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Dell Inspiron 17 7773 (i7-8550U, 16 GB, 17" Touch) Convertible Review

The convertible in the 17-inch format. Yes, you read right. A convertible in the 17-inch format is an unusual combination. However, anyone who does not want to go without the advantages of a convertible even when working stationary will really like the device. You can find out in this test whether the new update with a faster CPU and GPU can convince us. Unfortunately our complaints are all too familiar.
Dell Inspiron 17 7000, base configurations
Dell Inspiron 17 7000, base configurations

For the original German review, see here.

We already know the large 17-inch convertible from last year. Dell has now updated the Inspiron 17 7000 2-in-1 series, breathing new life into it. You can select from three base configurations, which differ in their storage, processor, and working memory. The prices of the Dell Inspiron 17 7000 start at about 1000 Euros (~$1160; $999 in the US) and go up to about 1300 Euros (~$1508) for the top model. The changes to the model we tested last year are inside. Now we can find a current Intel Core i7-8550U as the processor in our test unit. The generous 16 GB of DDR4-RAM in the form of a single module can be expanded later without any trouble. A dedicated Nvidia GeForce MX150 with 2 GB of GDDR5-VRAM handles the 3D-graphics computations. With this, the device is not only targeted towards the office user, but also the occasional gamer who does not have high demands in terms of the graphics quality. The storage solution in our model is a useful combination of SSD and HDD. We can find Windows 10 Home preinstalled on the 128-GB SSD, and the 1 TB hard drive still has sufficient space for additional data. Altogether, our test unit costs 1199 Euros (~$1391; $1250 in the US with a 512 GB SSD).
Since aside from the predecessor, this convertible does not have any direct competitors, we have used multimedia laptops of a similar price range for our comparison. We have summarized all the most important technical information in the following table.

Dell Inspiron 17 7778 Aspire 5 A517-51G Acer Aspire V17 Nitro HP Omen 17 Acer Aspire 7
CPU Intel Core i7-6500U Intel Core i7-8550U Intel Core i5-7300HQ Intel Core i7-7770HQ Intel Core i7-7700HQ
GPU Nvidia GeForce 940MX Nvidia GeForce MX 150 Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
Panel 17.3 inch 1920x1080 17.3 inch 1920x1080 17.3 inch 19201x1080 17.3 inch 1920x1080 17.3 inch 3840x2160
RAM 16 GB 8 GB 8 GB 16 GB 8 GB
Storage 512 GB SSD 256 GB SSD + 1 TB HDD 1 TB HDD 256 GB SSD + 1 TB HDD 1 TB HDD
Result 79% 85% 87% 81% 84%
Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043 (Inspiron 17 7000 Series)
Processor
Intel Core i7-8550U 4 x 1.8 - 4 GHz, Kaby Lake Refresh
Graphics adapter
NVIDIA GeForce MX150 - 2048 MB VRAM, Core: 1532 MHz, Memory: 6000 MHz, GDDR5, ForceWare 382.48 WHQL, Nvidia Optimus
Memory
16 GB 
, DDR4-2400, 1 of 2 slots occupied
Display
17.30 inch 16:9, 1920 x 1080 pixel 127 PPI, Chi Mei CMN1738, IPS, Touchscreen, glossy: yes
Mainboard
Intel Kaby Lake-U + iHDCP 2.2 Premium PCH
Storage
SanDisk X400 M.2 2280 128GB, 128 GB 
, M.2-SSD + WDC WD10SPZX-75Z10T0, 1 TB HDD, 5400 RPM, 1050 GB free
Soundcard
Realtek Audio
Connections
1 USB 2.0, 2 USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen1, 1 HDMI, 1 Docking Station Port, Audio Connections: Combo audio/mic port (3.5 mm), Card Reader: SD, SDHC, SDXC, Brightness Sensor, Sensors: Gyroscope, Noble security lock
Networking
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165 (a/b/g/n = Wi-Fi 4/ac = Wi-Fi 5/), Bluetooth 4.2
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 22.6 x 412.5 x 277.5 ( = 0.89 x 16.24 x 10.93 in)
Battery
56 Wh, 3500 mAh Lithium-Ion, 4 cells
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 10 Home 64 Bit
Camera
Webcam: HDSecondary Camera: IR - Windows Hello
Additional features
Speakers: Stereo, Keyboard: Chiclet (QWERTY), Keyboard Light: yes, Power supply, MacAfee LifeSafe, Maxx Audio Pro,, 24 Months Warranty
Weight
2.872 kg ( = 101.31 oz / 6.33 pounds), Power Supply: 361 g ( = 12.73 oz / 0.8 pounds)
Price
1199 EUR
Note: The manufacturer may use components from different suppliers including display panels, drives or memory sticks with similar specifications.

 

Case

Nothing has changed in the looks compared to last year's device, so the Dell Inspiron 17 7773 has the same advantages and disadvantages as the predecessor. Visually, the aluminum case looks very modest. The surfaces have a brushed-metal finish, which gives a high-quality impression. The visual accents are limited to the pleasantly rounded corners, Dell's logo, and a kind of ornamental strip at the top edge of the display. The workmanship of the Dell Inspiron 17 7773 is flawless. The convertible owes its versatility to the 360-degree hinges, which are hard to move, making it too difficult to open the device with one hand. However, this still cannot prevent some bouncing of the display. 

Dell Inspiron 17 7773
Dell Inspiron 17 7773
Dell Inspiron 17 7773
Dell Inspiron 17 7773
Dell Inspiron 17 7773
Dell Inspiron 17 7773
Dell Inspiron 17 7773
Dell Inspiron 17 7773
Dell Inspiron 17 7773
Dell Inspiron 17 7773
Dell Inspiron 17 7773
Dell Inspiron 17 7773
Dell Inspiron 17 7773
Dell Inspiron 17 7773
Dell Inspiron 17 7773
Dell Inspiron 17 7773
Dell Inspiron 17 7773
Dell Inspiron 17 7773
Dell Inspiron 17 7773
Dell Inspiron 17 7773
Dell Inspiron 17 7773
Dell Inspiron 17 7773

Size Comparison

At 412.5 x 277.5 mm (~16.2 x 10.9 in), the Dell Inspiron 17 7773 needs considerably more space than a standard convertible. However, our chart shows that in terms of space requirements, our test unit is one of the more humble representatives of the 17-inchers. With a weight of almost 3 kg (2872 grams, ~6.33 lb), the convertible is not suitable for mobile use. The weight of the power supply including the cable adds another 361 grams (~0.8 lb).

