Dell Inspiron 17-7786 (i7-8565U, 16 GB, 17-inch Touch, MX 150) Convertible Review
Coffee Lake is now followed by Whiskey Lake. This is the technical update under the hood of the huge convertible from Dell. However, the manufacturer has also reworked the design and slightly modified the base. As before, the Dell Inspiron 17 7000 is available in three basic configurations that really only differ in their storage solutions.
The Intel Core i7-8565U, as well as the GeForce MX150 and the 16 GB of DDR4-RAM always remain the same, which unfortunately means that there is no affordable device below 1000 Euros (~$1145; $950 in the US). A configuration based on an Intel Core i5-8265U would surely be appreciated by many users.
Together with the storage solution of a combined SSD and HDD, our test unit costs 1328 Euros (~$1521; $1150 in the US) in Dell's online shop. However, with only 128 GB, the SSD is very small, but on the other hand it supports NVMe. Considering the preinstalled Windows 10 Home version, only 50 GB of storage remains for the user on the fast SSD (note that in the US, another configuration with a 512 GB SSD is available for $1300). At 1228 Euros (~$1406; $950 in the US), the most affordable Dell Inspiron 17 7000 costs exactly 100 Euros (~$114) less and only offers the 1-TB hard drive as the storage solution instead. But those who decide for the more affordable device can easily upgrade the convertible with additional storage later. The same goes for the working memory. All the devices are equipped with one 16-GB module.
Since as a 17-inch convertible, the Dell Inspiron 17 7000 is a rarity, as with its predecessor we decided to test the device against multimedia laptops. We are listing all the candidates in the table below.
| Dell Inspiron 17 7773 | Dell Inspiron 17 7778 | HP Envy 17 | Acer Aspire 5 A517 | Asus VivoBook Pro 17 | |
| CPU | Intel Core i7-8550U | Intel Core i7-6500U | Intel Core i5-8250U | Intel Core i7-8550U | Intel Core i7-8550U |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce MX150 | Nvidia GeForce 940MX | Nvidia GeForce MX150 | Nvidia GeForce MX 150 | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 |
| Display | 17.3-in 1920x1080 | 17.3-in 1920x1080 | 17.3-in 1920x1080 | 17.3-in 1920x1080 | 17.3-in 1920x1080 |
| RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | 8 GB | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB SSD + 1 TB HDD | 512 GB SSD | 128 GB SSD + 1 TB HDD | 256 GB SSD + 1 TB HDD | 512 GB SSD |
| Evaluation | 84% | 79% | 85% | 85% | 83% |
Case - useful changes
Compared to the previous model of the Dell Inspiron 17 7000, the manufacturer now also took a look at the case and reworked it. The surfaces of the case lid and bottom of the base are made of brushed aluminum, while the top of the base is finished in a smooth aluminum surface. However, the materials used still appear of high-quality, although we preferred the slightly darker color of the predecessor.
In terms of its stability, the Dell Inspiron 17-7786 strikes a good figure. The base and also the display lid can only be twisted with a significant use of force. The display lid also profits from the touch display, which also offers additional stability thanks to its glass surface.
The pressure test produces a similar impression. While the good choice of materials offers good stability, due to its size we notice some slight give in the central area when using some force. However, during regular typing, the base does not yield.
The visual changes compared to the predecessor become apparent mainly after opening the case. While the keyboard of the Inspiron 17-7773 was still at the same level as the palm rest, it is now set slightly lower in the base. This offers an advantage particularly in presentation mode, since the device will then sit on the top of the base. Thus the likelihood of damaging the keys becomes lower.
Since this is a convertible, we are not surprised that two 360-degree hinges are used. Both of the hinges hold the display tightly in place. However, due to the weight, they are still unable to prevent some wobble. It is also impossible to open the case with one hand, since there is just too much resistance.
At 2.8 kg (~6.2 lb), the Dell Inspiron 17-7786 is not very heavy for a 17-inch device. However, if we consider that the device can also be used as a tablet, almost 3 kg is anything but pleasant. For this reason, we rather think of the laptop as a multimedia device with the advantages of a convertible. Comparing it to the other 17-inchers here in our comparison list, all the devices remain close together. But with a thickness of only 16.09 mm (~0.63 in), the Dell Inspiron 17-7786 is even the slimmest device in our test field. The new Dell Inspiron 17 7000 has also become smaller in terms of the width compared to its predecessor.
The 65-Watt power supply adds 323 grams (~0.7 lb) to the weight.
Connections - both sufficient and modern at the same time
The connection equipment of the Dell Inspiron 17-7786 is good for a convertible. Basically, the device offers all the important connections that place it on the safe side even in terms of the future. We like that the USB-2.0 connection was removed. Instead, there are now two USB connections that offer USB-3.1 speeds on the right side. On the left side, we can find an additional USB connection with the Type-C format that also allows you to connect external displays via a corresponding adapter. If you do not want to use an adapter, you can also use the HDMI connection that corresponds to the 2.0 standard. All of the connections are spread over the rear area of both sides.
SD-card reader
Unfortunately, Dell did not make any change in the available card reader, which continues to offer only USB-2.0 speeds. Compared to the competitors, this is only sufficient for one of the last places. The Asus VivoBook Pro 17 is also not able to move ahead particularly, since it is also limited by the USB-2.0 standard. The Acer Aspire 5 and the HP Envy 17 are doing better here, both offering a card reader that supports USB 3.0.
