Dell XPS 15 (2024) Review: A True MacBook Rival?

I've spent the past three weeks using the Dell XPS 15 (2024) as my daily driver, putting it through its paces for everything from content creation to gaming, video conferencing to everyday productivity. What I found might surprise you, especially if you've been team Apple for years.

In this comprehensive review, we'll dive deep into what makes the latest XPS 15 tick, from its stunning new design to its performance improvements, display quality, battery life, and much more. Let's see if Dell has created the ultimate Windows ultrabook that could tempt even the most dedicated MacBook users to switch sides.

Design and Build Quality

The moment you unbox the 2024 XPS 15, it's clear Dell has taken design cues from its successful XPS 13 Plus while maintaining the XPS line's distinctive identity. The laptop features a premium aluminum chassis with clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic that feels simultaneously modern and timeless.

Measuring just 0.71 inches at its thickest point and weighing 4.23 pounds for the touchscreen model (slightly lighter for the non-touch version), the XPS 15 strikes an impressive balance between portability and screen real estate. The CNC machined aluminum body feels rock-solid, with zero flex when typing or handling the device.

The signature carbon fiber palm rest has been updated with a smoother, more refined texture that resists fingerprints better than previous generations. It's still incredibly comfortable during long typing sessions, with the material staying cooler than all-aluminum alternatives.

Perhaps the most striking design change is the new haptic touchpad. Dell has followed Apple's lead by implementing a larger, borderless trackpad with haptic feedback instead of physical clicking mechanisms. The result is excellent—precise tracking, consistent feedback regardless of where you press, and a clean, seamless appearance that enhances the minimalist design.

Dell has also revamped the keyboard with larger keycaps and a more comfortable 1.3mm of key travel. The backlighting is even and adjustable, though it lacks the per-key RGB options that some competitors offer.

Port selection remains practical, if not abundant: two Thunderbolt 4 ports, one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, a full-size SD card reader, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The absence of legacy USB-A ports means you'll need dongles for older peripherals, but the inclusion of the SD card reader is a welcome advantage over the MacBook Pro for content creators.

Display Quality

Dell continues its tradition of exceptional displays with the 2024 XPS 15, offering multiple options that cater to different needs and budgets.

The base model comes with a 15.6-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200) non-touch display, but the star of the show is undoubtedly the 4K+ (3840 x 2400) OLED touchscreen panel. This display is simply stunning, with perfect blacks, vibrant colors that cover 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, and a contrast ratio that makes everything from photos to movies look extraordinary.

The OLED panel reaches a peak brightness of 500 nits, which is sufficient for most indoor environments but might struggle in direct sunlight. Anti-reflective coating helps mitigate glare, though it's not as effective as the nano-texture glass on Apple's high-end displays.

Dell has reduced the bezels even further this year, resulting in an impressive 93.6% screen-to-body ratio. The 16:10 aspect ratio provides extra vertical real estate compared to traditional 16:9 screens, making document editing and web browsing more comfortable.

For creative professionals, Dell offers factory color calibration with a Delta E <2, ensuring accurate colors out of the box. The display supports HDR 500 certification, delivering a noticeable improvement when viewing compatible content, though it doesn't quite match the impact of the mini-LED displays found in Apple's latest MacBook Pros.

The touchscreen functionality is responsive and precise, though I still find myself using it less frequently than expected on a traditional clamshell laptop. If you don't need touch capabilities, opting for the non-touch model will save you some money and slightly improve battery life.

Performance

Under the hood, the 2024 XPS 15 packs Intel's latest 14th-generation processors, specifically the Intel Core Ultra series. My review unit came equipped with the top-tier Intel Core Ultra 9 185H, 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and a 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD.

This configuration absolutely flies through everyday tasks. Browser tabs, office applications, Zoom calls, and music streaming simultaneously barely make the system break a sweat. The improvements to single-thread performance are noticeable when compared to last year's model, with apps launching near-instantaneously.

For creative workloads, Dell has paired the Intel CPU with NVIDIA's RTX 4060 laptop GPU with 8GB of VRAM. This combination delivers impressive performance in applications like Adobe Premiere Pro, where 4K timeline scrubbing remains smooth and export times are competitive with similarly configured machines.

