I tested the Dell XPS’ successor – here are the biggest upgrades (and what’s the same)

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The Dell Premium 16 begins at $1,800.
• It is a premium laptop computer able to dealing with heavy workloads, particularly graphic design, because of its top-notch {hardware}.
• Nevertheless, it does share a number of the similar points as its predecessor, like its tendency to run heat and power-hungry battery.

I have been dying to get my fingers on the brand new Dell Premium 16, primarily as a result of it’s a follow-up to the Dell XPS 16, a laptop computer that I reviewed again in early 2024 and one in all my favourite units I’ve examined for ZDNET to date. Though the identify could also be completely different, it’s a related pc with key upgrades in all the proper locations. Nevertheless, it shares lots of the similar points. 

Additionally: The best laptops for graphic designers: Expert tested

At a look, you may discover that the Dell Premium 16 seems practically an identical to the XPS. The zero-lattice keyboard makes a triumphant return, stretching practically finish to finish. Every key has a pleasant springiness to it, offering a quick, but comfy typing expertise. Above that’s an LED capacitive contact panel the place you may discover the Operate and Media keys, a trademark of the XPS sequence’ design.

Some acquainted designs

As a result of it is a glass panel, the Operate keys do not present any form of bodily suggestions, which, to me, is completely effective. Most individuals do not work together with the Operate keys ceaselessly like they’d with the QWERTY keyboard, so the haptic suggestions is not missed right here. 

Additionally: Need a new laptop for the office? Save $400 on the Dell 16 Plus and improve your workflow

Opposite to what you may even see, the Dell Premium 16 does have a trackpad on the backside. It’s a glass trackpad that blends seamlessly with the remainder of the pc. You may’t see it, however you may really feel the haptic suggestions. Within the picture beneath, I’ve highlighted the place the trackpad is positioned. You may discover that it takes up a good portion of the wrist relaxation.

The one discernible distinction that I have been capable of discover between this mannequin and the XPS 16 is the load. My Dell Premium 16 evaluation unit weighs 4.65 kilos, whereas the older system clocked in at nearer to 5 kilos. It is a small change, however it makes a distinction. Carrying across the Dell Premium 16 throughout a number of places is less complicated.

Leaping out in 4K

The Dell Premium 16 has a splendidly vibrant 4K OLED touchscreen, delivering ultra-sharp image readability. For the reason that show covers your complete DCI-P3 colour gamut, visuals virtually leap out at you. On-screen animations are velvety easy, because of the 120Hz refresh price. It isn’t simply avid gamers that admire the quick refresh price; it is essential for video modifying in addition to it permits the pc to precisely painting video footage as it’s meant. For animations, it is simply as essential. 

What actually impressed me about its bodily kind, nevertheless, is the InfinityEdge design. Mainly, this implies the bezels across the glass are skinny, offering ample room for the show to point out off its spectacular specs.

Peak efficiency

My evaluation unit contained an Intel Core Extremely 7 255H processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 graphics card, and 32GB of reminiscence. A configuration that enables for it to excel as a graphic design machine. Throughout my transient time with the Premium 16, I edited pictures, created a cell web site format on Figma, and created 3D fashions on the rendering app 3D Render.

Dell’s machine carried out fairly nicely throughout all three duties. Touching up photos was easy as may be, and I used to be capable of generate AI stickers in only a few seconds. With 3D Render, the laptop computer took all the pieces in stride by rendering all kinds of particle results, from flames to showers, with out skipping a beat. The one draw back that I skilled was its warmth technology. The underside of the Dell Premium 16 shortly warms up, the heavier the workload.

One thing related occurred with my 50-tab browser check. It simply dealt with a number of YouTube stay streams in 4K, looping GIFs, and many various Amazon listings (amongst different issues), however it received heat quick.

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If you happen to’re a numbers particular person, beneath is a desk evaluating benchmarking outcomes from the Dell Premium 16 to 2 different contemporaries: the Alienware 18 Area 51m and the HP EliteBook Ultra G1i. Though the Alienware laptop computer is primarily a gaming machine, it additionally doubles as an efficient graphic design system. 

You may discover that Dell’s mannequin sits in the course of the 2. I desire the Premium 16 above the others as a result of A) its efficiency is kind of stable, and B) it is cheaper. 

I ought to level out that the Dell Premium 16 can perform as a stable gaming laptop computer. Nevertheless, I would not suggest utilizing it for that objective, primarily as a result of, as talked about earlier, it will get scorching. The cooling system on board this machine is not as sturdy as one you may discover on a gaming laptop computer, and working below excessive temperatures for an prolonged time frame can result in long-term harm. 

That mentioned, the video games I examined all ran effective on Dell’s machine, though I seen graphical glitches and dropped body charges whereas enjoying “Monster Hunter Wilds” and “Cyberpunk 2077”.

Additionally: This HP OmniBook finally sold me on the 2-in-1 laptop design (and it’s on sale for $400 off)

Sadly, the battery life just isn’t nice. It solely lasted about 5 hours on a single cost earlier than tapping out — and that is with Power Saver energetic. There’s a saving grace; recharge occasions are fairly quick. Plugging within the energy brick for half-hour recharges the battery to about 50%.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

Costs for the Dell Premium 16 begin at $1,800 for the bottom mannequin on the corporate’s official storefront. My evaluation unit at the moment retails for $2,800 as a part of a brief promotion. If you’d like a graphic design laptop computer with further oomph behind it, I like to recommend the Alienware 18 Area-51. Its Stealth Mode function disables all RGB lighting, permitting the gaming laptop computer to suit proper in an workplace setting. Be aware of its battery life as a result of it is not nice both.

Personally, I’d go together with Dell’s laptop computer. Its efficiency is rock stable, and it’s a extra inexpensive possibility than the bottom Alienware 18, which prices $3,200.