Dell XPS 17 (9710) Review: The Big-Screen Powerhouse That Sets the Bar

Dell XPS 17 9710: A big-screen powerhouse built for productivity and content creation, delivering a premium design, crisp 4K visuals, and strong performance. This 17-inch flagship from Dell’s XPS family stands out in a market crowded with gaming-focused large laptops by prioritizing a refined, sleek aesthetic and a display that scales from professional work to multimedia. While it isn’t primarily a gaming machine, the 9710 packs enough GPU power to handle demanding tasks and creative workloads with ease. If you’re evaluating whether to invest in a large, professional-grade portable computer, the XPS 17 9710 demands careful consideration across design, input experience, display quality, performance, and total cost of ownership.

Dell XPS 17 9710: Design and Build

The Dell XPS 17 9710 carries forward the long-running XPS design language, translating it into a bigger chassis that still feels refined rather than bulky. The build quality is a standout feature here: the lid and exterior are forged from premium aluminum, delivering a solid, premium heft that communicates durability without appearing ostentatious. The top surface bears the signature Dell emblem, and in person the lid exudes a premium sheen that resists fingerprinting fairly well. Opening and closing the lid reveals a careful attention to fit and finish, with minimal flex and a hinge that feels sturdy in daily use. The overall aesthetic is minimalistic and professional, aligning with both office environments and creative studios where subtle style matters.

On the interior, the XPS 17 uses a carbon fiber palm rest with a smooth, soft-touch feel, paired with a dark, understated chassis that minimizes glare and fingerprints. This material choice isn’t just about aesthetics; it contributes to a cooler touch surface and a slightly tactile, premium keyboard trench that helps keep wrists comfortable during long sessions. The device’s footprint is substantial, reflecting its 17-inch display, but Dell has managed to keep the profile relatively approachable for a laptop of this size. At 0.77 inches thick, the chassis remains slender by 17-inch standards, and at roughly 4.87 pounds, the XPS 17 sits in a manageable range for a large portable. It’s not a featherweight by any means, but it doesn’t feel unwieldy to carry in a well-equipped backpack or a dedicated laptop bag.

The XPS 17’s bezels are notably slim, contributing to a modern, edge-to-edge aesthetic that enhances the perceived sharpness of its screen. The top bezel is marginally thicker than the others to accommodate the webcam, a necessary compromise for a sleek appearance that still supports video conferencing use without resorting to a pop-up mechanism or an under-display solution. The bezels around the sides and bottom are barely noticeable in routine use, which helps with immersive content creation and professional workflows. In daily operation, this design yields a more expansive viewing area without sacrificing portability or style.

Connectivity and ports have been arranged with a practical mindset tuned for creator workflows. The XPS 17 offers four Thunderbolt 4 ports that support high-speed data transfer, external GPUs, and fast charging, along with an SD card slot which is highly beneficial for photographers and videographers who frequently transfer assets directly from cameras. A standard headphone jack is present for wired audio listening, which remains important for professional editing environments and those who prefer wired headphones for accurate sound reproduction. Dell also ships an adapter that provides USB-A and HDMI outputs, which helps mitigate some of the compatibility concerns that arise with a modern USB-C-centric lineup. This port strategy is well-suited for users who rely heavily on external peripherals, external displays, and legacy USB devices.

The overall weight distribution and chassis design are optimized for rigidity and user comfort during long sessions. The keyboard deck is stable, with a pad that remains flat and a surface that doesn’t exhibit excessive flex under typical typing pressures. Small design choices—like the placement of ports along the periphery and the way the edges feel when attempting to plug in devices—reflect thoughtful engineering intended to minimize the frustration of dongles or mismatched adapters. The lid closure, hinge action, and body rigidity all contribute to a confident lid-open feel that remains stable even when the device is on a lap or a desk with a flexible surface.

In terms of daily practicality, the XPS 17’s size means it’s more at home in a dedicated workspace or a larger travel bag rather than slipping into the smallest of carry-ons. It slides into large backpacks with ease but can feel conspicuous in very tight spaces or compact laptop sleeves. The design’s emphasis on premium materials, a tactile palm rest, and a refined finish makes it a compelling option for professionals who want a larger display without sacrificing the aesthetic maturity of a premium Windows laptop. The trade-off, of course, is the increased footprint and weight relative to smaller, more portable laptops, but for the user who prioritizes screen real estate and a premium construct, the XPS 17 9710 makes a strong case.