We use our Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II reference storage card for this test.
| SD Card Reader | |
| average JPG Copy Test (av. of 3 runs) | |
| Average of class Multimedia (18.4 - 201, n=58, last 2 years) | |
| Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II) | |
| HP Envy 17-ae143ng (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II) | |
| Asus VivoBook Pro 17 N705UD-EH76 (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II) | |
| Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043 (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II) | |
| Dell Inspiron 17-7786 (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II) | |
| Dell Inspiron 17 7778 | |
| maximum AS SSD Seq Read Test (1GB) | |
| Average of class Multimedia (25.8 - 266, n=58, last 2 years) | |
| Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II) | |
| HP Envy 17-ae143ng (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II) | |
| Asus VivoBook Pro 17 N705UD-EH76 (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II) | |
| Dell Inspiron 17-7786 (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II) | |
| Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043 (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II) | |
| Dell Inspiron 17 7778 | |
Communication
Dell has equipped the Inspiron 17-7786 with a modern Intel Wireless-AC 9560 module. In addition, the WLAN module supports Bluetooth version 5. Compared to the predecessor, the WLAN transfer rates were significantly improved. While sending, we measured an average data rate of 658 Mb/s, and at 553 Mb/s while receiving, it still was significantly more than in the Inspiron 17-7773 (302 Mb/s).
With its stable performance, our test unit places at the top in the direct comparison, and the Inspiron 17-7786 places significantly above the average in the device class comparison as well.
Unfortunately, the convertible does not offer an Ethernet connection, so there is only the workaround of using an additional adapter. In terms of mobile Internet, users will also have to find an alternative workaround, since an LTE modem is not planned for the Inspiron 17-7786.
Security
The Dell Inspiron 17-7786 offers security features in form of a Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0). The power button also serves as a fingerprint reader and can be used for Windows login, after it has been set up. MacAfee LifeSafe is already preinstalled as a software solution, and the purchase price includes a 12-month subscription for private users. For a one-time premium of 35 Euros (~$40), you can extend the subscription to 36 months, according to information coming from the Dell shop.
This differentiates the Dell Inspiron 17-7786 slightly from its predecessor, which still included an infrared camera and lacked a fingerprint reader. The manufacturer has also completely removed the option to use a Noble security lock.
Accessories
Dell does not include any accessories in the purchase of the Inspiron 17-7786. In addition to the convertible itself, we only find the corresponding power supply, as well as the quick-start manual and the customary safety instructions. However, you can purchase numerous accessories in the Dell shop later. While the most useful might be the expansion of the connection options using the Dell D6000 docking station (275 Euros, ~$315), the manufacturer also offers the corresponding adapters and bags.
Maintenance
Since our test unit already includes two storage units, the expansion options are limited to only the working memory, where the Dell Inspiron 17-7786 still offers an empty slot, allowing you to expand the RAM up to 32 GB. However, in order to reach the slot, you first have to remove the whole bottom of the case. Unfortunately, the device does not offer a small maintenance cover. To avoid doing any harm while removing the case, you should use suitable prying tools. After the removal, you can reach the built-in components easily, so replacing the storage solution should also not pose any problem.
Warranty
The purchase price (Dell shop) includes the so-called basic services, which Dell specifies as one-year pickup-and-repair hardware support. The warranty can be extended up to four years, which you can select during the ordering process. If you are not buying the device directly from the manufacturer, you should find out about the warranty offered by the vendor. Please see our Guarantees, Return policies and Warranties article for country-specific information.
Input Devices - well-known components
Keyboard
Judging by the appearance, Dell has used the same keyboard in the Inspiron 17-7786 as in the predecessor, the 17-7773. Correspondingly, we see the same advantages and disadvantages. While the keys still offer a sufficiently large surface at 15 x 15 mm (~0.6 x 0.6 in), they appear slightly small, due to the dimensions of the device. In addition, the gap between them is not really modest at 4 mm (0.16 in). The keys of the number block turn out even slightly smaller at 13 x 15 mm (~0.5 x 0.6 in). The small stroke is well-suited for the chiclet keyboard, but the pressure point is very slight. The stroke is not as cushioned as in the predecessor, which improves the typing experience overall. The typing noise is pleasantly quiet, even when typing fast.
Since the keys are now set lower in the base, they are less susceptible to harm in the presentation mode. We also continue to like the easily readable white lettering. In addition, the two-step keyboard illumination helps in bad light conditions.
Touchpad
The ClickPad leaves a very good impression. The edges of the input area are visually emphasized by being milled and polished. At 10.5 x 8 cm (~4.1 x 3.1 in), the input area has the same size as in the Inspiron 17-7773, although there would have been space for a larger ClickPad. The surface is slightly roughened and is sensitive to touch right up to the edges. We did not notice any spots that did not respond accurately in our test unit. The gesture functions can be configured using Windows-10 on-board methods. At the lower edge are the two mouse keys, which have a short stroke and offer a quiet acoustic feedback when they are pressed.
