Dell XPS 15z June 2011

Dell XPS 15z overview

The Dell XPS 15z might look a bit like an Apple MacBook Pro, but it doesn't have the price to match. Prices start at £899, which is over £600 less than the cheapest 15-inch MacBook Pro. You get a good spec, too – a fast processor, ample storage and plenty of RAM. It should be up for playing a few games too, especially if you choose to upgrade the graphics.

One important difference between the XPS 15z and the MacBook Pro is the screen. While the standard XPS 15z comes with a modest, but good looking, 1,366 x 768 resolution display, £100 extra adds a Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) display that should be perfect for HD films. Apple's laptop has a maximum 1,440 x 900 resolution. Of course, how the screens compare for quality only our tests will reveal – we'll be getting the XPS 15z in to our labs soon.

Related: Latest Dell laptop reviews

Dell XPS 15z first look video

What do we like about the XPS 15z?

This is a good looking laptop. It's got a metal finish that's cool to the touch and looks cool, too. Unlike most Windows laptops, there aren't unsightly vents and protrusions – just a small vent at the back that's discreetly designed to cause minimum offence. It's thin and light for a large machine, measuring just 24.68mm thick and weighing slightly over 2.5kg.

Superficially, we found the keyboard comfortable to use – its layout is good and the keys have a nice defined action. Our lab test will see how it compares to the competition, though. The touchpad seemed particularly good as it was large and the buttons had nice, crisp actions. There's plenty of connectivity for those that need it, including USB 3.0 ports.

Related: USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt explained

What don't we like about the XPS 15z?

The Dell XPS 15z measures less than 25mm thick

While there are lots of nice design touches, the XPS 15z looks a little too much like a MacBook for comfort. 

It looks like Dell has lifted many of the ideas straight from Apple. Moreover, while it looks good, it can't quite match the MacBook for style. 

It lacks the stylish unibody chassis and unbroken lines that lift the MacBook to another level. At present you can't specify a Blu-ray player, which is a shame given the Full HD screen option.

First Impressions

If you want a stylish, powerful laptop without the Apple price tag, the Dell XPS 15z has a great deal of potential. 

It doesn't have the panache and refinement of a MacBook, but it's a cut above the competition and the price isn't outrageous. 

What we don't know is how it'll perform, particularly in our intensive battery life tests. For that you'll have to wait for our full lab test.

In the full review…

We haven't tested the Dell XPS 15z yet, but when we do you'll get the definitive verdict on the following:

• Wi-fi signal quality – unlike other review websites, we test the range, quality and reliability of every laptop's wi-fi connection.
• Real-world battery life – we don't use synthetic tests to estimate battery life, we perform real-world tests that measure battery life when using wi-fi and when watching films on DVD.
• Screen quality – we compare every laptop we test for screen quality using professional measuring equipment and a panel of expert testers that view laptops side-by-side to see which is best. We also test how easy it is to view in bright light.

See our how we test laptops page for more on our testing, or try Which? today for just £1 to see the Best Buys in our laptop reviews section.