Overall, the design and build of the XPS 17 9710 deliver a modern, premium feel that aligns with Dell’s flagship status. The combination of aluminum chassis, carbon fiber interior, thin bezels, a thoughtfully arranged port set, and a robust but elegant build ensures the device stands up to day-to-day productivity tasks and more demanding creative workloads alike. This is a big laptop that wears its size with purpose, offering a striking balance between visual appeal, tactile quality, and practical ergonomics.

Dell XPS 17 9710: Keyboard, Input Experience, and Trackpad

The keyboard experience on the Dell XPS 17 9710 is crafted for comfort during extended typing sessions, which matters when writing, coding, or drafting long-form content on a mobile workstation. The keys offer ample travel and spacing to minimize mispresses, with a typing feel that is both responsive and satisfying. The keycaps have a crisp, reliable tactile feedback that makes touch typing predictable, and the overall layout supports efficient workflow without forcing compromises on ergonomics. The keyboard’s travel length is long enough to reassure typists, while the actuation is not so soft that it feels insubstantial. The result is a familiar, confident keyboard experience that aligns with productivity-oriented use cases rather than casual, short-form writing.

One practical observation is the absence of a numeric keypad. On a 17-inch device, some users expect a number pad, but the XPS 17 9710 prioritizes a clean, compact footprint that emphasizes horizontal space for the speakers and more room for the palm rest. For many users, this trade-off is preferable because it preserves a larger trackpad area and reduces overall device width, making it easier to keep the keyboard wrist position aligned for comfortable long-form input. The keyboard is complemented by a fingerprint sensor located at the top-right of the keyboard deck. This sensor can function as a Windows Hello alternative for quick biometric authentication, though the reviewer personally prefers facial recognition in daily use. In practice, the fingerprint sensor responds quickly and reliably when calibration is maintained, contributing to a smooth, secure login experience.

The touchpad on the XPS 17 9710 is intentionally roomy, providing ample space for gesture navigation and precision input. It tracks smoothly and accurately, with consistent click mechanisms and reliable palm rejection, even when the hands rest near the lower edge of the palm rest during intensive typing. While it’s not the largest touchpad in its class, it sits comfortably within the expected range for premium Windows laptops of this size. The overall feel is of a high-quality trackpad that isn’t overly glossy or slippery, offering dependable scrolling, pinching, and two-finger gestures.

The combination of keyboard, fingerprint security, and a robust touchpad creates a well-rounded input experience that supports professional workflows. Typing on the XPS 17 remains comfortable across marathon sessions, aided by the palm rest’s material and the keyboard’s forgiving travel. The slightly recessed key spacing helps avoid fatigue by reducing slice-and-dice typing errors and enabling a more precise keystroke pattern over time. For content creators and productivity users who rely on long-form document editing, code work, or creative writing, the keyboard remains a strong selling point of the 9710.

In day-to-day terms, the input setup is designed to minimize friction and maximize efficiency. The lack of a numeric keypad is offset by the generous space around the keyboard and the large touchpad that suits editors and designers who often need precise cursor control. The fingerprint sensor adds a layer of convenience for those who prefer quick, secure login without typing passwords. Overall, the input experience on the XPS 17 9710 is one of its core strengths, reinforcing its positioning as a productivity-oriented large-screen laptop rather than a gaming-first device.

Dell XPS 17 9710: Display, Visuals, and Audio Quality

Display quality and options are central to the XPS 17 9710’s appeal, especially for professionals who depend on accurate color, sharp text rendering, and immersive media. The device provides two main display configurations: a 1920 x 1200 non-touch option and a 3840 x 2400 touch option. The review unit featured the latter, a true 4K panel that delivers crisp detail, high-resolution clarity, and ample workspace for complex editing tasks, vector work, and multi-window productivity. Text is exceptionally sharp, with very clear typography even at smaller font sizes, making long-form reading and code review easier on the eyes. The 4K panel benefits from Dolby Vision support, which enhances HDR content with wider color gamut and improved dynamic range, resulting in vibrant, lifelike colors during movies, color grading tasks, or photo editing.

