Dell XPS 15 (2026) || Best All-Around Laptop for Professionals

Updated for 2026: This article revisits our original review of an earlier Dell XPS 15 model (which featured 10th Gen Intel CPUs), offering insights into how the XPS series has evolved and continues to compete in today’s market.

Dell disrupted the market several years ago with the newly designed XPS series, known for its stunning design, performance, and overall convenience. While the market has evolved rapidly, Dell has consistently refreshed the XPS 15, ensuring its design aesthetics remain modern and in line with the Dell XPS 13 and Dell XPS 17.

Today, we’ll reflect on the strengths of the Dell XPS 15 series, considering how current iterations (the 2026 successor may be worth considering) continue to challenge the MacBook Pro. Don’t forget to check out our review of the Dell XPS 13, available here.

Detailed Dell XPS 15 (2026) Review

Our Short Review of the Dell XPS 15 Series (Updated for 2026):

But, for its worth, the Dell XPS 15 series (the 2026 successor may be worth considering) has consistently delivered some of the best user experiences among thin and light laptops.

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• Dell Website
• Amazon
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Dell XPS 15 Series: Specs Overview

Historically, Dell has offered configurable specs for the XPS 15, with models starting around $1299 at launch. While specific configurations and pricing for the latest 2026 models will vary, you can typically find them on the Dell website, Amazon, and eBay. Make sure to check current availability and pricing.

For example, earlier models (like the one originally reviewed) started around $1,299, featuring a 15.6-inch 1920×1200 InfinityEdge display, an Intel 10th Gen Core i5-10300H processor (the 2026 successor may be worth considering), 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, and Intel UHD graphics. Current 2026 models naturally feature much newer processors and updated specifications.

Higher-tier configurations of the older models were priced around $1,749, offering an Intel Core i7-10750H CPU (the 2026 successor may be worth considering) and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti for more demanding tasks. Modern XPS 15 models (the 2026 successor may be worth considering) come with significantly more powerful GPUs.

For premium display options, older 4K and touch screen configurations were available around $2,199, typically including a Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB NVMe SSD. Current 2026 models offer even higher resolution and refresh rate options.

The top-tier configurations of the older models were priced around $2,349, featuring an i7 CPU, Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti GPU (the 2026 successor may be worth considering), 32GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 4K Touch Screen display. Expect current 2026 models to exceed these specifications considerably.

While earlier models had some display configuration limitations, Dell has continuously evolved its offerings. The desire for AMD Ryzen options has also been a recurring theme, and Dell has introduced Ryzen-powered laptops in other lines since then.

Overview of the Specs at a glance

Please note, the following specifications reflect the model originally reviewed in 2023. Current Dell XPS 15 (2026) models feature significantly updated components.

Dell XPS 15 Series: Enduring Design

The Dell XPS 15 series has consistently featured a design that is, in a word, simply stunning. It features a unibody chassis made from a single block of Aluminium with CNC machining, giving it more strength and rigidity, also making it very appealing to see. You can now open the lid with one finger and upon opening, you will find nice black carbon fiber finishing for the keyboard deck and a gigantic trackpad.

The left and right side of the keyboard features speaker grills for some really good up-firing speakers. The device now features 3 USB-C ports; two on the left (supports Thunderbolt 3) and one on the right (without thunderbolt 3). On the right side you will also find a headphone jack and a SD card slot.

With their clever design, Dell has continuously refined the XPS 15, making it even smaller than previous iterations by shrinking the bezels, which they call the “InfinityEdge display”. It really holds up to its name, to be honest. Its dimension now measures 13.6×9.1×0.7 inches only and at 4.5 pounds. For security, you have a fingerprint scanner embedded in the power button and an IR webcam featuring Windows Hello face recognition system.

Dell XPS 15 Series: Performance Evolution

Dell has consistently upgraded the internals of the XPS 15 series. While the model originally reviewed featured 10th gen H series CPUs (the 2026 successor may be worth considering), current 2026 models boast the latest generation processors, offering significantly enhanced performance. It just flies through day-to-day tasks like web browsing, media consumption, email, editing office documents etc.