Touchscreen
Since the Dell Inspiron 17 7000 is a convertible, the screen also serves as an input device. We did not encounter any problems when using the touch display during the test. The large and smooth surface allows the finger to slide smoothly across and responds to inputs promptly. With slightly moist fingers, the sliding characteristics of the screen are slightly reduced. The touchscreen recognizes up to 10 touch points simultaneously. The large, touch-sensitive display responds to input without any noticeable delays and also handles very fast movements without any problems.
Display - without alternatives and one step back
Like with the Dell Inspiron 17-7773 from 2017, Dell also sends the current Inspiron 17 7000 into the competition with only a single display variant. Here, an older LG panel that we already know from the Inspiron 17-7773 is used. The display offers 1920x1080 pixels, which at a diagonal of 17.3 inches corresponds to 127 ppi. There probably will not be a 4K panel even with a new edition of the Inspiron 17 7000.
Our test unit achieved an average brightness of 313 cd/m² in the test. While this is brighter than the Inspiron 17-7773, with a difference of only 23 cd/m², this is hardly noticeable. In terms of the brightness distribution, the LG display achieved an acceptable result at 82%, although there can be some production-related variations as the direct comparison with the Inspiron 17-7773 shows. We did not notice any shading that could be traced back to imperfections in the brightness distribution. On the other hand, there were some visible halos at the edges in a completely black image. In previous generations, Dell had some difficulties with so-called clouding from time to time. However, since this is always a momentary snapshot, it should not necessarily be taken as relevant for the whole range of the production.
A positive side effect of the LG panel is the lack of PWM to regulate the display brightness.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brightness Distribution: 82 %
Center on Battery: 320 cd/m²
Contrast: 927:1 (Black: 0.37 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 4.8 | 0.5-29.43 Ø4.9
ΔE Greyscale 3.51 | 0.5-98 Ø5.1
81% sRGB (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
54% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
59.7% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
81.6% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
64.8% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.19
| Dell Inspiron 17-7786 LG Philips, 173W4F, IPS, 1920x1080, 17.3" | Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043 Chi Mei CMN1738, IPS, 1920x1080, 17.3" | Dell Inspiron 17 7778 LG Philips LGD 0513 / 173WF4, IPS, 1920x1080, 17.3" | HP Envy 17-ae143ng AU Optronics B173HW01 V0, IPS, 1920x1080, 17.3" | Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L LG Display, LP173WF4-SPF5, aSi TFT, IPS, 1920x1080, 17.3" | Asus VivoBook Pro 17 N705UD-EH76 LP173WF4-SPF5, IPS, 1920x1080, 17.3" | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 10% | 5% | 5% | 3% | 6% | |
| Display P3 Coverage | 64.8 | 67.4 4% | 67.4 4% | 63.9 -1% | 66.3 2% | 67.9 5% |
| sRGB Coverage | 81.6 | 91.9 13% | 86.3 6% | 88 8% | 84.2 3% | 86.8 6% |
| AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage | 59.7 | 67.2 13% | 63.1 6% | 64.3 8% | 61.6 3% | 63.5 6% |
| Response Times | -5% | 12% | 18% | -12% | 17% | |
| Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% * | 38 ? | 40 ? -5% | 36 ? 5% | 33 ? 13% | 41 ? -8% | 30.8 ? 19% |
| Response Time Black / White * | 27 ? | 28 ? -4% | 22 ? 19% | 21 ? 22% | 31 ? -15% | 23.2 ? 14% |
| PWM Frequency | 1000 ? | 122000 ? | 119000 ? | |||
| Screen | 5% | -13% | 3% | 16% | 0% | |
| Brightness middle | 343 | 323 -6% | 327 -5% | 352 3% | 397 16% | 376.2 10% |
| Brightness | 313 | 290 -7% | 314 0% | 330 5% | 364 16% | 355 13% |
| Brightness Distribution | 82 | 77 -6% | 87 6% | 88 7% | 84 2% | 89 9% |
| Black Level * | 0.37 | 0.21 43% | 0.3 19% | 0.31 16% | 0.29 22% | 0.42 -14% |
| Contrast | 927 | 1538 66% | 1090 18% | 1135 22% | 1369 48% | 896 -3% |
| Colorchecker dE 2000 * | 4.8 | 4.88 -2% | 6.75 -41% | 4.34 10% | 3.88 19% | 4.21 12% |
| Colorchecker dE 2000 max. * | 10.35 | 8.86 14% | 11.82 -14% | 8.69 16% | 8.22 21% | 8.31 20% |
| Greyscale dE 2000 * | 3.51 | 6.21 -77% | 7.91 -125% | 5.66 -61% | 3.1 12% | 5.5 -57% |
| Gamma | 2.19 100% | 2.36 93% | 2.31 95% | 2.29 96% | 2.59 85% | 2.335 94% |
| CCT | 6188 105% | 6620 98% | 7642 85% | 6326 103% | 6570 99% | 7056 92% |
| Color Space (Percent of AdobeRGB 1998) | 54 | 60 11% | 57 6% | 57 6% | 55 2% | 57 6% |
| Color Space (Percent of sRGB) | 81 | 92 14% | 86 6% | 88 9% | 84 4% | 87 7% |
| Colorchecker dE 2000 calibrated * | 3.95 | |||||
| Total Average (Program / Settings) | 3% /
5% | 1% /
-6% | 9% /
6% | 2% /
10% | 8% /
4% |
* ... smaller is better
While the display quality is good, it is often marred by the significant clouding during dark scenes. The DeltaE-2000 deviations that we measured in the state of delivery are very high. In combination with the display brightness, the black value is unable to ensure any top results in the contrast ratio, which at 927:1 places it second to last. Calibration produces improvements of the color-space deviations, and we have linked the corresponding ICC profile. At 81% (sRGB) and 54% (AdobeRGB), the color-space coverage is average, making it merely suitable for amateur image-processing. Professional users should look for a different device.
