Dell XPS 15 9520 Review – Performance on the Rise

Iconic model of the Texan giant, the Dell XPS 15 receives its annual update. A timid evolution, the only novelty being to be found on the component side with the integration of the latest 12th generation Intel Alder Lake processors.

Faster with 12th Gen Intel processors

People already equipped with a previous generation XPS 15 will probably move on. But for others, it’s a welcome update.

Indeed, the Core i5-12500H, Core i7-12700H and the Core i9-12900HK are significantly faster than their predecessors, even if they cannot provide their full potential due to a cooling system that flirts with permanence with the thermal limits. On the GPU side, no change, the GeForce RTX 3050 (or RTX 3050 Ti depending on the version chosen) are still in the game.

Enough to meet the needs of casual gamers but also and above all, photographers, videographers and other content creators who use more and more software (Lightroom, Première Pro, Davinci Résolve, etc.) capable of relying on a graphics card dedicated to speed up certain tasks and renderings.

The latter will also be seduced by the presence of a full-size SD card reader, and UHS-II standard, moreover, faster. A now rare feature on a laptop. What compensate for the choice of a full USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 connector. Convenient for extending storage via an external SSD without compromising on speeds. But for less daily constraints, it is also possible to add a second SSD (m2 format) internally.

Premium chassis, screen among the best

Beyond performance, choosing an XPS 15 means opting for a premium computer. Aluminum chassis with flawless finish and rigidity. A sober look, capable of blending into a sleek interior as well as following you through professional meetings.

At least outside because inside, the carbon finish will still not be unanimous. And after testing the Dell XPS 13 Plus, how not to hope that its minimalist design will be available in the future on the other XPS 15 and XPS 17.

Among its other strengths, the Dell XPS 15 can count on a comfortable battery life (about 8 hours) and keyboard, but also the possibility of choosing between an OLED screen (404 cd/m2, RGB / DCI-P3 spaces covered) or panels IPS (Full HD or UHD). All have in common good brightness (at least 400 nits) and accurate colorimetry. An imperative to seduce amateurs and professionals of the image.

Our review of the Dell XPS 15 9520

The new XPS 15 9520 does not revolutionize Dell’s star ultrabook. It is difficult to reinvent a laptop that already wants to be a reference in its segment, it is true. Often cited as the best Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro 16, the Dell XPS can count on superior modularity and more affordable (albeit premium) prices.

But the competition is now more present, especially at Asus and MSI who intend not to give up their place in the niche of premium laptops intended for creative people (allergic to laptop gamers). Dell will therefore not be able to content itself for much longer with updating its XPS 15 simply by integrating the latest Intel processors (and/or Nvidia graphics cards). In the meantime, nothing stands in the way of giving in to temptation if it suits your needs.

The Dell XPS 15 9520 scores 4/5

Compare and configure the Dell XPS 15 9520

For more details, we invite you to consult our test of the Dell XPS 15 9510.

Dell XPS 15 9520 Specifications