Dell XPS 17 9710 (2021)

The Dell XPS lineup has consistently earned high praise in the premium ultrabook category, standing out for its refined craftsmanship and dependable performance. After sticking to the 15-inch form factor for years, Dell took a major step forward with the Dell XPS 17 9710 (2021), delivering a fresh visual experience built around a slim-bezel 17-inch display alongside modern aesthetic refinements and upgraded internals. This machine is an ideal match for professionals who need an expansive canvas and heavy-duty processing power in an elegant design.

Sleek, Modern Design

The Dell XPS 17 9710 presents a distinctly upscale look that pairs sophisticated styling with rugged durability. The chassis is machined from unibody aluminum with precision CNC detailing, giving it a solid, high-end feel. Beyond the outer shell, Dell also incorporates a carbon fiber top surface - a signature XPS element that trims weight while preserving both strength and aesthetic appeal for this premium XPS tier.

True to a design philosophy focused on clean, modern engineering, the Dell XPS 17 9710 adds structural reinforcement through a magnesium alloy subframe, ensuring long-term rigidity. Even with a large 17-inch screen and powerful internals, the profile measures just 19.05mm thin, 374.45mm wide, and 248.05mm deep - resulting in a powerful ultrabook that remains practical to carry without feeling bulky.

Total weight depends on the display configuration: 2.21kg for the non-touch model and 2.42kg for the touchscreen version. Striking a practical balance between high-end capability and portability, this weight profile makes complete sense for mobile power users who require a large screen, high-end specs, and a luxurious design.

Display - Dell XPS 17 9710

The Dell XPS 17 9710 display commands attention immediately with virtually borderless bezels on all four sides thanks to InfinityEdge technology, pushing the screen-to-body ratio up to 93.7%. This marks a substantial improvement over the traditional 16:9 aspect ratio, giving you significantly more vertical workspace. Dell also reworked the webcam, fitting a tiny 2.25mm sensor into the top bezel to maintain the thin-and-light aesthetic while keeping video calls natural and convenient - resolving a notable compromise found on earlier XPS revisions.

When it comes to visual fidelity, the 4K UHD+ display option (3840 x 2400) supports Dolby Vision, tops out at 500 nits of brightness, and covers 100% Adobe RGB along with 94% DCI-P3, ensuring superb contrast and accurate color rendition. Bright highlights pop with vibrant clarity while shadows display genuine depth, making it well-suited for demanding creative work such as photo editing, video editing, or graphic design.

Dell also offers an anti-glare FHD+ display option (1920 x 1200) for the Dell XPS 17 9710, which extends battery life while still providing crisp, reliable image quality. It serves as an ideal alternative for users who do not demand ultra-wide color coverage but need comfortable viewing over extended study sessions or workdays. For visual specialists, engineers, and digital creators, this remains one of the most compelling 17-inch laptops on the market today.

Outstanding Performance with 11th Gen Intel CPUs and RTX 30 Series

The Dell XPS 17 9710 delivers powerful, top-tier performance through its premium configuration options. Users can choose between two processor options: the Intel Core i7-11800H with 8 cores, 16 threads, and a boost clock up to 4.6GHz, or the Intel Core i9-11900H for higher performance with clock speeds reaching 4.9GHz. These 11th Gen processors belong to the Tiger Lake-H family, well suited for demanding workloads like video editing, 3D simulation, and intensive software engineering.

The machine powers seamless multitasking with two memory options: 16GB or 32GB of DDR4 RAM running at 3200MHz. This capacity easily handles running multiple applications at once, working in graphics software like AutoCAD and Photoshop, or juggling dozens of browser tabs smoothly. For storage, the PCIe M.2 SSD in 512GB or 1TB options delivers generous capacity alongside ultra-fast data access speeds, helping you work productively.

On the graphics front, the Dell XPS 17 9710 comes equipped with either an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 4GB GDDR6 GPU or an RTX 3060 6GB GDDR6, both built on the Ampere architecture. These two graphics options not only tackle demanding entertainment like AAA gaming, but also excel at professional workflows including 3D design, 4K video editing, and AI tasks. That makes it an ideal pick for content creators and engineers who need workstation-class performance in a portable package.

DELL XPS 17 9710 Keyboard & TouchPad

The keyboard on the Dell XPS 17 9710 offers a comfortable typing experience thanks to a well-thought-out layout, solid key travel, and responsive tactile feedback. Despite its large 17-inch chassis, the machine skips the traditional numeric keypad. That choice centers the keyboard layout symmetrically while preserving the clean, minimalist aesthetic signature to the flagship Dell XPS lineup.

The balanced symmetry between the keyboard and flanking speaker grilles creates a cohesive deck layout. Strategically positioned speaker grilles ensure cleaner audio projection, while the TouchPad sits centered right under your hands for effortless reach during extended work sessions.

The TouchPad on the Dell XPS 17 9710 has been upgraded significantly, measuring 62% larger than the previous generation for smoother multi-touch gestures. Its premium glass surface pairs with Windows Precision Touchpad drivers, giving you pinpoint accuracy whether scrolling, navigating, or using multi-finger gestures, rivaling the experience of a MacBook TrackPad.

Slots, Connectivity & Battery Life

When it comes to connectivity, the Dell XPS 9710 stands out with a modern, minimalist port selection designed for thin and light portability. The laptop is equipped with up to 4 Thunderbolt 4 (USB Type-C) ports supporting DisplayPort and Power Delivery, enabling fast data transfers, high-resolution display output, and convenient charging. Dell also includes a standard v6.0 SD card reader and a 3.5mm audio jack to maximize compatibility with traditional peripherals.

Retaining a full-size SD slot is a major advantage, especially for creative pros like photographers and video editors who need to transfer footage directly and reliably from camera gear to the computer. Wireless connectivity is equally well supported with Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.1, delivering a smooth, dependable connection in professional work settings.

On the battery front, the Dell XPS 9710 relies on a 97Wh Lithium-Ion battery that delivers impressive runtime, easily lasting through a full workday on the go. Despite its powerful specs and large display, the laptop maintains solid battery efficiency thanks to Dell's hardware optimizations and power-saving technologies.
You can also check other configurations in the Dell XPS 17 category and the full range of Dell laptops. You can also compare it with the DELL XPS 17 9700 (2020) or the DELL XPS 17 9720 (2022).

Dimensions and Weight

1. Depth: 9.76” (248.05 mm) | 2. Width: 14.74” (374.45 mm) | 3. Height: 0.77” (19.05 mm)