Dell XPS 15 9500

Technical Specifications

• Processor: 10th Generation Intel Core i5-10300H (4 cores), i7-10750H (6 cores), i7-10875H (8 cores), or i9-10885H (8 cores). Base speeds range from 2.3 GHz to 2.6 GHz, with Max Turbo Speeds up to 5.3 GHz.
• RAM: Configurable with 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, or up to 64GB DDR4 Dual Channel SDRAM at 2933MHz.
• Storage: Options include 512GB, 1TB, or up to 2TB M.2 PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe SSD. Features a user-accessible second SSD bay for easy expansion.
• Display: 15.6-inch InfinityEdge display with two main options:
  • FHD+ (1920 x 1200) WUXGA, 500-nit, 100% sRGB, anti-glare.
  • 4K UHD+ (3840 x 2400) touch display, HDR 400, 500-nit, 100% Adobe RGB minimum + 94% DCI-P3 typical, 1600:1 contrast ratio, anti-reflective, anti-smudge.
• Graphics: Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 or discrete NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti with 4GB GDDR6.
• Ports: Two Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type-C) ports with Power Delivery and DisplayPort, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-C) port with Power Delivery and DisplayPort, a full-sized SD card slot, and a 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo jack. USB-C to USB-A 3.0 and USB-C to HDMI 2.0 adapters are included.
• Wireless: 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) and Bluetooth.
• Battery: 86 Wh.
• Dimensions & Weight: 34.44 cm x 23.03 cm x 1.8 cm (WxDxH), weighing 2.05 kg (4.5 lbs).

Analysis of Technical Specifications

The Dell XPS 15 9500 offers a robust set of technical specifications, positioning it as a premium workstation laptop suitable for creative professionals and demanding users. The 10th Gen Intel Core processors, ranging up to an 8-core i9, provide significant processing power for intensive tasks like video editing and programming. The inclusion of a discrete NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti GPU enhances its capabilities for graphic-intensive work and light gaming, offering a substantial improvement over integrated graphics.

Memory options are generous, with configurations up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM, allowing for smooth multitasking and handling large datasets. Storage is also flexible, featuring fast NVMe SSDs and the notable addition of a second user-accessible SSD bay, which simplifies storage expansion.

The display is a standout feature, particularly the 4K UHD+ touch panel, which boasts high brightness, excellent color accuracy (100% Adobe RGB, 94% DCI-P3), and an anti-reflective coating, making it ideal for visual work. The 16:10 aspect ratio provides more vertical screen real estate, beneficial for productivity.

Connectivity is modern, relying heavily on USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 ports, which support power delivery, data transfer, and external displays. While this offers high versatility, the absence of traditional USB-A or HDMI ports directly on the chassis might necessitate the included adapters for some users.

The design maintains the XPS line's premium aesthetic with an aluminum chassis and carbon fiber palm rest, contributing to a quality feel. However, at 2.05 kg, it is considered somewhat hefty for its size.

Support & Compatibility

• Operating System Support: Supports Windows 10 (64-bit), Windows 10S (64-bit), and Windows 11.
• Drivers: Dell provides drivers, firmware, and software updates through its support website.
• End of Support Date: Not explicitly stated, but Dell generally provides support for several years post-release. The XPS 15 9500 was released in 2020.
• Compatibility: Compatible with various external displays and peripherals via its USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports, often requiring adapters for older standards like DisplayPort or HDMI.

Analysis of Support & Compatibility Status

The Dell XPS 15 9500 offers good compatibility with current Windows operating systems, including Windows 10 and Windows 11. Dell actively provides drivers and firmware updates via its support channels, which is crucial for maintaining system stability and performance.

The reliance on USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 for connectivity ensures compatibility with modern peripherals and high-speed data transfer. However, users transitioning from older setups might find the need for adapters for USB-A or HDMI devices inconvenient, despite Dell including them.

While a specific end-of-support date is not readily available, Dell typically offers extended support for its XPS line. Users should regularly check Dell's official support website for the latest drivers and BIOS updates to ensure optimal performance and security. Some users have reported issues with drivers, particularly graphics drivers, and recommend using Dell's official drivers over those provided by Windows Update to avoid stability problems.

