Dell XPS 17 9730 Laptop Review (2026): Premium Design, Powerful Performance, and Exceptional Portability
Dell XPS 17 9730 laptop shoppers looking for a premium Windows notebook often compare newer flagship models with proven performers such as the Dell XPS 13 (9310). While this review focuses on the Dell XPS 13 (9310) featuring the Intel Core i7-1185G7 processor, 16GB LPDDR4x memory, 512GB SSD, Iris Xe Graphics, and Windows 10 Pro, many of the qualities that made Dell’s XPS lineup famous remain highly relevant in 2026.
The Dell XPS 13 (9310) stands out with its elegant Platinum Silver finish, luxurious black carbon-fiber palm rest, ultra-thin bezels, responsive touchscreen display, and excellent everyday performance. Designed for professionals, students, remote workers, and frequent travelers, this compact laptop delivers a premium experience without sacrificing portability.
From productivity tasks and content creation to streaming entertainment and multitasking, the XPS 13 continues to offer a balanced combination of power, battery efficiency, and build quality. In this comprehensive review, we’ll examine its design, display, features, performance, advantages, disadvantages, and overall value.
Premium Design and Build Quality
The Dell XPS series has always been known for premium craftsmanship, and the XPS 13 (9310) is no exception. Constructed from CNC-machined aluminum and carbon-fiber composite materials, the laptop feels exceptionally durable while remaining lightweight.
The Platinum Silver exterior creates a sophisticated professional appearance suitable for business meetings, classrooms, and travel. The black palm rest not only looks attractive but also provides a comfortable typing surface that resists fingerprints better than many traditional finishes.
One of the most impressive aspects of the design is its remarkably thin InfinityEdge display bezels. These ultra-narrow borders maximize screen space while minimizing the laptop’s overall footprint, making it feel smaller than many competing 13-inch devices.
Design Highlights
- Premium CNC aluminum chassis
- Carbon-fiber palm rest for enhanced comfort
- Ultra-thin InfinityEdge bezels
- Lightweight and travel-friendly construction
- Elegant Platinum Silver finish
- Solid hinge mechanism and premium feel
Brilliant 13.4-Inch FHD+ Touchscreen Display
The 13.4-inch Full HD+ touchscreen display is one of the strongest features of this laptop. With a 16:10 aspect ratio, users receive additional vertical screen space compared to traditional 16:9 displays.
This extra screen real estate improves productivity when working with documents, spreadsheets, coding environments, and web browsers. The touchscreen functionality adds flexibility, allowing users to interact naturally with Windows applications and navigation controls.
Colors appear vibrant, text remains crisp, and brightness levels are suitable for most indoor environments. Whether editing documents, watching movies, browsing websites, or attending video conferences, the display consistently delivers a premium viewing experience.
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Key Features of the Dell XPS 13 (9310)
Intel Core i7-1185G7 Processor
Powered by Intel’s 11th Generation Core i7-1185G7 processor, the laptop delivers excellent performance for everyday productivity and professional workloads. The processor efficiently handles multitasking, office applications, web browsing, virtual meetings, and light creative tasks.
16GB LPDDR4x Memory
The inclusion of 16GB of high-speed 4267MHz LPDDR4x RAM provides smooth multitasking capabilities. Users can comfortably operate multiple browser tabs, productivity suites, communication apps, and media applications simultaneously.
512GB Solid-State Drive
The fast NVMe SSD ensures quick boot times, rapid file transfers, and responsive application loading. With 512GB of storage, most users will have sufficient space for documents, software, multimedia files, and business projects.
Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Intel Iris Xe Graphics significantly improves integrated graphics performance compared to previous generations. The GPU supports casual gaming, media editing, streaming, and graphics-intensive productivity tasks with ease.
Windows 10 Pro
Windows 10 Pro provides advanced security and management features preferred by professionals and business users. The operating system offers a familiar environment while supporting productivity-focused workflows.
Performance Review
Real-world performance remains impressive even by modern standards. The Core i7-1185G7 processor works seamlessly with the 16GB memory configuration, creating a responsive computing experience for everyday tasks.
