Dell Reveals Redesigned XPS 15, New XPS 17
XPS goes big
Dell has redesigned the XPS 15 to look more like the XPS 13, and it’s also revealing a larger 17-inch model. The 15-inch laptop is available today starting at $1,299.99. The XPS 17 will come later this summer starting at $1,499.99. See our full review of the Dell XPS 15 (9500).
Both follow the XPS 13’s redesign from earlier this year, ditching USB Type-A and going ultra-slim (though Dell is including a USB Type-C to Type-A adapter in the box). Additionally, both laptops have all but erased the bottom bezel on the Infinity Edge displays with 16:10 aspect ratios.
| Dell XPS 15 | Dell XPS 17 | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Up to Intel Core i9-10885H | Up to Intel Core i9-10885H |
| Graphics | Up to Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti | Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 |
| RAM | Up to 64GB DDR4 2,993 MHz | Up to 64GB DDR4 2,993 MHz |
| Storage | Up to 2TB PCIe-NVMe SSD | Up to 2TB PCIe-NVMe SSD |
| Display | 15.6-inch, 16:10 aspect ratio, up to 3840 x 2400 touch | 17.3-inch, 16;10 aspect ratio, up to 3840 x 2400 touch |
| Battery | 56 WHr or 86 WHr | 56 WHr or 97 WHr |
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 3, USB Type-C 3.1, SD card reader, 3.5mm headphone jack, lock slot | 4x Thunderbolt 3, SD Card reader, 3.5mm headphone jack, lock slot |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Starting Price | $1,299.99 | $1,499.99 |
| Release Date | May 13, 2020 | Summer 2020 |
The laptops use Intel’s new H-series processors. The 15-inch laptop uses integrated graphics or a GTX 1650 Ti, while the 17-inch device offers options for a GeForce 1650 Ti or RTX 2060. Both have two battery options, but the batteries aren’t replaceable. Instead, they’re built into the laptop. Dell claims the XPS 17 could last up to 20 hours on a charge. The XPS 17 is 0.8 inches thick; the XPS 15 is 0.7 inches thick.
Perhaps one of the biggest differences is with ports. The XPS 15 has two Thunderbolt 3 ports, USB Type-C, an SD card reader and a headphone jack. The XPS 17 has four Thunderbolt 3 ports, an SD card slot and a headphone jack, but doesn’t have regular USB Type-C.
The XPS lineup uses CNC machine aluminum, carbon fiber and Gorilla Glass 6. Both laptops have quad-firing speakers.
Dell is going to start labeling certain configurations with an XPS Creator badge, which is for versions of the laptops that it thinks are best for those doing creative work on their laptops. The XPS 17 with RTX graphics will use Nvidia’s RTX Studio drivers.
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Andrew E. Freedman is a senior editor at Tom's Hardware focusing on laptops, desktops and gaming. He also keeps up with the latest news. A lover of all things gaming and tech, his previous work has shown up in Tom's Guide, Laptop Mag, Kotaku, PCMag and Complex, among others. Follow him on Threads @FreedmanAE and BlueSky @andrewfreedman.net. You can send him tips on Signal: andrewfreedman.01
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velocityg4 ReplyPerhaps one of the biggest differences is with ports. The XPS 15 has two Thunderbolt 3 ports, USB Type-C, an SD card reader and a headphone jack. The XPS 17 has four Thunderbolt 3 ports, an SD card slot and a headphone jack, but doesn’t have regular USB Type-C.
This may be confusing to some readers not versed on ports. Thinking they may be losing something. Unless Dell is using some odd proprietary port. The XPS 17 has more USB C ports than the XPS 15. The four Thunderbolt 3 ports are USB 3.1/3.2 Gen 2 Type C ports which have the added capability of connecting Thunderbolt devices. It would be more apt to say one of the USB C ports on the XPS 15 is not Thunderbolt 3 capable.