Dell XPS 16 (9640) 16.3″ Touchscreen Notebook – Premium Powerhouse Laptop Review

If you’re in the market for a flagship‑grade Windows laptop that blends desktop‑level performance, an ultra‑sharp 16.3″ touchscreen, and premium build quality, the Dell XPS 16 9640 is a top‑tier contender. Listed here at $3,450 USD (with a $50 instant discount via Amazon Visa), this configuration packs an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor, 32 GB of RAM, 1 TB SSD, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 8 GB graphics card in a sleek Platinum finish chassis.

This 16‑inch XPS 9640 essentially replaces the XPS 17 in Dell’s lineup, positioning itself as Dell’s premium 16‑inch workstation‑style laptop for professionals, creators, and power users who want a big, beautiful screen without sacrificing portability or performance.

Quick Overview: What Is the XPS 16 9640?

The Dell XPS 16 (9640) is the 2024 16‑inch XPS laptop that:

• Uses the new Intel Core Ultra 9 185H Meteor Lake processor (16‑core, high‑performance “AI‑boosted” chip).

• Includes NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 8 GB discrete graphics.

• Ships with 32 GB RAM and 1 TB PCIe SSD.

• Features a 16.3″ UHD+ (3840 x 2400) InfinityEdge touchscreen (often 4K OLED in higher‑end configurations).

• Runs Windows 11 Pro out of the box.

In this Amazon listing, the Platinum‑finish XPS 16 9640 with Core Ultra 9, RTX 4060, 32 GB RAM, and 1 TB SSD is the flagship configuration, aimed at heavy multitaskers, video editors, 3D/modeling workers, and power users who want best‑in‑class performance and display quality.

Key Features & Specs

Processor & Performance

• Intel Core Ultra 9 185H

  • 16‑core hybrid CPU (6 high‑performance cores, 8 efficient, 2 low‑power “NPU” cores).

  • Max turbo up to 4.8 GHz, with strong multi‑core performance.

  • Includes built‑in AI NPU for AI workloads and local machine‑learning acceleration.

• 32 GB System RAM

  • 16 GB or 32 GB LPDDR5x is standard; this model steps up to 32 GB, ideal for heavy multitasking, large datasets, and professional apps.

• 1 TB PCIe SSD (Often Gen 4 NVMe)

  • Extremely fast storage (reads up to ~5,000–6,000 MB/s on Samsung PM9A1‑type drives in reviews).

  • Plenty of space for OS, applications, large video files, and games.

Graphics & Gaming / Creative Work

• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (8 GB)

  • Desktop‑class performance per watt, excellent for 1080p and 1440p gaming at high settings.

  • Strong CUDA/RTX performance for video editing (Premiere Pro, DaVinci), 3D modeling, and light AI rendering.

  • Ray‑tracing and DLSS enabled for gaming and some creative workflows.

• Real‑World Usage

  • Reviewers report smooth 60–120 fps at 1080p in modern AAA games at high settings.

  • Handles 4K video editing, complex Photoshop layers, and 3D tasks with reduced lag compared to integrated‑only systems.

Display – 16.3″ UHD+ / 4K OLED Touchscreen

• 16.3‑inch 3840 x 2400 (4K) InfinityEdge Display

  • 16:10 aspect ratio for more vertical workspace—great for coding, writing, and video editing.

  • Stunning sharpness and clarity for photos, videos, and design work.

• OLED Option (Available in Higher‑End Configs)

  • Deep blacks, high contrast, wide color gamut (often 100% DCI‑P3).

  • Dolby Vision‑capable, ~500‑nit peak brightness.

• Touchscreen + InfinityEdge

  • Precision 10‑point multi‑touch for design, note‑taking, and navigation.

  • False‑edge bezels and Gorilla Glass Victus for durability and anti‑glare/anti‑smudge treatment.

Build Quality, Design, and Features

• Platinum Aluminum Chassis

  • Premium, minimalist design with thin bezels, CNC‑milled metal, and soft‑touch palm rest.

• Special Features

  • Anti‑reflection / anti‑smudge coatings on the display.

  • Gorilla Glass 3 (keyboard deck) and Gorilla Glass Victus (display) for scratch and impact resistance.

  • ExpressCharge for fast battery charging.

• Dimensions & Weight

  • 0.74″ x 14.1″ x 9.4″ (about 4.5–5.0 lb / 2.0–2.3 kg depending on configuration).

  • Heavier than ultraportables but very acceptable for a 16‑inch pro machine.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Exceptional performance

  • Intel Core Ultra 9 + 32 GB RAM + RTX 4060 makes it extremely future‑proof for heavy multitasking and creative work.

• Stunning 16.3″ 4K OLED touchscreen

  • Excellent for photo/video editing, design, 3D work, and gaming.

• Great for professionals

  • Video editors, developers, CAD/3D artists, and power users get a true desktop‑alternative in a compact laptop.