Security Status

• Security Features:
  • Fingerprint reader integrated into the power button.
  • Windows Hello facial recognition capabilities (via 720p webcam).
  • Wedge-shaped security-cable slot.
  • BIOS-level security features.
• Vulnerabilities:
  • A security vulnerability was discovered in a Dell driver (dbutil_2_3.sys) used for firmware updates, affecting many Dell models including the XPS 15. This vulnerability could lead to escalation of privileges, denial of service, or information disclosure. Dell has released a fix for this issue.
  • Dell BIOS has shown vulnerabilities related to improper input validation, improper authentication, and out-of-bounds write, which could be exploited by local authenticated malicious users or physical attackers to modify UEFI variables or cause denial of service. Dell releases security advisories and updates to address these.
• Recommendations:
  • Apply all available Dell firmware and BIOS updates promptly.
  • Manually remove the vulnerable dbutil_2_3.sys driver using Dell's tool and update firmware via Dell Command Update, Dell Update, or Alienware Update.
  • Regularly check Dell's security advisories and notices for new vulnerabilities and mitigation options.
  • Ensure Secure Boot is enabled in the BIOS.

Analysis on the Security Status

The Dell XPS 15 9500 incorporates standard security features such as a fingerprint reader and Windows Hello facial recognition for biometric authentication, enhancing user login security. A physical security-cable slot is also present.

However, like many enterprise assets, the XPS 15 9500 has faced security vulnerabilities, particularly concerning its firmware and drivers. A notable issue involved a Dell driver used for firmware updates, which could be exploited for privilege escalation or information disclosure. Dell has provided a fix, emphasizing the importance of applying updates.

Furthermore, various BIOS-level vulnerabilities have been identified in Dell systems, including improper input validation and authentication flaws. These issues highlight the critical need for users to regularly update their system's BIOS and firmware to mitigate potential risks. Dell actively publishes security advisories and provides updates to address these concerns.

Users are strongly advised to follow Dell's recommendations for driver and firmware management, prioritizing official Dell update tools over generic Windows updates for critical system components.

Performance & Benchmarks

• Benchmark Scores:
  • Geekbench 4.3 (overall performance): Achieved 25,934, outperforming some competitors like the HP Spectre x360 and MSI Prestige 14.
  • Cinebench R20: Scores around 2,300 in a looped stress test, with stable performance.
  • 3DMark Time Spy (Graphics): NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti scores around 3689, while Intel UHD Graphics 630 scores around 393.
  • 3DMark Stress Test: Passed with an FPS Stability of 97.6 percent.
• Real-World Performance Metrics:
  • File Transfer Test (4.97GB): Completed in 7 seconds, equating to 727 MBps.
  • Handbrake Video Editing (4K to 1080p): Transcoded in 10 minutes and 6 seconds.
  • Gaming:
    • Dirt 3: 135 fps at 1080p, 70 fps at 4K.
    • Grand Theft Auto V (very high settings): 42 fps at 1080p.
    • Shadow of the Tomb Raider (highest settings): 29 fps at 1080p.
    • Far Cry New Dawn (ultra settings): 48 fps at 1080p.
    • Gears 5 (High preset): Averages around 67 frames per second at 1920x1080.
  • Battery Life: Up to 8 hours and 1 minute on web browsing, video streaming, and OpenGL tests with a 4K display. The FHD+ display offers several hours more.
• Comparison with Similar Devices:
  • Generally performs well against other premium Windows laptops in its class.
  • CPU performance is strong, often comparable to or exceeding competitors with similar 10th Gen Intel processors.
  • The GTX 1650 Ti GPU is significantly better than integrated graphics but falls short of more powerful GPUs found in dedicated gaming laptops or high-end content creation machines.
  • Battery life is competitive, especially for a laptop with a 4K display, though the 16-inch MacBook Pro showed longer endurance in some tests.

Analysis of the Performance Status

The Dell XPS 15 9500 delivers strong performance across various benchmarks and real-world applications, solidifying its position as a capable machine for productivity and creative tasks. Its 10th Gen Intel Core processors, particularly the i7 and i9 variants, provide excellent multi-core performance, making it well-suited for demanding workloads like video rendering, music production, and complex programming.