423.3 mm / 16.7 inch 289.9 mm / 11.4 inch 28.25 mm / 1.112 inch 2.9 kg6.34 lbs423 mm / 16.7 inch 290 mm / 11.4 inch 28 mm / 1.102 inch 2.9 kg6.39 lbs423 mm / 16.7 inch 296 mm / 11.7 inch 27.62 mm / 1.087 inch 3.1 kg6.83 lbs416 mm / 16.4 inch 279 mm / 11 inch 30 mm / 1.181 inch 2.9 kg6.45 lbs412.5 mm / 16.2 inch 277.5 mm / 10.9 inch 22.6 mm / 0.89 inch 2.9 kg6.33 lbs412.5 mm / 16.2 inch 277.5 mm / 10.9 inch 22.6 mm / 0.89 inch 2.8 kg6.11 lbs297 mm / 11.7 inch 210 mm / 8.27 inch 1 mm / 0.03937 inch 5.7 g0.01257 lbs

Connections

In terms of its connectivity, the Dell Inspiron 17 7773 offers a minimal standard. Unfortunately, the Dell lacks an Ethernet port, meaning that the user will depend primarily on a WLAN connection. The large convertible offers three USB ports overall, only two of which support the faster 3.0 standard, though. The positions of the connections continue to be ergonomically positive, which means that all the connections are placed in the back area. An uncommon feature of the convertible is the placement of the On/Off button and the volume rocker, which are both at the right edge in front.

Left: power, USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C supporting DisplayPort and PowerDelivery, HDMI 1.4a, USB 3.1 Gen 1 with PowerShare, headphone/microphone combo
Left: power, USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C supporting DisplayPort and PowerDelivery, HDMI 1.4a, USB 3.1 Gen 1 with PowerShare, headphone/microphone combo
Right: power button, volume rocker, SD-card reader, USB 2.0, Noble security lock
Right: power button, volume rocker, SD-card reader, USB 2.0, Noble security lock
Front: status LED
Front: status LED
Back: fan vents
Back: fan vents

SD-Card Reader

We can find the SDcard reader on the right side. It handles the most common formats. Inserted cards will only stick out from the slot minimally. The measured results (28.5 and 26.2 MB/s) show that the card reader is only connected via USB 2.0. We are seeing this limitation also in the predecessor as well as in the Acer Aspire Nitro BE. All the other comparison devices offer card readers that enable a much faster data transfer at USB-3.0 speeds. For our test, we are using the Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II reference storage card.

SD Card Reader
average JPG Copy Test (av. of 3 runs)
HP Omen 17-w206ng
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
76 MB/s +190%
Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
74.9 MB/s +186%
Acer Aspire 7 A717-71G-72VY
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
64 MB/s +144%
Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
26.2 MB/s
Acer Aspire Nitro BE VN7-793G-5811
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
23.7 MB/s -10%
Dell Inspiron 17 7778
 
23.2 MB/s -11%
maximum AS SSD Seq Read Test (1GB)
HP Omen 17-w206ng
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
87 MB/s +205%
Acer Aspire 7 A717-71G-72VY
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
86 MB/s +202%
Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
84 MB/s +195%
Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
28.5 MB/s
Dell Inspiron 17 7778
 
26.25 MB/s -8%
Acer Aspire Nitro BE VN7-793G-5811
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
25 MB/s -12%

Communication

WLAN module
WLAN module

The Intel Wireless-AC 3165 module, which has an antenna, handles the external communication. According to the manufacturer's specifications, the WLAN module reaches a maximum gross transfer rate of 433 MBit/s. In our measurements, the Dell Inspiron 17 7773 reached a transfer rate of 341 MBit/s when sending and 302 MBit/s when receiving. In addition, the WLAN module also supports Bluetooth 4.2 (driver update might be necessary). Dell does not offer an alternative WLAN module or LTE modem for the Inspiron 17 7773. However, the device can be expanded with a USB-to-Ethernet adapter in order to transfer data to the network at up to 1 GBit/s. We tested this alternative via the USB Type-C connection with positive results.

Networking
iperf3 transmit AX12
Acer Aspire Nitro BE VN7-793G-5811
Qualcomm/Atheros QCA6174
638 MBit/s +87%
HP Omen 17-w206ng
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7265
542 MBit/s +59%
Acer Aspire 7 A717-71G-72VY
Atheros/Qualcomm QCA6174
424 MBit/s +24%
Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165
341 MBit/s
Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3168
310 MBit/s -9%
iperf3 receive AX12
HP Omen 17-w206ng
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7265
687 MBit/s +127%
Acer Aspire Nitro BE VN7-793G-5811
Qualcomm/Atheros QCA6174
594 MBit/s +97%
Acer Aspire 7 A717-71G-72VY
Atheros/Qualcomm QCA6174
522 MBit/s +73%
Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3168
347 MBit/s +15%
Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165
302 MBit/s

Security

The Dell Inspiron 17 7773 offers security features through a Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0). On the right side, we also find a place to secure the device with a Noble security lock. Next to the web cam at the top edge of the screen, there is an infrared camera, which supports the Windows-Hello function. MacAfee LifeSafe is preinstalled as a software solution, and a 12-month subscription for home users is included in the sales price. For an additional one-time charge of 35 Euros (~$41), you can extend the subscription to 36 months. This information comes from the Dell shop.

Accessories

Dell does not include any additional accessories with the Inspiron 17 7773. Besides the convertible, we only find the corresponding power supply, quick-start instructions, and the required security instructions in the box. However, you can purchase a multitude of accessories in the Dell shop afterwards. The most useful might be an expansion of the connections with the Dell D3100 docking station (265 Euros, ~$307). The manufacturer also offers suitable adapters and bags. 

Maintenance

As equipped in our test, the Dell Inspiron 17 7773 does not offer much room to expand. Anyone who is not afraid to do it themselves has to remove the twelve screws and the whole bottom cover before being able to upgrade. Despite the sturdy aluminum cover, you should be careful when doing that, since all the clamps around the cover are made from plastic. You should use suitable plastic tools to avoid any damage. After removing the bottom cover, all the components are easily accessible. Cleaning the fan is also no problem. The Dell Inspiron 17 7773 offers two slots for the RAM memory. The SSD and HDD can also be upgraded easily.

The Dell Inspiron 17 7773 without the bottom cover
The Dell Inspiron 17 7773 without the bottom cover
Two RAM modules can be inserted.
Two RAM modules can be inserted.
Only one RAM slot is filled.
Only one RAM slot is filled.

Warranty

Warranty options. Source: Dell
Warranty options. Source: Dell

The so-called basic package is included in the sales price (Dell shop). Dell explains this as a one-year pick-up-and-repair hardware support. During the ordering process, you can extend the warranty for up to four years. If you do not buy the device directly from the manufacturer, you have to find out about the warranties provided by the seller. Please see our Guarantees, Return Policies & Warranties FAQ for country-specific information.

Input Devices

Keyboard

Keyboard of the Dell Inspiron 17 7773
Keyboard of the Dell Inspiron 17 7773
Keyboard of the Dell Inspiron 17 7773 (illuminated)
Keyboard of the Dell Inspiron 17 7773 (illuminated)

Unfortunately, Dell did not listen to the complaints about the predecessor, so the current Dell Inspiron 17 7773 is only equipped with a mediocre keyboard. The size of the keys is okay, even if the keys of the number pad turn out slightly smaller, possibly causing some problems for users with large hands. The small stroke is suitable for the chiclet keyboard, but the pressure point is limited and the cushioned stroke makes for a spongy typing experience. The typing noise is comfortably quiet. Due to the keys sticking out of the keyboard, the risk of damage is much higher in the presentation mode. We liked the white labels that are easily readable, and the two-step backlight helps in bad light conditions. 

