Dell XPS 15-L521X
Specifications
Price comparison
Average of 9 scores (from 14 reviews)
Reviews for the Dell XPS 15-L521X
Source: Computer Shopper Archive.org version
If you're looking for a well built 15-inch notebook that can handle your productivity and multimedia needs with aplomb, put the Dell XPS 15 on your short list. Its svelte aluminum chassis and sleek lines are sure to garner more than a few oohs and aahs, as will its beautiful full-HD screen. Despite its thin profile, it may not be the best choice for frequent travel, but it's certainly not out of the question, and you'll get a full day's worth of battery life if you're unable to plug in.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/02/2012
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Notebookreview.com Archive.org version
The key thing to remember about the Dell XPS 15 is that this notebook is the best combination of attractive design, solid construction and excellent performance that we've seen so far from Dell. Yes, more than a few people will probably criticize this Ultrabook for looking too much like a 15-inch Apple MacBook Pro. Regardless of the obvious visual similarities, the XPS 15 is no less an extraordinary notebook PC.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 10/17/2012
Rating: Total score: 70% price: 50% performance: 90% features: 80% mobility: 90% ergonomy: 90%
Source: T3 Archive.org version
Criticising the Dell XPS 15 is a bit like taking a crack at Helen of Troy - we could do it, but history doesn’t remember such transgressions. If you’re looking for a laptop that combines enough power to multitask your most demanding programs and look good doing it, then you’ve arrived at the right review.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 10/03/2012
Rating: Total score: 50%
Source: CNet Archive.org version
The latest revamp of Dell's Inspiron and XPS laptops continues to move in the right direction, clearly inspired by the growth of Apple's MacBooks and the push toward thinner, snazzier ultrabook-style laptops. You can get similar components to our Core i7 Dell XPS 15 configuration for less, but the rock-solid design makes this feel like a premium machine.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/07/2012
Rating: Total score: 79% performance: 70% mobility: 80%
Source: Techradar Archive.org version
If you're looking for a high-end PC that marries good looks and superb performance, and are more Windows than Mac, then you really shouldn't look any further than the Dell XPS 15. The final mention must go to the incredible Corning Gorilla Glass, Full HD display. It may not have the "wow" factor of the MacBook Pro with Retina display, but in the PC market we're not sure we've seen anything quite as impressive.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/01/2012
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: PC Mag Archive.org version
Among premium desktop replacement laptops, the Dell XPS 15 is an above-average contender, with top hardware and solid performance. Unfortunately—especially with such a strong physical resemblance to the MacBook Pro—it can't match Apple's Retina display, Thunderbolt connection, and top-tier operating system. As a result, the Editors' Choice Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch (Retina Display) stays on top, but the Dell XPS 15 takes a close second place with strong performance and a much more affordable price. If you're in the market for a premium laptop, the Dell XPS 15 is an easy choice among Windows PCs.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 07/30/2012
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: AnandTech Archive.org version
When I first laid hands (and eyes) on the new XPS 15, I was extremely impressed. It’s such a noticeable upgrade compared to previous XPS laptops in terms of build quality that I really can’t understate the fact. Dell’s in a bit of a Catch-22 here, of course, with a design that’s very similar to the MacBook Pro 15. On the one hand, if they do a 15” laptop that’s similar but not built as well (e.g. the XPS 15z from last year), they get complaints from people saying, “Apple can do it, so why can’t Dell?”
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/25/2012
Source: Laptop Mag Archive.org version
The $1,699 Dell XPS 15 offers an impressive combination of beauty and power. The full HD screen is bright with eye-popping color, and the speakers are capable of delivering robust sound. We also love the luxurious soft-touch deck and appreciate the well-designed touchpad. We just wish the keyboard felt a little snappier and that the webcam were sharper.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/14/2012
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Pocket Lint Archive.org version
Dell has introduced two new ultrabooks to its XPS range in the shape of the XPS 14 and XPS 15 and Pocket-lint has been lucky enough to get some hands-on time with both.
Comparison, online available, Very Short, Date: 06/26/2012
Source: Techradar Archive.org version
The XPS 15 definitely steals a price march on the £1,499 MacBook Pro, even if Apple's machine is slightly better fitted out with faster variants from Intel's Core family. Still, Dell has put its flagpole in the ground; these are some of the best workhorse laptops we've yet seen at this price point.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 06/26/2012
Foreign Reviews
Source: HardwareLuxx DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 08/17/2012
Source: Notebookjournal DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/03/2012
Rating: performance: 80% features: 70% display: 70% mobility: 50% workmanship: 90% ergonomy: 50%
Source: Notebookinfo DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/02/2012
Rating: Total score: 88% performance: 77% display: 90% mobility: 90% ergonomy: 100% emissions: 70%
Source: Onlinekosten.de DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/14/2012
Rating: Total score: 86% performance: 90% features: 90% display: 93% mobility: 67% workmanship: 90% ergonomy: 87%
Comment
NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M: Middle class graphics card of the 600M series based on the 28nm GK107 chip (Kepler architecture).
Modern games should be playable with these graphics cards at low settings and resolutions. Casual gamers may be happy with these cards.
» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.
Intel Core i7: The Intel Core i7 for laptops is based on the LG1156 Core i5/i7 CPU for desktops. The base clock speed of the CPUs is relatively low, but because of a huge Turbo mode, the cores can dynamically overclock to up to 3.2 GHz (920XM). Therefore, the CPU can be as fast as high clocked dual-core CPUs (using single threaded applications) but still offer the advantage of 4 cores. Because of the large TDP of 45 W / 55 W, the CPU is only intended for large laptops.
3612QM: An Ivy Bridge-based quad-core processor clocked at 2.1 GHz with Turbo Boost support up to 3.1 GHz. Offers an integrated HD Graphics 4000 GPU running at 650-1100 MHz on a dual channel DDR3 memory controller. The speciality of the i7-3612QM is the low TDP of 35 Watt compared to 45 Watt of the other Ivy Bridge quad core CPUs (e.g. 3610QM).» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.
16.00":
15-inch display variants are the standard and are used for more than half of all laptops.
The reason for the popularity of mid-sized displays is that this size is reasonably easy on the eyes, often allows high resolutions and thus offers rich details on the screen, yet does not consume too much power and the devices can still be reasonably compact - simply the standard compromise.
» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.2.6 kg:
With this weight, a laptop is rather heavier than average. Devices in this range shine more with screen size and performance than with mobility.
Dell: Dell is a U.S. manufacturer (based in Texas) of computer hardware founded in 1984 and is one of the largest international manufacturers in terms of both market share and notebook models. Its product line includes desktops, notebooks, storage systems, monitors, servers, printers, consumer electronics and peripherals. Dell offers laptops that are suitable for various applications, such as business laptops, gaming laptops, ultra portables and workstations. Dell's business laptops from the Latitude and Precision series are an option for professional users and businesses.
In 2023, Dell had an approximate 17% market share of global PC sales, ranking #3 after Lenovo and HP.
For gaming enthusiasts, Dell's Alienware brand is for gaming notebooks.
78.11%: This rating is not earth-shattering. This rating must actually be seen as average, since there are about as many devices with worse ratings as better ones. A purchase recommendation can only be seen with a lot of goodwill, unless it is about websites that generally rate strictly.
» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.