Dell XPS 15 and XPS 17 – One Word for XPS 17, Amazing.
Dell’s XPS Lineup is Dell’s answer to Apple’s MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Microsoft’s Surface Book Lineup.
The XPS 15 model is a standard one, and it is been here for a long time, and for the past 4-5 years Dell has just refreshed it, there was no significant design improvement, but this time they have done a full redesigning on the XPS 15 2020.
The XPS 17 model is the one which many of you may not know, as the last XPS 17 was released nearly 10 years ago, but now they have released it again the XPS 17 2020, and it’s going to be their flagship model, and it has specs suitable for a flagship model.
So in this post, we will do a detailed specification overview of the Dell XPS 15 2020 and XPS 17 2020
Table of Contents
Dell XPS 15 and XPS 17 Specification Table
| XPS 15 | XPS 17 | |
|---|---|---|
| Specification |  |  |
| Display | 1) 15.6 FHD+ (1920 x 1200) InfinityEdge Non-Touch Anti-Glare 500-Nit Display 16:10 Aspect Ratio 2) 15.6 UHD+ (3840 x 2400) InfinityEdge Touch Anti-Reflecitve 500-Nit Display 16:10 Aspect Ratio | 1) 17.3 FHD+ (1920 x 1200) InfinityEdge Non-Touch Anti-Glare 500-Nit Display 16:10 Aspect Ratio 2) 17.3 UHD+ (3840 x 2400) InfinityEdge Touch Anti-Reflecitve 500-Nit Display 16:10 Aspect Ratio |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Pro, 64-bit, English | Windows 10 Pro, 64-bit, English |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-10300H 4C/8T 4.5 GHz Intel Core i7-10750H 6C/12T 5.0 GHz Intel Core i7-10875H 8C/16T 5.1 GHz | Intel Core i5-10300H 4C/8T 4.5 GHz Intel Core i7-10750H 6C/12T 5.0 GHz Intel Core i7-10875H 8C/16T 5.1 GHz Intel Core i9-10885H 8C/16T 5.3 GHz |
| GPU | 1) Intel UHD Graphics(Base Model) 2) NVIDIA GTX 1650 Ti 4GB | 1) NVIDIA GTX 1650Ti 4GB 2) NVIDIA RTX 2060 6GB |
| Memory | 8-64 GB DDR4-2933MHz | 8-64 GB DDR4-2933MHz |
| Storage | 256 GB to 2 TB PCIe SSD | 256 GB to 2 TB PCIe SSD |
| Audio | Waves Maxx Audio Pro and Waves Nx 3D audio Quad-speaker design 2.5W x2 woofers and 1.5W x2 tweeters | Waves Maxx Audio Pro and Waves Nx 3D audio Quad-speaker design 2.5W x2 woofers and 1.5W x2 tweeters |
| Connectivity | Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650 (2×2) and Bluetooth 5.0 | Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650 (2×2) and Bluetooth 5.0 |
| I/O Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 3 1x USB-C 3.1 1x Full size SD card reader v6.0 | 4x Thunderbolt 3 1x Full size SD card reader v6.0 |
| Camera | 720p at 30 fps HD camera | 720p at 30 fps HD camera |
| Power | 56Wh(Base Model) 86 Wh(All other models) USB Type-C 90W to 130W charger | 56Wh(Base Model) 97 Wh(All other models) USB Type-C 90W to 130W charger |
| Price(Base Model) | $1,349 | $1,499 |
Specification Details
https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/dell-laptops-and-notebooks/new-xps-15-laptop/spd/xps-15-9500-laptop
Design and Build Quality
XPS 15
The Desing has changed so much that one can differentiate between the XPS 15 2020 and 2019 just by looking at them, The same was not the case with 2017, 2018, and 2019 models as they are almost the same looking, but this time Dell has re-designed it.
The looks are simple yet pleasing. It is made of CNC machined aluminum in platinum silver with carbon fiber composite palm rest in black.
It has very thin, like ultra-thin bezels, due to which the form factor is so small that the body is almost the same size and as some 13-Inch Devices.
Also, it is small compared to the older XPS 15’s.
XPS 17
The XPS 17 has the same build quality and design as the 15-Inch models.
it is made of CNC machined aluminum in platinum silver with carbon fiber composite palm rest in black.
It has very thin, like ultra-thin bezels, due to which the form factor is so small that the body is smaller than some of the 15-Inch Devices.
Display
XPS 15
The XPS 15 has two display options.
1) 15.6 FHD+ (1920 x 1200) InfinityEdge Non-Touch Anti-Glare 500-Nit Display
2) 15.6 UHD+ (3840 x 2400) InfinityEdge Touch Anti-Reflective 500-Nit Display
XPS 17
XPS 17 also has Two display options.
1) 15.6/17.3 FHD+ (1920 x 1200) InfinityEdge Non-Touch Anti-Glare 500-Nit Display
2) 15.6/17.3 UHD+ (3840 x 2400) InfinityEdge Touch Anti-Reflective 500-Nit Display
Both the variant have an ~93% screen to body ratio, 1650:1 contrast sRGB
and the UHD+ model has 100% Adobe RBG, and 94% P3 Gamut.
The FHD+ variant is non-touch while the UHD+ variant is Touch supported.
