Dell XPS 15 2017 9560 (7300HQ, Full-HD) Notebook Review

According to a message from a high-ranking Dell manager, however, the Thunderbolt port is only attached via two (x2) PCIe lanes. The transfer rates of the Thunderbolt port would therefore be reduced by half (2 GB/s) compared to the usual 4-lane setup. This might be an issue when you want to use external graphics solution, which require the bandwidth. We are currently preparing a review of the Asus XG Station 2, and we will also try to test the XPS 15 with it.

We check the maximum transfer rates of the card reader with our reference card Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II. The smaller siblings from the Dell XPS 13-series managed good results in the past, but our current XPS 15 9560 falls behind our expectations. The sequential read test of AS SSD still shows a fast 202 MB/s, but the transfer rate will break when we copy many small picture files (.jpeg, total of 1 GB). The simple reason is the write performance of the hard drive, which is a bottleneck. The SSD cache seems to help for a short time, but the influence is reduced the larger the data package gets.

You might not expect it, but the Dell XPS 15 is equipped with a number of security features. The BIOS gives a good overview about the supported functions, starting with classic passwords on multiple levels, TPM 2.0 all the way up to Computrace. By the way, the XPS 15 can also be ordered with an integrated fingerprint scanner. The touch-style reader (no swipe) is located at the right side of the palm rests directly underneath the directional keys ($25 extra).

The keyboard obviously did not change compared to the previous model. We still like the typing experience, just like the typing noise and the key travel. The individual keys are pretty firm and can be triggered precisely, even when you only hit it at the edges. Still, individual preferences can obviously change the impression of the keyboard.

The keyboard has a two-stage illumination. You can notice that the light shines through the keys when you look at the keyboard from an angle in dark environments. Dell uses PWM (pulse-width modulation) with a measured frequency of 60 Hz for the regulation of the backlight. This will not be visible for most users, but it could be an issue for sensitive users. The behavior is easy to see in a slow-motion shot (Huawei Mate 8, 120 Hz) below.

The typing experience is very similar to the XPS 13 and the layout is basically identical as well. Only the size differs a bit since the keyboard of the XPS 13 is around 5 mm narrower.

Our first test model of the new Dell XPS 15 9560 is equipped with the Full HD display. The designation "Sharp SHP1453 LQ156M1" already suggests that this panel is comparable to the predecessor 9550. Our measurement results are actually within a couple of percentage points from the previous model. This is not a bad thing though, because the results are still very good with a high maximum luminance of 416 cd/m² and a low black value of just 0.26 cd/m² (maximum contrast ratio 1538:1). The Full HD display does not have to hide behind the current Apple MacBook Pro 15. The latter only has a noticeable advantage in terms of color gamut and color accuracy (sRGB) ex-works. The optional 4K screen – if it is also comparable to the previous generation – is roughly on par, but manages an unrivaled high AdobeRGB coverage of 98%. We will obviously review the 4K model as well.

The resolution of 1920x1080 pixels on the 15.6-inch screen is suitable for the majority of applications. The sharpness is satisfying, and you can easily ignore a scaled view for symbols and fonts, so scaling issues are no problem, either. It is interesting that Dell selects a scaling factor of 125% by default. We recommend 100% and therefore the native setting. The optional 4K screen could be a nice option for professional graphics designer in particular who need a good representation of the AdobeRGB98 gamut – when the measurements of the previous version also apply for the new model. Programmers and professional users in the office sector (large data series in Excel, ...) could also benefit from the high resolution since texts stay sharp even at very small font sizes.

We can notice backlight bleeding in the peripheral areas on dark contents and dark environments. However, this was no problem during everyday tasks.

Dell uses a combination consisting of a conventional hard drive and a fast SSD cache for our test model. Contrary to SSHD solutions, however, the flash storage is not a part of the hard drive, but an individual component of the system, in the case of the XPS 15 in the M.2 slot. The system is controlled by Intel's Rapid Storage Technology, which will automatically file frequently used files on the SSD storage, so they can be accessed quicker compared to the HDD. However, the capacity of 32 GB is very limited and does not help that much when the system reads large amounts of data in applications, for example.

Some users might be interested in two potential storage slots. Our test model of the XPS 15 9560 also offers a full M.2-slot (PCIe x4, NVMe) according to Dell and space for a 2.5-inch SATA drive. The caching module could be removed (deactivate Intel SRT, deactivate RAID in BIOS) and replaced by an M.2 SSD. It can be used as a system drive, while the 2.5-inch HDD stores files. However, models that are equipped with PCIe-SSDs by default also get a bigger 97-Wh battery instead of the 56-Wh module, which will then occupy the space of the HDD. It would be possible to change the configuration thanks to the connectors on the motherboard, but you will need the smaller battery in this case as well and also get corresponding connector cables and mounting brackets. The question here is if it is better to invest time and money in a larger M.2 PCIe-SSD instead, and you would not lose the bigger battery.

The performance advantage is not limited to the synthetic benchmarks; the GeForce GTX 1050 is also significantly faster when you actually play games. While the GTX 960M often had problems with modern titles and the combination High details/FHD, the GTX 1050 can usually handle the maximum settings at the native FHD resolution.

We use The Witcher 3 (fixed position of the character, Ultra settings) to check the stability and log the frame rates over a one-hour period. The GPU clock was 1670 MHz at the end of the test at a core temperature of ~77 °C (170.6 °F). The CPU runs at 2.3-2.6 GHz at almost 80 °C (176 °F). The graph shows that the FPS number is almost steady without any outliers. We therefore do not expect noticeable performance drops even during long gaming sessions.