Office productivity applications launch quickly, browser sessions remain smooth with dozens of tabs open, and video conferencing platforms run reliably. The laptop handles document editing, spreadsheet analysis, presentation design, and cloud-based workflows effortlessly.
Content creators working with lightweight photo editing projects will appreciate the capable Iris Xe Graphics platform. Basic video editing, image processing, and graphic design workloads perform well without requiring dedicated graphics hardware.
Productivity Performance
- Fast application startup times
- Smooth multitasking experience
- Excellent office productivity performance
- Reliable video conferencing capabilities
- Strong web browsing responsiveness
Entertainment Performance
- Sharp streaming video playback
- Responsive touchscreen interaction
- Quality integrated graphics performance
- Excellent media consumption experience
- Immersive display quality
Keyboard, Touchpad, and User Experience
The keyboard offers comfortable key travel and excellent tactile feedback. Long typing sessions remain comfortable, making the laptop suitable for writers, students, programmers, and business professionals.
The precision touchpad is large, responsive, and accurate. Multi-touch gestures function smoothly, contributing to an intuitive Windows experience. Combined with the touchscreen display, navigation feels modern and efficient.
Battery Life and Portability
Battery efficiency is another area where the XPS 13 excels. The combination of Intel’s efficient processor architecture and optimized power management allows users to remain productive throughout much of the workday.
The compact dimensions make it particularly attractive for professionals who frequently travel between offices, classrooms, airports, and remote workspaces. Carrying the laptop in a backpack or briefcase is effortless.
The lightweight design, premium build quality, and dependable battery life create an excellent mobile computing solution for users who prioritize portability.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Premium aluminum and carbon-fiber construction | Limited upgradeability due to integrated memory |
| Beautiful FHD+ touchscreen display | Not designed for demanding AAA gaming |
| Fast Intel Core i7 processor | Port selection may require adapters for some users |
| Excellent portability and compact footprint | Integrated graphics cannot replace dedicated GPUs |
| Comfortable keyboard and large touchpad | Premium design category may not suit every budget |
| Strong multitasking performance | Storage expansion options are limited compared to larger laptops |
Who Should Buy the Dell XPS 13 (9310)?
This laptop is an excellent choice for:
- Business professionals
- Remote workers
- College students
- Frequent travelers
- Writers and content creators
- Productivity-focused users
- Anyone seeking a premium Windows ultrabook
Users requiring intensive 3D rendering or high-end gaming performance may prefer larger systems with dedicated graphics, but for most professional workloads, the XPS 13 delivers outstanding capability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Dell XPS 13 (9310) good for business use?
Yes. Its premium design, strong processor, fast SSD, excellent keyboard, and Windows Pro operating system make it highly suitable for professional environments.
Can the Dell XPS 13 handle multitasking?
Absolutely. The combination of the Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB LPDDR4x memory allows smooth operation of multiple applications simultaneously.
Is the touchscreen useful?
Yes. The touchscreen enhances navigation, productivity, note-taking workflows, and general interaction with Windows applications.
Can it run creative software?
Yes. The laptop performs well with photo editing, graphic design, content creation, and light video editing applications.
How portable is the Dell XPS 13?
It is one of the most portable premium laptops available thanks to its lightweight construction, compact footprint, and slim profile.
Is Iris Xe Graphics enough for gaming?
Iris Xe Graphics can handle casual and esports gaming reasonably well, although dedicated gaming laptops offer substantially higher graphics performance.
Final Verdict
The Dell XPS 13 (9310) remains an outstanding premium ultrabook in 2026. Its combination of elegant design, excellent touchscreen display, powerful Intel Core i7 processor, fast storage, comfortable keyboard, and exceptional portability creates a well-rounded computing experience.
Whether you’re a business professional, student, remote worker, or traveler seeking a premium Windows laptop, the XPS 13 delivers dependable performance and long-term usability. Its refined construction and productivity-focused design continue to make it one of Dell’s most respected notebook computers.