Dell G5 15 review
The Dell Dell G5 15 ranks as the #496 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 71. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #53-ranked features among 237 laptops. Consider the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 or Dell Inspiron 14 5415, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
While the Dell G515 SE offers great value with decent gaming frame rates and respectable productivity scores, its build quality and design leave much to be desired. The trackpad position is awkwardly placed, temperatures are high, battery life is short, and there's no USB port supporting 10Gbps speeds. Considering these sacrifices, I'd say this laptop isn't worth it at its current price point. Unless you can snag a great deal during Dell sales, I'd recommend waiting for the next round of AMD-powered laptops to offer more value in 2023.
Build
The build quality of the Dell G5 15 is a letdown. The design feels cramped, with the trackpad positioned in an awkward spot. It's unclear who designed this aspect, but it's a noticeable flaw. Component temperatures are also high, which can impact performance and battery life. Speaking of battery life, it's relatively short due to the smaller battery size. Furthermore, there's only one Type-A USB port that supports a higher protocol like 10 Gbps, which is an unfortunate oversight in this day and age. Overall, the build quality and design of the Dell G5 15 leave much to be desired. A better alternative might be Dell XPS 15 9510, featuring a next-level build.
Display
The Dell G5 15's display is a standout feature, boasting impressive quality. The screen offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and crisp text rendering. It's a great asset for productivity and gaming alike. While the trackpad position may be an issue, the display itself more than makes up for it. With its excellent color accuracy and decent brightness, this laptop's display is a major highlight. You may find Dell Inspiron 15 5590 a better fit, thanks to its superior display.
Performance
The Dell G5 15's performance is a mixed bag. It excels in productivity tasks, delivering respectable scores, but its gaming capabilities are hindered by the RX 5600M's inability to match the RTX 2060 in Call of Duty. The GPU's high temperatures and power consumption also raise concerns. However, with Dell's fan override feature enabled, the laptop can deliver improved clock speeds and temperatures, allowing the G5 15 to almost match its rival's performance. Despite this, the compromised build quality, component temperatures, and short battery life make it difficult to recommend the G5 15 as a top choice in its class. If you’re after a better performance, Dell Latitude 15 3520 could be the ideal option.
Battery and Charging
The battery life of the Dell G5 15 is somewhat short due to its smaller size. It's not uncommon for gaming laptops to have shorter battery life, but in today's market, it's still underwhelming. The charging time is also relatively quick, but this doesn't make up for the limited runtime. With most users needing a laptop that can last throughout the day, the G5 15 falls short in this department.
Connectivity
The Dell G5 15's connectivity options are somewhat disappointing. The laptop lacks a single Type-A USB port that supports the 10Gbps standard, which is a notable omission in today's fast-paced world. With only two USB-A ports and one USB-C port, users may find themselves struggling to keep up with their peripherals' needs. For an improved connectivity, Dell Latitude 15 3520 is worth considering.
Features
The Dell G5 15 boasts impressive performance with its AMD Ryzen 7 processor and RX 5600M graphics. However, its design and build quality are subpar, with a poorly positioned trackpad and high component temperatures. Battery life is also short due to the smaller battery. The laptop's display is decent but not exceptional. Overall, it offers great value but makes unnecessary sacrifices. You might want to check out Dell Inspiron 14 7400, featuring an upgraded features for a superior experience.
Support and Maintenance
The Dell G5 15's support and maintenance are questionable aspects of the device. While the laptop offers great value with decent gaming performance, its build quality and design leave much to be desired. Component temperatures are high, battery life is short, and there's only a single USB-C port. A more robust display would make it a winner. Overall, the G5 15 feels like a compromise device that prioritizes performance over user experience.
Pros
1. Great value with decent gaming frame rates
2. Respectable productivity scores
3. Really good quality display
4. Quieter operation after a new BIOS update
5. Impressive performance in many areas
6. Offered great value with decent gaming frame rates and respectable productivity scores
7. The AMD GPU can actually match the Nvidia RTX 2060 while consuming about 20 watts more
Cons
1. Build quality and design leave a lot to be desired
2. Trackpad position is really at a cramped location
3. Component temperatures are pretty high
4. Battery life is pretty short due to a smaller battery
5. Only one USB port supports a lower protocol (no Type-C)
6. Disappointing results in gaming tests, despite AMD's claims
7. Can't match the build quality and design of other laptops
FAQ
Compare with other laptops
See how this item stacks up against any other model
Choose two different items to see a detailed comparison of their specifications, performance, and features