We review a system with a conventional HDD, so this is never a completely silent laptop. The hard disk is running all the time, and you can clearly hear a murmur in quiet environments. Our measurement device shows 31.6 dB(A) for this scenario. The two system fans are usually deactivated while idling; an SSD-only configuration would actually be silent in this case. However, we can notice that the fans can sometimes turn on and spin at up to 33.4 dB(A) without workloads. The two fans are spinning at 2500 rpm (according to HWiNFO) and reduce the chip temperature to around 35 °C (95 °F) before they turn off again.

A more realistic office workload like web browsing (Wi-Fi script) does not activate the fans when the Power-Saver profile is active and the CPU temperature will level off at slightly more than 40 °C (104 °F). However, if you switch to the Balanced power profile, we can see a bigger increase of the core temperature when new websites are loaded. The fan– when the time between these short peak loads is too short – can start to spin. The CPU temperature is between 50-60 °C (122-140 °F). Whether you have a completely silent laptop during office workloads – obviously requires an SSD-only system – or a notebook with a slowly spinning fan, which is audible in quiet environments, heavily depends from your individual usage scenario. You can clearly limit the CPU temperature when you do not need all the CPU performance, so the fans will stay deactivated.

A gaming session (Witcher 3 Ultra) quickly increases the fan speed to around 4900 rpm and we measure a system noise of 47.8 dB(A). Subjectively, the laptop is almost too loud here, although the characteristics of the fan noise itself is not bothersome.

Electronic background noises – like the notorious coil whining – are only audible from time to time when we put our ear on the system, but the HDD murmur is louder. We tested several scenarios with different CPU frequencies, mains, and battery power. We would not say this is a big problem here due to the very low volume, even without a mechanical hard drive.

Our test model was shipped with BIOS version 1.0.3. Updates can change the behavior of the system, especially in terms of emissions.

We can see an increase of the fan speed to 4900 rpm in our usual stress test with the tool FurMark. The GPU starts at 1518 MHz and drops to 582 MHz as soon as the core warms up to around 75 °C (167 °F) for the first time. The GPU clock is increased to 1088 MHz and the temperature levels off at almost 70 °C (158 °F). Prime95, which stresses the CPU, starts with 3.1 GHz for all four cores. The temperature climbs steadily, so the laptop will increase the fan speed. The chip reaches around 80 °C (176 °F) at a fan speed of around 3700 rpm and levels off here. The extreme scenario with combined load by both tools results in a CPU clock of 2.3 GHz at ~75 °C, while the GPU drops to 556 MHZ at ~67 °C (152.6 °F).

We want to mention at this point that neither our realistic CPU stress test (60 minutes Cinebench Multi loop), nor the realistic gaming check (60 minutes The Witcher 3 Ultra) did cause any performance throttling, so practical scenarios should not be a problem. Our test model of the Dell XPS 15 9560 should be able to maintain the full performance for long periods.

The performance of our Dell XPS 9560 in the mainstream configuration with the Intel i5-7300HQ and hybrid storage solution is very similar to the previous XPS 15 9550 in the areas of case, input devices, and connectivity. We still like the chassis with its combination of sophisticated materials that also provide good stability. The only drawback is still the sensitivity to dirt and grease around the palm rests and the touchpad, which are not easy to clean due to the soft-touch surfaces. The XPS is still one of the most compact 15-inch multimedia laptops thanks to the InfinityEdge display. The biggest problem of this solution is still the unfavorable position of the webcam at the lower display frame.

The accessibility of the internal components is exemplary. Even inexperienced users can easily replace the storage solution, RAM, or the battery with the right screwdriver. However, it is unfortunate that the Thunderbolt 3 port is only attached via two PCIe lanes. We will try to check the impact on external graphics cards in an upcoming review.

The matte Full HD display is a good overall package and suits the other components of the Dell XPS 15 9560. You can enjoy the high luminance and the good contrast by default, but correct colors require the use of the calibrated profile (linked above). The optional 4K display provides sharper pictures and the previous model also manage a wider color gamut, which might be interesting for some users.

The upgrade to the GeForce GTX 1050 is the highlight when we have a look at the performance. Depending on the application, we can see performance advantages of more than 50% over the previous model. The i5-7300HQ of our test model can close the gap to the i7-6700HQ of the predecessor when you only use one core, but is still much slower in multi-core scenarios. However, the i5 is sufficient for everyday applications as well as gaming. You should not skip a full-fledged PCIe-SSD in combination with a larger battery though. The hybrid solution on our test model (SSD cache + HDD) cannot compete with an SSD-only solution in terms of subjective performance impression. The HDD also creates a constant murmur.

Full HD or 4K display, Intel i5 or i7 – all models have their advantages. However, you should always get a model with a faster PCIe-SSD and the larger 97-Wh battery.

Speaking of audible: We can sometimes hear electronic noises, but our ears had to be very close to the device. This should not be an inconvenience though. The maximum fan noise during gaming, for example, is a bigger issue and can be annoying for noise-sensitive users. The speakers on the other hand deliver a good sound.

Battery runtimes of around 5.5 hours (Wi-Fi test) can compensate some periods without a socket, but we expect a bit more. The configuration with the Full HD display in combination with the large 97-Wh battery (SSD-only) should provide the best results. We are currently waiting for the test model of the high-end spec with the 4K display, 512 GB SSD, and Intel i7-7700HQ, and we will also try to get an SKU with FHD, SSD, and i7-7700HQ for another review. We will also further investigate the predecessor issues with overheating VRMs (voltage regulator modules) with the 7700HQ. Our current test model with the i5-7300HQ did not suffer from any significant performance drops in long-term tests with Cinebench or The Witcher 3.