Dell G3 15 (2019) hands-on review: Dell's budget gaming laptop was 'redesigned from the ground up'

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The affordable Dell G3 15 got a much-needed redesign for 2019 and now packs the latest Intel and Nvidia chips

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At its Computex 2019 conference in May, Dell unveiled the second generation of its affordable G3 15-series gaming laptop, and I was there to try it out. Dell already offers the best in portable gaming with its high-end Alienware sub-brand, but more recently has entered the budget gaming market with its G3, G5 and G7 lines. The Dell G3 15 is the most affordable of the bunch, and while we weren't too impressed with the first

G3 15

, this follow-up is very promising.

Scroll down for my first impressions of the Dell G3 15 (2019), along with the full list of specs that have been confirmed so far.

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Dell G3 15 review: Key specs, price and release date

15.6-inch FHD display (1920 x 1080), up to 144Hz p>

Up to 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9750HQ processor

Up to Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti GPU

Up to 32 GB of RAM

Up to 1TB SSD and 2TB HDD

Ports: USB 3.1, USB Type-C (DisplayPort), 2 x USB 2.0, HDMI 2.0, Ethernet RJ45, SD card reader, 3.5mm audio jack, lock slot p>

365 x 254 x 21mm (WDH)

51Wh battery

Windows 10 / Windows 10 Pro

Price:

From $799 (UK price to be confirmed)

UK version:

To confirm

Dell G3 15 review: Design, key features and first impressions

There's a lot to be said for the Dell G3 15 (2019). It's received a major overhaul, both inside and out, and makes its predecessor horribly obsolete by comparison.

For starters, unlike the previous model, it now offers current-gen chipsets in the form of the Intel Core i7-9750H (9th Gen) and the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti for the top iteration. On top of that, it can pack up to 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD and a 2TB HDD for storage, along with a 144Hz FHD panel. Dell hasn't announced UK pricing of this high-end configuration, but the US has some pricing details. At present, the most expensive model of the

Dell online store in the US costs $1430

once the additional options have been added.

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Dell G3 15 Gaming Laptop review: A budget gaming laptop that plays it safe https://t.co/UmpJ2OdOD4 https://t.co/RXf56M5NEC

— Expert Reviews Wed Aug 22 18:05:09 +0000 2018

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And,

for $799

, US customers can buy a Dell G3 15 (2019) with a 60Hz FHD panel, Intel Core i5 -9300HQ CPU, Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD and 1TB HDD. , this loadout falls far short of the power of the top-end G3 15 (2019), but it still offers a decent level or performance of gaming on a budget. Additionally, it was easy to upgrade the RAM and SSD to the latest Dell G3 15 via a removable panel on the base, and I imagine it will be the same on the 2019 version. last year the Dell G3 15 sold for £799 - it has since dropped

£699 at Amazon

- so I can't imagine the 2019 remix selling for less than £799 when it finally lands in the UK.

As I mentioned, the Dell G3 15 (2019) is more than just a spec refresh. Dell says it's been "redesigned from the ground up" to make it more portable and better looking than the first model. It's thinner and lighter than last year and now features a tapered-edge "S-Curve" design, with larger ports located towards the rear.

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The 2018 Dell G3 15 lacked USB Type-C connectivity and this has since been remedied with a USB Type-C (DisplayPort) slot on the back. On the left edge, there's a 3.5mm audio jack, an RJ45 Ethernet jack, a USB 3.1 port, an HDMI 2.0 input, and a proprietary DC power port. On the right are two USB 2.0 ports, an SD card reader and a lock slot.

In addition to its reduced chassis and additional ports, the Dell G3 15 now has a choice of two colors: Eclipse Black and Alpine White. Both are pictured in my photo gallery, and I prefer the latter, which looks a lot like the blue and white color scheme

Alienware Area 51-m

. Again, white laptops tend to show dirt much faster than their dark counterparts, so you'll need to keep a cleaning kit handy if you care about maintaining that pristine look.

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Our big issue with last year's Dell G3 15 was the display. It had below average peak brightness and incredibly poor color accuracy which really detracted from the overall experience. And, unlike the SSD, RAM, and battery, it was one of the few aspects of the laptop that couldn't be upgraded or replaced. I hope this year's new 60Hz and 144Hz panels are a significant improvement over last year because, on a gaming laptop, the display is just as important as the components that power it all.

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Along with all the other upgrades I mentioned, Dell is bringing new software to the Dell G3 15. The first is Game Shift, a feature that allows users to quickly switch between performance modes. by pressing a single button. For those unused to adjusting component settings, this will be an easy way to boost gaming performance a bit without getting bogged down in geeky details. For those of us who appreciate all that, though, Dell also offers the Alienware Command Center software for free. Command Center lets users fine-tune their CPU, GPU, and fan speeds, assign profiles for different games, and customize RGB lighting to their liking.

Dell G3 15 review: Early verdict

For such an affordable laptop, the Dell G3 15 (2019) looks like a formidable gaming machine. Even the lower specs of the Dell G3 15 lineup promise a decent Triple-A gaming experience, while the more expensive ones will deliver amazing performance without chipping away at the bank balance as much as the high-end Alienware line of laptops, for example.

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The biggest disappointment on last year's G3 15 was the dim and inaccurate display, so I really hope this year's model has a much improved panel. Given the thoroughness with which Dell has improved the G3 15's design and internals, I'm convinced the display should also get a significant quality upgrade. Although I got a first glimpse of the panel during Dell's Computex keynote, the lighting in the display room was appalling, making it difficult to judge.

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In the US, the Dell G3 15 (2019) is now available for purchase

from $799

but at this stage there's been no word on UK pricing and availability, meaning I can't be certain it'll be released here at all. I will update this practice as soon as Dell releases more information. And, I'll more than likely be testing the new Dell G3 15 in the next few months, so keep an eye out for my full review.

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