Touchpad

Touchpad of the Dell Inspiron 17 7773
Touchpad of the Dell Inspiron 17 7773

The ClickPad, which is visually emphasized by a polished edge, does a better job. At 10.5 x 8 cm (~4.1 x 3.15 in), the input surface is sufficiently large, but it could have been larger. The slightly roughened surface is touch sensitive up to the edges, and the full input surface is available for navigation. The gesture functions can be configured with the Windows-10 methods. The mouse keys at the lower edge have a short stroke and provide acoustic feedback when they are operated.

Touchscreen

Due to the size of the device, the screen will probably not be used much as an input method. However, during the test it is compelling with its smooth surface that allows unhindered sliding of the finger. With moist fingers, the sliding characteristic is slightly limited, though. The touchscreen recognizes up to ten touch-points simultaneously. The screen reacts to input without any noticeable latencies and even handles very fast movements without any problems.

Display

Subpixel grid
Subpixel grid
Strong clouding in the corners
Strong clouding in the corners

The display built into our test unit is a panel by Chi Mei with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. With a diagonal of 17.3 inches, this results in a pixel density of 127 ppi. Unfortunately, there is no alternative 4K panel. At 290 cd/m², the IPS panel of the Dell Inspiron 17 7773 does not achieve any top results in our comparison, but the low black value of 0.21 in combination with the average brightness result in the best contrast ratio (1538:1) among the comparison devices. With a brightness distribution of 77%, the display of our test unit remains considerably behind. Furthermore, clouding is clearly noticeable at the edges and corners. This has a negative effect when playing movies, since the brighter areas are interfering in dark scenes. This should not happen in a device that costs more than 1000 Euros (~$1160). We measured PWM at a high frequency of 1000 Hz with a display brightness of 90% or lower.

286
cd/m²
330
cd/m²
287
cd/m²
300
cd/m²
323
cd/m²
306
cd/m²
254
cd/m²
256
cd/m²
269
cd/m²
Distribution of brightness
Chi Mei CMN1738 tested with X-Rite i1Pro 2
Maximum: 330 cd/m² (Nits) Average: 290.1 cd/m² Minimum: 15.6 cd/m²
Brightness Distribution: 77 %
Center on Battery: 323 cd/m²
Contrast: 1538:1 (Black: 0.21 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 4.88 | 0.5-29.43 Ø5
ΔE Greyscale 6.21 | 0.57-98 Ø5.3
92% sRGB (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
60% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
67.2% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
91.9% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
67.4% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.36
Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043
Chi Mei CMN1738, 1920x1080, 17.30
Dell Inspiron 17 7778
LG Philips LGD 0513 / 173WF4, 1920x1080, 17.30
Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L
LG Display, LP173WF4-SPF5, 1920x1080, 17.30
Acer Aspire Nitro BE VN7-793G-5811
AU Optronics, 1920x1080, 17.30
HP Omen 17-w206ng
Chi Mei CMN1738, 1920x1080, 17.30
Acer Aspire 7 A717-71G-72VY
LG Philips LGD056D / LP173WF4-SPF5, 1920x1080, 17.30
Display
-4%
-6%
-6%
0%
-5%
Display P3 Coverage
67.4
67.4
0%
66.3
-2%
63.1
-6%
67.2
0%
66.2
-2%
sRGB Coverage
91.9
86.3
-6%
84.2
-8%
86.5
-6%
93.1
1%
85.2
-7%
AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage
67.2
63.1
-6%
61.6
-8%
63.3
-6%
67.4
0%
62.3
-7%
Response Times
16%
4029%
5%
-23%
4136%
Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% *
40 ?(22, 18)
36 ?(14, 22)
10%
41 ?(19, 22)
-3%
38 ?(20, 18)
5%
38 ?(20, 18)
5%
41 ?(22, 19)
-3%
Response Time Black / White *
28 ?(17, 11)
22 ?(5, 17)
21%
31 ?(17, 4)
-11%
27 ?(16, 11)
4%
26 ?(15.6, 10.4)
7%
25 ?(15, 10)
11%
PWM Frequency
1000 ?(90)
122000 ?(90)
12100%
200 ?(95)
-80%
125000 ?(90)
12400%
Screen
-16%
7%
-4%
-1%
-20%
Brightness middle
323
327
1%
397
23%
301
-7%
318
-2%
382
18%
Brightness
290
314
8%
364
26%
270
-7%
295
2%
357
23%
Brightness Distribution
77
87
13%
84
9%
79
3%
79
3%
86
12%
Black Level *
0.21
0.3
-43%
0.29
-38%
0.38
-81%
0.25
-19%
0.38
-81%
Contrast
1538
1090
-29%
1369
-11%
792
-49%
1272
-17%
1005
-35%
Colorchecker dE 2000 *
4.88
6.75
-38%
3.88
20%
3.49
28%
4.7
4%
6.9
-41%
Colorchecker dE 2000 max. *
8.86
11.82
-33%
8.22
7%
7.49
15%
8.8
1%
13.14
-48%
Greyscale dE 2000 *
6.21
7.91
-27%
3.1
50%
1.88
70%
5
19%
8.22
-32%
Gamma
2.36 93%
2.31 95%
2.59 85%
2.35 94%
2.28 96%
2.39 92%
CCT
6620 98%
7642 85%
6570 99%
6587 99%
7374 88%
7580 86%
Color Space (Percent of AdobeRGB 1998)
60
57
-5%
55
-8%
56
-7%
61
2%
56
-7%
Color Space (Percent of sRGB)
92
86
-7%
84
-9%
86
-7%
93
1%
85
-8%
Total Average (Program / Settings)
-1% / -9%
1343% / 759%
-2% / -3%
-8% / -5%
1370% / 762%

* ... smaller is better

Dell Inspiron 17 7773 vs. sRGB (92%)
Dell Inspiron 17 7773 vs. sRGB (92%)
Dell Inspiron 17 7773 vs. AdobeRGB (60%)
Dell Inspiron 17 7773 vs. AdobeRGB (60%)

The display quality is good, but dark scenes are always impacted by the noticeable clouding. The measured DeltaE-2000 deviations are far from the target of around 3. Only the Acer Aspire Nitro BE comes near the target value. A calibration provides improvement, and we have provided a link of the ICC profile for download (see box above the comparison chart). At 92% (sRGB) and 60% (AdobeRGB), the color space coverage is mediocre and merely sufficient for amateur-level image processing.

CalMAN: Grayscales
CalMAN: Grayscales
CalMAN: ColorChecker
CalMAN: ColorChecker
CalMAN: Saturation
CalMAN: Saturation

The reflective display limits outdoor usability while the mediocre display brightness (290 cd/m²), which is just too low, also does not help. Even in the shade, using it outdoors has its problems due to the reflective surface, and you have to choose a suitable angle to be able to work. 

