Best Dell XPS 17 Accessories 2020
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Dell’s XPS 17 is the largest XPS laptop Dell’s released in a long time. It features a gorgeous display and is more powerful internals than previous generations and smaller models. Importantly for creators and people who need to use accessories, the XPS 17 has plenty of ports. Thanks to its four Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports and full-size SD card reader, you can connect the laptop to a range of accessories.
27-Inch QHD Monitor
This 4K (3840x2160) monitor has excellent color accuracy, an adjustable stand to get it to the correct angle, and connects through HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB-C. It’s anti-glare to help you see the colors and details on the screen without interruption and has a contrast ratio of 1300:1.
Thunderbolt 3 Dock
The XPS 17 has two Thunderbolt 3 ports, so you can hook up this docking station to expand your laptop’s connectivity. This dock from CalDigit includes five USB-A 3.1 ports, two USB-C 3.1 ports, a DisplayPort 1.2, an Ethernet port, two Thunderbolt 3 ports, a UHS-II SD card reader, and 3.5mm audio in and out jack. On top of that, it will also charge your XPS 17 with up to 85W of power.
27-Inch QHD Monitor
The XPS 17 already has a massive and beautiful 17-inch display, but a desktop monitor can improve a permanent setup and put your screen at a better height. This 27-inch monitor has a 2560x1440 (QHD) resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, and a response time of 5ms. If you’re a creator, it’s a solid choice, thanks to its 99% sRGB coverage and accuracy of Delta-E less than 2, though it has a relatively low resolution,
Speedy External SSD
You can get up to 2TB of storage on the XPS 17, but if you opted for a model with less storage or just need more room, you can pick up the CalDigit Tuff nano. It’s a convenient SSD that connects through USB-C. It has speeds of around 1,000MB/s. It’s also small enough to fit inside your pocket.
17-inch laptop bag
The XPS 17 might be smaller than some 17-inch laptops thanks to its thin bezels, but it’s still quite large. Finding a bag to fit it can be difficult. This bag has a padded sleeve for your laptop, a solid compartment on the bottom for accessories, and a bevy of pockets on the front. The benefit of finding a bag large enough for a 17-inch laptop is that it’s big enough for plenty of gear.
Gaming Fun
While the XPS 17 isn’t a gaming laptop, it can come with up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics. With those, you can play some games and might want a dedicated controller. The Xbox One controller comes with Bluetooth support and also works with your Xbox One.
Wireless Mouse
The Logitech MX Master 3 has a precise scroll wheel and charges with USB-C. You can connect it to up to three devices and use it for up to 70 days on a single charge. While the XPS 17 has a large trackpad, you may want to grab a dedicated mouse like this one.
Extra SD Storage
The XPS 17 is an excellent laptop for creators and creative professionals. With its full-size SD card slot, you can transfer files, photos, and videos over from cameras and other devices. Lexar’s Professional 1000x SD card is available with up to 256GB of storage. It has read speeds up to 150 MB/s, which should be fast enough to transfer photos and larger video files easily.
USB-A hub
If all of your accessories use USB-A instead of USB-C, you’ll have to use an adapter since the XPS 17 doesn’t include any USB-C A ports. While the XPS 17 does come with a USB-C to USB-A adapter in the box, this hub from Amazon can add four USB-A ports to your laptop.
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Thanks to all of the ports on theXPS 17, you can hook up plenty of accessories to the device. If you’re looking to have a desktop setup powered by the XPS 17, the first thing you’ll want to grab is theDell UltraSharp 27 4K USB-C Monitor U2720Q. It’s a 27-inch monitor with excellent color accuracy and a 4K resolution.
TheCalDigit TS3 Plusis also an excellent way to expand the capabilities of your XPS 17. It has a wide range of ports, including USB-A, USB-C, and Ethernet. It can also charge your laptop, so when you take it on the go after a long day, it’s on a full charge.
The XPS 17 is a larger laptop, so it can be hard to find a bag for. TheeBags Professional Slim bagis large enough to hold the XPS 17 alongside several accessories and other devices.
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
