By Over the past several years, Dell’s G-Series gaming accessories have become a respectable low-cost choice, and the Dell G2724D is presently our top pick for a low-cost gaming monitor. The Dell G15 goes above and beyond the laptops‘ strong emphasis on value. The G15 will appeal to gamers who want to squeeze every conceivable frame rate out of their money because it is thick, heavy, and unquestionably fast.
Specs and features
An older Intel Core i7-13650HX processor was found in the Dell G15 that I examined. However, with 14 cores and 20 threads, it is a strong CPU for multithreaded tasks. Similar circumstances apply to the GPU; while the Nvidia RTX 4060 is not very impressive, the Dell G15’s version boasts a robust 140-watt maximum graphics power.
- 5530 is the model number.
- CPU: Core i7-13650HX from Intel
- Graphics/GPU: Nvidia RTX 4060 mobile; Memory: 16GB DDR5
- NPU: Not present
- 15.6-inch 16:9, 360-degree, 1080p display 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 solid-state storage for IPS storage
- Webcam: single array microphone, 720p
- Connectivity: 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45), 1x 3.5mm combo audio, and 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 with DisplayPort Alternate Mode
- Networking: Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6
- Biometrics: Not used
- Battery dimensions: 14.07 x 10.80 x 1.06 inches; capacity: 86 watt-hours
- 6.19 pounds in weight
- MSRP is $1,199.99.
Additionally, Dell included a 360Hz panel with the G15 Gaming Laptop I evaluated, which is a rather high refresh rate for a low-cost laptop. This option is presently unavailable and can only be obtained by altering the laptop setup. While entry-level models (with an Intel Core i5 CPU and RTX 4050) start at $700, the model I reviewed costs over $1,200. A pre-configured model is a good option for customers searching for the best deal. If you choose that path, you can get a $1,000 Intel Core i9-13900HX, RTX 4060, 165Hz 1080p monitor, and 32GB of RAM.
Design and build quality
The G15 gaming laptop was a smart move by Dell’s marketing team. They call it vintage, which is undoubtedly an intriguing way to put it. Dell refers to the laptop as “vintage” because it appears as though it might have been sold at any point during the previous ten or even twenty years. This strategy has advantages. Despite being made mostly of matte black plastic, the laptop’s hefty, angular shape feels timeless. Additionally, it offers ample room for internal cooling, which, as I will explain shortly, contributes to the laptop’s strong performance.
Nevertheless, the laptop’s size is increased by its vintage appearance. The G15 weighs little more than six pounds and is more than an inch thick. I suppose you could make the G15 work with a big, well-padded backpack, but practically speaking, it makes it more of a desktop replacement than a laptop you would want to take around every day. The Dell G15 has a vintage appearance, yet its construction is up to date. Even when the laptop is lifted from a corner or edge, the chassis flexes very little, and the display lid just slightly flexes when it opens or closes. Please understand that this is not a MacBook Pro. However, for a low-cost gaming laptop, it is robust.
Performance
The older 13th-Gen Core CPUs from Intel are still used in the Dell Inspiron G15 gaming laptop. Core i5-13450HX is found in entry-level configurations, whereas Core i9-13900HX is found in top-tier versions. With Intel’s Core i7-13650HX (14 cores and 20 threads), the model I reviewed, however, came in the middle. It was supported by a 1TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 solid-state drive and 16GB of RAM.
The first benchmark is PCMark 10, a general system test that reaches its peak performance with a respectable CPU and GPU. With both, the Dell G15 received a good rating of 7,337. It is comparable to the competitors; neither considerably better nor significantly worse. However, a laptop score of 7,337 is generally really good and shows that the Dell G15 offers a lot of performance for the money.
The next benchmark is Cinebench R23, which has a moderate length and is significantly multithreaded. The Dell G15 achieved another impressive score of 16,913 in this instance. That is less powerful than the Gigabyte G6X, which costs about the same and has the same processor. However, the Dell G15 handily outperformed budget-friendly laptops with less powerful CPUs, such as the HP Victus 15 with an Intel Core i7-12650H.
Handbrake is a lengthy, extensively multithreaded benchmark that entails encoding a full-length movie in the real world. Among this competitive set, the Dell G15 achieved the highest score, demonstrating its excellent handling of the challenge. This implies that the laptop’s thick chassis and hefty power brick can support its operation for extended periods.
Dell G15 5530 G-Series Gaming Laptop – 15.6-inch FHD 165Hz 3ms (1920×1080) Display, Intel Core i7-13650HX, 16GB DDR5 RAM
Although the Intel Core i7-13650HX offers outstanding performance for the price, the Nvidia RTX 4060 mobile will be more appealing to gamers. Despite having a low position in Nvidia’s product lineup, Dell’s G15 can manage up to 140 watts of graphics power. As a result, the Dell G15 may perform on par with those laptops that have RTX 4070.
The MSI Stealth 16 AI has a chance to catch up thanks to Metro Exodus, but the Dell G15 is once again at the top of its field. Although 42 frames per second may not seem like much, this title’s Extreme preset is infamously demanding. This demonstrates that, as long as you maintain your framerate goal at 30 FPS or higher, the Dell G15 can run some extremely graphically demanding games.
My final project was Cyberpunk 2077. At 1080p resolution, Ultra detail, and with DLSS/FSR/XeSS disabled, the Dell G15 averaged 75 frames per second. That is a very playable outcome that again trades blows with the 73 FPS average of the MSI Stealth 16 AI.
Battery life
A sizable 86-watt-hour battery is built inside Dell’s G15 gaming laptop. But it has a lot of work ahead of it. Despite having a strong CPU and GPU, the laptop does not have switchable graphics, therefore the power-hungry GPU is always available. The outcomes are foreseeable. In our usual battery test, which loops a 4K video of the short film Tears of Steel, the Dell G15 failed to reach five hours. That is not out of the ordinary for a gaming laptop, but it is not good, and it indicates that the laptop will not be able to charge for more than a few hours.
That truth was undoubtedly reflected in my practical use. The battery dropped by 40 percent after writing for a few hours in a coffee shop. Even with simple productivity and online browsing duties, I anticipate that most individuals will see four to five hours. Because of the short battery life, you will need to bring a large power adaptor. The 330-watt adaptor is more than an inch thick and weighs several pounds. Even a sizable, well-padded backpack may feel noticeably heavier when the laptop and adapter are carried.
Conclusion
The Dell G15 Gaming Laptop was designed with gaming in mind, and it does a fantastic job at it. With medium or high-quality settings, it can run demanding modern games like Cyberpunk 2077 at above 30 frames per second because of its powerful GPU. In contrast, older games will easily surpass 60 frames per second. However, because of its intense concentration on this objective, the Dell G15 is not a good fit for other tasks.
It is hefty, thick, and has a low battery life. The touchpad is small, the keyboard is average, and the display is sharp while moving but generally unimpressive. Wi-Fi 6 has only one USB-C connector and Wi-Fi connectivity is stuck. It is more difficult to suggest the Dell G15 because of these drawbacks. Nevertheless, gamers should give it some thought if they are looking for a desktop replacement laptop that offers good value. The G15’s performance more than makes up for its lack of adaptability.