The Dell Inspiron 17 7773 on a cloudy day
The Dell Inspiron 17 7773 on a cloudy day
The Dell Inspiron 17 7773 in the shade
The Dell Inspiron 17 7773 in the shade

Display Response Times

Display response times show how fast the screen is able to change from one color to the next. Slow response times can lead to afterimages and can cause moving objects to appear blurry (ghosting). Gamers of fast-paced 3D titles should pay special attention to fast response times.
       Response Time Black to White
28 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined↗ 17 ms rise
↘ 11 ms fall
The screen shows relatively slow response rates in our tests and may be too slow for gamers.
In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.1 (minimum) to 240 (maximum) ms. » 67 % of all devices are better.
This means that the measured response time is worse than the average of all tested devices (21.6 ms).
       Response Time 50% Grey to 80% Grey
40 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined↗ 22 ms rise
↘ 18 ms fall
The screen shows slow response rates in our tests and will be unsatisfactory for gamers.
In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.2 (minimum) to 636 (maximum) ms. » 55 % of all devices are better.
This means that the measured response time is worse than the average of all tested devices (33.9 ms).

Screen Flickering / PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation)

To dim the screen, some notebooks will simply cycle the backlight on and off in rapid succession - a method called Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) . This cycling frequency should ideally be undetectable to the human eye. If said frequency is too low, users with sensitive eyes may experience strain or headaches or even notice the flickering altogether.
Screen flickering / PWM detected 1000 Hz ≤ 90 % brightness setting

The display backlight flickers at 1000 Hz (worst case, e.g., utilizing PWM) Flickering detected at a brightness setting of 90 % and below. There should be no flickering or PWM above this brightness setting.

The frequency of 1000 Hz is quite high, so most users sensitive to PWM should not notice any flickering.

In comparison: 53 % of all tested devices do not use PWM to dim the display. If PWM was detected, an average of 18110 (minimum: 5 - maximum: 3846000) Hz was measured.

The test of the viewing angles shows a typical IPS panel, which only has minimal problems in the corner images. Other devices are forming much more pronounced clouding here. Overall, the viewing angles are good in our Dell Inspiron 17 7773, and there are no limitations worth mention in everyday use.

The viewing angles of the Dell Inspiron 17 7773
The viewing angles of the Dell Inspiron 17 7773

Performance

If you consider that this is a convertible, the performance is more than sufficient, overall. The Intel Core i7-8550U provides a very good basis, and even the more affordable entry-model based on the Intel Core i5-8250U should be sufficient for most users. A good-sized working memory (16 GB DDR4) and a dedicated graphics card (Nvidia GeForce MX150) complete the equipment. The latter is an important factor in the purchase decision particularly for gamers.

CPU-Z
CPU-Z
CPU-Z
CPU-Z
CPU-Z
CPU-Z
CPU-Z
DPC-latencies
GPU-Z
GPU-Z
GPU-Z
GPU-Z
HWiNFO
Intel Extreme Utility
Intel Extreme Utility (benchmark)

Processor

Intel Core i7-8550U
Intel Core i7-8550U

The Intel Core i7-8550U is an energy-efficient quad-core processor based on the Kaby Lake architecture. At a TDP of only 15 watts, the SoC still offers four computing cores, which are able to operate eight threads simultaneously. The base clock speed is 1.8 GHz and depending on the load, this can be increased up to 4.0 GHz. So it is very important that there is a good cooling system, and if this is not the case, there will be strong variations in the performance. The single thread performance of the Intel Core i7-8550U in our test unit is at the same level as that of the Intel Core i7-7700HQ. In the multithread performance, the energy-saving Intel Core i7-8550U is beaten by the Intel Core i7-7700HQ. Compared to the Dell Inspiron 17 7778, the performance has increased considerably.
You can find additional benchmarks on the Intel Core i7-8550U here.

We test the performance of the processor during constant load with the Cinebench-R15 multi-loop. The chart shows that the performance of the Intel Core i7-8550U is much higher at the beginning of the test. At that time, the SoC has a maximum of 44 watts available, which are quickly throttled due to the developing heat. The performance levels out only after the seventh run, at a stable value of about 510 points. This means that there is a performance loss of a full 20% during constant load.

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Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64 Bit
Cinebench R15
CPU Single 64Bit
Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L
Intel Core i7-8550U
171 Points +8%
HP Omen 17-w206ng
Intel Core i7-7700HQ
159 Points +1%
Acer Aspire 7 A717-71G-72VY
Intel Core i7-7700HQ
158 Points 0%
Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043
Intel Core i7-8550U
158 Points
Acer Aspire Nitro BE VN7-793G-5811
Intel Core i5-7300HQ
141 Points -11%
Dell Inspiron 17 7778
Intel Core i7-6500U
128 Points -19%
CPU Multi 64Bit
HP Omen 17-w206ng
Intel Core i7-7700HQ
729 Points +12%
Acer Aspire 7 A717-71G-72VY
Intel Core i7-7700HQ
726 Points +11%
Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043
Intel Core i7-8550U
652 Points
Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L
Intel Core i7-8550U
585 Points -10%
Acer Aspire Nitro BE VN7-793G-5811
Intel Core i5-7300HQ
515 Points -21%
Dell Inspiron 17 7778
Intel Core i7-6500U
308 Points -53%
Cinebench R11.5
CPU Single 64Bit
Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L
Intel Core i7-8550U
1.95 Points +24%
HP Omen 17-w206ng
Intel Core i7-7700HQ
1.81 Points +15%
Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043
Intel Core i7-8550U
1.57 Points
CPU Multi 64Bit
HP Omen 17-w206ng
Intel Core i7-7700HQ
8.09 Points +63%
Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L
Intel Core i7-8550U
6.44 Points +30%
Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043
Intel Core i7-8550U
4.96 Points
Cinebench R10
Rendering Single CPUs 64Bit
Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L
Intel Core i7-8550U
8426 Points +22%
HP Omen 17-w206ng
Intel Core i7-7700HQ
7611 Points +11%
Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043
Intel Core i7-8550U
6879 Points
Rendering Multiple CPUs 64Bit
HP Omen 17-w206ng
Intel Core i7-7700HQ
28735 Points +54%
Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L
Intel Core i7-8550U
25544 Points +37%
Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043
Intel Core i7-8550U
18697 Points
JetStream 1.1 - Total Score
Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L
Intel Core i7-8550U
281.8 Points +17%
HP Omen 17-w206ng
Intel Core i7-7700HQ
253.5 Points +5%
Acer Aspire Nitro BE VN7-793G-5811
Intel Core i5-7300HQ
247.8 Points +3%
Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043
Intel Core i7-8550U
241.4 Points
Octane V2 - Total Score
Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L
Intel Core i7-8550U
41706 Points +19%
Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043
Intel Core i7-8550U
35100 Points
Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Total
Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043
Intel Core i7-8550U
1083 ms *
Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L
Intel Core i7-8550U
944 ms * +13%

* ... smaller is better

Cinebench R10
Cinebench R10
Cinebench R11.5
Cinebench R11.5
Cinebench R15
Cinebench R15
Jetstream 1.1
Jetstream 1.1
Octane V2
Octane V2
Mozilla Kraken 1.1
Mozilla Kraken 1.1
Cinebench R10 Shading 32Bit
6833
Cinebench R10 Rendering Multiple CPUs 32Bit
14212
Cinebench R10 Rendering Single 32Bit
5339
Cinebench R10 Shading 64Bit
6819 Points
Cinebench R10 Rendering Multiple CPUs 64Bit
18697 Points
Cinebench R10 Rendering Single CPUs 64Bit
6879 Points
Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64Bit
4.96 Points
Cinebench R11.5 OpenGL 64Bit
61.1 fps
Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64Bit
1.57 Points
Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64Bit
652 Points
Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64Bit
158 Points
Cinebench R15 Ref. Match 64Bit
99.6 %
Cinebench R15 OpenGL 64Bit
95.7 fps
Help

System Performance

Thanks to the new and faster CPU, the ample amount of RAM, and the storage combination of SSD and HDD, the Dell Inspiron 17 7773 provides a very good basis for fast work. The only negative is the working memory, which only operates in single-channel mode. However, dual-channel operation is possible, since you can equip it with a total of two RAM modules. In the test, the Dell Inspiron 17 7773 performs at the same level as the Acer Aspire 5 A517. Overall, there are no models that break away, but all the comparison devices offer a high system performance.

