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Design10
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Hardware10
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Ports9
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Thermals / Fan Noise9
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Audio9
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Display10
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Performance10
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Battery9
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Webcam6
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Price Value6
Here we reviewing the Dell XPS 17 9730 for 2023. This model retains its stunning 17-inch IPS display with UHD+ resolution. Unfortunately, there is no OLED option available, which would have been fantastic. The display gives 60Hz refresh rate. In this article, we will dive into the pros and cons of Dell XPS 17, covering every aspect. Now, onto the specifications: this unit is equipped with the 13th Gen processor, specifically the 8th series Core i7 3700H.
Unboxing and Design
Inside the box, we find several documents, including the 9730 XPS 17, warranty, and regulatory paperwork. The charging brick is noticeably slim, providing 130 Watts through a USB Type-C connection. The power cord features USB-A and HDMI ports, both of which connect via Type-C. In terms of weight, I measured it to be 2.448 kilograms or 5.4 pounds. When factoring in the power charger, the total travel weight comes to 6.396 pounds or 2.901 kilograms.
Specification
| Display | 17.0″, UHD+ (3840 x 2400) InfinityEdge Touch Anti-Reflective 500-Nit |
| CPU | 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13700H Processor (14-Core, 24MB Cache, Up to 5.0 GHz) |
| Graphics | NVIDI GeForce RTX 4070 (60W) with 8 GB GDDR6) |
| Memory | Up to 64Gb, 2x32Gb, DDR5, 4800MHz |
| Storage | Up to 8 TB (2×4 TB) M 2. PCIe NVMe, SSD |
| Battery | 6 Cell, 97Wh, integrated |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6 1675 (AX211), Bluetooth wireless Card |
| Webcam | 720p at 30 fps, HD Camera Dual-array, IR Camera |
| Audio | Quad-speakers with 2.5W X2 woofers and 1.5W X2 tweeters = 8W total Peak output |
| Ports | 4 Thunderbolt 4 (USB Type C) ports with DisplayPort and Power Delivery support 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo jack. |
| Price | $3,349 |
Read More: Gigabyte M28U-AE Review
Dell XPS 17 9730 Ports
On the left side, we have a Kensington Lockport and two USB Type-C ports. These ports support full functionality, including data transfer, charging, and display output. On the right side, two more USB Type-C ports, which offer full functionality. And, we have the Thunderbolt 4 ports and a full-size SD card reader. Lastly, there’s a 3.5 millimeter microphone headphone combo Jack. Overall, the port selection is quite good.
UHD+ Display
Let’s talk about the laptop’s display. We are once again provided with the UHD Plus option, which has a resolution of 3840 by 2400. It has an IPS display, however there is no OLED option, as there is on the XPS 15. Nonetheless, it is a fantastic display. It has the same excellent colour gamut breadth and accuracy as last year, making it suitable for content makers using tools like Lightroom, Photoshop, and video editing software. The display performs admirably for tasks such as colour grading, which we enjoy, especially on a panel of this calibre.
The display has anti-reflective coating that helps reduce glare and reflections depending on your lighting conditions, With a reported 500 nits of brightness and the panel is quite bright. In my tests, it even came close to exceeding that, hitting 501 nits. It is suited for both indoor and outdoor use at this brightness level. It’s crucial to remember that, as is normal, direct sunlight can still result in some glare and reflection problems.
When it comes to media consumption, the display truly shines. Whether you’re watching Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, or high dynamic range content, the experience has been excellent. It has not disappointed in terms of delivering vibrant and immersive visuals. And one more feature is multi-touch display, allowing you to navigate with your finger and enjoy pinch-to-zoom. This adds an extra level of versatility and usability to the laptop.
The panel only supports a 60Hz refresh rate; other brands and models offer options for 90Hz and 120Hz. Future iterations should feature the choice of a higher refresh rate, as well as a dynamic refresh rate that can transition between lower and higher rates as necessary. And this IPS display is best—if not the best—in terms of sharpness, clarity, and general performance, despite the absence of an OLED option as in the 15-inch model. It is without a doubt one of the laptop Dell XPS 17 9730’s most notable features.