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti GPU offers a significant boost over integrated graphics, enabling smooth performance in photo and video editing software. While not a dedicated gaming laptop, it can handle light to moderate gaming at 1080p resolutions with respectable frame rates. However, for hardcore gaming or highly GPU-accelerated professional tasks, more powerful GPUs would be necessary.

Storage speeds are fast thanks to NVMe SSDs, contributing to quick boot times and application loading. The system's thermal management is improved over previous models, maintaining stable performance during sustained loads.

Battery life is commendable, especially considering the power-hungry 4K display option, offering a full workday's endurance in typical usage scenarios. The FHD+ display configurations provide even longer battery life.

Overall, the XPS 15 9500 is a high-performance laptop that excels in a wide range of professional and everyday tasks, though it makes some performance sacrifices in favor of a sleek design and reduced noise.

User Reviews & Feedback

User feedback for the Dell XPS 15 9500 is largely positive, praising its premium design, stunning display, and overall performance. Many users highlight the sleek aluminum chassis and carbon fiber palm rest as contributing to a high-quality feel. The virtually bezel-less display, especially the 4K UHD+ option, is frequently lauded for its sharpness, vibrancy, and color accuracy, making it a favorite for creative professionals.

The keyboard is generally well-received, with larger keycaps and good travel distance providing a comfortable typing experience. The large glass precision touchpad is also a common point of praise, often compared favorably to Apple's trackpads.

Performance is considered speedy for everyday use and demanding tasks, with users appreciating the quick startup times and smooth operation. The quad-speaker audio system, enhanced by Waves Maxx Audio Pro, receives high marks for its crisp, loud, and immersive sound quality.

However, some users have reported initial issues, including audio crackles, trackpad wobbling or non-registration of clicks in early batches, and problems with the screen's auto-brightness feature. Some units also experienced random shutdowns. While many of these issues were resolved with updates or were specific to early production runs, they indicate potential quality control inconsistencies.

The limited port selection (primarily USB-C/Thunderbolt 3) is a common point of contention, with some users wishing for more traditional USB-A or HDMI ports directly on the device, despite the included adapters.

Battery life is generally considered good, especially for the 4K model, but some users note that intensive tasks like gaming or video editing significantly reduce endurance. The weight of the laptop is also mentioned as being a bit hefty.

Overall, the XPS 15 9500 is seen as a strong contender in the premium laptop market, particularly for those prioritizing design, display quality, and robust performance for creative work, provided they are prepared for potential initial troubleshooting or adapter use.

Summary

The Dell XPS 15 9500 stands out as a highly capable and aesthetically pleasing enterprise asset, designed to meet the demands of professionals and power users. Its strengths lie in its powerful 10th Generation Intel Core processors, configurable up to an 8-core i9, which deliver excellent performance for intensive applications. The optional NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti discrete graphics card further enhances its capabilities for tasks requiring GPU acceleration, such as video editing and light gaming.

The display is a major highlight, with the 15.6-inch 4K UHD+ InfinityEdge touch panel offering stunning visuals, exceptional color accuracy, and high brightness, making it ideal for creative work. The 16:10 aspect ratio provides a more expansive viewing area for productivity. Complementing the visual experience is a robust quad-speaker audio system that delivers impressive sound quality.

Connectivity is modern, featuring multiple Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C ports, ensuring high-speed data transfer and versatile peripheral support. While the absence of legacy ports might require adapters, Dell includes them to ease the transition. The design is premium, characterized by an aluminum chassis and a comfortable carbon fiber palm rest, alongside a large, responsive trackpad and an improved keyboard.

However, the XPS 15 9500 is not without its weaknesses. Some users reported initial quality control issues, including trackpad wobbling and audio problems, though many were addressed through updates. The laptop's weight, at over 2 kg, makes it less portable than some competitors. Furthermore, security vulnerabilities related to Dell drivers and BIOS have been identified, necessitating diligent application of manufacturer updates to maintain system integrity.

In conclusion, the Dell XPS 15 9500 is an excellent choice for users seeking a powerful, beautifully designed laptop with a top-tier display for professional and creative tasks. Its strengths in performance, display quality, and build are significant. However, potential buyers should be aware of the need for consistent software and firmware updates to address security concerns and ensure optimal stability. For those prioritizing a premium experience and willing to manage its modern port ecosystem, the XPS 15 9500 remains a highly recommended asset.

The information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.