• Premium build & design

  • Classic XPS metal unibody, polished finish, and near‑zero bezels.

• Dedicated NVIDIA GPU

  • Versatile for gaming, rendering, and AI workloads.

• Fast SSD + 32 GB RAM

  • Ample memory and storage for most workloads.

• Windows 11 Pro

  • Better for business and professional use (BitLocker, Remote Desktop, Group Policy, etc.).

Cons

• High price

  • $3,450 is a serious investment; only justified for heavy‑use professionals or high‑end enthusiasts.

• Battery life can be modest under GPU load

  • Heavy GPU or CPU tasks can drain the battery faster; expect 5–8 hours of light use but less when gaming or rendering.

• Not a “portable‑ultra”

  • Heavier and thicker than XPS 13/14, so it’s more of a desktop‑replacement than a frequent‑travel ultraportable.

• Limited ports

  • XPS laptops often prioritize sleekness over ports; you may need a dongle‑hub for USB‑A or extra ports.

• Display may be overkill for casual use

  • 4K at 16.3″ is gorgeous, but some apps/games don’t scale perfectly; UI may look tiny without scaling settings.

Real‑World Performance

For Creators & Professionals

• Video editing (Premiere Pro, DaVinci, etc.)

  • Smooth 4K timeline scrubbing, rendering, and export with the RTX 4060 GPU and 32 GB RAM.

• Photo editing (Lightroom, Photoshop)

  • Fast batch‑processing, high‑resolution edits, and large‑file handling.

• Programming & Development

  • Multiple IDEs, Docker, browser tabs, and VMs run smoothly.

• 3D‑modeling / CAD

  • Solid for light to medium‑intensity 3D work thanks to the GPU.

For Gaming

• 1080p / 1440p gaming

  • High settings, 60–120 fps in most modern titles with RTX 4060.

  • Ray‑tracing and DLSS support for smoother ray‑traced experiences.

• Esports & AAA titles

  • Competitive FPS titles can run at 144+ fps at 1080p max settings.

Everyday Use

• Web, Office, Streaming, Conferencing

  • Extremely smooth, fast, and quiet for typical tasks.

• Long‑term battery life

  • Under light use, reviews report 8–10+ hours of battery; heavy GPU/CPU usage will drop this significantly.

Who Should Buy the Dell XPS 16 9640?

This laptop is ideal for:

• Professionals & Creators

  • Video editors, 3D artists, CAD designers, developers, and data analysts needing desktop‑class performance in a laptop.

• Gamers

  • Someone who wants a premium 16‑inch machine with strong 1080p/1440p gaming performance.

• Power Users

  • Heavy multitaskers who run many apps, tabs, and virtual machines simultaneously.

• Business People

  • Corporate users who want Windows 11 Pro, security features, and premium build for presentations and travel.

You might skip it if:

• You want an ultra‑portable lighter laptop (XPS 14 or XPS 13 may be better).

• You’re on a tight budget or don’t need such high specs.

• You primarily use Chromebooks or light‑duty computing.

How It Compares to Other XPS Models

The XPS 16 9640 sits at the top of the XPS lineup as a workstation‑class 16‑inch laptop, ideal for those who want big screen, big power, and premium build in one device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is 32 GB RAM necessary?
For heavy multitasking, video editing, or 3D work, yes. For casual use, 16 GB would be fine, but 32 GB future‑proofs the machine.

Q: Does it have a touchscreen?
Yes – 16.3″ 4K touchscreen (UHD+ 3840 x 2400).

Q: What’s the battery life like?
Approximately 6–10 hours depending on workload; heavy GPU use can reduce it to 4–6 hours.

Q: Can it handle 4K video editing?
Yes – with 32 GB RAM, fast SSD, and RTX 4060 GPU, it’s excellent for 4K editing.

Q: What’s the warranty or support like?
Dell typically offers 1‑year basic warranty with optional ProSupport or premium upgrades for longer coverage.

Q: Is it good for travel?
It’s portable for a 16‑inch machine, but somewhat heavier and larger than XPS 13/14.

Final Verdict

The Dell XPS 16 (9640) 16.3‑inch touchscreen notebook with Intel Core Ultra 9 185H, 32 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 is a premium, high‑performance, 4K‑capable laptop that’s perfect for power users, creative professionals, and gamers who want a big, beautiful screen and desktop‑like performance in a laptop.

At $3,450 USD, it’s a high‑end investment, but the specs, display quality, and build make it a strong contender against other high‑end Windows workstations. If you need maximum performance and a 16‑inch OLED touch display for your work or play, the XPS 16 9640 is an excellent choice.

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As an affiliate, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you decide to purchase this product through links in this review. This helps support my work and lets me keep creating honest, in‑depth reviews. I only recommend products I’ve researched and genuinely believe in.