Related: HP EliteBook 845 G7 Review
Webcam, Mics and Fingerprint Sensor
Let’s discuss the camera on the Dell XPS 17 9730 for 2023 featured with a 720p camera. It is an IR camera, allowing for face recognition login with Windows Hello. Additionally, the power button doubles as a fingerprint scanner. And I am quite disappointed with this camera. In an era where hybrid working and remote work have become prevalent, having a higher resolution camera is essential. I would have expected a minimum of 1080p resolution, especially in 2023. People rely on clear video quality for video conferences and virtual meetings, and it’s disappointing that the camera falls short in this aspect.
To be fair, a 720p camera is still functional and provides decent quality, but given the current needs and expectations, a higher resolution camera would have been more suitable. This is especially important for those who prioritize clear video quality to complement audio during virtual meetings and conferences.
Keyboard and Touchpad
Personally, I find the keyboard on the XPS 17 9730 to be satisfactory. The key travel and tactility remain the same as last year’s model, which I found comfortable for typing long documents and emails. It’s worth noting that the keyboard does not include a numpad, despite being a 17-inch laptop. This may disappoint some users who require a numpad for number-intensive tasks, while others may appreciate the extra space. The keyboard also features a multi-level backlight, allowing for comfortable typing in low-light environments.
The touchpad on the XPS 17 9730 is spacious and highly responsive. Scrolling and performing various gestures worked well during my testing, and I didn’t encounter any issues with looseness or other touchpad-related problems. The quality control on my review unit was satisfactory, and I didn’t experience any concerns in that regard.
Dell XPS 17 Audio Quality
Let’s discuss the audio capabilities of the Dell XPS 17 9730. It’s quad speakers, two woofers and two tweeters, offering a total eight watts output. Considering it is a 17-inch laptop, the audio quality is quite impressive. The sound is rich, and I appreciate the presence of bass and the clarity of the midrange frequencies. The overall volume is also satisfactory.
However, despite the smaller size of the MacBook Pro 14 (I don’t have the 16-inch variant for comparison), I believe the speakers on the MacBook Pro 14 outperform those on the XPS 17. In my opinion, Apple has produced some of the best speakers on a laptop, and I adore the sound quality.
While the audio performance of the XPS 17 is still commendable, those who prioritize exceptional sound quality may find the speakers on the MacBook Pro 14 to be more impressive.
Internals and User Upgradeability
Inside the laptop, you’ll immediately notice a 97 watt-hour battery. We’ll discuss its battery life in detail later in this review. Additionally, there are two fans for cooling, along with a vapor chamber cooling system. We’ll delve into the thermal performance later as well.
When it comes to user upgradeability, there’s good news. The RAM is upgradable, as well as the SSDs. The laptop provides two RAM slots and two SSD slots. Regarding RAM, you can configure it with up to 64 gigabytes of DDR5 4800 megahertz RAM running in dual-channel mode. As for the SSDs, there are two slots to upgrading, for a total of eight terabytes of storage (4 for each). The included one terabyte SSD demonstrates excellent PCIe Gen 4 speeds in terms of reads and writes. This is a feature that aligns well with the expectations of 2023.
Regarding wireless connectivity, the laptop features Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6 with a Bluetooth combo card, and the card is soldered into the motherboard and cannot be upgraded. Speaking of wireless performance, both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth have been functioning well. The Killer Wi-Fi 6 supports Wi-Fi 6, but it may not have the updated antennas to provide a Wi-Fi 6E signal. This is something to consider, and hopefully, future models will include the necessary antennas for better reception. I have experienced no issues with the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connections both working flawlessly.
