2018 Dell XPS 15 (9570); a true representation of power and elegance!
Tweet
Note: this short review is not about the newly introduced Dell XPS 15 9575, i.e., the 2-in-1 convertible variant of the standard XPS 15. Instead this is about 9570; the 2018 model of the usual Dell XPS 15.
XPS 15 9570 Design: Talking about its design, this year model could be said to be an upgraded version of the 2017 XPS 9560 because both of them are physically identical in every aspect, therefore, it's hard to tell one apart from the other.
Dell XPS 15 2018 (9570) is a solidly built laptop, like its predecessor, the outer body i.e. the back of the base and the lid of the laptop are made up of aluminum material, while the interior, which includes the screen bezels, backlit keyboard, touchpad and palm rest are made of black, carbon fibre.
The new laptop weigh about 1.8kg with the standard 56 WHr battery and 1080p display, but with 4k display and the 97 WHr battery the comes with it, the laptop has a weight of 2kg. Meanwhile, if you have issue with that weight, you should check out other laptops in the same category with slightly weigh less, for instance, the 2018 MacBook Pro 15.
With closed lid, the back of the laptop is thicker than its front, in other words, it has 11 mm thickness at the front and 17 mm thickness at the back. Going further, Dell claims that the laptop is 15.6 inch in the chassis of 14 inch laptop, and the statement is close to the truth, this is because the ultra slim bezels, that surround the 15.6 inch display, are so thin that they virtually become non visible when the screen is on. This gives the impression that the laptop is smaller that 15.6".
Display: Like the last year's XPS 15 9560, the 2018 9570 has an InfinityEdge IPS Display and it also comes in 2 variants; the base model comes with a Full HD (1920x1080p) Matte (anti glare surface) screen, the other high models have 4k UHD (3840x2160) Glossy (reflective surface) display.
The screen of the 4K UHD model is also protected by the Corning Gorilla Glass 4. Meanwhile, there are reports that the last year's display brightness peaked around 300-350 nits, however, both the 1080p and 4k displays of this year model boast of over 400 nits. Although this is an improvement, it's still slightly on the low side, compare to the usual 460-500 nits of MacBook Pro display.
Furthermore, this year's 4k display covers 100% adobe RGB space. Though the display of the 1080p model covers about 72% of the Adobe RGB, but it totally covers 100% of RGBs space. This indicates that the 4k model is still the best choice for professional graphic designers, serious video and photo editing.
Another advantage of 4k display is that it is a touch-screen, unlike the 1080p display. And if your own specs are not complete without Stylus, you might want to check out the latest Dell XPS 15 (9575) 2-in-1 Convertible. Nevertheless, unless you are a pro graphic designer or an hardcore gamer, any of the 1080p (FHD) models will get most of your works done, added to this is the fact that opting for 4k option requires some extra money and the increased battery power that comes with it, adds more weight to the laptop.
Processing Power: All 2017 Dell XPS 9560 laptops have 7th-generation Quad-
core Kaby Lake Intel processors, and the highest of them is the Intel Core-i7-7700HQ. The Dell XPS 9570 features the latest 8th-Generation Coffee Lake Intel Processors. Based on the configurations and your budget, these processors start from Quad-core Core i5-8300H that runs up to 4.0GHz to Six-core Core i7-8750H that runs up to 4.1GHz, and they maxed at Core i9-8950HK that runs up to 4.8GHz clock speed.
While the base model with Core i-5 features Intel UHD 630 Graphics (though with integrated NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050), starting from the Core-i7 upwards, the rest of the processors are equipped with the discrete NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU with 4GB of GDDR5 VRAM. Therefore, unlike last year GeForce GTX 1050, this upgraded powerful graphics ensures quality 4K gaming experience.
Ram and Storage: In base configurations of both Core-i5 and Core-i7 models, you'll get 8GB (2x4GB) RAM. Also, there is an option of 16GB (2x8GB) RAM for the Core-i7 with high configuration. Going higher, the 32 (2x16GB) RAM can be found in more powerful Core-i9 model. On the other hand, like its predecessor, 2018 Dell XPS 15 also comes with the ability to use two different storage drives at the same time or one at a time.
In other word, Dell XPS 15 can have both M.2 PCIe MNve SSD and SATA 2.5 HDD at the same time, but, if your laptop's configuration requires more battery power, you'll have to sacrifice the 2.5 HDD bay for more battery life. Furthermore, the storage can either be Hybrid 1TB HDD in the base model, or just single 256 PCIe SSD, 1TB Solid State Hard Drive, 512 PCIe SSD, 1TB PCIe SSD, or even 2TB PCIe SSD. But those higher PCIe NVme SSDs can only be found in highly configured models.