In our standardized benchmarking tests, the XPS 15 (2024) scored:

• Geekbench 6 Single-Core: 2,670
• Geekbench 6 Multi-Core: 14,980
• Cinebench R23 Multi-Core: 18,450
• PCMark 10: 7,105
• 3DMark Time Spy: 7,250

These numbers represent approximately a 15-20% improvement over the 2023 model, positioning the XPS 15 as a powerful machine for most users' needs. However, it's worth noting that under sustained workloads, thermal throttling does become a factor—an unavoidable reality of cramming this much power into a slim chassis.

For video editing and 3D rendering tasks that push the system for extended periods, the XPS 15 maintains about 85% of its peak performance after 30 minutes of continuous load. This is respectable for a thin-and-light 15-inch laptop, though dedicated workstations or gaming laptops with better cooling will sustain higher performance levels.

Gaming performance is surprisingly capable for a machine that isn't marketed as a gaming laptop. Modern titles like Cyberpunk 2077 run at around 45-50 FPS at 1080p with medium settings, while less demanding games like Fortnite or Overwatch 2 easily exceed 100 FPS. The RTX 4060 also supports DLSS 3, which can significantly boost frame rates in compatible games.

The AI acceleration capabilities of both the Intel CPU and NVIDIA GPU deserve special mention. Windows Studio Effects for background blur, eye contact correction, and automatic framing in video calls run without a performance hit. Adobe's AI-powered features like Generative Fill in Photoshop and Text-to-Speech in Premiere Pro are snappy and responsive.

Storage performance is excellent, with the 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD delivering sequential read speeds of up to 7,000 MB/s and write speeds of 5,200 MB/s. The laptop supports dual SSDs, allowing for future expansion without replacing your primary drive.

Keyboard and Trackpad

The keyboard experience on the XPS 15 (2024) is among the best I've encountered on a Windows laptop. The larger keycaps provide a comfortable target, and the 1.3mm travel strikes a nice balance between tactile feedback and noise level. The keys have a slight concave shape that guides your fingers naturally, and the spacing is perfect for touch typing.

Dell has maintained the standard layout with dedicated function and arrow keys, avoiding the controversial touch bar that Apple has since abandoned. The power button in the top-right corner doubles as a fingerprint reader, offering quick and reliable authentication.

As mentioned earlier, the new haptic touchpad is a significant upgrade. At 5.9 x 3.5 inches, it's 15% larger than the previous generation, providing ample space for multi-finger gestures. The haptic feedback is convincing enough that I occasionally forgot it wasn't a physical clicking mechanism. Palm rejection works flawlessly, even during intense typing sessions.

Windows Precision drivers ensure that all gestures are recognized consistently, from simple two-finger scrolling to more complex three- and four-finger shortcuts. In direct comparison, Apple's Force Touch trackpad still holds a slight edge in precision and customization options, but Dell has closed the gap substantially.

Audio Quality

Audio performance has historically been a weakness for Windows laptops compared to MacBooks, but Dell has made significant strides with the 2024 XPS 15. The quad-speaker system includes two 2.5W woofers and two 1.5W tweeters, producing fuller, richer sound than previous models.

Maximum volume is impressive for a laptop of this size, easily filling a medium-sized room. Bass response, while not earthshaking, is present and defined—unusual for ultraportable laptops. Mids are clear, making vocals in music and dialogue in movies come through distinctly.

The Waves MaxxAudio Pro software allows for some tuning of the audio experience, though I found the default "Music" profile to be well-balanced for most content. There's also a built-in equalizer for those who want to fine-tune their listening experience.

For video calls, the dual microphone array does an admirable job of capturing clear audio while filtering out background noise. The AI-enhanced noise cancellation works well, removing consistent sounds like air conditioners or fans without making your voice sound processed.

While the audio system doesn't quite match the depth and richness of the MacBook Pro's six-speaker setup with force-canceling woofers, it's among the best available on a Windows ultraportable and perfectly adequate for entertainment and conferencing needs.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life has traditionally been an area where Windows laptops struggle to compete with Apple's offerings, particularly since the transition to Apple Silicon. The 2024 XPS 15 makes admirable progress but still can't quite match the MacBook Pro's endurance.

With the 4K+ OLED display and RTX 4060 GPU, my review unit averaged about 7-8 hours of mixed usage at 150 nits brightness—including web browsing, document editing, occasional photo editing, and video playback. That's respectable but falls short of the 12+ hours you might get from a comparably equipped MacBook Pro 16.