Color accuracy and brightness on the 4K touchscreen are strong points. The display is rated around 500 nits, which is ample for most indoor lighting scenarios and daylight environments, though not a true outdoor-work machine. In practice, the screen remains easily readable in bright rooms, with decent anti-glare performance that minimizes reflections during daylight. While it isn’t an OLED or Micro-LED panel—these technologies typically deliver deeper blacks and higher contrast—the non-OLED design still provides a compelling overall image quality. Black levels are respectable for an LCD panel, and contrast remains solid enough for cinematic viewing and professional-grade photo and video work. For creators, color-managed workflows benefit from the high pixel density and precise rendering across the color spectrum.

The touch-enabled option adds another layer of versatility, enabling direct on-screen interaction for tasks such as sketching, annotating documents, fine-tuning color in a photo, or navigating complex UI elements with a stylus-compatible workflow. The trade-off with touch is a slight reduction in brightness uniformity and potential glare in very bright conditions, but the convenience of handheld annotation and quick interactive tasks often outweighs that consideration for many users. In practice, the touch option integrates seamlessly with Windows 11 or Windows 10 environments, providing intuitive gesture support and a responsive experience for everyday tasks.

Audio performance on the XPS 17 complements the strong display capabilities. The system uses a quad-speaker arrangement consisting of two 1.5-watt tweeters and two 2.5-watt woofers. This layout yields a surprisingly wide soundstage for a laptop, delivering clear high frequencies and a surprisingly capable low-end presence for a device of this category. The overall sound character is balanced, with enough body and presence to enjoy music, podcasts, and cinematic content without the need for external speakers in most environments. While the bass may not reach the depths of a dedicated audio system or high-quality headphones, the performance is noticeably better than many competing laptops in the same size class. For users who prioritize audio quality for multimedia editing, music production, or streaming content, the XPS 17’s speakers offer a distinct advantage over many peers.

In terms of practical viewing experience, the combination of a large, high-resolution 4K panel with strong brightness, robust color reproduction, and a capable audio system makes the XPS 17 9710 a strong candidate for content creators and professionals who rely on accurate visuals and reliable acoustic performance. The large screen real estate not only boosts productivity by enabling more windows and tools to be visible simultaneously, but it also elevates the overall media consumption experience, making the laptop a more complete workstation than many other ultralight or mid-sized alternatives. The display and audio package, taken together, reinforces the XPS 17’s image as a premium device built for serious tasks, not merely a big-screen novelty.

Dell XPS 17 9710: Performance, Graphics, and Thermal Management

The Dell XPS 17 9710 is offered in a range of configurations, giving buyers the option to tailor performance to their workloads. The base configuration typically pairs an 11th-generation Intel Core i5 processor with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, which is suitable for light professional tasks, general productivity, and everyday multitasking. For users who push multi-application workloads, content creation pipelines, or demanding software suites, higher-end SKUs upgrade to a Core i7 processor, 32GB of RAM, and a dedicated RTX 3060 graphics card. In the reviewed configuration, the combination of an 11th-gen Intel Core i7, 32GB of RAM, and an RTX 3060 GPU delivers a remarkably capable setup that performs well across a spectrum of productivity and creative tasks. This configuration handles high-resolution video editing, 3D rendering, and complex photo editing with relative ease, offering a smooth editing workflow and fast render times compared with many non-workstation-class laptops.

From a raw performance perspective, the XPS 17 9710 does not disappoint. In synthetic benchmarks, the system delivers competitive results that reflect the CPU’s efficiency and the GPU’s capable performance within a mobile power envelope. GeekBench 5 results show a solid single-core score of roughly 1,301 and a multi-core score around 6,095, while Cinebench R23 results hover around 1,245 for single-core and 6,359 for multi-core. These numbers indicate that the machine is well-suited to professional tasks that rely on CPU processing, such as code compilation, photo or video editing with multiple layers, and data processing, alongside graphics workloads. While it isn’t designed to outperform gaming-centric rigs with top-tier GPUs, the RTX 3060 inside the XPS 17 remains a strong choice for content creation and real-time rendering tasks, especially when paired with the large 4K display.

Thermal behavior on the XPS 17 9710 is a critical consideration for users who expect sustained performance during long sessions. Under heavy workloads, the fans do engage and can be relatively loud—this is a common trait among high-performance laptops that pack a lot of power into a slim chassis. The fan acoustics become more noticeable during prolonged video rendering, 3D modeling, or when multiple resource-intensive applications run in parallel. Importantly, the cooling system appears to maintain throttle-free performance for typical work scenarios, meaning the CPU and GPU maintain clock speeds that support responsiveness without dramatic speed dips due to overheating. The practical takeaway is that while thermal throttling is not a frequent issue in regular productivity tasks, users who push the device to its upper limits for extended periods should expect a level of fan noise that may require a headphone-based or off-ear audio solution in quiet environments.