Keyboard and Touchpad: The backlit chiclet keys return again in 2018 XPS 15 keyboard, the black keys are smooth, spacious and well-sized. Although the key travel is still shallow, the feedback is good and responsive. On the Touchpad, it is same as previous one, Dell called it touchpad with a seamless glass integrated button.
The Touchpad is large (4.1 x 3.1 inches) enough, the touch movements are smooth, precise and responsive. The touchpad also supports Windows 10's precision gestures.
Webcam, Microphone and Speaker: in previous model of Dell XPS 15, some users expressed their dissatisfaction with the awkward position of the laptop's webcam, these users insisted that the webcam focuses more on their chin, mouth and nose. Unfortunately, the 720p webcam of this year's model is still in the same old position, i.e. below the display, but this time, under the Dell logo. As usual, in addition to that is the dual-array Digital microphone.
Concerning the laptop's audio, the XPS 15 features two, 2W each, Waves MaxxAudio pro speakers which deliver clear and high quality sounds in its own unique way.
Fingerprint reader, Ports and Connectivity: While the fingerprint reader in the Dell 2017 XPS is positioned at the right side of the laptop's palm rest, below the keyboard, precisely under the End key, but in 2018 model the optional fingerprint reader is integrated into the Power button, and it supports Windows Hello.
On the laptop's Ports, the only change that took place is in the Thunderbolt 3 ports, which is now upgraded to support 4 lanes, apart from that, everything remains the same as that of the last year model. Therefore, on the left side of the laptop is the charging port (DC power in) , 1 USB Type-A, 1 HDMI, 1 USB-Type C Gen.2 + Thunderbolt 3 (which now supports 4 PCIe lanes instead 2 lanes supported by previous model), and 3.5mm earphone jack. On the right side of the laptop, you have an SD-Card reader slot, 1 USB Type-A port, battery LED indicator and Kensington Lock. The laptop also equipped with Bluetooth 4.2 and killer 1535 802.11ac 2x2 WiFi.
Battery: the battery is built-in (non replaceable for user), and for base models, you get 3-cells 56 WHr, but for higher models and most especially the ones with 4k (UHD) Display, you get 6-cells 97 WHr to complement the display, this because, the 4k display consumes more power than its 1080p counterpart, and this also means, the laptop weight will slightly increase from 1.8kg (4 pound) to 2.0kg (4.5 pound).
When it comes to the Operating System (O.S.) for the Dell XPS 9570, users have the option to choose between Window 10 Pro 64-bit and Window 10 Home 64-bit.
Although the price depends on your choice of configurations, however, the starting price for 2018 Dell XPS 15 is now from $1.099,99 for the base model, to $2,999.98 for the highly configured models.
Tweet
XPS 15 9570 Design: Talking about its design, this year model could be said to be an upgraded version of the 2017 XPS 9560 because both of them are physically identical in every aspect, therefore, it's hard to tell one apart from the other.
Dell XPS 15 2018 (9570) is a solidly built laptop, like its predecessor, the outer body i.e. the back of the base and the lid of the laptop are made up of aluminum material, while the interior, which includes the screen bezels, backlit keyboard, touchpad and palm rest are made of black, carbon fibre.
The new laptop weigh about 1.8kg with the standard 56 WHr battery and 1080p display, but with 4k display and the 97 WHr battery the comes with it, the laptop has a weight of 2kg. Meanwhile, if you have issue with that weight, you should check out other laptops in the same category with slightly weigh less, for instance, the 2018 MacBook Pro 15.
With closed lid, the back of the laptop is thicker than its front, in other words, it has 11 mm thickness at the front and 17 mm thickness at the back. Going further, Dell claims that the laptop is 15.6 inch in the chassis of 14 inch laptop, and the statement is close to the truth, this is because the ultra slim bezels, that surround the 15.6 inch display, are so thin that they virtually become non visible when the screen is on. This gives the impression that the laptop is smaller that 15.6".
The screen of the 4K UHD model is also protected by the Corning Gorilla Glass 4. Meanwhile, there are reports that the last year's display brightness peaked around 300-350 nits, however, both the 1080p and 4k displays of this year model boast of over 400 nits. Although this is an improvement, it's still slightly on the low side, compare to the usual 460-500 nits of MacBook Pro display.
