Dell XPS 17 9700 review
The Dell Dell XPS 17 9700 ranks as the #305 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 75. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #60-ranked features among 269 laptops. Consider the Dell Inspiron 17 7706 or Dell Latitude 16 7640, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The Dell XPS 17 9700 is a laptop with exceptional build quality, a comfortable keyboard (albeit shallow key travel), and an excellent 4K touchscreen display. However, its performance is marred by inadequate cooling, resulting in capping the CPU and GPU's power limit. This leads to compromised performance, especially under gaming loads. While it excels as a content creation device or media consumption tool, the poor performance makes it less ideal for gamers and heavy users. Overall, the XPS 17 9700's value is diminished by its cooling limitations, making it a laptop that's not quite worth its price tag for those who need peak performance.
Build
The Dell XPS 17 9700 boasts exceptionally good build quality, with a strong and practical design. The laptop's soft-touch finish feels comfortable to use and serves as an insulator, keeping the surface cool under load. The hinge is sturdy, and the overall construction exudes a premium feel. While not particularly portable, the XPS 17's larger form factor allows for a bigger battery, better cooling, and improved performance. It's ideal for those who work primarily from a desk, but may not be suitable for frequent travelers or those needing portability. Take a look at Dell Inspiron 17 7706 - its improved build sets a new standard.
Display
The Dell XPS 17 9700 boasts an excellent display, with the 4K touchscreen being a highlight feature. However, I would recommend opting for the 1080p panel instead, which offers better battery life, reduced reflections, and comparable color accuracy. The 4K display only seems to be beneficial for touchscreen and HDR support, making it not worth the additional $400. Overall, the display is excellent, but the 1080p option provides a more well-rounded experience. If you're after top-notch display, consider Dell Inspiron 17 7706.
Performance
The Dell XPS 17 9700's performance is hindered by its cooling system. Despite running hot, the fans keep temperatures manageable, but they cap the power limit of the CPU and GPU. This results in lost performance, particularly when stress-testing just the GPU. In comparison to a properly cooled 15-inch laptop with similar specs, this laptop falls short. However, non-gaming users like photographers may not be as affected by this issue. The battery life is decent, lasting around 7 hours for light use. It’s worth checking out Dell Inspiron 17 7706, delivering remarkable performance.
Battery and Charging
The Dell XPS 17 9700 features a 97Wh battery that provides around 7 hours of light use. I was pleasantly surprised by this performance. Opting for the 1080p panel can yield up to 9 hours, making it suitable for an 8-hour workday. The charger's 130W capacity is somewhat limited compared to other gaming laptops, resulting in temperature capping and reduced performance when stressed.
Connectivity
The Dell XPS 17 9700 features one full-size SD card slot and one headphone jack, complemented by four Thunderbolt 3 ports. However, the positioning of the USB-C ports interferes with mouse usage when an extended cable is employed, a design oversight that detracts from the laptop's overall connectivity. Get your hands on Dell Inspiron 17 7706 if you're looking for better connectivity.
Features
The Dell XPS 17 9700 boasts exceptional build quality with a soft-touch finish, making it comfortable to use. The keyboard, while soft, may not suit heavy typists due to shallow key travel. The trackpad is large and responsive, but cooling performance is subpar, capping CPU and GPU power limits despite high temperatures. A 97Wh battery provides around 7 hours of light use. Consider discovering the power of Dell Inspiron 17 7706, featuring the latest advancements in features.
Support and Maintenance
The Dell XPS 17 9700 excels in build quality and practicality, but its cooling system is disappointing, capping CPU and GPU power to prevent overheating. This results in compromised performance, making it less ideal for demanding tasks, despite excellent speakers and display.
Pros
1. The display is excellent, with a high-quality screen that's perfect for content creation and media consumption.
2. The speakers are quite good, with nice sound in the bass response and well-tuned frequency response.
3. The laptop has a big battery (97 Wh) that provides around 7 hours of light use, making it suitable for an 8-hour workday.
4. The larger form factor means you get better cooling, performance, and speakers compared to the smaller XPS 15.
Cons
1. The cooling system can't sustain high-performance levels due to limited power from the 130W charger.
2. The keyboard has short key travel, making it not enjoyable for tasks like programming or typing for extended periods.
3. The right USB-C port position interferes with some mouse setups that use an adapter with a long cable.
4. The price of the 4K touch display is an additional $400 compared to the standard display.
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