position to maintain its personal in video games, simply averaging round 52 fps in Metro Exodus at 1080p with every little thing at Ultra. Turn down a number of settings, and you are going to have the ability to get a strong 60 fps expertise out of even essentially the most demanding video games at 1080p. But that is not likely what the Dell XPS 17 is for.
Instead, the place this laptop computer actually shines is in artistic workloads, the place that 4K show can actually shine. Whether you are working in Adobe Premiere, Photoshop or Blender, you are going to save extra time on this laptop computer than with the most recent MacBook Pro, and that is largely because of the CUDA cores within the RTX 3060 right here.
Combine the highly effective discrete graphics with the RAM and the highly effective, high-wattage H-series processor and this can be a laptop computer you should utilize to edit video in 4K on the highway with out making it a complete train in frustration.
Battery life
With the quantity of high-powered {hardware} and the 4K show right here, it is in all probability not shocking that the Dell XPS 17 is not going to be profitable any awards on the subject of battery life.
This laptop computer was in a position to get a bit over 7 hours within the PC Mark 10 battery life take a look at, which simulates varied real-world functions. That's not horrible by any means, however lately it is pretty frequent to discover a laptop computer that can get you thru a full 8 hour workday on a single cost.
But we do not assume that is tremendous necessary right here. It's not just like the Dell XPS 17 goes to die in a pair hours, and that is positively a laptop computer most individuals are in all probability going to be utilizing whereas plugged right into a wall working in any case.
Camera and microphone
Unfortunately, even after we've all been working from house extra usually and wish to make use of our laptops for an increasing number of video conferences, the Dell XPS 17 solely has a 720p webcam. It's positively not the worst we have used, and in the event you're in a properly lit room, you may nonetheless get loads of element out of the digital camera.
It will get the job achieved, mainly, however you may wish to spend money on a webcam if you are going to be utilizing this laptop computer whereas plugged right into a monitor anyway.
Luckily, the built-in microphone fares a lot better. Our voice comes by means of good and clear, and we did not want to achieve for a standalone mic in any of the numerous conferences we took on the Dell XPS 17.
Software and options
Because this can be a Dell, it is loaded up with an assortment of software program. Most of it will keep out of your means, and can solely be obligatory when it is advisable to replace or hook up with your cellphone. However, additionally it is outfitted with a trial of McAfee, which we needed to take away, as we saved getting popups asking us to purchase a subscription.
But when you get that out of there, and change it with probably the greatest antivirus applications, the laptop computer is fairly good at simply letting you do your factor.
The Dell XPS 17 additionally has each Windows Hello by means of the webcam and a fingerprint scanner, so you should utilize whichever sort of biometric login you are most comfy with.
Both are extraordinarily fast to unlock in our expertise, and the fingerprint scanner is identical button that turns the laptop computer on, so you do not have to maneuver your hand an excessive amount of simply to begin utilizing the laptop computer.
Buy it if...
You're a artistic on the transfer
The Dell XPS 17 is not only a highly effective laptop computer, nevertheless it's additionally skinny and light-weight, which is sweet information for artistic professionals that have to journey.
You desire a trendy prosumer laptop computer
Like some other Dell XPS laptop computer, the XPS 17 is a beautiful piece of equipment, and you will be completely happy to indicate it off.
You like to look at content material in your downtime
The Dell XPS 17 has one of the crucial lovely 4K shows we have seen in a laptop computer, and has some fairly strong audio (for a laptop computer). It's a terrific alternative for watching some Netflix whereas on break.
Don't purchase it if...
You're on a finances
The Dell XPS 17 begins at $1,549, so it is not precisely a laptop computer to choose up in the event you're attempting to avoid wasting money. You can get the identical energy in one other laptop computer for cheaper.
You want a number of ports
Because the Dell XPS 17 is so skinny and light-weight, it solely actually has room for a number of Thunderbolt 4 ports. If you want a bunch of legacy ports, you are going to must stay the dongle life.
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