Dell XPS 17 9730 Review: A Powerful Laptop with a Few Drawbacks

8.0

Dell XPS 17 9730

Likes

Large 17-inch 16:10 display
Attractive, mature design
Powerful image processing
Long battery life

Dislikes

No OLED display option
Grainy, low-quality webcam
Relatively heavy, weighing about 5.5 pounds

The Dell XPS 17 9730 is a powerful and fast laptop that has a lot to offer, especially for developers and content creators. It features a large 17-inch, 16:10 display, an attractive design, powerful image processing capabilities, and long battery life. It is a solid choice for those who need a reliable and agile laptop for different environments.

Compared to its competitor, the LG Gram 17, the XPS 17 9730 stands out with its more powerful Core i7 H-series processor and RTX 4070 discrete GPU. It also has a sharper and brighter 4K, 500-nit display. However, one major drawback is the absence of an OLED display option, which is disappointing. It also comes with a grainy and low-quality webcam. Additionally, it weighs about 5.5 pounds, making it relatively heavy compared to other laptops in its class.

Configuration as Tested

Price as reviewed	$3,399
Size/Size	17-inch 3,840×2,400 touch LCD
CPU	2.4GHz Intel Core i7-13700H
Memory	32GB DDR5 4,800MHz
Graphics	16GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070
Storage	1TB NVMe PC801 NVMe SK Hynix
Networking	Wi-Fi 6 1675 (AX211), 2×2, 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.3
Operating system	Windows 11 Home 22H2

The Dell XPS 17 9730 offers various configuration options, with the base model starting at $2,449. Our test configuration, priced at $3,399, includes upgrades to the display, RAM, storage, and GPU. It also provides the option to upgrade the CPU and graphics card even further. The XPS 17 9730 is available in the UK starting from £2,248.99 and in Australia starting from AU$3,998.50.

In terms of performance, the XPS 17 9730 performs well, especially with its powerful Core i7 H-series processor and RTX 4070 GPU. It outperforms its predecessor, the XPS 17 9720, in benchmarks and offers excellent graphics performance for gaming and intensive tasks. It also has impressive battery life, lasting around 12 hours in online battery tests.

Design and Display

The Dell XPS 17 9730 features a sleek and sturdy design, with a polished aluminum lid and a carbon fiber keyboard deck. It weighs about 5.4 pounds, which is heavier than its competitors like the LG Gram 17. The laptop has a 17-inch form factor and is relatively thin, measuring 0.8 inches. The keyboard is comfortable and spacious, and the large touchpad is responsive. The laptop also has powerful speakers that deliver clear and rich sound.

Unfortunately, the XPS 17 9730 lacks an OLED display option, which is a significant drawback. The upgraded display option is bright and vibrant, but it falls short compared to laptops with OLED panels. The laptop also comes with a 720p webcam, which is outdated and disappointing compared to other laptops that offer 1080p cameras.

As for connectivity, the XPS 17 9730 offers four USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support, as well as an audio jack and an SD card slot.

Overall, the Dell XPS 17 9730 is a powerful and capable laptop with a few drawbacks, including the absence of an OLED display option and a low-quality webcam. However, its performance, design, and long battery life make it a solid choice for developers and content creators.

Dell XPS 17 9730 in the front corner of the screen — Matt Elliott/CNET

Dell XPS 17 9730 and its carbon fiber keyboard — Matt Elliott/CNET

Dell XPS 17 9730 with its 17-inch 16:10 display — Matt Elliott/CNET

The side ports on the Dell XPS 9730 include Thunderbolt 4 — Matt Elliott/CNET

The process of reviewing laptops, desktops, tablets, and other computing devices involves both controlled performance testing and in-depth hands-on testing by expert reviewers. This includes assessing the device’s aesthetics, ergonomics, and features. The final evaluation combines objective benchmarks with subjective judgments. The benchmark tests conducted on the Dell XPS 17 9730 include Primate Labs Geekbench 5, Cinebench R23, PCMark 10, and 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra. These tests provide insights into the device’s performance and capabilities.

Overall, the Dell XPS 17 9730 is a powerful laptop with a few drawbacks, such as the absence of an OLED display option and a low-quality webcam. However, its performance, design, and battery life make it a solid choice for developers and content creators.

Reviewing laptops, desktops, and computing devices involves a two-part process: performance testing in a controlled environment and hands-on testing by expert reviewers. This includes evaluating the device’s aesthetics, ergonomics, and features. The final evaluation is a combination of objective benchmarks and subjective judgments. The benchmark tests for compatibility include Primate Labs Geekbench 5, Cinebench R23, PCMark 10, and 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra. For more detailed information, please refer to our How We Test Computers page.