Let’s comprehensively review the Laptop Dell XPS 17 i7 13th generation – 9730. The laptop still features the stunning 17-inch IPS display with a UHD+ resolution, although there’s no OLED option available, which would have been a nice addition. It has a 60Hz refresh rate, and I’ll discuss its benefits and drawbacks in the video.
This model has a 13th Gen Intel Core i7-3700H processor, showing significant improvements in single and multi-core performance compared to last year. Additionally, it boasts better battery life and enhanced graphics performance thanks to an upgraded GPU. I’ll cover all the features it offers, and some of the ongoing issues, and help you decide if it’s worthwhile.
Specs and Pricing
The pricing for the Dell XPS 17 starts at $2,449 on Amazon. Yes, it’s pricey, but it is Dell’s premium flagship model. While it has its flaws, which we will discuss, it also has many strengths. For those interested, links have been provided within the context of this article.
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, Dell is still selling last year’s XPS 17 (9720) starting at $1,899, which is considerably cheaper than this year’s model.
Unboxing & Design Laptop Dell XPS 17 i7 13th generation 9730
Upon unboxing the Dell XPS 17 (9730) , the first things you’ll find are the usual documentation, including warranty and regulatory information—standard paperwork we’ve seen with previous models.
The package includes a slim 130-watt USB-C charging brick, consistent with what Dell has provided in the past. Additionally, a power cord and a USB-C hub is together with USB-A and HDMI ports.
In terms of weight, the laptop itself weighs 2.448 kilograms (5.4 pounds). Including the power charger, the total travel weight is 6.396 pounds (2.901 kilograms).
Ports & Connections
Let’s take a look at the port selection on this product.
Left Side:
- Lock port
- Two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports (supporting data transfer, charging, and display output)
Right Side:
- Two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports (full function)
- Full-size SD card reader
- 3.5mm microphone/headphone combo jack
Overall, the port selection is solid with a total of four Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports and additional essential ports. However, it lacks USB-A and HDMI ports, though Dell includes a USB-C dongle with USB-A and HDMI ports in the box to address this.
Internals & User Upgradeability
To access the internals of the Dell XPS 17 (9730), you need to remove eight screws and pry off the bottom plate using a guitar pick or pry tool. Once inside, you will find several key components:
Internal Components:
- Battery: 97 watt-hour battery.
- Cooling System: Two fans and a vapor chamber cooling system.
Upgradeability:
- RAM:
- Two RAM slots.
- Supports up to 64GB of DDR5 4800MHz RAM running in dual-channel mode.
- Storage:
- Two SSD slots.
- Supports up to 8TB of storage (4TB each slot).
- The included 1TB SSD shows PCIe Gen 4 speeds with excellent read and write performance.
Wireless:
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth:
- Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6 with a Bluetooth combo card.
- Note: The Wi-Fi card is soldered to the motherboard and is not user-upgradable.
- Supports Wi-Fi 6, but not Wi-Fi 6E due to the lack of updated antennas required for Wi-Fi 6E signals.
Performance:
Both the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth have been reported to work flawlessly without any issues. However, it is noted that the laptop does not currently support Wi-Fi 6E, which may be included in future models.
UHD & Display
The Laptop Dell XPS 17 i7 13th generation 9730 for features a UHD+ display with a resolution of 3840 x 2400 pixels. This is an IPS panel, which means you don’t get the OLED option available in the XPS 15 lineup. However, the display quality remains excellent, with several key highlights:
- Color Accuracy and Coverage: The display offers excellent color gamut coverage and is highly color-accurate, making it ideal for content creators who use applications like Lightroom, Photoshop, and video editing software. This accuracy is crucial for tasks such as color grading.
- Anti-Reflective Coating: The display includes an anti-reflective coating to help reduce glare and reflections, although some glare will still be present depending on lighting conditions.
- Brightness: Dell claims the display achieves 500 nits of brightness, and measurements slightly exceeded this at 501 nits. This makes the screen suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, though direct sunlight can still cause some visibility issues due to glare.
- Media Consumption: The panel performs exceptionally well for media consumption, including watching Netflix, Amazon, and YouTube. It supports high dynamic range (HDR) content, providing an excellent viewing experience.
- Touch Functionality: The display supports multi-touch, enhancing navigation with pinch-to-zoom and other touch gestures, adding convenience when interacting with the OS.
- Refresh Rate: One downside is that the display is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate. Unlike some competitors offering 90Hz or 120Hz options, the XPS 17 does not provide a higher refresh rate, which could be a desirable feature for smoother visuals and a more dynamic experience.
- No OLED Option: Unlike the XPS 15, the XPS 17 does not offer an OLED display option. Despite this, the IPS panel used is still among the best available in terms of quality and clarity.
In summary, while the UHD+ display on the Dell XPS 17 (9730) may not have the higher refresh rates or OLED options seen in some other models, it excels in color accuracy, brightness, and overall quality, making it a standout feature of this laptop.
Webcam, Mics & Fingerprint Reader
The Dell XPS includes several features for video conferencing and security, but there are some notable areas for improvement:
- Webcam: The laptop comes with a 720p camera, which is quite outdated for 2023. Although it includes an IR sensor for facial recognition via Windows Hello, the resolution is not up to par with modern standards where 1080p has become the baseline expectation, especially given the rise of remote work and hybrid work environments. While the 720p camera performs adequately for its resolution, the clarity and quality do not meet the higher demands of today’s users.