The extremely reflective display surface limits outdoor usage significantly. You can clearly see the strong reflections even in the shade. Due to these limitations, we would advise against using the Dell Inspiron 17 outdoors at all.
Display Response Times
| ↔ Response Time Black to White | ||
|---|---|---|
| 27 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined | ↗ 16 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. » 65 % of all devices are better. This means that the measured response time is worse than the average of all tested devices (20.9 ms). | ||
| ↔ Response Time 50% Grey to 80% Grey | ||
| 38 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined | ↗ 19 ms rise |  |
| ↘ 19 ms fall | ||
| The screen shows slow response rates in our tests and will be unsatisfactory for gamers. In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.165 (minimum) to 636 (maximum) ms. » 52 % of all devices are better. This means that the measured response time is worse than the average of all tested devices (32.7 ms). | ||
Screen Flickering / PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation)
| Screen flickering / PWM not detected |  | ||
In comparison: 53 % of all tested devices do not use PWM to dim the display. If PWM was detected, an average of 8623 (minimum: 5 - maximum: 343500) Hz was measured. | |||
The viewing-angle test shows a typical IPS panel, although it demonstrates only minimal problems in the corner pictures. Other displays show significantly worse color distortions here. Overall, the viewing angles in our Dell Inspiron 17-7786 are good, and there are no limitations in everyday operation worth mentioning.
Performance - Whiskey Lake instead of Kaby Lake
For a convertible, the performance of the Dell Inspiron 17 7000 is more than sufficient. The Intel Core i7-8565U, which offers four physical computing cores, makes work really enjoyable. Thanks to NVMe, of course the SSD also provides the necessary performance push. Those who need more storage will be well-served by the 1-TB hard drive. Dell is also not stingy in terms of the working memory, having equipped the convertible with an ample 16 GB. The only small blemish is the limited storage space of the SSD. Sooner or later, an update will probably be necessary here (note that Dell already offers a configuration with 512 GB SSD in the US). Overall, the Dell Inspiron 17-7786 offers a good, well-rounded package, and thanks to the dedicated GeForce MX150, the multimedia convertible also offers some gaming performance.
Processor
The Intel Core i7-8565U is a quad-core processor belonging to the Whiskey-Lake series. Compared to the Intel Core i7-8550U, the new processor offers a significantly higher Boost speed. But the TDP and the basic clock speed remained the same. For this reason, the Inspiron 17-7786 is able to stand up against the Inspiron 17-7773 in the single as well as the multithread benchmark of Cinebench R15. Overall, the performance of the processor is above-average.
However, not everything that shines is gold, and this also goes for the performance of the processor in our Cinebench-R15 multi-loop. While our test unit is still able to assert itself in the first run, the performance already begins to drop slightly in the second run. The performance drop becomes much more severe in the 19th and 20th runs, where the result briefly drops to 425 points before it levels out at about 460 points afterwards. With this, the Dell Inspiron 17-7786 offers a lower multithread performance than the predecessor model in our Cinebench-R15 multi-loop. We ran this test twice to make sure that there were no other applications or updates causing the performance drops. This was not the case, and the repeated test of the Cinebench-R15 multi-loop produced an almost identical result.
For additional comparisons and benchmarks, see our CPU comparison chart.
| Blender - v2.79 BMW27 CPU | |
| Dell Inspiron 17-7786 | |
| Average Intel Core i7-8565U (687 - 1175, n=22) | |
| Average of class Multimedia (100 - 502, n=85, last 2 years) | |
| HWBOT x265 Benchmark v2.2 - 4k Preset | |
| Average of class Multimedia (5.26 - 34.3, n=79, last 2 years) | |
| Dell Inspiron 17-7786 | |
| Average Intel Core i7-8565U (3.24 - 5.5, n=22) | |
* ... smaller is better
System Performance
In the PCMark benchmarks, the slightly faster processor produces a slightly better performance than that of the predecessor, which also already delivered a good performance. The combination of SSD and HDD ensures a quickly running system, without the need of forgoing storage space. With 16 GB of working memory, the convertible offers a sufficient amount of RAM, allowing you to even run virtualizations. However, since there is only a single module, you have to make do without dual-channel operation. With a second module, which can be installed without any trouble, you should be able to squeeze out an additional percentage point or two to increase the performance.
| PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2 | 4092 points | |
| PCMark 8 Creative Score Accelerated v2 | 5840 points | |
| PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2 | 5254 points | |
| PCMark 10 Score | 4175 points | |
Help | ||
Storage Solution
Although with the 128-GB SSD from Toshiba, Dell offers a storage solution that is connected via PCIe, unfortunately the SSD was only able to perform well in our test of the read rates. At only 113 MB/s (according to AS SSD), the write rate of the SSD remained significantly behind our expectations. However, in everyday operation this was not noticeable and the access rates of the SSD are still considerably faster than in the direct comparison to a conventional hard drive. The rather unusual format (M.2 2230) does not represent an obstacle to replacing it with an M.2 2280.