PCMark 8 Home
PCMark 8 Home
PCMark 8 Creative
PCMark 8 Creative
PCMark 8 Work
PCMark 8 Work
PCMark 8 Storage
PCMark 8 Storage
PCMark 10
PCMark 10
PCMark 8
Home Score Accelerated v2
HP Omen 17-w206ng
Intel Core i7-7700HQ
4216 Points +10%
Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L
Intel Core i7-8550U
3910 Points +2%
Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043
Intel Core i7-8550U
3837 Points
Dell Inspiron 17 7778
Intel Core i7-6500U
3696 Points -4%
Acer Aspire 7 A717-71G-72VY
Intel Core i7-7700HQ
3687 Points -4%
Acer Aspire Nitro BE VN7-793G-5811
Intel Core i5-7300HQ
3596 Points -6%
Work Score Accelerated v2
Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L
Intel Core i7-8550U
5193 Points +6%
Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043
Intel Core i7-8550U
4922 Points
Acer Aspire 7 A717-71G-72VY
Intel Core i7-7700HQ
4636 Points -6%
Dell Inspiron 17 7778
Intel Core i7-6500U
4572 Points -7%
Acer Aspire Nitro BE VN7-793G-5811
Intel Core i5-7300HQ
4486 Points -9%
Creative Score Accelerated v2
Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L
Intel Core i7-8550U
5055 Points +1%
Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043
Intel Core i7-8550U
5024 Points
Acer Aspire Nitro BE VN7-793G-5811
Intel Core i5-7300HQ
4169 Points -17%
PCMark 10
Score
Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L
Intel Core i7-8550U
3916 Points +4%
Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043
Intel Core i7-8550U
3769 Points
Productivity
Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L
Intel Core i7-8550U
6961 Points +3%
Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043
Intel Core i7-8550U
6767 Points
PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2
3837 points
PCMark 8 Creative Score Accelerated v2
5024 points
PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2
4922 points
PCMark 10 Score
3769 points
Help

Storage Solution

128-GB M.2 SSD
128-GB M.2 SSD
1-TB 2.5-inch hard drive
1-TB 2.5-inch hard drive

For storage, we can find a 128-GB SSD by SanDisk in our model. At its SATA speeds, it is clearly left behind by the much faster SSD in the HP Omen 17. Also, compared to the predecessor, the performance of the SanDisk SSD turns out slightly worse. At 27 MB/s in the 4K-read performance, which mainly benefits the startup of the OS and programs, the SSD does not achieve a perfect result. A conventional hard drive by Western Digital offers sufficient space for additional data. The 1-TB hard drive achieves an average transfer rate of 122 MB/s. In the test, the combination of SSD and HDD is compelling. However, we would advise against a purchase without an SSD. Anyone for whom the SSD is too small can replace it with a larger model without any trouble.

AS SSD
AS SSD
CrystalDiskMark 3 (SSD)
CrystalDiskMark 3 (SSD)
CrystalDiskMark 5.2 (SSD)
CrystalDiskMark 5.2 (SSD)
CrystalDiskInfo (SSD)
CrystalDiskInfo (SSD)
HD Tune
HD Tune
CrystalDiskMark 3 (HDD)
CrystalDiskMark 3 (HDD)
CrystalDiskMark 5.2 (HDD)
CrystalDiskMark 5.2 (HDD)
CrystalDiskInfo (HDD)
CrystalDiskInfo (HDD)
Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043
SanDisk X400 M.2 2280 128GB
Dell Inspiron 17 7778
Liteonit CV3-CE512
Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L
Micron 1100 MTFDDAV256TBN
Acer Aspire Nitro BE VN7-793G-5811
Seagate Mobile HDD 1TB ST1000LM035
HP Omen 17-w206ng
Samsung PM961 MZVLW256HEHP
Acer Aspire 7 A717-71G-72VY
Toshiba MQ01ABD100
CrystalDiskMark 3.0
13%
5%
-86%
165%
-91%
Read Seq
486.2
486.4
0%
480.1
-1%
117.6
-76%
1606
230%
108.7
-78%
Write Seq
350.5
438.4
25%
385.6
10%
109.1
-69%
1176
236%
100.7
-71%
Read 512
324.2
232.8
-28%
295.6
-9%
39.93
-88%
846
161%
29.74
-91%
Write 512
254.8
386.7
52%
302.5
19%
98.6
-61%
805
216%
28.06
-89%
Read 4k
29.37
32.3
10%
27.58
-6%
0.435
-99%
59.9
104%
0.345
-99%
Write 4k
56.2
65.8
17%
81.4
45%
3.152
-94%
155.6
177%
0.78
-99%
Read 4k QD32
365.8
334.4
-9%
247.4
-32%
1.008
-100%
588
61%
0.688
-100%
Write 4k QD32
212.8
289.5
36%
237.7
12%
4.705
-98%
505
137%
0.767
-100%
SanDisk X400 M.2 2280 128GB
Transfer Rate Minimum: 52.9 MB/s
Transfer Rate Maximum: 234.2 MB/s
Transfer Rate Average: 122 MB/s
Access Time: 9.4 ms
Burst Rate: 101.9 MB/s
CPU Usage: 4.4 %

Graphics Card

Nvidia GeForce MX 150
Nvidia GeForce MX 150

The Nvidia GeForce MX 150 is the smallest offshoot of the Pascal Generation by Nvidia and the heir of the Nvidia GeForce 940 MX. With 2 GB GDDR5, the dedicated graphics card has its own VRAM and clocks at 1469 to 1532 MHz. The performance of the Nvidia GeForce MX 150 is at the expected level. Thus, the Acer Aspire 5 A517 and our test unit perform at the same level. However, our large convertible has no chance against the much faster devices which have a GeForce GTX 1050 Ti or faster. However, that was expected. The dedicated graphics card solely handles 3D applications and is replaced by the Intel UHD Graphics 620 in 2D applications. This integrated graphics unit, which is part of the SoC, takes load off the processor for example when playing videos and also ensures a longer battery life during 2D operation.
You can find additional benchmarks on the Nvidia GeForce MX150 and the Intel UHD Graphics 620 here.

