Best Accessories for Dell XPS 15 Windows Central2020
Dell’s XPS 15 is a powerhouse 15-inch Ultrabook equipped with the hardware and features to replace your desktop. But just because it can easily stand on its own doesn’t mean you can’t compliment it with some worthwhile accessories. We’ve put together a collection of the best available now.
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The 15.6-inch XPS 15 display can be configured up to 4K OLED for a stunning picture, but for multitasking, something larger like Dell’s 27-inch U2719D monitor is recommended. It has a 2560×1440 (QHD) resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, 5ms response time, as well as excellent color and contrast. Height, tilt, pivot, and swivel are adjustable, and it has plenty of ports for easy connectivity.
Thanks to the Thunderbolt 3 port on the XPS 15, our top pick for a docking station can be hooked up to expand connectivity. The CalDigit TS3 Plus includes five USB-A 3.1, two USB-C 3.1, DisplayPort 1.2, Ethernet, two Thunderbolt 3, a UHS-II SD card reader, and 3.5mm audio in and out. It’ll also charge your XPS 15 with up to 85W of power when connected.
Older XPS 15 models have a webcam that’s positioned below the display instead of above the display, and the angle at which it records can be frustrating. Even if you have a newer XPS 15 with proper camera placement, the Logitech C922x delivers 1080p video recording or streams at 720p with a 60Hz refresh rate. It’s easy to mount and competitively priced compared to similar options.
External storage solutions don’t need to be bulky and prone to failure. The CalDigit Tuff nano is a solid-state drive (SSD) that connects via USB-C to deliver fast read and write speeds up to about 1,000 MB/s. The drive is small enough that you can slip it into a pocket, and it’s built to withstand conditions above and beyond what you’d find in a regular home or office setting.
If your XPS 15 includes a dedicated graphics card (GPU), you might be tempted to enjoy some games when you’re not hard at work. A comfortable Xbox wireless controller removes the need for mouse and keyboard and will, of course, work with your Xbox One. It’s available in plenty of colors to match your style.
Logitech’s MX Master 3 is an update to our longtime favorite wireless mouse. It still offers a comfortable ergonomic shape, but it now has a much faster and more precise scroll wheel as well as a USB-C port for charging. Connect and switch between three devices and enjoy up to 70 days of battery life from a charge. If the XPS 15’s Precision touchpad isn’t cutting it, this is the solution.
The XPS 15 makes a great PC for photographers, and the UHS-II SD card reader allows for quick and easy file transfers. Lexar’s Professional 1000x SD card, available with up to 256GB of storage, offers read speeds up to 150 MB/s. It’s ideal for FHD and 4K video, and it’s backward compatible with UHS-I readers. A limited lifetime warranty is included.
Dell’s own Premier Sleeve has an executive look that will easily fit into just about any situation. It doesn’t offer the greatest drop protection, but its slim exterior holds up well to scratches and dings. The inside has a soft coating to prevent harming your XPS 15, and a magnetic clasp keeps the laptop in place when you’re on the move.
If you’re worried about protecting your XPS 15 against drops, tomtoc’s 360 sleeve is the right choice. It has thick bumpers on the bottom two corners as well as plenty of padding along all edges for extra protection. The main zippered pocket is lined to prevent scratches, and there’s a handle on top for easy carrying. Two extra external pockets are there for your smaller accessories.
Any of the above accessories should make a worthwhile addition to your XPS 15, but you might be wondering where to start. If you foresee a lot of productivity work while sitting or standing at a desk, Dell’s U2719D 27-inch external monitor should prove invaluable. It adds a lot of screen real estate, and it’s fully adjustable so you can get it set up exactly how you’d like. It’s even VESA-compatible for mounting on a stand or wall.
The QHD picture has a 60Hz refresh rate and 5ms response time, and color and contrast are spot on. Dell has really dialed in its UltraSharp lineup, and the result is a sleek monitor with almost no bezel at all around the picture. There are plenty of ports for connecting your XPS 15, as well as other accessories.
Sticking with the workstation trend, adding a powerful Thunderbolt 3 docking station can turn your XPS 15 into a desktop. CalDigit’s TS3 Plus, our top pick for a dock, adds a ton of ports, including five USB-A 3.1, two USB-C 3.1, two Thunderbolt 3, DisplayPort 1.2, a UHS-II SD card reader, Ethernet, and 3.5mm audio in and out. When it’s hooked up to your XPS 15, it will also deliver up to 85W of power to keep the PC charged up when you need to hit the road.
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