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Dell XPS 15 (2019) – Introduction
Dell’s new XPS-13 2-in-1 laptop with a 10th-generation Intel Core “Ice Lake” processor may not arrive until the end of the year. But the same day the company unveiled the convertible, Dell also introduced a new generation Dell XPS 15 laptop with better hardware. The new Dell XPS 15 (7590) supporting up to an Intel Core i9-9980HK processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics cards is now available for sale.
Prices start at around $1,100 for a model with an Intel Core i5-9300H quad-core processor, a non-touch Full HD display, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB NVMe storage and Intel UHD 630 graphics – although you can save some money on the price displayed due to a launch promotion. The price increases if you want to upgrade to an Intel Core i7-9750H hexa-core or Core i9-9980HK octa-core processor, NVIDIA graphics cards, optional 4K OLED touch screen, and support for extra memory and storage.
If Dell’s new XPS 15 looks familiar, the chassis is almost identical to the previous model. But Dell has made a significant change – the webcam is now above the screen instead of below. Dell has also equipped the new XPS 15 with a 95-watt battery. Even if it does not come with Intel’s Athena project, which offers “true battery life all day,” I guess you’ll still get a substantial amount of power the battery of this capacity.
Dell XPS 15 (2019) – Design
The XPS 15 seems almost entirely unchanged from previous years. On the one hand, the design becomes a little too familiar for those who look at it year after year, but for those who buy a new machine, there is still a lot to like. The XPS 15 is sleek, clean, and almost without glasses.
The aluminum cover is pleasantly spartan, other than a Dell logo. Besides, all angles are slightly rounded, and the lines are sharp. And there is still something special about opening the lid and viewing a 15.6-inch screen (4K and OLED in this case) surrounded by skinny glasses. While this previously meant that the webcam was folded over the bezel below the screen, this year’s model puts it back in the right place.
On the left side, the power jack, a USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A port, HDMI 2.0 output, Thunderbolt 3 and a headphone jack. On the right side, you will find a standard size SD card reader (which is becoming increasingly rare), another USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A port, and a wedge-shaped lock slot. The laptop weighs only 1.8 kg with the standard screen and a battery of 57 Watt (Whr), and now 2 kg with an OLED display and a battery of 97 Whr.
Dell XPS 15 (2019) – Display
Give a round of applause to the last member of the OLED club. This is the first time Dell has installed an OLED panel on the XPS 15. Boasting vivid, dramatic colors with rich, detailed contrast, the 15.6-inch (4-inch) 4K panel (3840 x 2160) of the XPS must be seen to believe it.
I was immediately impressed by the subdued light of the amber street lights on the hot mocha skin of actress Jodie Turner-Smith and by highlighting each twist of her long braids as a car. Smaller details, such as the uneven beard of Daniel Kaluuya’s beard and the tiny droplets of water deposited in his hair by the mud, we’re easy to see. The 4K non-OLED version of the XPS 15 is not left out, and it successfully shows the luxurious glow of Kaluuya’s scarlet velvet combination. But it was not as dynamic as its OLED counterpart.
The measurement of the color reproduction capability revealed that the OLED XPS 15 could produce 239% of the sRGB range, while the non-OLED system was 210%. Both screens are much brighter than the average high-end laptops at 128% and that of the MacBook Pro at 114%. However, no computer matched 258% of the x360 Specter. And if the screen of the XPS 15 is beautiful, it is also durable thanks to its manufacture in Corning Gorilla Glass 4.
It is convenient when you want to reach out and use the touch screen. And even though the 10-point capacitive touch screen is fast and accurate, you may want to invest in the optional active stylus ($ 49.99) to avoid unsightly smudging on this beautiful screen.
Dell XPS 15 (2019) – Webcam
Dell might have one for the Best webcams I’ve used on a high-end laptop and made it. After constant complaints about the “nose camera,” the company returned to the lab and created a shooting game measuring just 0.9 inches, making it the smallest of Dell to date. But it’s not the size that counts, but the quality of the image. And I’m happy to announce that Dell does not disappoint. There is a lot of visual noise, but it’s not as bad as what you’ll find on competing systems.
Dell XPS 15 (2019) – Keyboard & Touchpad
It may be the 79 grams of activation force that speaks here, but typing on the XPS 15’s island-style keyboard is an extremely comfortable experience.
Despite the little displacement depth of the 1.1-millimeter keys (1.5 is our preferred minimum), my fingers never fell to the bottom of the note when I typed the criticism. I even managed my usual 50 words per minute at the 10fastfingers typing test without any problem. The keys are large and have a generous spacing. And the backlight allowed me to burn the midnight without too many mistakes.
And, the 4.1 x 3.1-inch touchpad is spacious, fast, and responsive. Executing Windows 10 gestures such as three-finger press to call Action Center or a three-finger scan to access new applications was almost instantaneous.
Dell XPS 15 (2019) – Audio
On the next iteration of the 15-inch XPS, I want speakers mounted at the top. Dell should place them in the hinge or the lower corners. As it stands now, the bottom speakers of the XPS 15 are powerful enough to fill my living room with a clear but shallow sound depending on the song. For example, the string orchestra that accompanied Sam Cooke in A ‘Change Is Gonna Come’ was as sweet and attractive as his raucous tenor was melancholy and hopeful. However, the bass was lacking in Lizzo’s “Truth Hurts,” although the artist’s rap/vocals were pleasant and clean, as was the piano.
Dell XPS 15 (2019) – Hardware
It’s a monster with an Intel Core i9-9980HK processor, an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 GPU with 4GB GDDR5 memory, 32GB of 2666MHz DDR4 RAM and a stunning PCIe MLE SSD display. NVMe, as well as this superb 4K OLED display. For this, we had a battery of 97 Wh.
The base model costs $1,099.99 with an Intel Core i5-9300H processor, 8GB of RAM, a 256GB NVMe PCIe SSD, a 1920 x 1080 display and a 56 Wh battery. In between, there are a handful of options with Intel Core i7-9750H and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 processors and an FHD display with different amounts of RAM.
Dell XPS 15 (2019) – Battery
The re’s a bit extra price to pay for all this power and a screen as beautiful. Thanks to all these high power functions, the OLED iteration of the XPS 15 only lasted 8 hours and 7 minutes with our battery test (continuous web browsing over Wi-Fi at a brightness of 150 nits).
The non-OLED model lasted a little longer at 8:48. Both times will allow you to go through a full day of work and will last longer than the 7:46 of Specter x 360.
Dell XPS 15 (2019) – Conclusion
Power, I need more power! The iteration of the Dell XPs is a workhorse of the highest caliber. Inside this stylish 0.7-inch, thick aluminum chassis is an Intel Core i9 overclockable processor, a 1MHz NVMe PCIe SSD and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 GPU, giving consumers a Premium look with power equivalent to that of a workstation.
And speaking of beauty, you can configure this bad boy with a spectacular 4K OLED screen, which makes almost all beautiful. And at $2,649, you’ll save thousands of dollars compared to an Apple MacBook Pro ($6,549). The OLED screen is a beauty, without a doubt. Its only problem is that it is limited for the moment to the few most expensive configurations. There is no option on the base model, or even an advanced one, so you have to be willing to pay for it.
If you want to use OLED but do not need such specifications, the HP Specter x360 with 15-inch OLED may be faster. For $1,799, you can get OLED on a Spectrum with a Core i7-8656U processor, 16GB of RAM and GeForce MX150 graphics. If you want a 2 in 1, you will also get the utility of a convertible with Spectrum.