As a second storage device, there is also a hard drive with 1 TB of storage in the device. This offers an average transfer rate of 103.3 MB/s, which is a normal value for hard drives with rotation speeds of 5400 rpm. This can also be replaced by a larger hard drive without any problems, although you should take the height of 7 mm (~0.27 in) into account.
It is not clear to us why Dell does not offer a second M.2 connection, since the device offers sufficient space inside.
Benchmarks of the SSD
Benchmarks of the HDD
| Dell Inspiron 17-7786 KBG30ZMS128G | Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043 SanDisk X400 M.2 2280 128GB | Dell Inspiron 17 7778 Liteonit CV3-CE512 | HP Envy 17-ae143ng Liteonit CV3-8D128 | Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L Micron 1100 MTFDDAV256TBN | Asus VivoBook Pro 17 N705UD-EH76 Samsung PM961 NVMe MZVLW512HMJP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CrystalDiskMark 5.2 / 6 | 52% | 78% | 61% | 344% | ||
| Write 4K | 71.3 | 56.4 -21% | 66.2 -7% | 84.2 18% | 151.3 112% | |
| Read 4K | 33.43 | 28.72 -14% | 33.83 1% | 28.39 -15% | 46.62 39% | |
| Write Seq | 127.3 | 356.3 180% | 449.4 253% | 398.2 213% | 1020 701% | |
| Read Seq | 816 | 490.3 -40% | 468.6 -43% | 472.1 -42% | 935 15% | |
| Write 4K Q32T1 | 94.6 | 276.7 192% | 209.6 122% | 181.6 92% | 452.3 378% | |
| Read 4K Q32T1 | 196.7 | 279.7 42% | 290.8 48% | 247.7 26% | 559 184% | |
| Write Seq Q32T1 | 130.6 | 298.5 129% | 525 302% | 454.3 248% | 1614 1136% | |
| Read Seq Q32T1 | 1110 | 522 -53% | 508 -54% | 533 -52% | 3220 190% | |
| Write 4K Q8T8 | 98 | |||||
| Read 4K Q8T8 | 209.4 | |||||
| AS SSD | 18% | 69% | 23% | 41% | 328% | |
| Seq Read | 889 | 482.2 -46% | 489.8 -45% | 488.5 -45% | 494.2 -44% | 2339 163% |
| Seq Write | 113.8 | 330 190% | 445.8 292% | 476.7 319% | 404.2 255% | 1409 1138% |
| 4K Read | 30.89 | 27.84 -10% | 24.93 -19% | 29.7 -4% | 25.78 -17% | 49.78 61% |
| 4K Write | 69.7 | 54.4 -22% | 55.6 -20% | 54.1 -22% | 71.4 2% | 122.1 75% |
| 4K-64 Read | 191.3 | 355 86% | 282 47% | 258.7 35% | 234.6 23% | 1329 595% |
| 4K-64 Write | 86.7 | 98 13% | 247.1 185% | 116.9 35% | 259.1 199% | 828 855% |
| Access Time Read * | 0.607 | 0.218 64% | 0.106 83% | 0.161 73% | 0.081 87% | 0.056 91% |
| Access Time Write * | 0.312 | 0.081 74% | 0.081 74% | 0.069 78% | 0.057 82% | 0.03 90% |
| Score Read | 311 | 431 39% | 356 14% | 337 8% | 310 0% | 1612 418% |
| Score Write | 168 | 185 10% | 347 107% | 219 30% | 371 121% | 1091 549% |
| Score Total | 611 | 838 37% | 891 46% | 739 21% | 844 38% | 3488 471% |
| Copy ISO MB/s | 773 | 410.1 -47% | 255.9 -67% | 300.4 -61% | 1733 124% | |
| Copy Program MB/s | 327.9 | 127.6 -61% | 109.2 -67% | 157.4 -52% | 305.8 -7% | |
| Copy Game MB/s | 606 | 165.5 -73% | 129 -79% | 221.7 -63% | 405.5 -33% | |
| Total Average (Program / Settings) | 35% /
30% | 69% /
69% | 51% /
43% | 51% /
48% | 336% /
334% |
* ... smaller is better
Graphics Card
Even though with the Nvidia GeForce MX150, the Dell Inspiron 17-7786 uses the same dedicated GPU as the predecessor, the results are slightly better through the bank. With 2 GB GDDR5, the GeForce MX150 brings its own VRAM, and the GPU has a clock speed of 1469 - 1532 MHz in Boost mode. However, in the comparison with the Asus VivoBook Pro, our test unit has to be content with remaining behind, since the GeForce GTX 1050 is significantly faster.
The dedicated graphics card only takes over during 3D applications. In 2D-applications, the Intel UHD Graphics 620 handles the image output, ensuring a better battery life. This integrated graphics unit takes the load off the processor and is able to decode the H.265/HEVC in the Main10 profile with 10 bits of color depth, as well as Google's VP9 codec in the hardware, which represents a clear advantage when reproducing high-resolution videos.
