When it comes to Dell, most people tend to associate the brand with conservatively designed laptops. But while the flashy XPS design altered that perception, it still hasn't really changed much since 2015. Well, Dell has decided to shake things up a bit. With its 2-in-1 hinge and serious graphics power, the Dell XPS 15 (2018) isn't messing around.
This convertible is massively powerful. From the grey exterior to the carbon fiber interior, it may not look like a traditional gaming computer, but thanks to its 8th-gen Intel CPU and Radeon graphics, it sure as hell performs like one. Additionally, we love its keyboard and speakers, and the 4K touchscreen display is one of the best we've ever seen.
There were, however, a few trade-offs. Battery life is less-than-stellar, so you'll probably want to keep the power adapter with you. The bottom of the XPS also runs hot, and to compensate, its cooling system can get really loud. Plus, the stylus isn't included and the webcam looks straight up your nose.
Drawbacks aside, the XPS is one of the snappiest laptops we've ever used. So, if you're a hardcore gamer or a photo/video editor, this is a great choice.
About the Dell XPS 15 (2018)
The new XPS 2-in-1 comes in a couple of configurations.
The base model ($1,299.99) is armed with an Intel Core i5-8305G CPU, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of PCIe storage, and a 15.6-inch (1920 x 1080) touchscreen. Our review unit ($2,349), however, features an Intel Core i7-8705G CPU, 16GB of RAM, 512GB of PCIe storage space, and a 4K (3200 x 1800) touch panel.
Here's our decked-out loaner in detail:
CPU: Intel Core i7-8705G
GPU: Radeon RX Vega M GL Graphics
Display: 15.6-inch Ultrasharp 4K UHD (3840x2160) InfinityEdge touch display
Storage: 512GB PCIe SSD
Memory: 16GB RAM
Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 3 with powershare, 2x USB-C 3.1, micro SD card reader, headset jack, noble lock slot
Battery: 75Whr
Weight: 4.3 lbs
If you're looking for a budget-friendly alternative, we'd recommend the newly refreshed XPS 15 (sans hinge). Although it's not as powerful as the convertible version, I wouldn't exactly say it's a lightweight. The entry-level model starts at $999 and comes equipped with an Intel Core i5-8300H CPU and a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU—that's not too shabby!
What We Like
The display is absolutely stunning.
I watched the first episode of The Handmaid's Tale on the XPS 15, and let me tell you: Those crimson-red cloaks really leapt off of the screen. As the camera panned over the handmaidens—who were standing stock-still in perfect circles in the rain—I couldn't help but admire how weirdly beautiful that bleak world was. Not only are colors on the display vivid, shadows never lose definition—I was able to make out even the tiniest details in darker scenes.
It can handle visually demanding games.
The XPS is one hell of a powerhouse. Between the Intel Core i7-8705G processor and Radeon RX Vega M GL graphics, I was able to play The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on ultra settings at 25-30FPS, but background details blurred out whenever I spun Geralt around. I saw better frame rates (around 35-40FPS) on high settings. If it's smooth gameplay you're after, we'd recommend lowering the graphics.
The keyboard is surprisingly comfortable.
The XPS 15 features a slightly different kind of keyboard, in that the individual keys float on a magnet, which creates resistance. I didn't expect to like this experimental keyboard, but after a few hours of acclimation, I was managing about 87 words-per-minute (pretty close to my average of 85 WPM). The keys themselves offer snappy, tactile feedback—if you like Apple's butterfly switch keys, you'll probably like these.
The speakers are punchy.
Laptops aren't known for having spectacular audio. That's because laptop speakers are tiny, meaning they can't reproduce heavy bass or loud volumes. But when I listened to Janelle Monae's Make Me Feel on the XPS, the funky guitar riff was super crisp. The low tones were also as clear as the high ones. Not only that, but the speakers were powerful enough to fill a medium-sized room as well.
What We Didn't Like
Mediocre battery life in the 4K model
There's no dancing around it: Lovely as the 4K touchscreen is, it's a huge drain on the battery. In our primary battery test, which cycles through various power-hungry tasks, the XPS died in a little over two hours. Ouch. That's not great. According to a handful of reviews, the Microsoft Surface Book 2 is similarly powerful and has amazing battery life. Some outlets even claim it gets up to seven hours.
The webcam positioning is...weird.
I know I sound like a broken record, but I'm going to keep saying it until I combust: What's up with that awkward webcam placement, Dell? The barely-there bezels are nice, but the webcam—situated at the bottom of the screen—still looks up my nose (and believe me when I say that nobody wants to see that). I guess if you don't really use a webcam it's not really a deal-breaker, but it definitely annoys me.
The cooling system is loud.
The XPS is one noisy laptop, but only when it's under heavy loads. While I was playing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, the fans were constantly whirring. It's not the worst thing in the world, but depending on the environment, it can be a distraction. The bottom also runs a little hot, and the heat may bother some folks.
You'll need an adapter.
The XPS only has USB Type-C ports (cue the sad trombone). If you're a gamer, this is pretty disappointing, especially if you want to hook up to an external mouse or monitor. Thankfully, the 2-in-1 comes with an adapter, so not all is lost. If you really need those USB-A ports, we'd recommend the HP Spectre x360 15 as an alternative option, as it has great connectivity options.
The pen isn't included.
Sadly, the tilt-supporting Dell Active Pen isn't included. Blah. If you want one, you'll need to spend another $99 on top of the price of the laptop. It might not seem like a lot of money in the grand scheme of things, but we really would've appreciated having one in the box. And before you buy a more affordable alternative, be forewarned: The XPS isn't compatible with other pens.
original post by Ashley Barry-Biancuzzo(reviewed.com)
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