Dell XPS 15 9500 review
The Dell Dell XPS 15 9500 ranks as the #447 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 72. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #314-ranked performance among 242 laptops. Consider the Dell Latitude 15 5520 or Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7420, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The Dell XPS 15 9500 is a premium notebook that excels in design, build quality, and battery life. It's perfect for professionals who use applications like MATLAB or Autodesk Maya that require CPU horsepower and some GPU acceleration. The laptop's performance is respectable, but not exceptional. While it may not be the best gaming machine, its display, speakers, and trackpad make it a great option for those who value a premium experience. However, potential buyers should be aware of known issues like the trackpad wobble and display problems, which are red flags that Dell needs to address.
Build
The Dell XPS 15 9500's build quality is its strongest suit. The laptop exudes premium feel with its sturdy metal chassis and beautifully crafted aluminum lid. The design is sleek and refined, making it a joy to behold. The display, though not perfect, is bright and color-accurate. Speakers are decent, but the real standout is the trackpad, which is surprisingly smooth and responsive. However, there are some minor complaints about wobble in the keyboard deck and slight flexing of the lid under heavy usage. These issues detract from an otherwise excellent build quality experience. If you’re after a better build, Dell Inspiron 15 5505 could be the ideal option.
Display
The Dell XPS 15 9500 boasts an impressive display that truly shines. The vibrant and accurate color representation is a highlight, making it perfect for creative professionals. The screen's brightness and contrast ratio are also noteworthy, ensuring that colors and details pop even in well-lit environments. Overall, the display is a strong point of this laptop, making it ideal for those who demand high-quality visuals from their device. Dell XPS 15 9510 might be a smarter choice, offering an upgraded display.
Performance
The Dell XPS 15 9500 delivers impressive performance despite its compact size. The Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti GPU provide a significant boost in productivity and creative applications like Adobe Premiere and Autodesk Maya. While gaming isn't the laptop's forte, it can handle medium-level games at 1080p with decent frame rates. However, temperatures and frequencies spike during intense loads, resulting in occasional dips in performance. Overall, the XPS 15 9500 is a solid choice for those who prioritize battery life, design quality, and mid-range performance in a portable package. For an improved performance, Dell G7 15 is worth considering.
Battery and Charging
The Dell XPS 15 9500's battery life is impressive, lasting up to 14 hours in light use. Charging is also convenient with ExpressCharge, which gets you up to 80% charge in just 45 minutes. However, the laptop's charging algorithm can be slow to respond, taking a few seconds to kick in when under heavy load. Despite this, it remains a great option for those seeking a balance between performance and battery life.
Connectivity
The Dell XPS 15 9500 boasts an impressive array of connectivity options. It features two Thunderbolt 3 ports, one USB-C port, one SD card reader, and a headphone jack. Wi-Fi 6 is also supported, ensuring a reliable connection. The laptop's compact design still manages to fit in a wide range of ports, making it ideal for those who need multiple connections on the go. Take a look at Dell Inspiron 15 5505 - its improved connectivity sets a new standard.
Features
The Dell XPS 15 9500 boasts impressive features, including a 15.6" OLED display, up to 10th Gen Intel Core i9 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti graphics, and up to 64GB of RAM. It also offers long battery life and sleek design. If you're after top-notch features, consider Dell Inspiron 15 5505.
Support and Maintenance
The Dell XPS 15 9500's support and maintenance are underwhelming aspects of its overall experience. The trackpad, display, and build quality have been reported to be problematic by multiple users, with some experiencing BSODs and freezes. Additionally, the laptop's premium feel is marred by these issues, which seem to be a result of poor quality control. Despite this, the XPS 15 remains a solid choice for those seeking a portable powerhouse, but its support and maintenance concerns are a significant drawback.
Pros
1. amazing battery life
2. beautiful bright color accurate display
3. speakers
4. built really well, refined design
Cons
1. known issues with trackpad
2. wobble issue
3. display issues
4. random BSODs and freezing
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