What you need to know
- Dell just launched its new XPS 15 and XPS 17 flagship laptops.
- The devices feature the same general designs as their predecessors but have been bumped up to 12th Gen Intel CPUs and have new GPU options.
- The XPS 15 starts at $1,449 and the XPS 17 starts at $1,849.
Dell just refreshed two of its flagship laptops, the XPS 15 and XPS 17. The new devices feature 12th Gen Intel Core H-Series processors and have options for NVIDIA GeForce 30-Series graphics. Other internals within the laptops have been bumped up as well, including DDR5 memory. The new XPS 15 and 17 are available today starting at $1,449 and $1,849, respectively. If you want the RTX 3060 in the XPS 17, you'll have to wait until April 2022.
The new XPS models are internal refreshes rather than radical redesigns. If you want a flagship Dell laptop with an overhauled look, check out the XPS 13 Plus.
The fact that the new XPS laptops feature the same general designs as their predecessors is mostly a good thing, based on reviews. Both devices compete with the best Windows laptops. Our executive editor Daniel Rubino gave the XPS 17 a 4.5 out of 5 in his review. The XPS 15 also received positive reviews from several outlets.
| Category | Dell XPS 15 | Dell XPS 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Pro |
| Display | 15.6-inch 4K UHD+ (3840 x 2400), touch, 500-nit, 100% Adobe RGB, 94% DCI-P3, 1600:1 contrast ratio 15.6-inch 3.5K OLED (3456 x 2160), DisplayHDR 500, 400-nit, 100% DCI-P3, 100,000:1 contrast ratio 15.6-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200), 500-nit, 100% sRGB, 1650:1 contrast ratio | 17-inch 4K UHD+ (3840 x 2400), touch, Display HDR 400, 500-nit, 100% Adobe RGB, 94% DCI-P3, 1600:1 contrast ratio 17-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200), 500-nit, 100% sRGB, 1650:1 contrast ratio |
| Processor | 12th Generation Intel Core i5-12500H (18MB Cache, up to 4.5 GHz, 12 cores) 12th Generation Intel Core i7-12700H (24MB Cache, up to 4.7 GHz, 14 cores) 12th Generation Intel Core i9-12900HK (24MB Cache, up to 5.0 GHz, 14 cores) | 12th Generation Intel Core i5-12500H (18MB Cache, up to 4.5 GHz, 12 cores) 12th Generation Intel Core i7-12700H (24MB Cache, up to 4.7 GHz, 14 cores) 12th Generation Intel Core i9-12900HK (24MB Cache, up to 5.0 GHz, 14 cores) |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics Intel Iris Xe Graphics NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 4GB GDDR6 (40W) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti 4GB GDDR6 (40W) | Intel UHD Graphics Intel Iris Xe Graphics NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 4GB GDDR6 (60W) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6GB GDDR6 (60W) |
| Memory | 8GB (1x8GB) DDR5 SDRAM at 4800MHz 16GB (2x8GB) DDR5 Dual Channel at 4800MHz 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5 Dual Channel at 4800MHz 64GB (2x32GB) DDR5 Dual Channel at 4800MHz | 8GB (1x8GB) DDR5 SDRAM at 4800MHz 16GB (2x8GB) DDR5 Dual Channel at 4800MHz 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5 Dual Channel at 4800MHz 64GB (2x32GB) DDR5 Dual Channel at 4800MHz |
| Storage | 256GB PCIe 3 x4 SSD, 512GB PCIe 4 x4 SSD 1TB PCIe 4 x4 SSD, 2TB PCIe 4 x4 SSD 4TB PCIe 4 x4 SSD Supports up to 8TB total storage (2x 4TB) | 256GB PCIe 3 x4 SSD, 512GB PCIe 4 x4 SSD 1TB PCIe 4 x4 SSD, 2TB PCIe 4 x4 SSD 4TB PCIe 4 x4 SSD Supports up to 8TB total storage (2x 4TB) |
| Front Camera | 720p with Windows Hello | 720p with Windows Hello |
| Connectivity | Killer Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1 | Killer Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB Type-C) with DisplayPort and Power Delivery, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C™ (DisplayPort / Power Delivery), 1 Full size SD card reader v6.0, 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo jack, Wedge-shaped lock slot | 4x Thunderbolt 4 (USB Type-C) with DisplayPort and Power Delivery, 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo jack, Wedge-shaped lock slot |
| Audio | MaxxAudio Pro and Waves NX 3D audio, Quad-speaker, 3.5mm audio, dual-microphone array | MaxxAudio Pro and Waves NX 3D audio, Quad-speaker, 3.5mm audio, dual-microphone array |
| Battery | 56Whr 86Whr | 97Whr |
| Dimensions | Height 18mm (0.71") x Width: 344.72mm (13.57") x Depth: 230.14mm (9.06") ThicknessXX mm) | Height: 19.5mm (0.77") x Width: 374.45mm (14.74") x Depth: 248.05mm (9.76") |
| Weight | From 1.81 kg (3.99 lbs) | From 2.21 kg (4.87 lbs) |
| Colors | Black White | Black White |
The XPS 15 features a 15.6-inch display with thin bezels that allow for a 92.9% screen-to-body ratio. There are options for a 4K+ display that covers 100% Adobe RGB, a 3.5K OLED panel, or a 1920 x 1080 screen. The XPS 17 also has a 4K+ model that covers 100% Adobe RGB and an option with a 1920 x 1080 resolution.
Sean Endicott is the news writer for Windows Central. If it runs Windows, is made by Microsoft, or has anything to do with either, he's on it. Sean's been with Windows Central since 2017 and is also our resident app expert. If you have a news tip or an app to review, hit him up at sean.endicott@futurenet.com.
