Dell’s 2026 XPS refresh arrived with two Panther Lake configurations—model 9310 (i7‑14800H, 16 GB RAM, $1,799) and model 9320 (i9‑14900H, 32 GB RAM, $2,099).
In PCMag’s hands, the 9320 posted a Geekbench 6 multi‑core score of 2,340 versus 1,960 for the 9310. 3DMark Time Spy graphics scored 11,600 on the i9 machine and 9,300 on the i7. The AI‑focused Blender benchmark ran 23 % faster on the 9320, and everyday tasks like Chrome tab loading were 15 % quicker.
The gap matters because both laptops share the same chassis, battery, and price tier, so buyers expecting a uniform XPS experience may end up with markedly different performance depending on the SKU they pick. It also highlights Intel’s early Panther Lake silicon variance—some cores excel while others lag, undermining the “one‑size‑fits‑all” marketing.
In short, the XPS line now forces shoppers to read the fine print or risk a laptop that feels sluggish beside its sibling.