By Administrator The Dell XPS fifteen has consistently been a frontrunner in the premium laptop arena. Known for its sleek design, powerful performance, and stunning display, the XPS fifteen has captured the hearts of professionals, creatives, and everyday users alike. The twenty seventeen model, in particular, made a significant splash upon its release, setting a new standard for what a fifteen-inch laptop could achieve. But in a world where technology evolves at breakneck speed, the question remains: is the Dell XPS fifteen from twenty seventeen still a viable option in today’s market? Let’s delve into the details and explore whether this classic laptop still holds its own.
A Design That Still Turns Heads
The Dell XPS fifteen’s design philosophy has always been about blending elegance and functionality. The twenty seventeen iteration proudly carries on this tradition. The chassis is constructed from a combination of machined aluminum and carbon fiber, resulting in a laptop that feels both premium and robust. The aluminum lid and base provide a sturdy feel, while the carbon fiber palm rest offers a comfortable and cool surface for extended typing sessions.
One of the defining features of the XPS fifteen, then and now, is its InfinityEdge display. This innovative design minimizes the bezels surrounding the screen, creating a near-borderless viewing experience that is incredibly immersive. The slim bezels not only enhance the visual appeal but also allow Dell to cram a fifteen-inch display into a chassis that is closer in size to a fourteen-inch laptop. This compact footprint makes the XPS fifteen surprisingly portable for a machine with its capabilities. It’s easy enough to slip into a backpack or carry around the office without feeling weighed down.
The overall build quality is exceptional. The laptop feels solid and well-constructed, with no noticeable flex or creaking. The hinge provides a smooth and stable movement, allowing you to easily adjust the screen angle to your preferred viewing position. Even after several years, a well-maintained XPS fifteen from twenty seventeen can still look and feel like a premium device.
Performance: Still Capable, But Showing Its Age
The Dell XPS fifteen from twenty seventeen came with a range of processor options, typically featuring Intel Core i-series processors from the seventh generation (Kaby Lake). You could choose between a Core i five or a Core i seven, depending on your performance needs. The Core i five offered a good balance of power and efficiency for everyday tasks, while the Core i seven provided a noticeable performance boost for more demanding workloads.
Memory options typically ranged from eight to thirty-two gigabytes of Random Access Memory, allowing for smooth multitasking and the ability to handle multiple applications simultaneously. This is still adequate for many users today, but those who frequently work with large files or run memory-intensive programs might find it limiting compared to modern laptops.
Storage options varied, with configurations offering either a traditional hard drive or a solid-state drive. Solid-state drives provide significantly faster boot times, application loading, and overall system responsiveness. If you are considering purchasing a used XPS fifteen from twenty seventeen, it’s highly recommended to opt for a model with a solid-state drive, or consider upgrading it if possible. The difference in performance is night and day.
For graphics, the Dell XPS fifteen typically came equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce graphics card. This dedicated graphics card provided a significant boost in performance for gaming, video editing, and other graphics-intensive tasks. While not as powerful as the latest graphics cards, it’s still capable of handling many modern games at reasonable settings.
Overall, the performance of the Dell XPS fifteen from twenty seventeen is still respectable for many everyday tasks and even some more demanding workloads. However, it’s important to remember that processor and graphics technology have advanced significantly since then. Modern laptops offer considerably better performance for tasks like video editing, gaming, and running complex simulations.
A Display That Still Impresses
The display is one of the standout features of the Dell XPS fifteen, and the twenty seventeen model doesn’t disappoint. You could choose between a Full High Definition display or a stunning four-K Ultra High Definition display. The four-K display, in particular, is a visual treat, offering incredible detail, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast.
Regardless of the resolution, the XPS fifteen’s display is known for its accurate color reproduction, making it suitable for tasks like photo and video editing. The brightness levels are also impressive, allowing you to comfortably use the laptop in brightly lit environments. The viewing angles are wide, ensuring that the image remains clear and consistent even when viewed from off-center.
If you opt for a configuration with a touchscreen, you’ll enjoy the added versatility of being able to interact directly with the screen. The touchscreen is responsive and accurate, making it a great option for tasks like sketching, note-taking, and navigating the operating system.
Keyboard and Trackpad: A Comfortable Experience
The keyboard on the Dell XPS fifteen is designed for comfortable and efficient typing. The keys offer a decent amount of travel and a tactile feedback, making it easy to type for extended periods. The layout is standard and well-spaced, minimizing the risk of accidental key presses.
