DELL XPS 15 9560

DELL XPS 15 9560

A premium member of the XPS family, the XPS 15 shares the InfinityEdge display of the newer XPS 13, with ultra-thin bezels. You get a 15.6-inch laptop in a body no bigger than a typical 14-inch model. Let's explore its features and standout design.

Another highlight of the DELL XPS 15 9560 is its USB-C port with Thunderbolt 3 support. The Thunderbolt 3 protocol over USB Type-C lets you transfer data, audio, video, and signals. It supports speeds of up to 40GB/s, which is 4 times faster than USB 3.0 Gen 2. PowerShare is also built into this port, allowing you to charge other devices over USB Type-C.

Design

The DELL XPS 15 9560 can be seen as an enlarged version of the 2015 XPS 13, with a similar design and similar materials throughout. There are only two small differences: the camera on the DELL XPS 15 9560 is positioned between the Dell logo and the bottom-left edge below the screen, whereas on the XPS 13 it sits well off toward the left edge, a sensible change that lets the camera capture the user better. The second difference is, of course, the larger screen and body, with touch or non-touch options from Dell distributors.

Unlike earlier generations, the top and bottom panels of the DELL XPS 15 9560 are made from two aluminum panels, with a prominent Dell logo in the center of the lid and a finely detailed underside. On the bottom, two rubber strips protect the base of the XPS 15 from scratches if you accidentally drag the machine across a surface. You will also find an XPS-branded badge cover here, concealing the serial number and regulatory markings underneath. It is a clever design solution from the XPS line that keeps the chassis free of stickers from distributors that turn unsightly over time.

The keyboard deck has a carbon-fiber pattern surface, which reduces weight and makes a very comfortable palm rest. Some people feel the black carbon-fiber weave hurts the laptop's looks, but in my view it shows how the designers optimized the material and blended it with the keyboard and touchpad.

Display

Dell offers the DELL XPS 15 9560 with multiple resolution choices as well as touch options. Resolutions go up to 4K. The model introduced here has a Full HD (1920 x 1080) panel.

In particular, the display uses InfinityEdge technology with ultra-thin bezels, so a 15.6-inch laptop is only as big as a standard 14-inch laptop. The image above shows a side-by-side comparison between two 15.6-inch laptops, the XPS 15 and the Dell 7559, highlighting the clear difference in bezel width and overall chassis dimensions. That makes it truly handy for work and entertainment on the go, and a great choice if you want a compact 15.6-inch laptop.

The DELL XPS 15 9560 is equipped with a 720p HD camera. Because the bezels are so thin, the webcam sits at the lower-left edge of the display.

Keyboard and Touchpad

The DELL XPS 15 9560 features a chiclet keyboard with backlighting and approximately 1.3 mm of key travel. The touchpad has a fairly large, comfortable surface. Its high-quality material feels smooth, with no sticky drag, which is quite impressive.
Browse more models in the Dell XPS 15 category, or widen your options with Dell laptops. If you are comparing options, you can also look at the DELL XPS 15 9500 (2020) and the DELL XPS 15 7590.

Ports

The left side features a power jack, one USB 3.0 port with PowerShare that can charge other devices while the laptop is powered down, one USB Type-C port with Thunderbolt 3 (as detailed above), and a 3.5 mm audio jack.

The right side includes a security lock slot, one USB 3.0 port, and an SD card reader. The XPS 15 also adds a battery-status button with an LED indicator, letting you check your current battery level without powering on the machine.