Dell XPS 17 (2023) vs. 15 (2023): Does size matter?

  • Dell XPS 17 (2023)

    Packed with 13th Gen Intel Core processors and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 GPU, the 2023 Dell XPS 17 delivers more power than ever in a familiar chassis.

    Positives

    • More powerful graphics
    • More Thunderbolt 4 ports
    • The larger screen is perfect for multitasking
    cons

    • Heavy and hard to carry
    • 720p webcam

  • Angled front view of Dell XPS 15 facing left

    Dell XPS 15 (2023)

    The Dell XPS 15 is a more compact and portable laptop, but it still packs a lot of power, with the same 13th-generation Intel processors. It also has more affordable configurations and an OLED screen option.

    Positives

    • More portable and compact
    • The OLED display option is amazing
    • It starts at a much lower price
    cons

    • Not at the same level of performance as the larger model
    • Fewer ports
    • It’s still somewhat heavy

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Dell’s XPS lineup is home to some of the best laptops on the market, and when you look at the two larger sizes—the XPS 15 and XPS 17—it’s clear that these are great laptops for creators. Both are great devices in their own right, and the truth is that they are very similar. But size can matter, and there are a few differences you need to keep in mind. We’re here to take a look at them in case you need help choosing one.


Dell XPS 17 (2023) vs. 15 (2023): Price, specs, and availability

The Dell XPS 15 and 17 were both announced around the same time and became available around the same time as well. At the moment, not all of the promised configurations are available, and Dell started with high-quality models. With current releases in mind, the Dell XPS 17 starts at $2,449 on Dell’s website, while the Dell XPS 15 starts at just $1,299, though it naturally has lower specs.

Both models are also listed at Best Buy, and you can expect to see them at other retailers in the coming weeks and months. Cheaper configurations are also likely to be released in the near future.

  • Dell XPS 17 (2023) Dell XPS 15 (2023)
    Brand Dale Dale
    color Platinum Silver exterior color, Black interior color Platinum Silver exterior color, Black interior color
    storage 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB PCIe 4.x SSD 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB PCIe 4.x SSD
    CPU Up to 13th Generation Intel Core i9-13900H processor Up to 13th Generation Intel Core i9-13900H processor
    memory 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB DDR5 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB DDR5
    OS Windows 11 operating system Windows 11 operating system
    battery 97Wh 86Wh battery
    ports 4x Thunderbolt 4, 1x SD card reader, 1x 3.5mm headphone/microphone jack, 1x wedge lock slot 2x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 1 x full-size SD card reader, 1 x 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo jack, 1 x wedge-shaped lock slot
    camera 720p Windows Hello IR Webcam 720P Windows Hello IR Webcam
    screen (size, resolution) 17-inch 4K UHD+ 3840 x 2400 resolution touch, or FHD+ 1920 x 1200 non-touch 15-inch 3.5K resolution 3456×2160 touch OLED, or FHD+ 1920×1200 resolution non-touch
    Weight 5.10 or 5.37 pounds 4.21 pounds for the FHD + model, 4.23 pounds for the OLED model
    GPU Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 with 12GB GDDR6 Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop 8GB GDDR6
    The dimension 14.74 x 9.76 x 0.77 inches 13.57 x 9.06 x 0.71 inches
    network Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6 1675 (AX211) 2×2 with Bluetooth 5.2 Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6 1675 (AX211) 2×2 with Bluetooth 5.2
    Amplifiers Quad-speaker design with 2.5W tweeters x 2 and 1.5W tweeters x 2 Quad-speaker design with 2.5W tweeters x 2 and 1.5W tweeters x 2
    price Starting at $2,449 Starting at $2,249
    Adapter and battery 97 Wh battery 86 hours
    finish Aluminum and carbon fiber Aluminum and carbon fiber

Dell XPS 17 (2023) vs. 15 (2023): Bigger Size Means More Power

Angled front view of Dell XPS 17 facing left

Realistically speaking, the differences between these two laptops aren’t huge, but there are a few things worth noting. Both laptops come with 13th Gen Intel Core processors, and either way, they’re H series, which means they have a 45W TDP. What’s more, the two have the same configuration options, up to an Intel Core i9-13900H, with 14 cores, 20 threads, and boost speeds of up to 5.4GHz. In this regard, it is safe to say that they are on par, and both are very fast machines.

The XPS 17 can be equipped with up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080.

It’s the GPU that sets these two laptops apart, and the Dell XPS 17 takes advantage of that extra headroom to make even more power. The XPS 17 can be equipped with up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 laptop GPU, which can use 60 watts of power. By comparison, the Dell XPS 15 comes with up to a GeForce RTX 4070, which can use just 40W of power. Both can handle some demanding workloads, but a larger laptop will obviously be better for everything from content creation to some gaming.

