So, the Dell XPS 17 9730's webcam isn't its best feature. It's got a standard 720p HD camera. From our research, it'll handle everyday stuff like video calls and meetings just fine.

But if you're looking for super clear, detailed video—like what you'd get with a 1080p or higher camera—you might be a bit disappointed.

On the plus side, the webcam is tucked into the slim bezel, which makes the screen look almost borderless. It looks cool but does mean some trade-offs for the camera quality.

The good news is, it supports Windows Hello for quick and secure facial recognition login, which is pretty handy.

In a nutshell, the Dell XPS 17 9730 is great for a lot of things thanks to its powerful performance and awesome display, but the webcam is just okay.

If having top-notch video quality is a big deal for you, you might want to grab an external webcam instead.

The Dell XPS 17 9730 has a good mix of ports to cover your connectivity needs. Here's what you get:

1. Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports: There are four of these on the XPS 17 9730. These ports are pretty versatile since they support Power Delivery, DisplayPort, fast data transfer, charging, and connecting to external monitors. Great for anyone who needs speedy data access or extra screens.

2. Full-size SD card reader: If you're into photography or videography, you'll find this super handy for transferring media from your cameras.

3. 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo jack: This covers your audio needs for calls, music, or anything else requiring a mic or headphones.

4. Kensington security slot: For those who worry about security, you can use a Kensington lock with this slot to keep your laptop safe.

On the downside, there's no traditional USB-A port, so you might need adapters for older devices.

Also, according to our research, people liked the Thunderbolt 4 ports for their versatility and speed but missed having built-in Ethernet and HDMI ports—again, adapters might be needed there.

Overall, the Dell XPS 17 9730 has a solid array of modern ports that should satisfy most users, especially those who need fast data transfers and flexible connectivity options.

The Dell XPS 17 9730 is a pretty solid option for gaming. It’s got some key advantages over the smaller XPS 15, specifically in display size, performance, and hardware options. Let's break down what makes it good for gaming.

Display and Visuals

This laptop comes with a big 17-inch UHD+ (3840 x 2400) touch screen. According to the manufacturer's product description, this large, high-res display gives you vibrant colors and sharp details.

It's great for gaming because the larger screen can make the gameplay more immersive. That said, it doesn’t have an OLED option, which some folks might miss for the better contrast and color accuracy.

Performance

Performance-wise, it’s impressive. You can get it with up to an Intel i9-13900H processor, which can easily handle high-end gaming. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 GPU means you’ll get great graphics performance too.

We found that this setup can handle most modern games smoothly at high settings. Plus, you can have up to 64GB of RAM, so multitasking and running background apps shouldn’t be an issue.

Cooling and Battery

Now, about cooling—gaming laptops can get pretty hot, but the XPS 17 9730 has a more extensive cooling system compared to the XPS 15.

This makes it bulkier, but it’s a good trade-off for keeping the laptop cool during long gaming sessions. It also has a larger battery, so you might get longer gaming time, though heavy gaming will still drain it pretty quickly.

Ports and Connectivity

You won't have issues connecting stuff with this laptop. It's got four Thunderbolt 4 ports and a full-sized SD card reader, so hooking up peripherals and other accessories is a breeze.

This is helpful if you use external monitors or other gaming gear.

Considerations

It’s not perfect, though. According to our research, some drawbacks include the lack of an OLED display and a basic 720p webcam.

These might not be deal-breakers for everyone, but they’re worth thinking about if you want the best display quality and webcam performance.

Conclusion

In summary, the Dell XPS 17 9730 is a capable gaming laptop with solid performance and a good-sized display.

It can handle demanding games well and is great for multitasking. However, if you need something more portable, its size and weight might be a downside.

But if you’re looking for a robust gaming machine, the XPS 17 9730 is definitely worth a look.