You can find additional benchmarks on the Nvidia GeForce MX150 and the Intel UHD Graphics 620 here.
| 3DMark 06 Standard Score | 22583 points | |
| 3DMark 11 Performance | 4866 points | |
| 3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score | 65934 points | |
| 3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score | 15737 points | |
| 3DMark Fire Strike Score | 3253 points | |
| 3DMark Fire Strike Extreme Score | 1646 points | |
| 3DMark Time Spy Score | 1141 points | |
Help | ||
Gaming Performance
As was already the case for the predecessor, if you decide for this convertible, games should not be on the top of your wish list. Although the frame rates are slightly better overall, the Dell Inspiron 17-7786 masters current games only in the medium settings. Older and less-demanding games can even be played at high settings and in the native resolution. However, those who need more gaming performance should look for a device with a GeForce GTX 1050. With the Asus VivoBook Pro 17, we have already included a representative in our comparison.
| low | med. | high | ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BioShock Infinite (2013) | 179.4 | 109.6 | 92.9 | 34.6 |
| Dota 2 Reborn (2015) | 98.4 | 82.9 | 67.1 | 61.3 |
| Rise of the Tomb Raider (2016) | 58.9 | 41.9 | 23 | 19 |
| X-Plane 11.11 (2018) | 47.97 | 40.93 | 36.74 |
Emissions - better than we thought
Noise emissions
During idle operation, there are hardly any changes with the updated Whiskey-Lake edition of the Dell Inspiron 17 in terms of the noise level. While completely silent operation is not possible, at only 30.7 dB(A), the device is pleasantly quiet during idle operation. From time to time, the hard drive draws some attention by producing some noises, but this is normal. However, during load there is a big surprise compared to the predecessor. At only 33.4 dB(A), the Dell Inspiron 17-7786 now runs much quieter during average load (Power Profile: Balanced). Even the other competitors are unable to keep up with this. Only the Acer Aspire 5 is able to compete at 34.4 dB(A). During the stress test, our convertible reached its maximum level at 38.7 dB(A). With this, the device still operates relatively quietly even under full load and is never perceived as annoying. The fan control worked well, and we did not notice any audibly varying fan speeds in our test unit.
Noise Level
| Idle |
| 30.7 / 30.7 / 30.7 dB(A) |
| HDD |
| 31.1 dB(A) |
| Load |
| 33.4 / 38.7 dB(A) |
 | ||
30 dB silent 40 dB(A) audible 50 dB(A) loud |
||
min:  , med:  , max:  Audix TM1, Arta (15 cm distance) environment noise: 30.3 dB(A) | ||
| Dell Inspiron 17-7786 GeForce MX150, i7-8565U, KBG30ZMS128G | 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 | HP Envy 17-ae143ng GeForce MX150, i5-8250U, Liteonit CV3-8D128 | Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L GeForce MX150, i5-8550U, Micron 1100 MTFDDAV256TBN | Asus VivoBook Pro 17 N705UD-EH76 GeForce GTX 1050 Mobile, i5-8550U, Samsung PM961 NVMe MZVLW512HMJP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | -5% | -10% | -156% | 3% | 1% | |
| off / environment * | 30.3 | 30.3 -0% | 32.1 -6% | 304 -903% | 29.4 3% | 28.3 7% |
| Idle Minimum * | 30.7 | 30.6 -0% | 32.1 -5% | 31.9 -4% | 30.1 2% | 28.3 8% |
| Idle Average * | 30.7 | 30.6 -0% | 32.1 -5% | 31.9 -4% | 30.1 2% | 29 6% |
| Idle Maximum * | 30.7 | 32.2 -5% | 34 -11% | 31.9 -4% | 29.7 3% | 29 6% |
| Load Average * | 33.4 | 40.5 -21% | 40.3 -21% | 39.4 -18% | 34.4 -3% | 36.7 -10% |
| Load Maximum * | 38.7 | 39.5 -2% | 42.6 -10% | 39.7 -3% | 34.4 11% | 42.8 -11% |
| Witcher 3 ultra * | 44.7 |
* ... smaller is better
Temperature
The Dell Inspiron 17-7786 also surprises with its case temperatures always remaining low, during idle operation as well as under load. We measure the highest temperature at 43 °C (109 °F) at the bottom of the case. However, with the Acer Aspire 5 A517 and the HP Envy 17, there are also two other devices in our review that show even lower case temperatures under load.
Using the hour-long load test, we evaluate the behavior of the built-in components (CPU and GPU) under constant load and whether the cooling system is able to keep the hardware sufficiently cool. During the CPU stress test, the Core i7-8565U heated up to 82 °C (180°F) and ran at its basic clock speed of 1.8 GHz on average. During the GPU stress test, we measured a temperature of 69 °C (156 °F) in the GeForce MX150. Due to the shared heat pipe for CPU and GPU, the CPU heated up significantly more (99 °C, 210 °F) during this test. The constant load has a negative effect on the 3D performance, which we tested right afterwards using 3DMark 11. Compared to the cold start, the result has decreased by 500 points.
(±) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 42.1 °C / 108 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 43 °C / 109 F, compared to the average of 39.2 °C / 103 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 23.1 °C / 74 F, compared to the device average of 31.3 °C / 88 F.