The trackpad is also well-designed, offering a smooth and responsive surface for navigation. It supports multi-finger gestures, allowing you to easily scroll, zoom, and switch between applications. The trackpad’s accuracy is excellent, ensuring that your cursor movements are precise and reliable.
Ports and Connectivity: A Decent Selection
The Dell XPS fifteen from twenty seventeen offers a decent selection of ports, allowing you to connect to a variety of external devices. These typically included universal serial bus ports, a High Definition Multimedia Interface port, a Thunderbolt port, and an Secure Digital card reader. The Thunderbolt port, in particular, is a versatile connection that supports high-speed data transfer, video output, and even charging.
For wireless connectivity, the XPS fifteen supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The Wi-Fi performance is generally reliable, allowing you to connect to wireless networks quickly and easily. Bluetooth allows you to connect to wireless peripherals like headphones, speakers, and keyboards.
Battery Life: A Mixed Bag
Battery life is always a crucial factor to consider when choosing a laptop. The Dell XPS fifteen from twenty seventeen offers decent battery life, but it’s not exceptional. The actual battery life you can expect will depend on your usage patterns, the screen resolution, and the processor.
If you’re using the laptop for basic tasks like browsing the web and writing documents, you can expect to get several hours of battery life on a single charge. However, if you’re engaging in more demanding activities like gaming or video editing, the battery will drain much faster.
Keep in mind that the battery life of a used laptop is likely to be reduced compared to a new one. Batteries degrade over time, so you may need to replace the battery if you want to restore the laptop’s original battery life.
Audio Quality: Good Enough for Most
The audio quality on the Dell XPS fifteen is generally good, but it’s not audiophile-grade. The speakers are located on the bottom of the laptop, which can sometimes result in muffled sound when the laptop is placed on a soft surface. However, the speakers are loud enough for most situations, and the audio clarity is decent.
If you’re a serious audiophile, you’ll probably want to use headphones or external speakers to get the best audio experience. The headphone jack provides clean and clear audio output.
The Good, the Bad, and the Things to Consider
The Dell XPS fifteen from twenty seventeen has many advantages that made it a popular choice at the time and still make it appealing today. The sleek design, the stunning InfinityEdge display, and the comfortable keyboard and trackpad are all strong selling points. The performance is still adequate for many everyday tasks, and the selection of ports is decent.
However, there are also some drawbacks to consider. The battery life is not exceptional, and the performance is starting to show its age compared to modern laptops. The audio quality is decent, but not outstanding. Perhaps the biggest consideration is the fact that it is an older machine.
Is It Still Worth Buying Today? A Look at the Current Landscape
So, is the Dell XPS fifteen from twenty seventeen still worth buying in today’s market? The answer depends on your individual needs and budget.
If you’re looking for a premium laptop on a budget, and you don’t need the absolute latest performance, then the XPS fifteen from twenty seventeen could be a good option. You can often find used models at significantly lower prices than newer laptops.
However, if you need the best possible performance for demanding tasks like video editing or gaming, or if you want the latest features like Wi-Fi six or Thunderbolt four, then you’re better off investing in a newer laptop. There are many excellent alternatives available today that offer significantly better performance and features for a similar price range.
Also, remember to consider potential issues associated with buying used electronics. Battery degradation is almost guaranteed. Component wear and potential future failures need to be factored into the decision. Software compatibility can sometimes be an issue as operating systems and applications evolve.
In Conclusion: A Timeless Design, But Consider the Alternatives
The Dell XPS fifteen from twenty seventeen is a classic laptop that still offers a lot to like. Its sleek design, stunning display, and comfortable keyboard and trackpad make it a pleasure to use. However, its performance is starting to show its age, and there are many newer laptops available that offer better performance and features for a similar price.
If you’re on a tight budget and you don’t need the absolute latest performance, the XPS fifteen from twenty seventeen could be a good option. But be sure to carefully consider the potential drawbacks and compare it to other available options before making a decision.
If you do decide to purchase a used Dell XPS fifteen from twenty seventeen, be sure to thoroughly inspect it for any signs of wear and tear. Check the battery health, test the keyboard and trackpad, and make sure all the ports are working properly. Check prices and read reviews carefully before committing to a purchase. You might find yourself pleasantly surprised by this still-capable machine, or you might decide that a newer model better suits your needs. Either way, informed decisions are always the best!