Also, the Aspect Ratio is changed now, it has a 16:10 Aspect Ratio, matching the XPS 13 Model.
The Display is great, with ultra-thin bezels, it feels amazing, and with the above-specified Gamut’s colors, contrast and everything feels great.
Performance
XPS 15
XPS 15 has 3 CPU Options
Intel Core i5-10300H, 4C/8T, 4.5 GHz
Intel Core i7-10750H, 6C/12T, 5.0 GHz
Intel Core i7-10875H, 8C/16T, 5.1 GHz
15 has 2 GPU Options
The Base model has the Intel UHD graphics, while all other models have an NVIDIA GTX 1650Ti 4GB Max-Q version
XPS 17
XPS 17 has 4 CPU Options
Intel Core i5-10300H, 4C/8T, 4.5 GHz
Intel Core i7-10750H, 6C/12T, 5.0 GHz
Intel Core i7-10875H, 8C/16T, 5.1 GHz
Intel Core i9-10885H, 8C/16T, 5.3 GHz
17 also has 2 GPU options
1) NVIDIA GTX 1650Ti 4GB Max-Q version
2) NVIDIA RTX 2060 6GB Max-Q version
The 45-Watt 10th gen Intel Processors are good, but it would have been better if they had used AMD Ryzen 4000 series processors, as even the 35-Watt Ryzen 4000 Processors were able to outperform the 45-Watt 10th gen Intel processors.
Memory and Storage
XPS 15 ans XPS 17
Both the XPS 15 and 17 have RAM Options ranging from 8 to 64 GB DDR4-2933 RAM
And Has Storage Options From 256GB to 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD.
Battery
XPS 15
If you buy the Base model then you will get a 56-Wh battery, but if you buy any other variant, then you will get an 86-Wh battery.
The adapter included in the box is 130W, but the laptops can also be charged by a 90W adapter through the USB Type-C Ports.
XPS 17
If you buy the Base model then you will get a 56-Wh battery, but if you buy any other variant, then you will get a huge 97-Wh battery.
The adapter included in the box is 130W, but the laptops can also be charged by a 90W adapter through the USB Type-C Ports.
I/O Port
XPS 15
2x Thunderbolt 3 with power delivery & DisplayPort
1x USB-C 3.1 with power delivery & DisplayPort
1x Full-size SD card reader v6.0
1x 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo jack
1x Wedge-shaped lock slot
1x USB-C to USB-A v3.0 & HDMI v2.0 adapter ships standard
XPS 17
4x Thunderbolt 3 with power delivery & DisplayPort
1x Full-size SD card reader v6.0
1x 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo jack
1x Wedge-shaped lock slot
1x USB-C to USB-A v3.0 & HDMI v2.0 adapter ships standard
Keyboard
XPS 15 and XPS 17
Both the XPS 15 and 17 have the same type of keyboard, a standard, nice feeling keyboard with 1.3mm travel.
Audio
XPS 15 and XPS 17
Studio quality tuning with Waves MaxxAudio Pro and Waves Nx 3D audio
Quad-speaker design with 2.5W x2 woofers and 1.5W x2 tweeters
3.5mm headphone/microphone combo jack featuring Waves Nx 3D audio with head-tracking
Dual microphone array optimized with Waves MaxxVoice supporting VoIP – Microsoft Cortana capable
Even though both have the same setup the audio from the XPS 17 is better than the audio from the XPS 15, I don’t know why it is, it may be due to the extra space the 17 has or any other reason.
Audio from the 17 is better than most of the notebooks but is still not as good as the 16-inch Apple Macbook Pro.
Security
XPS 15 and XPS 17
Both the XPS 15 and XPS 17 have a Fingerprint sensor on the top right corner of the keyboard and has support for Microsoft hello for unlocking the laptop though face.
Thermals
XPS 15
XPS 15 has a copper vent based thermal system. it performs better than the previous 15-inch models.
XPS 17
XPS 17 has a vapor chamber base Thermal system and it performs amazingly well, much better than most of the 2020 laptops.
Pricing
XPS 15
The Base XPS 15 is priced at $1,349 for the base model and goes all the way up to $3,099 for the top-end model.
XPS 17
The Base XPS 17 priced at $1,499 for the base model, and as of now, there is no information for the pricing of the top-end model.
Other Laptops
With the XPS series, Dell has also announced a refresh for the Alienware models
M15/M17 and Area51m
But for that, there will be a separate post.
Conclusion
XPS 15
This year XPS 15 is great, it has some amazing upgrades over the previous XPS 15’s and also has a new and better design. But it lacks some ports like the HDMI port, but an external adapter is provided for it.
Also, the base model is not that great, it has lower battery capacity, but if you buy any other model then Dell XPS 15 is surely a great buy.
XPS 17
It came back after almost 10 years and it amazed everyone, The XPS 17 has great specs, great design, great thermals(one of the best in a notebook), the only issue one can find with the 17 is that it only has Thunderbolt 3 ports and an Sd card reader, and no USB Type-A ports, or HDMI ports, but an external adapter is provided for it.
Also, it has the same issue as the XPS 15, the base model has a lower battery capacity, but if you buy any other model then it has a great battery.
Overall Dell XPS 17 is going to be one of the best Windows Laptop for 2020
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