3DMark
1280x720 Cloud Gate Standard Graphics
Acer Aspire 7 A717-71G-72VY
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Mobile, Intel Core i7-7700HQ
68143 Points +222%
Acer Aspire Nitro BE VN7-793G-5811
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile, Intel Core i5-7300HQ
50683 Points +140%
Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043
NVIDIA GeForce MX150, Intel Core i7-8550U
21134 Points
Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L
NVIDIA GeForce MX150, Intel Core i7-8550U
18188 Points -14%
Dell Inspiron 17 7778
NVIDIA GeForce 940MX, Intel Core i7-6500U
11713 Points -45%
1920x1080 Fire Strike Graphics
Acer Aspire 7 A717-71G-72VY
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Mobile, Intel Core i7-7700HQ
11502 Points +238%
Acer Aspire Nitro BE VN7-793G-5811
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile, Intel Core i5-7300HQ
7883 Points +132%
Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L
NVIDIA GeForce MX150, Intel Core i7-8550U
3542 Points +4%
Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043
NVIDIA GeForce MX150, Intel Core i7-8550U
3401 Points
Dell Inspiron 17 7778
NVIDIA GeForce 940MX, Intel Core i7-6500U
1889 Points -44%
3DMark 11 - 1280x720 Performance GPU
Acer Aspire 7 A717-71G-72VY
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Mobile, Intel Core i7-7700HQ
14846 Points +229%
Acer Aspire Nitro BE VN7-793G-5811
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile, Intel Core i5-7300HQ
10270 Points +128%
HP Omen 17-w206ng
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile, Intel Core i7-7700HQ
9482 Points +110%
Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L
NVIDIA GeForce MX150, Intel Core i7-8550U
4519 Points 0%
Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043
NVIDIA GeForce MX150, Intel Core i7-8550U
4507 Points
Dell Inspiron 17 7778
NVIDIA GeForce 940MX, Intel Core i7-6500U
2734 Points -39%
3DMark Ice Storm
3DMark Ice Storm
3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited
3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited
3DMark Ice Storm Extreme
3DMark Ice Storm Extreme
3DMark Cloud Gate
3DMark Cloud Gate
3DMark Sky Diver
3DMark Sky Diver
3DMark Fire Strike
3DMark Fire Strike
3DMark Fire Strike Extreme
3DMark Fire Strike Extreme
3DMark Fire Strike Ultra
3DMark Fire Strike Ultra
3DMark 11
3DMark 11
 
3DMark 11 Performance
4777 points
3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score
77552 points
3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score
15251 points
3DMark Fire Strike Score
3078 points
3DMark Fire Strike Extreme Score
1501 points
Help

Gaming Performance

Games should not be a priority when purchasing a Dell Inspiron 17 7773. The built-in Nvidia GeForce MX150 is only suited to a limited extent for gaming. In order to display a smooth image, you often have to make do with lower quality settings for newer games. Compared to the predecessor that included the Nvidia GeForce 940MX, the graphics performance has been increased considerably.

low med. high ultra
BioShock Infinite (2013) 170 85.9 70.4 30.5
Battlefield 4 (2013) 111.1 66.7 26 17.9
Rise of the Tomb Raider (2016) 61.1 32.4 18.4 15.2

Emissions

Noise Emissions

Noise characteristics
Noise characteristics

In terms of the noise, the Dell Inspiron 17 7773 acts similar to the predecessor. Without load, the device operation is comfortably quiet, and you can only hear the quiet whirring of the hard drive. The small fan only becomes clearly audible during load. We measured the highest value for our test unit at 40.5 dB(A). We did not notice any high-frequency fan noises. The fan speed control also worked well, adjusting the speed up and down appropriately. 

A fan transports the heat outside.
A fan transports the heat outside.
In addition, the cooling systems has two heat pipes.
In addition, the cooling systems has two heat pipes.

Noise Level

Idle
30.6 / 30.6 / 32.2 dB(A)
Load
40.5 / 39.5 dB(A)
  red to green bar
 
 
30 dB
silent
40 dB(A)
audible
50 dB(A)
loud
 
min: dark, med: mid, max: light   Audix TM1, Arta (15 cm distance)   environment noise: 30.3 dB(A)
Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043
GeForce MX150, i5-8550U, SanDisk X400 M.2 2280 128GB
Dell Inspiron 17 7778
GeForce 940MX, 6500U, Liteonit CV3-CE512
Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L
GeForce MX150, i5-8550U, Micron 1100 MTFDDAV256TBN
Acer Aspire Nitro BE VN7-793G-5811
GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile, i5-7300HQ, Seagate Mobile HDD 1TB ST1000LM035
HP Omen 17-w206ng
GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile, i7-7700HQ, Samsung PM961 MZVLW256HEHP
Acer Aspire 7 A717-71G-72VY
GeForce GTX 1060 Mobile, i7-7700HQ, Toshiba MQ01ABD100
Noise
-5%
7%
3%
-14%
0%
off / environment *
30.3
32.1
-6%
29.4
3%
29.7
2%
30
1%
30.1
1%
Idle Minimum *
30.6
32.1
-5%
30.1
2%
30.2
1%
34
-11%
31.4
-3%
Idle Average *
30.6
32.1
-5%
30.1
2%
30.2
1%
35
-14%
31.4
-3%
Idle Maximum *
32.2
34
-6%
29.7
8%
30.6
5%
36
-12%
31.7
2%
Load Average *
40.5
40.3
-0%
34.4
15%
33.8
17%
47
-16%
35.2
13%
Load Maximum *
39.5
42.6
-8%
34.4
13%
42.6
-8%
52
-32%
43.5
-10%
Witcher 3 ultra *
39.5
48
39.9

* ... smaller is better

dB(A) 0102030405060708090Deep BassMiddle BassHigh BassLower RangeMidsHigher MidsLower HighsMid HighsUpper HighsSuper Highs2034.230.9333434.22530.631.73030.130.63131.630.732.231.231.64029.328.730.629.729.35032.735.236.436.632.76327.227.626.927.827.2803130.926.626.63110027.82726.926.127.812524.82524.626.624.816025.125.92324.225.120024.623.723.122.224.625024.524.622.221.624.531528.22721.521.328.240025.125.220.420.525.150022.622.72019.522.663024.224.2191924.28002525.418.718.525100027.228.118.91827.2125030.430.218.217.530.4160031.231.31817.531.2200031.732.217.917.331.7250030.530.617.917.530.5315033.232.217.717.533.2400024.524.717.917.924.5500022.522.21817.722.5630020.520.71817.920.5800019.619.918.21819.61000018.619.318.21818.61250018.219.518.11818.21600018.320.218.21818.3SPL40.640.630.630.340.6N3.23.21.51.43.2median 24.8median 25median 18.2median 18median 24.8Delta3.23.11.11.53.2hearing rangehide median Fan NoiseDell Inspiron 17-7773-0043

Temperature

3DMark 11 after the stress test
3DMark 11 after the stress test

Compared to the Dell Inspiron 17 7778, the case temperatures have been improved slightly. Under load, the aluminum case heats up to a maximum of 47.2 °C (117 °F). In the tablet mode, you should be careful not to cover the fan vents. The Intel Core i7-8550U managed the hour-long load test with Prime95 with a clock speed of 2.2 GHz throughout, heating up to a maximum of 85 °C (185 °F). We did not observe any thermal throttling in our device. During the hour-long load test with the FurMark program, the graphics card heated up to a maximum of 70 °C (158 °F), which also appears to be the thermal limit of the graphics card. The clock speed varied considerably as soon as this temperature was reached. The Nvidia GeForce MX150 had an average clock speed of 980 MHz. During the 3DMark 11 benchmark following directly afterwards, the result of the cold start could not be achieved. The Dell Inspiron 17 7773 did not succeed in the Sky Diver stress test either. 