Of course, more power comes at the expense of battery life, although the Dell XPS 17 has a larger 97Wh battery than the XPS 15’s 86Wh unit.

Dell XPS 15 9530-13

In terms of RAM and storage, things are the same. You can configure any laptop with up to 64GB of DDR5 RAM out of the box (it runs at similar speeds) plus 8TB of SSD storage. Either way, that’s more than most people need.

One thing worth noting here is that there are significantly lower-end configurations available for the Dell XPS 15, giving you the option to forego discrete graphics entirely. If you don’t need that sort of thing, the XPS 15 costs just $1,299, which makes it much cheaper than the XPS 17’s starting price.

Dell XPS 17 (2023) vs. 15 (2023): Two great screens

Display on the 2022 XPS 17

The screen is one area where you’ll immediately see the differences between these two laptops, if not for something other than the size. As the names suggest, the Dell XPS 17 comes with a 17-inch screen, while the XPS 15 has a 15.6-inch screen. However, they’re both otherwise the same, as they both have a 16:10 aspect ratio and Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) resolution in the base model. The two also have slim bezels all around.

However, when you look at the upgrade options, the differences become more noticeable. The Dell XPS 17 is available with a 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2400) IPS display, which also offers 100% Adobe RGB coverage. This is an important color space for creatives, and if you have work that is very sensitive to color, this makes this the best choice.

Front view of a laptop with a superhero on the screen

On the other hand, the Dell XPS 15 gives you the option to have an equally sharp 3.5K OLED panel, which looks amazing. Because each pixel is self-luminous, OLED panels produce extremely vivid colors and deep blacks that IPS panels simply can’t quite match. However, this OLED panel does not support 100% Adobe RGB, instead advertising 100% DCI-P3 coverage. That’s enough for most people, and you’ll get a better visual experience overall, but for users who are more sensitive to color, the XPS 17 is a better choice.

The Dell XPS 15 gives you the option of a 3.5K OLED panel, which looks amazing.

Because of their ultra-thin bezels, both laptops fall flat in the webcam department, with a 720p sensor that feels pretty outdated in 2023. Both at least support Windows Hello facial recognition, but you might want to get an external webcam either way. .

Dell XPS 17 (2023) vs. 15 (2023): Design and Connectivity

Close-up view of the speaker grille and keyboard on the Dell XPS 17

As you might be able to tell, these two laptops are almost identical in terms of looks. Both have a platinum silver exterior and black carbon fiber, and the two-tone look is still cool, even if it’s dated. Previous XPS 15 models had a version with a white interior, but that now appears to be gone.

The differences are in portability, and as you’d expect, the XPS 17 is harder to carry around than the smaller version. Having a larger screen makes it larger in every dimension, including a thickness of 19.5mm versus the XPS 15’s 18mm. More importantly, while the XPS 15 starts at 4.21 pounds, the XPS 17 starts at 5.1 pounds. It will make a difference in your backpack if you carry it around.

Angled view of the USB Type C port and SD card reader

There are also differences in the ports, though the two laptops have the same DNA here as well. The Dell XPS 17 wins, however, with four Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports, a full-size SD card reader, and a headphone jack. The XPS 15 falls a bit behind with three USB-C ports, only two of which support Thunderbolt 4. Otherwise, they’re identical, and both also include a USB-C to HDMI and USB Type-A adapter, if you need that. Both laptops also support Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1.

Dell XPS 17 (2023) vs. 15 (2023): How Much Power Do You Need?

Because they’re so similar, choosing between the Dell XPS 17 and XPS 15 really comes down to how much you need the extra performance, larger screen, and Adobe RGB coverage of the larger model. While these are obvious advantages, it’s safe to say that most people don’t need these kind of features, and considering the huge difference in price, the Dell XPS 15 is better for most people. It has similar levels of performance for everyday tasks, a great screen, and is more portable, on top of being cheaper, depending on the configuration.

Angled front view of Dell XPS 15 facing left

Dell XPS 15 (2023)

Editor’s Pick

With a wide range of configuration options and an affordable price, the Dell XPS 15 is the best laptop for most people. You can still make it extra sturdy if you want to, and it’s more portable too.

Of course, if you need the kind of power the Dell XPS 17 delivers, it’s by no means a bad laptop. It has great performance, and the same stylish design, this color-accurate monitor is bound to make it great for professional content creators who depend on the best color reproduction. If you have the money to spend, it’s still a great option.

Angled front view of Dell XPS 17 facing right

Dell XPS 17 (2023)

If you need more power

If you need more power for gaming or content creation, the Dell XPS 17 is still an excellent laptop. It has more advanced GPU options, as well as an ultra-clear, extremely color-accurate 4K display.

If neither sounds like something to your liking, you’ll probably find something you like in our list of the best Dell laptops. There’s a lot more to offer than laptops for creators.

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