[NEWS] Studio XPS 15 and XPS 17 !!

Well, the bottleneck in mine is the CPU and GPU...

 

i just tried to count the number of usb connections on the 17. i can only count 2. is that right? also no more express slot so no more remote storage. that kinda sucks.

 

No, the 17" model has 4 USB ports.

 

I do like this laptop and in my country is the best you can get for the money. The problem is that I don't know what to choose. What do you think is better, the i5 with the NVIDIA 420 or the i7?

How much cooler is the i5? How much longer will the battery last? Is there a big difference between the 420 and the 435?

Thank-you!

 

Well obviously the i7 quad is massively more powerful, and the GPU Is somewhat more powerful. If you want the system to skew more towards battery life though the lower end hardware might work for you (it's still not a joke).

 

Seriously, i5-460M is gonna perform BETTER than i7-740QM in normal applications, except for heavily threaded apps such as video encoding.

----------i7---------i5-------------i7---------------i5
1 core: 2.93Ghz vs 2.8Ghz----2.93x1=2.93 vs 2.8x1=2.8
2 cores: 2.53Ghz vs 2.8Ghz----2.53x2=5.06 vs 2.8x2=5.6
3 cores: 1.86Ghz--------1.86x3=5.58 (???) vs 2.8x2=5.6 (2 core)
4 cores: 1.86Ghz--------------1.86x4=7.44 vs 2.8x2=5.6 (2 core)

When only using 1 core, i7-740QM is 133Mhz ahead of i5-460M
When only using 2 cores, i5 is around 533Mhz ahead of i7
When using 3 cores for i 7, THE PERFORMANCE IS SAME AS i5
ONLY WHEN USING ALL 4 CORES AT FULL 100% LOAD can i7 beat i5 by a significant margin - 1.83Ghz ahead of i5 at full load.

For me, I'd wait for sandybridge when going for quad core....

 

Remember that the i7s are more powerful than the i5s at the same clock speed, even aside from having double the hardware. You're going to have to really search for situations where an i5 would outperform it, given the i7 also can clock itself up much further than the i5s do.

 

I was a little bit concerned about this, as i´m gonna use this machine for heavy mechanical/industrial design modelling and rendering, and for animations.

Of course, i can´t get a Precision yet, so i went to the XPS.

The thing is that programs like Soliworks don´t use 4 cores while working, i think they just use 2 cores while calculating operations,surfaces, efforts, etc.

BUT it becomes different as you want to renderize (in Hypoershot, Vray, Carrara or even Photoworks); rendering engines use as much cores as they can find, so i think it´ll be a good balance to have an i7 instead of an i5 by givin the machine this sort or professional use; of course i´m thiking about it as a desktop replacement (she will go through a 22 inch monitor so i really don´t care about resolution if i´m gonna watch movies).

Anyway, i ordered de 9 cell battery, just in case you know.

 

If you're using stuff like that, my only concern would be if any of it uses the GPU and needs like a Quadro or something like that. But yeah, if it's multithreaded decently, and that stuff sounds like it SHOULD be, that stuff sounds like it would be screaming for a quad core CPU.

 

can someone please tell me why on earth they don't offer 1080p for the 17"?

 

Shortages? They might want to use the Studio 17 panel again (B+RG). Same with 900p for the XPS 14. They might want to use the Studio 14 panel, which was decent.

 

I think its safe to say that quads are pretty standard now...even this is the mobile space..this is intel's 2nd generation mobile quad...It's an amazing chip too, so I don't think 200-500mhz will matter. I'd defiantly go for the quads, it's 200-500mhz or 2 extra SB cores..Its a no brainier...at least that's imho.


In the past I'd agree with you. heck I chose my 620ms over the quads for that reason..But the discrepancy in raw clock was a lot bigger. 2.66 vs 1.6.

This time around its 1/5th of the gap.


Quad is the smarter choice this time.

 

First review? xps 1710x with gt445 and touch screen

http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/review/notebooks/dell/xps_17_1710x/365577?pp=1#cb

 

Nice find. Didn't realize the XPS 17 has a touchscreen, or is that something available on Australian models? Regardless, they seem to like the notebook, so it's off to a good start.