Stress test: Prime95 solo
Stress test: Prime95 solo
Stress test: FurMark solo
Stress test: FurMark solo
Stress test: FurMark+Prime95
Stress test: FurMark+Prime95
3DMark Sky Diver stress test
3DMark Sky Diver stress test
Max. Load
 35.1 °C
95 F
42.7 °C
109 F
40 °C
104 F
 
 33 °C
91 F
36.8 °C
98 F
32 °C
90 F
 
 29.2 °C
85 F
26.4 °C
80 F
28.3 °C
83 F
 
Maximum: 42.7 °C = 109 F
Average: 33.7 °C = 93 F
40.5 °C
105 F
47.2 °C
117 F
36.3 °C
97 F
33.1 °C
92 F
38.1 °C
101 F
36 °C
97 F
28.7 °C
84 F
30.2 °C
86 F
29.1 °C
84 F
Maximum: 47.2 °C = 117 F
Average: 35.5 °C = 96 F
Power Supply (max.)  42.7 °C = 109 F | Room Temperature 20.9 °C = 70 F | FIRT 550-Pocket
(±) The average temperature for the upper side under maximal load is 33.7 °C / 93 F, compared to the average of 31.2 °C / 88 F for the devices in the class Multimedia.
(±) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 42.7 °C / 109 F, compared to the average of 36.9 °C / 98 F, ranging from 21.1 to 71 °C for the class Multimedia.
(-) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 47.2 °C / 117 F, compared to the average of 39.1 °C / 102 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 27.3 °C / 81 F, compared to the device average of 31.2 °C / 88 F.
(+) The palmrests and touchpad are cooler than skin temperature with a maximum of 29.2 °C / 84.6 F and are therefore cool to the touch.
(±) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 28.8 °C / 83.8 F (-0.4 °C / -0.8 F).
Heat development top (load)
Heat development top (load)
Heat development bottom (load)
Heat development bottom (load)
Heat development top (idle)
Heat development top (idle)
Heat development bottom (idle)
Heat development bottom (idle)
Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043
GeForce MX150, i5-8550U, SanDisk X400 M.2 2280 128GB
Dell Inspiron 17 7778
GeForce 940MX, 6500U, Liteonit CV3-CE512
Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L
GeForce MX150, i5-8550U, Micron 1100 MTFDDAV256TBN
Acer Aspire Nitro BE VN7-793G-5811
GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile, i5-7300HQ, Seagate Mobile HDD 1TB ST1000LM035
HP Omen 17-w206ng
GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile, i7-7700HQ, Samsung PM961 MZVLW256HEHP
Acer Aspire 7 A717-71G-72VY
GeForce GTX 1060 Mobile, i7-7700HQ, Toshiba MQ01ABD100
Heat
-4%
14%
-1%
-14%
-7%
Maximum Upper Side *
42.7
44.7
-5%
40.4
5%
48
-12%
55.6
-30%
48
-12%
Maximum Bottom *
47.2
45.5
4%
37
22%
40.8
14%
57.7
-22%
46.6
1%
Idle Upper Side *
28.4
31
-9%
25.3
11%
29.9
-5%
32.2
-13%
31.1
-10%
Idle Bottom *
29.7
31.4
-6%
24.7
17%
29.8
-0%
27.2
8%
31.7
-7%

* ... smaller is better

Speakers

Speaker characteristics
Speaker characteristics

The listening pleasure can be called mediocre. The small speakers, which radiate the sound towards the sides and down, simply lack the volume for a better result. The sound reproduction is dominated by the mids and highs. With a little bit of imagination, you can merely make out some hints of the bass. However, voice is reproduced well and clearly, so that video calls are possible without any trouble. You can connect an external sound system via the 3.5-mm audio port (audio/microphone jack).

dB(A) 0102030405060708090Deep BassMiddle BassHigh BassLower RangeMidsHigher MidsLower HighsMid HighsUpper HighsSuper Highs2032.234322532.430.129.93133.131.233.44031.229.730.85032.836.632.96328.127.829802826.626.910028.126.127.812531.826.632.116036.124.2282005222.224.42505921.62331558.321.323.740062.420.521.750060.619.521.263067.21920.980065.818.520.91000661822.1125061.817.524.1160061.217.522.8200059.217.322.7250055.717.520.831505717.521.6400057.717.919.550006017.718.8630065.417.918.8800054.21818.91000054.71818.71250053.71818.61600059.41818.4SPL73.930.333.5N34.41.42median 59median 18median 21.6Delta4.61.52.438.439.238.434.73834.729.936.829.930.540.930.532.338.932.333.141.333.128.541.328.527.241.827.225.343.525.324.645.724.624.448.724.422.751.422.722.655.422.621.157.921.119.864.219.819.468.519.418.464.118.417.662.517.617.162.417.116.369.316.316.171.416.115.871.915.815.869.915.815.663.815.615.760.215.715.763.515.715.768.115.715.665.815.615.764.715.71657.61629.479.629.41.344.81.3median 17.1median 63.5median 17.13.37.13.3hearing rangehide median Pink NoiseDell Inspiron 17-7773-0043Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L
Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043 audio analysis

(-) | not very loud speakers (67.2 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(±) | reduced bass - on average 14.8% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (12.9% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(+) | balanced mids - only 4.1% away from median
(+) | mids are linear (6.4% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(+) | balanced highs - only 3.3% away from median
(±) | linearity of highs is average (8.7% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (18.5% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 51% of all tested devices in this class were better, 8% similar, 41% worse
» The best had a delta of 5%, average was 18%, worst was 45%
Compared to all devices tested
» 36% of all tested devices were better, 8% similar, 57% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%

Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L audio analysis

(-) | not very loud speakers (71.9 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(-) | nearly no bass - on average 15.8% lower than median
(+) | bass is linear (5% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(+) | balanced mids - only 3.5% away from median
(±) | linearity of mids is average (7.6% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(+) | balanced highs - only 3.6% away from median
(+) | highs are linear (6.9% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (16.3% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 33% of all tested devices in this class were better, 8% similar, 58% worse
» The best had a delta of 5%, average was 18%, worst was 45%
Compared to all devices tested
» 22% of all tested devices were better, 5% similar, 73% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%

Frequency comparison (Checkboxes selectable!)

Power Management

Power Consumption

The power needs of our test unit are comparatively low. However, the similarly equipped Acer Aspire 5 A517 is again 6% more efficient. At first glance, the comparison to the predecessor is also sobering, since particularly under load the power consumption was much lower there. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron 17 7773 offers quite the computing power. During idle operation, our test unit is content with 11.6 watts on average. Under load, the consumption climbs to 65 watts. This is also the value of the power supply, which is rated at 65 watts. We did not observe any discharging of the battery under full load though.