Performance, Benchmarks and Gaming
| Benchmarks | Scores |
|---|---|
| PCMARK 10 | 7,327 |
| GEEKBENCH 6 (Single-Core) | 2,527 |
| GEEKBENCH 6 (Multi-Core) | 13,300 |
| CINEBENCH R20 | 6,105 |
| CINEBENCH R15 | 2,761 CB | 219,09 FPS |
| 3DMARK Fire Strike | 22,197 |
| 3DMARK Time Spy | 9,235 |
The Dell XPS 17 9730 runs on Intel’s 13th Gen processor, the Core i7-13700H, which operates at 45 Watts. With its 14k scores, eight efficient cores, and six performance cores, the processor delivers excellent single and multi-core performance. Everyday tasks like using Microsoft Office, email, and web browsing work seamlessly and efficiently.
| Laptop | CINEBENCH R23 (Single-Core) Score |
|---|---|
| Dell XPS 15 9530 Core i9-13900H | 1,980 |
| Dell XPS 17 9730 Core i7-13700H | 1,891 |
| Dell XPS 15 9530 Core i7-1370H | 1,883 |
| Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra Core i7-13700H | 1,853 |
When it comes to video editing software like DaVinci Resolve or Premiere Pro, the XPS 17 excels. This is made feasible by the presence of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, which has a power consumption range of 60 to 70 Watts. While the Dell XPS 17 is not a dedicated gaming laptop, the results demonstrate that it can handle popular titles and give playable frame rates. Additionally, thanks to the four Thunderbolt 4 connectors, you can always install an additional GPU if required.
Overall, Dell XPS 17 laptop is well-suited for content creators, offering a powerful graphics card and significant improvements in both single and multi-core performance compared to the previous model, the 9720, thanks to the inclusion of the RTX 4070. It provides a great balance between work and play, making it a versatile option for various tasks.
Thermals, Surface Temps and Fan Noise
When I ran the Time Spy stress test to assess thermal throttling under heavy load, the laptop achieved an impressive passing score of 98.2 percent. This indicates that it experienced very minimal, if any, thermal throttling when subjected to demanding tasks. This is a noteworthy achievement and demonstrates the laptop’s capability to handle intense workloads effectively.
In terms of surface temperatures, even under heavy load, the laptop did not become excessively hot to the touch. There’s a few isolated hot spots here, they were not a cause for concern. The laptop’s surface temperatures were well-managed overall, which can be attributed to its Vapor Chamber Cooling system. This cooling mechanism makes a significant difference, especially when compared to the XPS 15, which lacks Vapor Chamber Cooling. In my opinion, this is a substantial advantage and contributes to the laptop’s performance and thermal management.
Regarding fan noise, when the laptop was set to ultra-performance mode, the maximum noise level reached around 47 to 48 decibels. While the fan noise was noticeable, it was not excessively loud or alarming. I have certainly encountered laptops with louder fan noise. Overall, the fan noise levels were tolerable and not a major concern.
Battery Life
As mentioned earlier, the Dell XPS 17 9730 retains the same 97 watt-hour battery capacity as last year’s model. In the PC Mark 10 Modern Office battery test, it achieved an impressive runtime of 8 hours and 44 minutes. This is a significant improvement compared to the previous model, the 9520, which lasted 5 hours and 56 minutes in the same test. This indicates a notable advancement in battery life year over year.
During the video playback test in PC Mark 10, the current model lasted 9 hours and 7 minutes, while the previous model managed 5 hours and 41 minutes. This demonstrates another considerable improvement in battery performance. it’s important to note that gaming on battery power can significantly drain the battery, lasting only about an hour or so. It’s not expected for gaming sessions to last long on battery.
Overall, there is a definite improvement in battery life compared to the previous model. The Dell XPS 17 9730 offers extended runtime for everyday office tasks, video playback, and general usage, providing users with more freedom and flexibility without constantly needing to be near a power outlet.
Pros and Cons
There are a lot of good things to say about the Dell XPS 17 9730 for 2023. When compared to last year’s XPS 17 model (9720), there have been significant advancements in single and multi-core speed, graphics capabilities, and battery life. However, certain reservations remain about key features of the design.
One of the main issues is the lack of significant design updates. This is the third iteration with the same design, and some may feel that it’s becoming stale. Additionally, the continued inclusion of a 720p webcam is seen as unacceptable in 2023, considering the importance of video communication for remote work and other purposes. Furthermore, the absence of Wi-Fi 6E support and high refresh rate options, as well as the lack of an OLED display choice, are factors to consider when evaluating this 17-inch laptop.
Considering all these factors, my overall takeaway is a mixed one. While the XPS 17 9730 has several notable improvements, the aforementioned design limitations and missing features should be taken into account before making a decision.
