2024 Dell XPS 16 Review

For 2024 the larger XPS laptop model gets a new CPU and a new design. The Dell XPS 16 (9640) shares the same design as the XPS 14 we reviewed, with a borderless trackpad, capacitive Fn row and a new keyboard. It looks stunning and is available with a FHD+ IPS or our 4K+ OLED touch display, Intel Core Ultra processors with AI and up to an NVIDIA RTX 4070.

[rickenbacker]

As a current XPS user, I will never, ever use a laptop that doesn't have physical function keys.

[cameronbosch]

R.I.P. the classic Dell XPS lineup 2015 - 2023.

[andy]

1080p non oled for that price point? That's actually crazy lmao.

[megasoid]

Thank you for covering these types of machines. You deserve a million subscribers.

[peravatar]

Holy cow been a while since I’ve watched this channel so I’m surprised by the new haircut. Looking good Liza. 😊

[BlindMango]

Longtime XPS laptop user, and I purchased one of these! Overall I do like it, however it has a few serious problems.

What I like:
- Dell finally fixed the horrible material on the palmrest they've used for the past 12 years that was a fingerprint magnet and incredibly difficult to clean
- There are no more fan vents on the bottom of the laptop, so you can actually use it on your lap or uneven surface without it heating up or the fans spinning up
- I'm actually a fan of the touchpad, it surprisingly works great and looks nice as well.
- 4K screen option on the XPS 16 is awesome and thankfully largely untouched from past models, and it being OLED is a plus.
- Opening up the laptop is now easy again (Opening the outgoing XPS 15 was a massive pain).
- The build quality is great, I can also tell they learned from the failure points of past XPS models and improved upon or fixed them

What I don't like:
- The function row obviously should be physical buttons. While I personally don't use those keys too often, and also don't mind the escape key, the delete key is incredibly frustrating to use. I also bet people who do use these keys frequently will hate it. Dell didn't even do anything to make this change worthwhile, like make the keys customizable where I could pick from hundreds of different glyphs/icons and assign the key to do whatever I wanted. Dell, just bring the physical keys back, what are you doing?
- The price is way too expensive. Usually I will get an XPS every 4 years when they redesign it and the configuration I get is usually about $2, 000. This time it was about $3, 000 for the same configuration... What? I waited about a month for a big sale, but I should not have to wait for a sale for what should be the normal price point.
- The color options are annoying. You now either have a silver exterior w/ white palmrest/keyboard or a graphite/almost black exterior w/ graphite palmrest. There is no way to get the color option that has been offered on this thing for 12 years: A silver exterior with a black/dark palmrest area. I think it would be great if Dell offered 4 or 5 exterior options and maybe 3 or 4 palmrest/keyboard color options and you could pick your own color combo. Would love to see options added that you could choose from like a gold exterior color option and a silver palmrest/keyboard option.
- It's incredibly annoying that you can't get a 4K screen on the 14 inch, instead having to settle with this strange resolution that doesn't scale as well as 4K does on Windows. Also the default resolution for the XPS 16 being an ugly 1080p matte screen is crazy considering the 4K screen was the standard screen 4 years ago with the launch of the XPS 15, and the one before that.
- There's no way to adjust the sound/speakers on the laptop, no EQ or anything. The speakers don't sound terrible on it, however on my prior XPS 15 where I was able to adjust EQ of the speakers, the difference is night and day

[SF-bhrd]

Ugh. Is every laptop maker going to try a touch FN row and watch it fail? Lenovo did the same thing with thinkpads and had to get rid of it because everyone hated it

[theprovost]

1:58 Dell: That sign can't stop me because I can't read!

[jego]

I'm not in love with the idea of having touch function keys, as if Dell hasn't learned from Apple's touch bar. I need something tactile if I am to rely on muscle memory, and not consciously look at the F-keys.

[AJaguar]

I have know this channel for over 10 years now. Well done Lisa

'THis is Lisa from Mobul Tech Review', never gets old

[inflightstudio]

I’ve used one XPS desktop and five XPS laptops in the past 14 years.
I was about to get a new one since the latest I got was in 2017.
After seeing the route Dell has chosen to go the past years, I decided to switch to another brand.
The touch bar is the ultimate deal breaker.

[SalemTechsperts]

Great review, as always! I genuinely don't understand why companies insist on copying Apple's worst designs and never the (rare) GOOD designs. It's been happening for as long as I can remember, and it ALWAYS backfires. The touchbar is horrible and there's a reason Apple ditched it. Why not instead copy Apple's modular USB-C port design for when these inevitably break? It's a shame.

[srodigital]

Why does Dell not learn from other computer manufactures mistakes. Why change the key spacing, why hide the track pad and why use touch keys...people don't need that, they need a traditional laptop that we all have become accustomed to and are happy using efficiently. What is supposed to change are the internals to higher capacities, high performance, more efficiency, better clarity, better connectivity and latest standards etc etc.
Thanks Lisa for the review.

[DemetruisMiller]

Lowkey this channel is soooo nostalgic. I forgot you were still making videos

[miladghanbari]

Thanks a loooot❤❤❤
I've been waiting too long for your review on this laptop

[DjangoFlaherty]

Would love if you'd include a webcam/mic test, and a latency report. Dell has a history of glitchy audio.

[eurodudenj]

Great review as usual Lisa! Such a shame Dell made some poor decisions - lack of user-upgradable RAM and lack of 2nd SSD slot and the new keyboard design without spacing between keys - more typos IMHO.
I am glad I got the '2023' XPS 15 (9530) then since it has BOTH upgradable RAM (SO-DIMM) and a 2nd SSD slot!
I luckily got my XPS 15 before Dell stopped offering the i7-13700H (they now offer the i7-13620H as the closest CPU to the 13700H). Got a nice discount too.
I upgraded the RAM on mine to 64GB with a Crucial stick and also added a 2nd NVMe SSD! Cheaper than getting the upgrades directly from Dell.

Two thumbs down to Dell on the new design choices!

[jameswatson]

Another smashing and honest review. Thanks, Lisa, because I was wondering about this XPS 16 model, and you helped me decide on it. I'll pass on it for now. But still a pretty laptop.

[roqzee]

Another excellent review! Love your channel and I feel way smarter whenever I'm done watching. Thanks a million Lisa

[mulciberus]

I don't remember ever hearing anyone, including my Apple-using comrades, say that they prefer a 16" display configuration to a 17". When Apple stopped making 17" displays I thought "well... Apple. They do what they want despite user preferences." But now there is no longer a 17" display configuration to be found. Are PC makers following Apple now? Your reviews are wonderful, and this one is no exception, but I'd love to hear you talk about the industrywide dismissal of the 17" format.