Battery life on such a high-performance, high-resolution machine follows the same logic: the efficiency of the CPU and the power draw of a 4K display combine to produce a battery profile that is “adequate” for many use cases, but not exceptional for all-day productivity. In standard productivity workloads—web browsing, document editing, and light media consumption—the XPS 17 can deliver around six hours or so of usage with moderate brightness, which is reasonable for a portable workstation in this class. When tasks become more demanding—gaming, heavy video editing, or 4K color grading—the battery life declines significantly, and you’ll see substantially shorter runtimes. This is common for laptops with this combination of display resolution and GPU performance, and it underscores the importance of having access to a power adapter during longer creative sessions or travel.

In real-world terms, the XPS 17 9710’s performance is well-matched to its intended demographic: professionals and creators who require a large, accurate display, and a powerful mobile platform for content production, 3D work, photography workflows, and demanding software suites. It isn’t the most gaming-focused option in its price range, but it can handle many modern titles at reasonable settings, especially when you’re not aiming for maximum frame rates. The RTX 3060 enables robust real-time rendering and acceleration for creative software that leverages CUDA cores. For users who need a portable machine that can carry out multiple heavy tasks without constantly swapping between devices, the XPS 17 9710 provides a strong, all-around performance package.

Overall, the performance story is solid: the 9710 delivers capable CPU and GPU performance with a premium display and refined cooling behavior for real-world workloads. It’s clear that Dell designed this model with productivity and content creation in mind, as opposed to pure gaming performance. If your work involves high-resolution media editing, 3D design, complex data processing, or multi-application workflows, the XPS 17 stands tall among large Windows laptops. If you’re a gamer who prioritizes the absolute highest FPS in the latest titles, you’ll likely want to consider alternatives with leaner power budgets or more gaming-centric GPUs, possibly at the expense of the higher-end content creation experience that the XPS 17 prioritizes.

Dell XPS 17 9710: Software, Features, and Usability

The software experience on the Dell XPS 17 9710 reflects Dell’s tendency to deliver a clean, mostly uncluttered Windows setup that prioritizes user control and performance. The device ships with Windows 10 pre-installed, and Dell indicates full compatibility with Windows 11, allowing users to opt into the newer operating system if they desire. In practice, the Windows environment on the XPS 17 remains relatively lean with only a few proprietary or vendor-added utilities that aim to streamline setup and basic maintenance. There isn’t a heavy burden of bloatware, which is appreciated in a premium machine where the core experience should feel fast and unobstructed. The presence of a few utility apps is a reasonable compromise to assist with tasks like system optimization, battery management, and firmware updates, but they do not overwhelm the user interface.

One notable software behavior is the interaction between Windows 11 and the XPS 17’s audio system. Upon upgrading to Windows 11 from Windows 10 on the test unit, the speakers briefly failed to produce sound. An update was released that addressed the problem, restoring full audio functionality and ensuring a seamless transition between operating systems. This anecdote highlights a broader truth about premium laptops: occasional driver or firmware quirks can arise when major OS updates are introduced, and the vendor’s timely updates are essential to maintain a smooth user experience.

Dell’s software approach also includes a mindful stance toward security and trialware. The system ships with antivirus and security-focused software that aligns with common enterprise and household use cases, but you won’t find a heavy suite of promotional material that clogs the user interface. The aim is to preserve performance while providing necessary protection and functionality. The presence of a few familiar apps—such as collaboration or cloud storage utilities—reflects the needs of a broad user base without turning the device into a bloatware trap. This measured software approach aligns with the XPS line’s reputation for delivering a clean, polished user experience that emphasizes productivity rather than software gimmicks.

From a usability perspective, the XPS 17 9710 is designed to support a professional workflow with multiple displays and peripherals. The Thunderbolt 4 ports facilitate high-speed data transfer, docking setups, and external GPU configurations, making it an appealing choice for creators who require a scalable, desktop-like experience while on the move. The SD card reader is a practical touch for photographers and videographers, enabling direct card transfers without additional adapters. The combination of strong I/O options, a premium display, capable performance, and a thoughtfully designed keyboard and trackpad creates a cohesive usability experience that is well-suited to a broad spectrum of productive tasks.

