Dell XPS (“eXtreme Performance System”) is a line of consumer-oriented high-end laptop and desktop computers manufactured by Dell. In many ways it’s the MacBook Pro of Windows, blending an exquisite design with stunning build quality and blistering performance.
But without the fruit logo on the lid, it’s more understated. Wrap the whole package together, and you have the top Windows laptop for programming. It’s also nice to see the XPS 15 make some battery life improvements.
The laptop is fully lasting for over 13 hours and 12 minutes, a huge improvement from last year when it clocked under 10 hours. The XPS 15 combines jaw-dropping resolution and vibrant color in a large 15.6″ touch display.
Its crisp, sharp detail and rich color is perfect for editing photos and graphic design with Full HD or the optional UltraSharp™ 4K Ultra HD (3200×1800).
Among the top performers in this stealthy category is the Dell XPS 15, which looks and feels like a MacBook Pro alternative but also is capable of performance as good as that of many gaming laptops. But those gaming chops are just a bonus.
The XPS 15 (9530) is no slouch — not by a long shot. The laptop comes with 13th-gen silicon, with an OLED display, and more. And it’s all at a relatively good price for the performance.
Dell XPS 15 (9530) design
The latest-generation XPS 15 doesn’t reinvent the wheel when it comes to design — it offers the same overall design as last year’s model. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though.
The XPS 15 is built with a high-quality aluminum chassis that gives it an immediate feel of quality and durability. On the inside, there’s a two-tone gray interior that is subtly stylish when you open the lid. You’ll get super slim bezels around the display, too, making for a modern look overall.
When it comes to port selection, the Dell XPS 15 is, unfortunately, on the sparse side. On the right side of the laptop, you’ll find a USB-C 3.2 port and an SD card slot.
On the left, there are two Thunderbolt 4 ports. It’s worth mentioning that the Thunderbolt 4 ports do support power delivery and DisplayPort, which adds some versatility.
However, this limited array of ports could be a sticking point for some users. The absence of an HDMI port, in particular, feels like a notable omission for a laptop in this price range.
So, if you’re someone who frequently needs to connect various peripherals or present on larger screens, you might need to invest in an adapter or docking station.
Despite this, the overall design of the Dell XPS 15 is very appealing. The laptop’s build quality feels premium, it’s robust yet elegant, and its sleekness only enhances its portability.
Yes, the port selection could have been more generous, but that’s a common compromise in many of today’s ultra-thin and compact laptops. For the most part, the design of the XPS 15 strikes a satisfying balance between style, quality, and practicality.
Dell XPS 15 (9530) keyboard and touchpad
The Dell XPS 15 comes equipped with a keyboard that feels natural under your fingers, featuring just the right amount of travel and resistance for a comfortable typing experience.
They’re well-spaced, and typing on the laptop felt good. The keys are relatively quiet as well, ensuring that your typing won’t be a distraction in quieter environments.
When it comes to the touchpad, the Dell XPS 15 comes with a decent-sized one, measuring 3.5 x 6 inches. This gives you ample room for all the multi-touch gestures that you might need to use.
It feels mostly premium, aligning well with the overall aesthetic of the laptop. However, it doesn’t quite match the responsiveness or premium feel that you’ll find with the MacBook lineup’s touchpads. That being said, it’s still highly functional and performs well for the majority of tasks.
Dell XPS 15 (9530) speakers
The Dell XPS 15 is equipped with two 2.5-watt woofers and two 1.5-watt tweeters, designed to deliver balanced audio output for multimedia consumption.
The speakers sound fine, but they don’t exactly shine when compared to dedicated external speakers or higher-end laptop audio systems. They’re certainly adequate for casual listening, like watching YouTube videos or listening to podcasts.
However, for any audiophile activities, such as critically listening to music or engaging in professional audio work, users will likely want to opt for a good pair of external speakers or headphones.
The laptop’s built-in speakers simply don’t deliver the depth or precision that a dedicated audio setup can provide. That said, they do have a substantial volume output.
The speakers get loud enough to fill a medium-sized room, which is great for impromptu presentations or when you want to watch a movie without using headphones. Overall, the speakers are functional and appropriate for most casual uses, but they won’t blow away any audiophiles.
Dell XPS 15 (9530) display and webcam
The Dell XPS 15 sports a top-notch OLED display with a resolution of 3.5K and a 16:10 aspect ratio. This high-resolution panel ensures that text appears razor-sharp and images are reproduced with great detail, making for a visually immersive user experience.