- Microphones: The microphones on the XPS 17 are functional but not exceptional. They are designed to handle basic audio recording and video conferencing, but for professional or high-quality audio needs, an external microphone would be preferable.
- Fingerprint Reader: The power button doubles as a fingerprint scanner, providing an additional layer of security and a convenient method for logging in. This feature is a welcome addition, offering a quick and secure alternative to password entry.
In summary, while the Dell XPS 17 (9730) includes a functional set of features for video calls and security, the webcam resolution is a significant drawback. The 720p camera is below the expected standard for a premium laptop, and users would benefit from an upgrade to at least a 1080p camera to improve video call clarity. The inclusion of facial recognition and a fingerprint reader adds convenience and security, but the overall video conferencing capabilities could use an upgrade.
Performance, Benchmarks & Gaming
The Dell XPS 17 (9730) delivers impressive performance, powered by Intel’s 13th Gen Core i7-13700H processor. This processor features 14 cores, including 6 performance cores and 8 efficient cores, running at a 45W power draw. This setup ensures excellent single and multi-core performance, making everyday tasks such as using Microsoft Office, email, and web browsing seamless and efficient.
Benchmark Results
- Single-Core Performance: The Core i7-13700H shows strong single-core performance, suitable for tasks that require quick processing times.
- Multi-Core Performance: Multi-core benchmarks also indicate significant improvements, especially compared to the previous year’s model. The increase in efficiency and power from the additional cores is evident.
Video Editing
- 4K Video Editing: The inclusion of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, operating between 60-70W, significantly enhances the laptop’s capability for tasks such as 4K video editing in DaVinci Resolve or Adobe Premiere Pro. The GPU accelerates rendering times and improves overall performance for video-related tasks.
Gaming
- Gaming Performance: While not specifically marketed as a gaming laptop, the XPS 17 can handle popular gaming titles at playable frame rates. The RTX 4070 provides ample power for gaming during downtime, making it a versatile machine for both work and play.
- External GPU Support: For users who require even more graphical power, the four Thunderbolt 4 ports allow for the connection of an external GPU. However, the built-in RTX 4070 is generally sufficient for most gaming and professional needs.
Year-over-Year Improvement
Compared to the previous model, the XPS 17 (9730) shows a noticeable improvement in both single and multi-core performance. The upgrade from the RTX 3060 to the RTX 4070 GPU contributes significantly to these enhancements, providing better performance for both creative professionals and casual gamers.
Thermals, Surface Temps & Fan Noise
Thermal Management
The Dell XPS 17 (9730) showcases efficient thermal management, thanks to its vapor chamber cooling system. When subjected to the Time Spy stress test, it achieved a passing score of 98.2%, indicating minimal thermal throttling under heavy load. This performance is commendable, ensuring the laptop remains efficient even during intensive tasks.
Surface Temperatures
During heavy load, surface temperatures remained within acceptable limits. The laptop did not become excessively hot to the touch, even on the underside, although there were a few minor hot spots. This effective temperature management can be attributed to the vapor chamber cooling, which outperforms the cooling systems in models without this feature, such as the XPS 15.
Fan Noise
In ultra-performance mode, the fan noise was measured at around 47-48 decibels. While noticeable, it is not overly loud and is relatively acceptable for a high-performance laptop.
Battery Life
The XPS 17 retains its 97-watt-hour battery, offering significant improvements over previous models. On the PCMark 10 Modern Office battery test, it lasted 8 hours and 44 minutes, a substantial improvement from last year’s 5 hours and 56 minutes. Similarly, in the video playback test, it achieved 9 hours and 7 minutes, compared to last year’s 5 hours and 41 minutes. However, during gaming, the battery drains quickly, lasting about an hour. Overall, the battery life shows a marked improvement year over year.
Keyboard & Touchpad
Keyboard
The keyboard remains consistent with previous models, featuring a tactile feel and comfortable key travel. Despite some criticisms of being too mushy, it performs well for typing long documents and emails. Notably, the keyboard lacks a numpad, which might be a drawback for number crunchers but is a neutral point for others.
Touchpad
The spacious touchpad is responsive, handling gestures and scrolling smoothly without any issues. There were no quality control problems reported in the review unit, indicating reliable performance.
Audio & Speaker Test
The XPS 17 is equipped with quad speakers (two woofers and two tweeters) with a total output of eight watts. The audio quality is rich and full, with good bass. However, compared to the MacBook Pro 14, the XPS 17’s speakers are slightly outperformed, even though the XPS 17 is larger. Nonetheless, the audio quality remains impressive for a 17-inch laptop.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Significant improvements in single and multi-core performance.
- Enhanced graphics performance with the Nvidia RTX 4070.
- Improved battery life compared to previous models.
- Efficient thermal management with vapor chamber cooling.
- High-quality UHD+ display with excellent color accuracy.
- Responsive and spacious touchpad.
- Good audio quality with quad speakers.
Cons:
- Outdated 720p webcam.
- No Wi-Fi 6E support.
- No high refresh rate display options.
- No OLED display option.
- Design is starting to feel a bit stale.
Conclusion
The Laptop Dell XPS 17 i7 13th generation 9730 offers substantial improvements in performance and battery life, making it one of the best 17-inch laptops in the premium flagship category. While it has some drawbacks, such as the outdated webcam and lack of OLED or high refresh rate display options, its strengths in processing power, thermal management, and display quality make it a highly recommended choice for both content creators and professionals.