In terms of daily usability, the XPS 17 9710 also benefits from Dell’s engineering focus on heat management and fan behavior. While the device can become audible under demanding workloads, the cooling solution maintains performance without frequent throttling, which helps preserve a smooth user experience in creative sessions and lengthy productivity tasks. The absence of intrusive marketing or excessive software clutter means users can tailor the experience to their own preferences, choosing which tools to install and which background processes to disable to maximize efficiency. All told, the software and usability profile of the XPS 17 9710 aligns with the expectations of a premium Windows laptop built for professionals who require performance without compromise.

Dell XPS 17 9710: Battery Life, Real-World Use, and Portability

Battery life on the Dell XPS 17 9710 reflects the realities of a large, high-resolution display paired with a capable GPU. In a baseline productivity scenario—web browsing, document editing, office tasks, and light multimedia streaming—the device can sustain around six hours of use with moderate brightness. This figure represents a reasonable duration for a 17-inch machine with a strong display and a mid-to-high-power GPU. It is not a long-haul travel laptop in the strictest sense, but it remains practical for a full workday in most office environments where a charger is nearby. As soon as you push heavier workloads—video editing, color grading, or gaming—the battery life deteriorates noticeably, with runtimes dropping into the lower ranges. In such contexts, relying on a reliable power adapter is essential for uninterrupted performance.

The 11th-gen Intel CPU and RTX 3060 GPU contribute to the battery consumption profile in ways that reflect typical usage patterns for productivity and creative workloads. When running multiple demanding applications and high-resolution tasks, the power draw increases, leading to shorter intervals between charges. Users who frequently edit 4K video or render 3D projects should anticipate carrying the charger during extended sessions away from a power outlet. Conversely, for more modest tasks, the unit remains reasonably efficient by modern standards, especially when the display brightness is dialed down and background processes are minimized. The overall takeaway is that battery life is adequate for most day-to-day tasks, but is not a standout advantage over lighter, more energy-efficient ultrabooks. The 9710 strikes a balance between horsepower and power draw, but it is still a large, visually impressive device with an inherently higher energy requirement than compact laptops.

Portability is a relative concept for a 17-inch laptop, and the XPS 17 9710 sits at a practical midpoint for its category. It’s portable enough to be carried in a large backpack for daily transport, business trips, or campus use, but it isn’t something you’d want to carry casually if you’re prioritizing maximum mobility. For professionals who require a big screen for collaboration, on-site work, or travel that involves laptop use, the 9710 is a solid choice that balances display size with a refined chassis. The heft is justified by the immersive screen real estate, top-tier materials, and a robust performance stack designed to handle resource-intensive tasks on the go.

In real-world scenarios, you’ll find the XPS 17 9710 to be a capable travel companion for productivity, design, and content creation workflows. It isn’t a “set-it-and-forget-it” ultralight; it’s a premium workstation in a portable form factor. The device’s weight and thickness are still manageable for most users who need an expansive display and a strong performance profile. For those who prize screen real estate above all else and require strong performance for long, demanding sessions, the XPS 17 provides a compelling, near-desktop experience in a single portable unit.

Dell XPS 17 9710: Value, Pricing, and Competitive Landscape

Price is a central factor in any decision to purchase a high-end laptop, and the Dell XPS 17 9710 sits at a premium tier. The base configuration and mid-range SKUs typically target professionals and power users who are willing to invest in a larger display, strong CPU performance, and a capable dedicated GPU. The tested configuration—with an 11th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, 32GB of RAM, and an RTX 3060 GPU—reflects a balance between performance and cost, delivering a robust workstation experience without veering into the most expensive GPU options like RTX 3080 or higher. For those who depend on the large screen and the premium build, the price can be justified by the productivity gains, the display’s color accuracy, and the overall system responsiveness.

When comparing the XPS 17 9710 to competing 17-inch machines, several factors come into play beyond raw performance. The Gigabyte Aorus 17G and the Razer Blade Pro 17 are popular alternatives in the large-screen Windows space. The Aorus 17G often emphasizes gaming performance with high-refresh displays and strong discrete GPUs, while the Blade Pro 17 targets a similar premium audience with a sleek chassis and strong build quality. However, the XPS 17’s strength lies in its balance of a refined, business-friendly design, a premium display with Dolby Vision support, and a more understated aesthetic that suits professional environments. If your priorities include a creative workflow and a premium user experience rather than pure gaming performance, the XPS 17 tends to differentiate itself through its design language and overall polish.

