How can Dell improve its already outstanding XPS 15? By adding the latest equipment from Intel, whose new hybrid chips guarantee better multitasking performance than before, We loved the XPS 15’s upgraded layout when it debuted two years earlier, and in 2015, Dell added an OLED display alternative, which led us to call it “practically perfect” in our review. At this point, we’re running out of superlatives. Nonetheless, it is worth noting that the XPS 15 remains the 15-inch notepad that every PC company desires.
Dell XPS 15 (2022) Gallery | 10 Images
A significant reason for that is the XPS 15’s recent redesign, which dramatically tightened the bezels and gave the whole computer a much more modern look. You can almost date laptops by the thickness of their unsightly display screen boundaries. Although I’ve seen it in different kinds over the last few years, I still enjoy how the screen streams into the reduced keyboard area. And also, while it seems like a motto, those razor-thin borders make the screen look like it’s floating.
Every other element of the XPS 15’s instance likewise feels like it’s been developed to perfection, from the aluminum exterior to the smooth carbon fiber around the keyboard. I’m sure Dell will ultimately give us an XPS 15, and it also takes layout hints from the more recent XPS 13 Plus. However, the standard version has a gloss level that exceeds most Windows laptop computers.
This year’s big selling point for the XPS 15 is Intel’s brand-new 12th-generation hybrid processors. Thanks to their mix of high-performance and effective cores, they’re even more qualified than last year regarding handling several jobs. As well, those low-power cores have been available in a helpful way for conserving battery life. Along with NVIDIA’s 45-watt RTX 3050 Ti GPU (in the version we covered last year), the XPS 15 is now much more of an authentic powerhouse.
PC Mark 10 Evening Raid 3DMark Geek bench 5 (CPU)
Dell XPS 15 (2022, Intel i7-12700H, NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti, 45w)
- 6,825
- 24,250
- 1,680/ 11,412
HP Shade x360 16 (Intel Core i7-11390H, NVIDIA RTX 3050)
- 4,785
- 16,927
- 1,518/ 4,200
NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti 45w, Intel i7-11800H, Dell XPS 15 (2021)
- 5,966.
- 22,264.
- 1,536/ 7,551
ASUS ZenBook Duo with Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor and Xe graphics
- 4,704
- 15,315
- 1,410/ 4,539
Our evaluation device, furnished with a Core i7-12700H, 16GB of RAM, and that NVIDIA GPU, scored 17 percent higher than the 2014 model in the PCMark ten criteria and 40 percent faster in Cinebench’s multithreaded examination. In the real world, those ratings mean that the XPS 15 might save you hours when it comes to editing massive video clip data or providing 3D tasks. The new CPU also gave the XPS 15 a mild leg up in some complicated games like Halo Infinite. I got to a stable 60fps while playing in 1080p with tool settings, whereas the last XPS 15 had problems with complex shooters while utilizing the same GPU. (It was great for a low-impact game like Overwatch, yet that had nothing to do with it.)
The XPS 15’s 3.5K OLED display stays a ko, with outstanding color recreation, black levels, and all the other incentives you’d expect. Still, I would certainly enjoy seeing Dell additionally press this screen, particularly after both Apple and Microsoft pushed high refresh rate screens in their completed notebooks. Having that extra little bit of a level of smoothness while scrolling via internet sites (and tackling the occasional adversary Spartan in Halo Infinite) would certainly make the already great XPS 15 experience better. (Not to mention more future-proofing.)
Everything else we enjoyed about the XPS 15 in 2015 remains intact. The keyboard feels comfortable and receptive. The trackpad is luxuriously smooth and large, and the quad-speaker system appears terrific. The XPS 15 also has many of the ports you’d require to get some serious work done. That includes three USB-C ports (2 of which assist with Thunderbolt 4), an SD card reader, and an earphone jack. A USB-C to HDMI and a USB Type A adapter are in the box. However, you’ll still require extra dongles (or a USB-C mini-hub) if you want Ethernet and several Type-A ports.
I believe Dell is sticking with the SD card port, making it very easy to unload pictures and video clips. It’s also great to see the XPS 15 enhance battery life. In our criteria, it lasted 13 hours and 12 minutes, a substantial improvement from last year when it clocked under 10 hrs.
Despite my gushing, there’s still some space for enhancement. While the keyboard, trackpad, and wrist rest feel fantastic, they likewise look a bit gross after light usage. I would certainly like to see some oleophobic finishing that does not need much cleaning. And also, naturally, having more valuable ports wouldn’t hurt either.
The XPS 15 starts at $1,449 with a Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM, but customarily, we suggest bumping up those specs a bit. You’ll want a minimum of 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a Core i7 CPU to make this computer last for several years. Our test unit was available at $2,253– a reasonably moderate price considering the equipment you obtain. Still, I would spend a bit extra to squeeze in a bigger SSD and potentially extra RAM, mainly if you frequently manage huge documents.
At this point, the XPS 15 is the closest Dell has been to providing a near-perfect workhorse device. Its beautiful exterior conceals significant power for tough jobs. However, it can also take care of games when you require downtime. And also, on top of that, it packs virtually every function we would desire in a modern laptop computer, particularly if you opt for that lovely OLED display. Like Apple, Dell proves that a great style can last for years.