Dell XPS 15.6" 9510 2021, Core i7-11800H, 32GB, 1TB SSD, RTX 3050, Silver

That 4K display is absolutely stunning, but the rest of the laptop feels stuck in 2021. Buy it for creative work, skip it for gaming.

The 8-core i7-11800H with 32GB of RAM chews through multitasking without breaking a sweat. We were genuinely surprised by how well the RTX 3050 handles light creative work, it's not a powerhouse, but it's well above average for this class of machine. The 1TB SSD is snappy and gives you plenty of room for large project files. But that 60Hz refresh rate on a 4K panel feels like a missed opportunity, especially if you want to do any gaming beyond casual titles.

Against the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14, the XPS 9510 wins on screen quality but loses badly on portability and gaming performance. The MacBook Pro M4 Max absolutely destroys it in CPU and GPU benchmarks, but that's also a much more expensive machine. The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is the better choice if you want gaming performance, while the XPS 9510 is really for creators who prioritize that 4K panel above all else. The HP OMEN Transcend 14 is a more modern alternative with better port selection.

At CAD 2,918 refurbished, this is a tough sell when you can find newer machines with better port selection and higher refresh rates for similar money. The display is the main reason to buy this, and it's a great display. But you're paying a premium for a 2021 laptop with reliability concerns and a port situation that will have you living that dongle life.

The Dell XPS 9510 is a creator-focused laptop that still holds up surprisingly well in 2025, mostly because of that gorgeous 4K touch display. It sits in the 97th percentile for screen quality, which means you're getting one of the best laptop panels we've ever tested. The i7-11800H and RTX 3050 combo isn't going to blow anyone away for gaming, but for photo editing, video work, and general productivity, this thing is a solid workhorse. Just know you're buying refurbished, so reliability is a bit of a question mark.

If you're looking for a gaming laptop, this isn't it. Go get an ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 or Lenovo Legion Pro instead. If you need more than one USB-C port, you'll hate this machine. And if you're on a tight budget, the refurbished price is hard to justify when newer options exist.

The Dell XPS 9510 is a one-trick pony, but it's a really good trick. If you're a creator who needs a color-accurate 4K touch display and doesn't care about gaming or port selection, this refurbished unit delivers. For everyone else, there are better options at this price point. Buy it for the screen, not for the specs.