The compact power supply offers 65 watts.
The compact power supply ...
The compact power supply offers 65 watts.
... offers 65 watts.
Power Consumption
Off / Standbydarklight 0.27 / 0.42 Watt
Idledarkmidlight 5.5 / 11.6 / 12.4 Watt
Load midlight 65 / 56 Watt
 color bar
Key: min: dark, med: mid, max: light        Metrahit Energy
Currently we use the Metrahit Energy, a professional single phase power quality and energy measurement digital multimeter, for our measurements. Find out more about it here. All of our test methods can be found here.
Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043
i5-8550U, GeForce MX150, SanDisk X400 M.2 2280 128GB, IPS, 1920x1080, 17.30
Dell Inspiron 17 7778
6500U, GeForce 940MX, Liteonit CV3-CE512, IPS, 1920x1080, 17.30
Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L
i5-8550U, GeForce MX150, Micron 1100 MTFDDAV256TBN, aSi TFT, IPS, 1920x1080, 17.30
Acer Aspire Nitro BE VN7-793G-5811
i5-7300HQ, GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile, Seagate Mobile HDD 1TB ST1000LM035, IPS, 1920x1080, 17.30
HP Omen 17-w206ng
i7-7700HQ, GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile, Samsung PM961 MZVLW256HEHP, IPS, 1920x1080, 17.30
Acer Aspire 7 A717-71G-72VY
i7-7700HQ, GeForce GTX 1060 Mobile, Toshiba MQ01ABD100, IPS, 1920x1080, 17.30
Power Consumption
8%
10%
-47%
-88%
-47%
Idle Minimum *
5.5
5.6
-2%
4.1
25%
8.7
-58%
11
-100%
7
-27%
Idle Average *
11.6
11.2
3%
9.3
20%
12.4
-7%
18
-55%
12.3
-6%
Idle Maximum *
12.4
11.9
4%
9.8
21%
15.4
-24%
24
-94%
14.2
-15%
Load Average *
65
46
29%
64
2%
73
-12%
84
-29%
72.6
-12%
Load Maximum *
56
53
5%
66.4
-19%
130
-132%
146
-161%
153
-173%
Witcher 3 ultra *
98
101
125

* ... smaller is better

Battery Life

3DMark 11 during battery operation
3DMark 11 during battery operation
56-Wh battery
56-Wh battery

Due to their power consumption being almost identical during idle, the old and new models have the same battery life. The 56-Wh battery is built into the device. Under load, the battery can provide the device with a full two hours of power. After 140 minutes, the battery is charged to 100% again. In the practically relevant WLAN test, the Dell Inspiron 17 7773 was able to achieve second place. Our large convertible lasts for 6:48 hours. To keep the conditions similar, the display brightness was reduced by five steps, which corresponds to 150 cd/m². With the almost seven-hour battery life, the user should be able to go through the day. In battery operation, the 3D-performance is slightly less than in mains operation.

Battery Runtime
Idle (without WLAN, min brightness)
14h 43min
WiFi Websurfing (EDGE: 41.16299.15.0)
6h 48min
Big Buck Bunny H.264 1080p
6h 13min
Load (maximum brightness)
2h 01min
maximum battery life
maximum battery life
minimum battery life
minimum battery life
WLAN battery life
WLAN battery life
H.264 battery life
H.264 battery life
Time for recharging
Time for recharging
Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043
i5-8550U, GeForce MX150, 56 Wh
Dell Inspiron 17 7778
6500U, GeForce 940MX, 56 Wh
Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L
i5-8550U, GeForce MX150, 48 Wh
Acer Aspire Nitro BE VN7-793G-5811
i5-7300HQ, GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile, 52.5 Wh
HP Omen 17-w206ng
i7-7700HQ, GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile, 62 Wh
Acer Aspire 7 A717-71G-72VY
i7-7700HQ, GeForce GTX 1060 Mobile, 48 Wh
Battery Runtime
1%
-21%
-32%
-13%
-30%
Reader / Idle
883
811
-8%
560
-37%
795
-10%
552
-37%
H.264
373
321
-14%
284
-24%
WiFi v1.3
408
495
21%
377
-8%
278
-32%
380
-7%
336
-18%
Load
121
110
-9%
89
-26%
96
-21%
74
-39%

Verdict

Pros

+ flexible format options
+ sleek design
+ robust and well-built aluminum case
+ fast quad-core processor
+ 16 GB RAM
+ useful storage solution (SSD + HDD)
+ good positioning of the ports
+ high-contrast display with stable viewing angles
+ Nvidia GeForce MX150 with 2 GB DDDR5-VRAM
+ comfortably quiet
+ good battery life
+ large 17-inch touchscreen
+ good-sized clickpad

Cons

- keyboard is unprotected in tablet mode
- hinges are difficult to move
- slow card reader
- spongy typing experience (soft, cushioned stroke)
- outdoor use is very limited (reflective display)
- clearly visible clouding
- slight GPU throttling under constant load
- sliding characteristics of the touchscreen not always optimal
The Dell Inspiron 17 7773, provided by Cyberport
The Dell Inspiron 17 7773, provided by Cyberport

Admittedly, the Dell Inspiron 17 7773 does not have much competition aside from the direct predecessor. In our test, the convertible in the unusual 17-inch format convinced with very good performance. The Intel Core i7-8550U offers a perfect basis for demanding applications. The ample 16-GB of DDR4-RAM also plays an important role, as well as the sensible storage combination of Solid State Disk and conventional hard drive. The Dell Inspiron 17 7773 is listed in online shops for a price of 1199 Euros (~$1391). In particular the Nvidia GeForce MX150, which expands the usage areas of the convertible, is worthy of praise. 

Although the Dell Inspiron 17 7773 is probably not for everyone, the buyers are rewarded with a decent serving of performance. In addition, the giant convertible is very flexible in its uses and has currently almost no competition.

In particular, the elegant, modest design convinced us in the test. The selection of materials, which provides very good stability to the device, is similarly successful. With the display and the keyboard, the manufacturer should take some complaints to heart, in order to improve the small, but important inconsistencies in the next update. The graphics card, which tends to throttle, also stands out negatively, even if its influence on the performance is not that large. But overall, the Dell Inspiron 17 7773 is a very good multimedia device with the advantages of a convertible. 

Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043 - 11/06/2017 v6(old)
Sebastian Bade

Chassis
83 / 98 → 85%
Keyboard
78%
Pointing Device
91%
Connectivity
55 / 81 → 67%
Weight
57 / 20-67 → 79%
Battery
88%
Display
81%
Games Performance
73 / 85 → 86%
Application Performance
86 / 92 → 93%
Temperature
90%
Noise
88 / 95 → 93%
Audio
64%
Camera
53 / 85 → 62%
Average
76%
84%
Multimedia - Weighted Average

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Reviews > Dell Inspiron 17 7773 (i7-8550U, 16 GB, 17" Touch) Convertible Review
Sebastian Bade, 2017-11-12 (Update: 2019-03-31)