Opting for the FHD+ non-touch display would likely add 1-2 hours to these figures. Dell also includes fairly granular power management options that can extend battery life by limiting performance when unplugged.

The 86Wh battery recharges relatively quickly with the included 130W USB-C power adapter, reaching 80% in about an hour. The laptop also supports standard USB-C charging at lower wattages, allowing you to top up (albeit slowly) using power banks or phone chargers in a pinch.

It's worth noting that demanding tasks like video rendering or gaming will drain the battery much faster—expect 2-3 hours at most when pushing the system hard. This is true of virtually all high-performance laptops, including MacBooks.

Webcam and Biometrics

In our era of remote work and video conferencing, webcam quality has become increasingly important. Dell has finally upgraded the XPS 15 with a 1080p webcam that delivers significantly better image quality than the 720p cameras of previous generations.

The webcam handles low-light conditions reasonably well, though some grain is still visible in dimmer environments. Color reproduction is accurate, and the wider angle captures more of your surroundings—useful for showing physical objects during meetings.

The camera assembly also includes an infrared sensor for Windows Hello facial recognition. This works quickly and reliably, even in low light or when wearing glasses. Combined with the fingerprint reader in the power button, you have multiple secure biometric options for logging in.

Dell's ExpressSign-in feature uses proximity sensors to automatically wake the laptop when you approach and lock it when you walk away—a small but useful convenience that enhances security without requiring additional steps.

Software and Ecosystem

Dell has exercised admirable restraint with pre-installed software on the XPS 15. The Dell Update utility handles driver and BIOS updates, while Dell Power Manager provides granular control over battery charging behavior and thermal management.

Dell Mobile Connect allows for seamless integration with your smartphone, enabling calls, texts, and notifications on your laptop. It works with both Android and iOS devices, though integration is deeper with Android.

Beyond these useful utilities, bloatware is minimal—a refreshing change from many Windows laptops. There's the usual Microsoft Store apps and a McAfee trial that most users will promptly uninstall, but nothing that feels intrusive.

Windows 11 runs beautifully on this hardware, with the added AI features of the latest updates leveraging the neural processing unit (NPU) in the Intel Core Ultra processor. Features like Windows Studio Effects and Live Captions work without noticeable impact on system performance or battery life.

The broader Windows ecosystem has improved significantly in recent years. The Microsoft Store now offers a decent selection of apps, though it still lags behind Apple's App Store in quality and quantity. The integration between Windows and Android devices has become more seamless, somewhat mimicking the tight integration between Apple products.

However, the fragmented nature of the Windows hardware ecosystem means you don't get the same level of cohesive experience across devices that Apple users enjoy. Simple features like Universal Clipboard or Handoff still don't work as seamlessly in the Windows/Android world as they do in Apple's ecosystem.

Thermal Performance and Noise

Packing high-performance components into slim chassis always creates thermal challenges. The XPS 15 (2024) uses a dual-fan cooling system with vapor chamber technology to manage heat.

Under typical productivity loads—web browsing, document editing, video calls—the laptop remains cool and quiet. The fans rarely spin up to audible levels during these tasks, and surface temperatures stay comfortable.

When pushing the system with demanding creative applications or games, the fans become noticeably more audible, producing a whooshing sound that's not particularly grating but certainly present. Maximum fan noise reaches about 45dB under sustained load—louder than the MacBook Pro 16 but quieter than many gaming laptops.

Surface temperatures during intensive tasks can reach up to 105°F (40°C) near the rear vents, but the carbon fiber palm rest remains significantly cooler, allowing for comfortable typing even under load. The bottom of the laptop gets quite warm, making lap use during intensive tasks uncomfortable.

Thermal throttling does occur under sustained loads, with CPU clock speeds dropping by about 15-20% after extended periods of maximum utilization. This is expected in a slim form factor and doesn't significantly impact real-world performance for most tasks.

Upgradeability and Repairability

Unlike many modern ultraportables that are essentially sealed units, the XPS 15 (2024) offers some upgradeability options. After removing the bottom panel (secured by eight Torx screws), you can access:

• Two M.2 PCIe SSD slots
• Both RAM slots (supporting up to 64GB)
• The Wi-Fi card
• The battery

This level of access is increasingly rare in premium ultraportables and represents a significant advantage over the completely soldered design of MacBooks. The ability to upgrade RAM and storage post-purchase not only extends the usable lifespan of the laptop but potentially saves you money by allowing you to start with a lower configuration and upgrade as needed.