What makes this display stand out is its incredible contrast ratio. Thanks to the inherent properties of OLED technology, the screen can produce super deep black levels, meaning that darker areas in videos or images appear truly black, which in turn enhances the perceived contrast and depth in visual content.
The color reproduction on the XPS 15 is commendable as well. The screen generates vivid and rich colors, giving images and videos a vibrancy. The one area where the display might not completely impress is brightness.
While the brightness level is entirely adequate for most indoor scenarios, it may not be sufficient for outdoor use under bright sunlight. Nevertheless, the overall visual performance of this laptop’s display is quite impressive and provides an outstanding user experience.
Dell XPS 15 (9530) battery
The Dell XPS 15 is equipped with a respectable 86 Whr battery, which, importantly, is user-replaceable. This gives the laptop a considerable advantage, as it allows users to swap out the battery themselves when it eventually degrades, extending the overall life span of the device.
The battery performance of the XPS 15 is quite good overall, reliably powering the device for a full workday with a relatively light workload. Dell offers support plans for businesses with Windows Pro and support plans for personal use with Windows Home.
Is the XPS 15 a business laptop?
XPS laptops for business are built with premium materials, expert craftsmanship & product innovation. High-quality and meticulously crafted from premium materials like machined aluminum and carbon fiber, XPS laptops are durable and beautiful.
How many screens can the Dell XPS 15 support?
The laptop will accept three external displays. You can connect up to three external displays directly to USB-C ports.
Does the Dell XPS 15 overheat?
Computers can overheat if they are not adequately ventilated. To fix this, make sure the device is placed on a hard, flat, and clean surface to ensure proper airflow. Using a compressed air duster, gently spray your vents holding the can roughly 3 inches from the device.
Why should I buy Dell XPS 15?
While the power-constrained GPU means it’s not as good for gaming as the specs suggest, it’s more than fast enough for anything and everything beyond that. Most of all, it’s great to use. If you’re in the market for a high-end Windows portable, put the Dell XPS 15 high on your shortlist.
Dell XPS 15 (9530) Full Tech Specifications
Processor
- 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-13700H (24 MB cache, 14 cores, up to 5.00 GHz Turbo)
Operating System
- (Dell Technologies recommends Windows 11 Pro for business)
- Windows 11 Home, English, French, Spanish
Graphics Card
- Intel® Arc™ A370M Graphics with 4GB GDDR6
Display
- 15.6″ FHD+ (1920 x 1200) InfinityEdge Non-Touch Anti-Glare 500-Nit Display
Memory
- 16 GB, 2 x 8 GB, DDR5, 4800 MHz
Hard Drive
- 512 GB, M.2, PCIe NVMe, SSD
Case
- Platinum Silver exterior, Black interior
Microsoft Office
- No Microsoft Office License included
- Comprehensive digital protection – including antivirus, privacy and identity protections
- McAfee® LiveSafe™ 12 Month Subscription
Protect your purchase – View Support offers below
- 1Y Premium Support 1-2 Business Day Onsite with HW-SW Support
Accidental Damage Service
- None
Keyboard
- Backlit Black English Keyboard w/ Fingerprint Reader
Ports
- 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C™ port with DisplayPort™
- 2 Thunderbolt™ 4 (USB Type-C™ 3.2 Gen 2) ports
- 1 headset (headphone and microphone combo) port
- (1) USB-C to USB-A v3.0 & HDMI v2.0 adapter (included in the box)
Slots
- 1 SD-card slot
- 1 Wedge-shaped lock slot
Dimensions & Weight
- Height : 0.71 in. (18 mm)
- Width: 13.57 in. (344.72 mm)
- Depth: 9.06 in. (230.14 mm)
Starting weight:
- 4.21lbs. (1.86kg) for FHD+
- 4.23lbs. (1.92kg) for OLED
Camera
- 720p at 30 fps, HD camera
- Dual-array microphones
Audio and Speakers
- Stereo woofer 2.5 W x 2 and stereo tweeter 1.5 W x 2 = 8 W total peak
Chassis
- CNC machined aluminum with carbon fiber palm rest
Wireless
- Intel® Killer™ Wi-Fi 6 1675 (AX211), 2×2, 802.11ax, Bluetooth® wireless card
Primary Battery
- 6 Cell, 86 Wh, integrated
Power
- 130Watt Type-C Adapter
Dell XPS 15 9530 Full Price ?
Both Dell XPS 15 (9530) and XPS 17 (9730) laptops will be available from March 2, 2023, starting at $2949 and $3399, respectively.