Dell has significantly revamped its popular G15 gaming laptop line, now featuring powerful AMD Ryzen processors and the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30-series mobile graphics. This newly updated Dell G15 gaming laptop (specifically the 5515 model) boasts an even sturdier design, impressive hardware components, and surprisingly decent battery life – a feature often compromised in portable gaming machines.
Let’s look at what the latest Dell G15 (5515) gaming laptop offers.
Dell G15 (5515) Gaming Laptop: Processor and Graphics Options
The latest 5515 G15 edition offers a range of hardware configurations to suit different needs and budgets:
Processors:
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600H: Six-core CPU with a 3.30 GHz base clock speed.
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800H: Eight-core CPU with a 3.20 GHz base clock speed.
Graphics Cards:
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti (4GB GDDR6)
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 (6GB GDDR6)
Other Hardware:
- Memory: 8GB or 16GB DDR4 3200MHz
- Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD options
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) anti-glare panel
- Connectivity: Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650 (2×2) and Bluetooth
- Battery: 6-Cell integrated Li-ion, 86WHr
Important Note: Dell has also integrated the latest 11th-generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors into its G15 gaming line. These Intel-based models are identified by the model number 5511. This review primarily focuses on the AMD Ryzen-powered Dell G15 5515.
Dell G15 Gaming Laptop: Design & Display
The Dell G15 5515 gaming laptop showcases a solid and premium design. Its chassis, available in Phantom Grey or Spectre Green finishes, feels robust and is easy to keep clean. The laptop sports a sleek and relatively minimalist aesthetic, potentially allowing it to blend in as a mobile workstation in professional settings. However, it’s worth noting that compared to ultra-thin gaming laptops like the MSI GS75 Stealth 10SGS or similar, the Dell G15 5515 is not as slim and lightweight. It measures 1.06 inches (H) x 14.06 inches (W) x 10.74 inches (D) and weighs 5.66 lbs, giving it a more substantial feel. The only splash of color is the distinctive orange G logo on the right side.
The Dell G15 5515 comes standard with a 15.6-inch FHD narrow-border display. Regarding refresh rates and brightness, buyers have the following options:
- 120Hz, 250 nits
- 165Hz, 300 nits
All display options are WVA anti-glare with LED backlighting. Currently, a touchscreen model is not available.
The G15 display offers an impressive contrast ratio, providing excellent depth in visuals. While it doesn’t boast an exceptionally wide color gamut, the color temperature of 6352K is sufficient, ensuring that images appear neither oversaturated nor washed out.
Connectivity Ports and Keyboard
The Dell G15 gaming laptop offers a practical selection of ports:
- Right Side:
- USB 2.0 (1)
- USB 2.0 with PowerShare (1)
- Back:
- USB Type-C (1)
- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 (1)
- HDMI (1)
- DC-jack
- Left Side:
- RJ45 Ethernet
- Audio combo jack
While this is a decent port selection, the omission of a micro-SD card slot and a security-cable slot is a slight drawback.
The Dell G15 keyboard provides a highly responsive typing and gaming experience. It’s a full-size keyboard, complete with a numeric keypad, and features backlighting for visibility in dimly lit environments. An optional 4-zone RGB backlit keyboard is also available for a more personalized aesthetic.
The trackpad, however, is a bit underwhelming due to its relatively small size. Additionally, the corners of the trackpad require more pressure to register right or left clicks, indicating an area for potential improvement.
Dell G15 (5515) Gaming Laptop: Pricing
The cheapest Dell G15 Ryzen Edition configuration, featuring an AMD Ryzen 5 5600H processor, 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, and RTX 3050 graphics, starts at $819.99. On the higher end, a pre-configured 5515 model with a Ryzen 7 5800H processor, RTX 3060 graphics, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD drive has a starting price of $1429.99 on the Dell website.
All models come with Windows 10 Home by default. However, you can upgrade to a Professional version for an extra $60.00 at the time of purchase. All buyers can also get Windows 11 at no cost once it becomes available.
Gaming Performance and Battery Life: A Pleasant Surprise
Overall, the Dell G15 delivers solid gaming performance and a smooth application pace, ensuring a seamless experience even with demanding AAA titles. Thanks to the NVIDIA RTX 30-series graphics, particularly the RTX 3060 configuration, it operates efficiently at a power level of 125W, its optimal setting. For less demanding esports games like Fortnite or League of Legends on a 120Hz panel, the Dell G15 handles them with ease.
One of the most impressive aspects of the Dell G15 is its battery life, which is surprisingly long-lasting for a gaming laptop. In typical work scenarios, users can expect a solid nine hours of usage – an impressive feat for any gaming computer. Even during actual gaming sessions, the battery lasts just under two hours, which is generally considered sufficient for mobile gaming. In this regard, the Dell G15 notably outperforms many gaming laptops from Lenovo and MSI.
Performance-wise, the new Dell G15 Ryzen Edition represents a significant upgrade compared to the Dell G5 15 5590 we reviewed previously. The combination of AMD Ryzen processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30-series graphics truly elevates the gaming experience.
Conclusion: A Strong Contender in the Budget Gaming Laptop Market
The new and improved Dell G15 5515 stands out as an excellent choice for a gaming laptop, especially considering its RTX 30-series GPUs and the latest AMD Ryzen processors at a relatively moderate price point. Paired with a robust design, solid performance, and surprisingly excellent battery life, the Dell G15 is a compelling option for most laptop gamers.
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