Dell provides service manuals and parts for repairs, earning the XPS 15 a respectable repairability score. While not as easily serviceable as some business laptops, it's significantly more repair-friendly than many competitors in the premium consumer space.

Value Proposition

With a starting price of $1,799 for the base configuration (Intel Core Ultra 7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, FHD+ display) and climbing to over $3,000 for fully loaded models, the XPS 15 (2024) positions itself firmly in premium territory.

This pricing places it in direct competition with the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. When comparing similarly configured systems, the XPS 15 typically comes in slightly less expensive than equivalent MacBooks, though the gap narrows at higher configurations.

The value equation depends heavily on your priorities and ecosystem preferences. If you're already invested in the Windows ecosystem, the XPS 15 represents one of the finest expressions of what a Windows laptop can be, justifying its premium price tag with excellent build quality, performance, and display options.

For those considering switching from Mac to Windows, the price advantage may not be significant enough to overcome the ecosystem transition costs and learning curve. However, for specific use cases where Windows software is preferred or required, the XPS 15 offers a premium experience that minimizes the pain points of platform switching.

The MacBook Comparison: How Does It Really Stack Up?

Now for the question this review promised to answer: Is the Dell XPS 15 (2024) truly a MacBook rival?

In terms of build quality and design, Dell has essentially reached parity with Apple. The machined aluminum chassis, carbon fiber palm rest, and attention to detail create a device that feels every bit as premium as a MacBook Pro. The haptic trackpad closes what was previously a significant gap in the Windows laptop experience.

Display quality is competitive, with the 4K+ OLED panel offering advantages in contrast ratio and color vibrancy, though Apple's mini-LED technology still holds an edge in peak brightness for HDR content.

Performance for creative workloads is comparable, with each platform having advantages in specific applications. Adobe Creative Cloud tends to run similarly on both platforms with equivalent specs, while Final Cut Pro remains exclusive to macOS and optimized for Apple Silicon. For gaming, the XPS 15 holds a clear advantage thanks to its NVIDIA GPU.

Battery life remains the most significant gap, with Apple's custom silicon delivering exceptional efficiency that Intel and NVIDIA can't yet match. The MacBook Pro 16 can realistically deliver 12+ hours of mixed use, while the XPS 15 tops out around 8 hours with its higher-resolution display.

Software and ecosystem integration is subjective and depends heavily on your existing device ecosystem. If you already use an iPhone, iPad, and other Apple devices, the seamless continuity features of macOS are compelling. Similarly, if you're invested in Windows software or Android devices, the XPS 15 will integrate more naturally into your workflow.

Conclusion

The Dell XPS 15 (2024) represents a significant step forward for premium Windows laptops, closing many of the gaps that have traditionally favored MacBooks. It combines sophisticated design, excellent build quality, a gorgeous display, and powerful performance in a package that feels cohesive and refined.

Is it a true MacBook rival? For Windows users seeking a premium experience, absolutely. The XPS 15 delivers the best of what the Windows ecosystem has to offer in a design that rivals Apple's aesthetic and build quality standards.

For Mac users considering a switch, the XPS 15 presents the most compelling case yet for a Windows alternative, though ecosystem integration and battery life still favor Apple's offerings. The decision will likely come down to software requirements, existing device ecosystem, and personal preference rather than the hardware itself.

What's most impressive about the 2024 XPS 15 is how few compromises it makes. It balances performance and portability, style and function, cutting-edge features and practical usability in a package that appeals to both creative professionals and demanding productivity users.

For those firmly in the Windows camp, this is arguably the finest 15-inch laptop available today. For those platform-agnostic buyers weighing all options, the XPS 15 deserves a place on your shortlist alongside Apple's latest offerings—high praise indeed for a Windows laptop.

Rating: 9/10

Pros:

• Exceptional build quality and premium design
• Stunning 4K+ OLED display option
• Powerful performance for creative work
• Improved haptic trackpad
• Some upgradeability options
• Excellent keyboard and audio

Cons:

• Battery life still lags behind MacBook Pro
• Gets warm under heavy loads
• Premium price tag
• Limited port selection requires dongles for legacy connections

Have you made the switch between Mac and Windows laptops? I'd love to hear about your experience in the comments below!