For buyers weighing value, it’s important to consider not only sticker price but also total cost of ownership, including potential accessories, peripherals, and the long-term reliability of the device. The XPS 17’s premium materials and engineering suggest durability, while the high-resolution display and strong keyboard contribute to productivity and satisfaction over time. If you expect to use a large display regularly for content creation, video editing, or design work, the XPS 17 can justify its premium price through improved workflow efficiency and a desktop-like experience in a portable form factor. On the other hand, if your primary goal is gaming at the highest settings, there may be other laptops with more aggressive GPU configurations that deliver higher frame rates at a similar or slightly higher price, albeit with a different emphasis on design and portability.

In summary, the Dell XPS 17 9710 represents a premium, productivity-focused large-screen laptop that appeals to professionals and creators who value build quality, display fidelity, and solid performance in a portable package. Its pricing aligns with its premium feature set, and when matched against competing large-screen options, it stands out due to its refined design, robust input experience, and a versatile display that supports color-critical work and multimedia consumption. If you prioritize screen real estate and a premium, professional look and feel, the XPS 17 is a compelling choice within its category. If, instead, your focus is on maximum gaming performance or a more compact footprint, there are viable alternatives that may better meet those competing demands.

Should I Buy the Dell XPS 17 9710? Final Assessment and Recommendations

The Dell XPS 17 9710 delivers a compelling blend of big-screen productivity, premium build quality, and strong all-around performance that makes it a standout option in the 17-inch Windows laptop space. Its design aesthetic, high-quality materials, and carefully considered input devices contribute to a satisfying user experience that appeals to professionals who require ample screen real estate for complex workflows, creative tasks, and multi-application multitasking. The 4K display with Dolby Vision stands out for color-critical work, content creation, and immersive media consumption, while the robust keyboard and large touchpad provide a reliable and comfortable typing and navigation experience for long sessions.

However, no device is perfect, and the XPS 17 9710 is no exception. The battery life, while adequate for many scenarios, does not excel in all-day usage and can feel limiting during extended gaming or heavy video editing sessions without access to a power outlet. The gaming potential is solid but not the primary selling point, especially when compared to gaming-focused laptops in similar price ranges that may offer higher FPS in top-tier titles. The price is on the premium side, and buyers should evaluate whether the extended screen real estate, premium construction, and a balanced, creator-friendly GPU combination justify the investment for their specific use case.

If your work relies on constant productivity with a preference for a large, color-accurate display, the XPS 17 9710 is a strong candidate and warrants serious consideration. It easily supports professional tasks like photo editing, video editing, 3D modeling, software development, and complex data analysis while offering a comfortable, premium user experience that balances design and function. The device is well-suited for content creators, designers, engineers, and researchers who benefit from the expansive display, robust performance, and a versatile I/O setup, including multiple Thunderbolt 4 ports and an SD card reader for fast media transfers. For those who prioritize mobility above all else or who require the absolute best gaming performance, there are other machines that may better match those specific needs, albeit with different trade-offs in terms of design and overall user experience.

Conclusion

In summary, the Dell XPS 17 9710 stands as a flagship 17-inch Windows laptop that excels in delivering a premium, productivity-forward experience. Its design rivals the most refined laptops in the space, featuring premium materials, a thoughtfully constructed keyboard and trackpad, and a large 4K display that supports rich color and high dynamic range content. The performance package—an 11th-gen Intel Core i7 processor, ample RAM, and a capable RTX 3060 GPU—offers substantial headroom for demanding creative workflows, multi-application multitasking, and real-time rendering tasks, making it a practical choice for professionals who need power without sacrificing a portable footprint.

Yet, the XPS 17’s strengths come with trade-offs. Battery life is serviceable but not exceptional for a laptop of this size and ambition, and the overall weight and heft mean it’s not the most portable option for frequent travelers who must carry the laptop across long distances. Price is another consideration; the premium build and display justify the cost for many buyers, but those with tighter budgets or gaming-only needs may find more value elsewhere. If you value a large, high-quality display, professional-grade build, and a refined user experience that prioritizes productivity and content creation, the Dell XPS 17 9710 remains a highly compelling option within the 17-inch Windows laptop category. For users who want the ultimate big-screen laptop that balances aesthetics, performance, and practicality, the XPS 17 9710 is a strong contender that deserves serious consideration.