Although the XPS 15 will not get any updates this year, Dell's performance laptop will probably be refreshed in 2019. Although the launch date of the updated XPS 15 remains a secret, Frank Azor has just confirmed that — when talking about possible design changes — a numeric keypad is not in the cards yet.
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Numeric-keypads-not-coming-to-the-Dell-XPS-15-notebook.333382.0.html
I would not wait for a model with a numeric keypad. In fact, if it was optional I would choose the model without one, and if it was standard I might look for a different laptop. Having a numlock overlay over the normal keyboard would be ok with me, but I don't see any reason to reduce the size of the regular keyboard just to shoehorn a numeric keypad onto a laptop.
I'd be interested in XPS 17, but honestly I don't know, I'd first have to see it in person, whether it's too big or not.
And definitely without the numeric keyboard - why would anyone need it?
And btw, I don't see why would anyone be excited about XPS 15 refresh if it'd be anything like XPS 13 refresh. What's good about it? No USB A ports? Smaller battery? No HDMI and SD card slot? No thanks.
XPS 17's battery life would be challenging since the capacity is limited to 100 Wh. 45W TDP (realistically up to 85W) hexa-core CPU with 500 nits 4K UHD 17.3" touch display and gaming class dGPU (Optimus power consumption hikes with dGPU class) would last roughly 3 hours. Maybe an open 2.5" SATA caddy for an extra battery pack in addition to the base 100 Wh.
Then I'd absolutely expect top notch speakers placed on the side of keyboard bezels down to palmrest assembly, as well as a much bigger touchpad and a centered keyboard with better travel, tactile feedback and dedicated navigational buttons. And a full array of ports because there is plenty of room. Also would need a FHD with both non-touch and touch options because again, battery life.
All this under 2.6 kg with reasonable pricing and outstanding build quality, thermals, and sustained load performance. Otherwise it'll be on a long list of just another shoddy 17" thin and light gaming laptop that nobody wants to buy.
Give us a normal screen, not that 16:9 crap.
How about an Ethernet port? Dell have managed to put one on their Latitude range which is the same thickness, so I don't understand why they drop it from their XPS line.
As a programmer, I dislike numeric keypads on laptops and even detached keyboards.
You can type numbers faster using the numbers row (hint, two hands have more fingers than one).
Centered keyboard is more ergonomic, and the keys can be more full size and well placed sans numeric keypad.
Actually needing a numeric keypad is pretty niche, so why wreck the usability of the keyboard to keep it? If you absolutely need a keypad, buy a separate one.
I don't need a numeric keypad, but I don't understand why they don't put one extra column of keys on the right with home, end, page up, and page down. There's a huge amount of unused space over there. Asus, HP, MSI, and probably others have done this (though unfortunately they don't all put the keys in the same order). It doesn't have to mess up the symmetry of the main keyboard.
I think the latest XPS 13 added page up and page down above the left and right arrow keys, which is terrible placement (page up should obviously be above page down), but at least they're there. I don't think they added them to the XPS 15.
As a bonus, they could add forward/backward navigation buttons (for browsers). I don't know how many people use those, but I use them.
For my last two laptops, I got numeric keypads just so I'd have extra keys to reassign. It's more keys than I need, and it does push the main keyboard off center, but at least I have the keys.
As someone that uses symbols extensively , I find the functionality of the keyboard on my Dell 13 Inspiron 7000 Series seriously lacking. I looked at other keyboards on similar laptops and they have the numeric keypads within the letter keyboard or on the mouse-pad. This is reason enough for me not to ever buy another Dell product again.
I really like my XPS 15 (9550), but I sorely miss the numeric keypad - for me, it's so much faster to type numbers, and I am used to it from external keyboards & other laptops at work.
I am considering replacing the XPS 15 ... but without a numeric keypad, Dell will have to do without me!