You can also do some moderate gaming on low resolution, video editing, and programming if you upgrade to a higher-end configuration featuring a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650Ti Max-Q GPU with 4GB of VRAM (the 2026 successor may be worth considering). Current XPS 15 models (the 2026 successor may be worth considering) integrate much more powerful NVIDIA RTX GPUs. But, be aware this is not a gaming device by any means, rather a productivity machine. This review was originally conducted early in the lifecycle of that particular model. Benchmarking scores for current 2026 models are readily available from various tech outlets.

The thermal was good in our test with moderate temperature in the keyboard area. But if you push the system, the fan will ramp up quite easily to keep the internals cool.

Dell XPS 15 Series: Immersive Display

Dell has continuously shrunk the bezels even more (now offering 92.9% screen to body ratio on some models) and completely removed the bottom chin, featuring a 16:10 aspect ratio screen. This aspect ratio gives you a slightly more vertical space, making web surfing more enjoyable. The display is particularly a bright one with 500-nits of brightness claimed on Dell’s website.

The display quality has consistently been a highlight, with earlier models being among the brightest notebooks available. For the panel, you have 15.6 inches with 1920×1200 resolution non-touch Anti-glare and 3840×2400 resolution Touch-sensitive Anti-Reflective options. The panel is very vibrant with 132% sRGB color gamut coverage. This display is among the best in class for any laptop

Dell XPS 15 Series: Enhanced Audio

Dell has consistently improved the audio, with models featuring four top-firing speakers (2.5Wx2 woofers and 1.5Wx2 tweeters) designed to fill your room. The volume is very loud with a very crisp and clean sound. In our opinion, it is among the best sounding speakers in Windows laptops, though it is still not in par with MacBook Pro speakers.

Dell XPS 15 Series: Premium Keyboard and Trackpad

Dell has consistently refined the keyboard, with models featuring larger keycaps and comfortable key travel. The keyboard is a pleasure to type on with nice key-separation and good feedback. If you are someone who needs to type frequently you will enjoy this keyboard very much. The backlight is also good to type in the dark.

The trackpad is a gigantic (62% larger than the previous model) one measuring 5.9×3.5 inches. It’s a glass trackpad with Windows precision driver and Windows 10 gesture support. The tracking is smooth and accurate, the palm rejection is excellent, and the buttons are also very nice.

Dell XPS 15 Series: Battery Life Considerations

Historically, with certain design iterations, battery life saw some adjustments. For example, the model originally reviewed featured a 56WHr battery for the base model and 86WHr for models with dedicated graphics, a change from previous generations. Current 2026 models aim for an optimal balance of performance and battery longevity. On tests like the Laptop Mag Battery Test (continuous web surfing over Wi-Fi at 150 nits of brightness), earlier 4K versions typically lasted around 8 hours. The lower resolution display will offer a much better battery life if that is important to you, a trend that continues with 2026 models. Dell provides a 130W adapter to juice this device.

Dell XPS 15 Series: Upgradability

The Dell XPS 15 series has generally offered good upgradability, with models featuring multiple RAM slots and M.2 NVMe slots for storage expansion. But unfortunately, the Wi-Fi card featuring Killer Wi-Fi is baked on the motherboard which you can not replace.

Final Thoughts

Dell has consistently refined the XPS 15 series, addressing feedback and improving across various aspects. It packs a lot of punch in a small chassis but doesn’t mind the portability at all. Compared to MacBook Pro models, which often start at a premium, the Dell XPS 15 series (the 2026 successor may be worth considering) remains a strong contender, offering a compelling Windows alternative without major compromises.

If you are a student or professional seeking a powerful desktop replacement that doesn’t compromise on portability, the Dell XPS 15 series (the 2026 successor may be worth considering) continues to be among the best options in the PC world.

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