Editorial Excellence in Technology Reviews

Laptops · Creator workflow

Dell XPS 15 (2025): Editorial Review

Score: 5.0 / 5 MSRP (as tested): $699 Test duration: 10 days

Armed with the latest Intel Core Ultra and optional RTX 4060, the 2025 XPS 15 continues to be a dependable workhorse for creative professionals. In Premiere and Resolve, render and export times improved meaningfully versus last year’s model while sustaining comfortable surface temps.

The 3.5K OLED panel remains the centerpiece: superb contrast, 120Hz smoothness, and color accuracy good enough for grading after a quick calibration. Thermals are kept in check with a vapor chamber; fan noise under heavy load is present but not shrill.

Battery endurance with the OLED option averaged 8–9 hours in mixed office workloads. Port selection is still USB-C/Thunderbolt-centric with a welcome microSD, but legacy USB-A is absent.

Strengths

  • Excellent 3.5K OLED with 120Hz
  • Strong CPU/GPU performance for creation
  • Premium build, precise haptic touchpad
  • Thunderbolt + microSD included

Limitations

  • Fans audible under sustained load
  • Battery good, not class-leading
  • No USB-A port

Editorial Decision

For creators who need a Windows laptop that balances power, display quality, and portability, the XPS 15 remains the safest recommendation. MacBook Pro wins on battery and some workflows; dedicated gaming rigs win on GPU headroom. For most mixed creative tasks, XPS 15 stays the default.