Dell G16 7630 - Nuclear Review

Summary

Dell's G16 laptop is positioned as an upgraded version of the G15, offering enhancements such as a Quad HD+ display, a better trackpad, and a durable build. However, it has drawbacks like a bulky power adapter, poor battery life, and software quirks. While it includes high-end cooling features and a powerful CPU, the laptop’s performance is constrained by its entry-level RTX 4050 GPU, making it challenging for high-resolution gaming. Despite solid construction and some standout features, it ultimately falls short due to its weight, throttling issues, and limited GPU capability.

Takeaways

• 🖥️ Dell G16 is a more polished version of the G15, featuring improvements in performance and design but still has some flaws.
• 💪 The laptop is durable and focused on cooling, making it heavy and less portable, weighing 2.77 kg, plus a hefty 1.6 kg power adapter.
• 🔧 Key upgrades over the G15 include a Quad HD Plus display, better keyboard, and an improved trackpad with reinforced construction for less wobbling.
• 🎮 Performance-wise, the G16 features an Intel Core i5-13450HX and a GeForce RTX 4050, but the GPU feels underpowered for the Quad HD Plus display.
• 🔊 The audio quality is poor, with subpar speakers and problematic audio software, but the headphone amp provides decent sound for external headphones.
• 🔥 The cooling system includes a vapor chamber and Element 31 liquid metal for improved thermal management, although it is hard to clean due to design flaws.
• 🔌 Battery life is weak, managing only 5 hours of idle use and around 3 hours under heavier tasks, with quick charge options available.
• 🎹 The keyboard has improved key travel and better feel but lacks a numpad, which could be a dealbreaker for some users.
• 🌡️ During stress tests, the CPU stays consistently at 100°C, demonstrating the efficiency of the cooling system, but the laptop still gets very hot on the underside.
• 🤷 The RTX 4050 struggles with certain games at the native Quad HD resolution, showing that the GPU is not powerful enough for more demanding tasks.

Q & A

What is the Dell G16, and how does it compare to the G15 and Alienware M16?

The Dell G16 is a slightly more refined version of the G15, aimed at providing a more premium experience. It bridges the gap between the entry-level G15 and the higher-end Alienware M16. While it offers better features like an improved Quad HD Plus display, trackpad, and keyboard, it still has some limitations and quirks.

What are the key improvements of the G16 over the G15?

The G16 offers several notable improvements over the G15, including a Quad HD Plus display, a much-improved trackpad with better mechanical support, a quieter, single-zone backlit RGB keyboard with more key travel, and improved durability in the hinges and body construction.

What are the downsides of the Dell G16, according to the review?

The major downsides include its heavy weight, poor battery life, outdated and bulky 330W power adapter, and mediocre audio quality from the built-in speakers. There are also issues with throttling due to a hypersensitive accelerometer and the presence of adware in the audio settings.

What is the configuration of the unit being reviewed, and why is it considered unusual?

The reviewed unit is configured with an Intel Core i5-13450HX and an RTX 4050 GPU. This combination is unusual because the power-hungry CPU seems mismatched with the relatively weak GPU, which struggles to handle the Quad HD Plus display in some gaming scenarios.

How does the Dell G16 perform in terms of portability?

The Dell G16 is not very portable, weighing 2.77 kg without the power adapter, and an additional 1.6 kg when carrying the bulky 330W power adapter. This makes it a heavy machine that isn't ideal for frequent travel.

What are the issues with the G16's audio setup?

The built-in speakers are considered some of the worst off-the-shelf parts in the industry, with poor audio quality that relies heavily on processing software. The sound is described as gutted in the upper bass and mid-range frequencies, and the audio software has become more intrusive, even asking for money in some cases.

What kind of cooling system does the G16 use, and how effective is it?

The G16 uses a large cooling system with four heat pipes and a big vapor chamber, cooled by two 60mm fans. Dell also uses Alienware's Element 31 liquid metal compound for thermal transfer. While the cooling system is effective at keeping the CPU at 100°C under heavy load, it is difficult to clean due to its complex design, which requires removing the entire motherboard.

How does the G16 perform in games, particularly with the RTX 4050 and Quad HD Plus display?

The G16 struggles to maintain high frame rates at its native Quad HD Plus resolution in demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Metro Exodus. The RTX 4050 is often outmatched by the screen resolution, though it can still perform adequately in some less demanding games.

What are the battery life and charging times like on the Dell G16?

The battery life on the G16 is poor, lasting around 5 hours during idle usage and only 3 hours and 22 minutes in a heavy internet usage test. Charging to 50% takes 1 hour and 20 minutes in standard mode and 26 minutes using Dell's Express charge.

Would the reviewer recommend purchasing the Dell G16?

The reviewer would recommend the G16 with reservations. While the build quality, display, and keyboard/trackpad are good, the heavy weight, poor battery life, and software issues detract from the overall experience. The entry-level configuration is not recommended due to its weak performance relative to its weight and noise output.