(+) The palmrests and touchpad are cooler than skin temperature with a maximum of 29.4 °C / 84.9 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 (-0.6 °C / -1.1 F).
| Dell Inspiron 17-7786 GeForce MX150, i7-8565U, KBG30ZMS128G | 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 | HP Envy 17-ae143ng GeForce MX150, i5-8250U, Liteonit CV3-8D128 | Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L GeForce MX150, i5-8550U, Micron 1100 MTFDDAV256TBN | Asus VivoBook Pro 17 N705UD-EH76 GeForce GTX 1050 Mobile, i5-8550U, Samsung PM961 NVMe MZVLW512HMJP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat | -13% | -18% | 1% | 3% | -29% | |
| Maximum Upper Side * | 42.1 | 42.7 -1% | 44.7 -6% | 36 14% | 40.4 4% | 46 -9% |
| Maximum Bottom * | 43 | 47.2 -10% | 45.5 -6% | 37.6 13% | 37 14% | 56.2 -31% |
| Idle Upper Side * | 24 | 28.4 -18% | 31 -29% | 26.2 -9% | 25.3 -5% | 28.6 -19% |
| Idle Bottom * | 24.2 | 29.7 -23% | 31.4 -30% | 27.8 -15% | 24.7 -2% | 37.6 -55% |
* ... smaller is better
Speakers
Compared to the predecessor, the position of the speakers has changed slightly. The two speakers are now directly below the palm rest, but they still point down. Thus the advantages and disadvantages that this configuration brings remain the same. At almost 69 dB(A), the speakers of our test unit achieve a volume that is more than sufficient. Due to an emphasis of the highs, the maximum volume is rather unpleasant and also makes speech more difficult to understand. However, the speakers should still be sufficient for music or making video calls, since at moderate volumes, the voices become very clear and easy to understand without any restrictions. While the bass is not completely silent, we would have expected a bit more, due to the size of the notebook. The use of a subwoofer would also have been possible, since the Dell Inspiron 17-7786 does not lack any space.
Dell Inspiron 17-7786 audio analysis
(-) | not very loud speakers (68.8 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(-) | nearly no bass - on average 15.5% lower than median
(+) | bass is linear (6.4% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(+) | balanced mids - only 2.9% away from median
(+) | mids are linear (3.7% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(+) | balanced highs - only 3.4% away from median
(+) | highs are linear (4.1% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (16.6% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 40% of all tested devices in this class were better, 7% similar, 53% worse
» The best had a delta of 5%, average was 18%, worst was 45%
Compared to all devices tested
» 26% of all tested devices were better, 6% similar, 69% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 24%, worst was 134%
Asus VivoBook Pro 17 N705UD-EH76 audio analysis
(±) | speaker loudness is average but good (79.2 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(±) | reduced bass - on average 8.8% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (14.1% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(+) | balanced mids - only 1.8% away from median
(+) | mids are linear (4.1% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(+) | balanced highs - only 1.6% away from median
(+) | highs are linear (3% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(+) | overall sound is linear (11.7% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 15% of all tested devices in this class were better, 3% similar, 82% worse
» The best had a delta of 5%, average was 18%, worst was 45%
Compared to all devices tested
» 7% of all tested devices were better, 2% similar, 91% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 24%, worst was 134%
Power Management
Power Consumption
Despite the Core i7 CPU and a dedicated graphics card, our convertible is content with between 4.2 and 12.9 watts in idle operation. We notice that there are some significant improvements compared to the predecessor here. Under load, up to 63.4 watts is possible for short time periods, but then the power consumption of our test unit levels out at 56 watts. Only the Acer Aspire 5 A517 is a tad more efficient. Due to its more powerful GPU, the Asus VivoBook Pro 17 has no chance in this regard.
In terms of the power supply, we find the same that was already used in the Dell Inspiron 17-7773. This offers a maximum of 65 watts, which is sufficient according to our measurements. As the connector, we would have preferred an angled plug, since the straight plug makes the device feel even wider.