Furthermore, this year's 4k display covers 100% adobe RGB space. Though the display of the 1080p model covers about 72% of the Adobe RGB, but it totally covers 100% of RGBs space. This indicates that the 4k model is still the best choice for professional graphic designers, serious video and photo editing.
Another advantage of 4k display is that it is a touch-screen, unlike the 1080p display. And if your own specs are not complete without Stylus, you might want to check out the latest Dell XPS 15 (9575) 2-in-1 Convertible. Nevertheless, unless you are a pro graphic designer or an hardcore gamer, any of the 1080p (FHD) models will get most of your works done, added to this is the fact that opting for 4k option requires some extra money and the increased battery power that comes with it, adds more weight to the laptop.
core Kaby Lake Intel processors, and the highest of them is the Intel Core-i7-7700HQ. The Dell XPS 9570 features the latest 8th-Generation Coffee Lake Intel Processors. Based on the configurations and your budget, these processors start from Quad-core Core i5-8300H that runs up to 4.0GHz to Six-core Core i7-8750H that runs up to 4.1GHz, and they maxed at Core i9-8950HK that runs up to 4.8GHz clock speed.
While the base model with Core i-5 features Intel UHD 630 Graphics (though with integrated NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050), starting from the Core-i7 upwards, the rest of the processors are equipped with the discrete NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU with 4GB of GDDR5 VRAM. Therefore, unlike last year GeForce GTX 1050, this upgraded powerful graphics ensures quality 4K gaming experience.
Ram and Storage: In base configurations of both Core-i5 and Core-i7 models, you'll get 8GB (2x4GB) RAM. Also, there is an option of 16GB (2x8GB) RAM for the Core-i7 with high configuration. Going higher, the 32 (2x16GB) RAM can be found in more powerful Core-i9 model. On the other hand, like its predecessor, 2018 Dell XPS 15 also comes with the ability to use two different storage drives at the same time or one at a time.
In other word, Dell XPS 15 can have both M.2 PCIe MNve SSD and SATA 2.5 HDD at the same time, but, if your laptop's configuration requires more battery power, you'll have to sacrifice the 2.5 HDD bay for more battery life. Furthermore, the storage can either be Hybrid 1TB HDD in the base model, or just single 256 PCIe SSD, 1TB Solid State Hard Drive, 512 PCIe SSD, 1TB PCIe SSD, or even 2TB PCIe SSD. But those higher PCIe NVme SSDs can only be found in highly configured models.
Keyboard and Touchpad: The backlit chiclet keys return again in 2018 XPS 15 keyboard, the black keys are smooth, spacious and well-sized. Although the key travel is still shallow, the feedback is good and responsive. On the Touchpad, it is same as previous one, Dell called it touchpad with a seamless glass integrated button.
The Touchpad is large (4.1 x 3.1 inches) enough, the touch movements are smooth, precise and responsive. The touchpad also supports Windows 10's precision gestures.
Concerning the laptop's audio, the XPS 15 features two, 2W each, Waves MaxxAudio pro speakers which deliver clear and high quality sounds in its own unique way.
Fingerprint reader, Ports and Connectivity: While the fingerprint reader in the Dell 2017 XPS is positioned at the right side of the laptop's palm rest, below the keyboard, precisely under the End key, but in 2018 model the optional fingerprint reader is integrated into the Power button, and it supports Windows Hello.
On the laptop's Ports, the only change that took place is in the Thunderbolt 3 ports, which is now upgraded to support 4 lanes, apart from that, everything remains the same as that of the last year model. Therefore, on the left side of the laptop is the charging port (DC power in) , 1 USB Type-A, 1 HDMI, 1 USB-Type C Gen.2 + Thunderbolt 3 (which now supports 4 PCIe lanes instead 2 lanes supported by previous model), and 3.5mm earphone jack. On the right side of the laptop, you have an SD-Card reader slot, 1 USB Type-A port, battery LED indicator and Kensington Lock. The laptop also equipped with Bluetooth 4.2 and killer 1535 802.11ac 2x2 WiFi.
When it comes to the Operating System (O.S.) for the Dell XPS 9570, users have the option to choose between Window 10 Pro 64-bit and Window 10 Home 64-bit.
Although the price depends on your choice of configurations, however, the starting price for 2018 Dell XPS 15 is now from $1.099,99 for the base model, to $2,999.98 for the highly configured models.
.jpg)