| Off / Standby | 0.6 / 0.9 Watt |
| Idle | 4.2 / 9.4 / 12.9 Watt |
| Load |
56 / 63.4 Watt |
   
| |
Key:
min: ,
med: ,
max: Metrahit Energy | |
| Dell Inspiron 17-7786 i7-8565U, GeForce MX150, KBG30ZMS128G, IPS, 1920x1080, 17.3" | Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043 i5-8550U, GeForce MX150, SanDisk X400 M.2 2280 128GB, IPS, 1920x1080, 17.3" | Dell Inspiron 17 7778 6500U, GeForce 940MX, Liteonit CV3-CE512, IPS, 1920x1080, 17.3" | HP Envy 17-ae143ng i5-8250U, GeForce MX150, Liteonit CV3-8D128, IPS, 1920x1080, 17.3" | Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L i5-8550U, GeForce MX150, Micron 1100 MTFDDAV256TBN, aSi TFT, IPS, 1920x1080, 17.3" | Asus VivoBook Pro 17 N705UD-EH76 i5-8550U, GeForce GTX 1050 Mobile, Samsung PM961 NVMe MZVLW512HMJP, IPS, 1920x1080, 17.3" | Average NVIDIA GeForce MX150 | Average of class Multimedia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Consumption | -11% | -2% | -5% | 2% | -24% | 7% | -42% | |
| Idle Minimum * | 4.2 | 5.5 -31% | 5.6 -33% | 4.8 -14% | 4.1 2% | 5.06 -20% | 4.48 ? -7% | 6.98 ? -66% |
| Idle Average * | 9.4 | 11.6 -23% | 11.2 -19% | 8.3 12% | 9.3 1% | 10.3 -10% | 7.88 ? 16% | 11.6 ? -23% |
| Idle Maximum * | 12.9 | 12.4 4% | 11.9 8% | 10.3 20% | 9.8 24% | 10.7 17% | 9.76 ? 24% | 13.5 ? -5% |
| Load Average * | 56 | 65 -16% | 46 18% | 61 -9% | 64 -14% | 83 -48% | 54.7 ? 2% | 72 ? -29% |
| Load Maximum * | 63.4 | 56 12% | 53 16% | 86 -36% | 66.4 -5% | 99.9 -58% | 63.5 ? -0% | 119.1 ? -88% |
| Witcher 3 ultra * | 92.4 |
* ... smaller is better
Battery Life
In the direct comparison to the predecessor, the Dell Inspiron 17-7786 also wins in terms of the battery life. This was already predictable from the low power consumption. We also already know the 56-Wh battery from the Inspiron 17-7773. In the test, this was able to supply power to the device for about 16.5 hours during idle operation. Under load, the device was still able to run for almost 2.5 hours. During the WLAN test, our large convertible achieved a good and useful runtime of exactly 9 hours. We reduced the display brightness by five steps, which corresponds to a display brightness of 150 cd/m². During the H.264 test as well, the Inspiron 17-7786 was able to offer a positive surprise with an endurance of 7:44 hours, so there is nothing in the way of enjoying a long night of watching movies.
We also evaluated the CPU and GPU performance during battery operation and found that the CPU is throttled significantly. The GPU is also unable to use its full performance, but compared to the CPU the performance loss remains very low.
| Dell Inspiron 17-7786 i7-8565U, GeForce MX150, 56 Wh | Dell Inspiron 17-7773-0043 i5-8550U, GeForce MX150, 56 Wh | Dell Inspiron 17 7778 6500U, GeForce 940MX, 56 Wh | HP Envy 17-ae143ng i5-8250U, GeForce MX150, 55.8 Wh | Acer Aspire 5 A517-51G-80L i5-8550U, GeForce MX150, 48 Wh | Asus VivoBook Pro 17 N705UD-EH76 i5-8550U, GeForce GTX 1050 Mobile, 42 Wh | Average of class Multimedia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Runtime | -19% | -18% | -10% | -36% | -58% | 22% | |
| Reader / Idle | 997 | 883 -11% | 811 -19% | 560 -44% | 1170 ? 17% | ||
| H.264 | 464 | 373 -20% | 321 -31% | 858 ? 85% | |||
| WiFi v1.3 | 540 | 408 -24% | 495 -8% | 487 -10% | 377 -30% | 265 -51% | 634 ? 17% |
| Load | 149 | 121 -19% | 110 -26% | 89 -40% | 53 -64% | 99.2 ? -33% |
Verdict
Pros
Cons
As a 17-inch convertible, the Dell Inspiron 17-7786 continues to be unrivaled, if we ignore the direct predecessor. With the new gigantic convertible, Dell follows its predecessor, the Dell Inspiron 17-7773. At first glance, the new 2-in-1 device does not look very different, since you only see the minor visual changes when you look more carefully. You can argue whether these changes were sensible or not. But more important are the changes underneath the hood, since the Kaby-Lake processor was replaced by the new Intel Core i7-8565U (Whiskey Lake). This offers a significantly higher Boost clock speed and should offer more performance accordingly. During the test, it was unfortunately unable to maintain this constantly, and our test unit was actually beaten by the predecessor in the Cinebench-R15 multi-loop. However, we were satisfied overall with the CPU in the device.
Unfortunately, Dell only offers the device with this CPU/GPU configuration. It is not clear to us why it is not offered with an i5 processor based on Whiskey Lake. Buyers only have a choice in terms of the storage solution. We recommend the combination of SSD and HDD, the way our test unit was also configured. Together with the 16 GB of RAM and 17-inch touch display, buyers will have to put 1328 Euros (~$1521) on the table.
Anyone who cannot decide between a convertible and a multimedia device should just get the Dell Inspiron 17-7786. This 17-inch notebook combines both device classes, and the dedicated GPU will allow you to play some games as well.
The Dell Inspiron 17-7786 was able to convince us with its very good selection of materials and the robust base. The input devices are good and usable, even if some small details prevented a better evaluation. The typing experience is better than with the predecessor, and the height of the keys was also adjusted.
Compared to the predecessor, the display is slightly brighter and more responsive, but in terms of color-space coverage, the current device is unable to keep up with the Inspiron 17-7773. Due to the strongly reflecting surface, the improved brightness is unable to make a positive difference when using the device outside.
Overall, the Dell Inspiron 17-7786 is a successful upgrade with significantly improved power consumption and also considerably longer battery life.
Dell Inspiron 17-7786
- 01/31/2019 v6 (old)
Sebastian Bade
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