Nice 10k+ 3DMark06 score @ 1600x900 too -- I can barely get 7800 with the HD 5830, and that's at a lower resolution of 1280x1024.

 

Dang, you know on top of everything else I like about the XPS 17, it's got a built in TV tuner! I didn't realize that at first...but I guess it's actually integrated. Now granted the shows I watch on my notebook are mostly from my Tivo (and the rest rented from Netflix, with the occasional purchase), but still, I'm not objecting to having a tuner in there!

I'm checking the EPP site, and it's really nicely priced and configured. At this point, my two gripes are:
-No spare PSUs for sale on Dell's site. I assume you'll be able to buy one later, but that's lame.
-I'd love a GTX 460 option, and would gladly pay $200-300 for it.

Other than that...it looks non-gimmicky, it's nicely configured, it's parts I want...

Dang, I'm so torn on what to do. Get an XPS 17 and hope they hurry up and provide additional adapters? Get an M15x and put up with the dated Geforce 260 and hope it doesn't throttle? Crack open Asus' G73jw and hope it doesn't have issues (and feel guilty about not buying American?) That sucker I'm a bit paranoid about given it has a mercury warning on it (when it SHOULD be an LED lit screen) and Dell seems much more serious about safety standards.

 

Guys,

I had returned my XPS 1645 system about 1.5 months back. I am being told that I would be compensated with a new DELL XPS model.

Previous to that, the following is what I was being offered when my current 1645 went in for replacement (this order got canceled due to the new system's release) -

i7-740QM / HD 5730 / 15.6" (1080p) / 4GB DDR3 / 500GB 7200RPM HDD / BD Combo / 130W AC PSU / 9-cell / Dell Bluetooth / Intel WiFi 5300 / Backlit Keyboard / Windows(R) 7 Professional 64bit (English) / 1 Year Complete Cover Accidental Damage Protection.

Now, given the current XPS 15" / 17" specifications (although my country is yet to come out with its set of allotted specs), what do you people think would be a fitting compensation for the mentioned specs.

Let me know your inputs please !

Thanks, CK.

 

That's impressive as hell. If the 15 with the 435 can pull 8k, I'll be very happy.

 

Found some other good than HP Envy, which verify that good graphics possible even in 13.3-inch light and slim notebook. Look here: Review Acer Aspire 3820TG Subnotebook (i5/HD5650) - Notebookcheck.net Reviews

Dell why cannot make any similar

 

That system uses an underclocked 5650. It's very common. The result is that the actual performance will be less than expected. Normally you would expect performance just short of the 5730-- and since they're the same chip, you can overclock the 5650 to 5730 levels, theoretically. But you can't on that laptop because the 5650 is clocked lower, and undervolted so it can't go any higher. That's what it takes to fit that graphics card into that form factor. The ENVY line does the same thing with the 5650.

And that's why you should do the research before wasting your money. Why would you want Dell to do something like this?

It should be able to. You should be able to overclock the GF108 chips tremendously-- I wouldn't be surprised if you hit 9.5k with it. The GT 460 is a monster overclocker; these chips are just chopped up versions of it.

 

3820TG is using normal speed HD5650, not underclocked...

 

Thanks for the link! My only concern reading the review is heat @ the palm rest, but I'll have to see for myself once my system arrives.

It is mentioned in the manual, but I haven't seen it on any of the Dell websites yet.

It is optional, but when you do get it, it is integrated.

You can get those on ebay for a lot less. I got a couple off ebay, and they're still working great.[/QUOTE]

 

Nope, the 13 inch Acer what I was showing you do not has underclocked 5650. It is clocked on 550Mhz instead of 400Mhz. HP Envy 14 graphics is underclocked, but still gives higher performance and less heat than the XPS 14.
So again, Dell why cannot make any similar? I still prefer Dell brand, but this case I have to buy something else, probably Envy because Acer is my last favorite .

 

Well, it's 14" rather than 13, but otherwise they do-the XPS 14. Acer's not supposed to have the best build quality either.

 

Has the XPS 14 been tested and measured yet?

 

I agree Acer is not about the build quality, but at least they are made a small and light laptop with smart GPU choice. Good performance with low heat and noise output.

I'll be waiting for that review until I buy something .

 

I'd agree Sandy Bridge quads would be a good option over dual cores, but for the majority of users it would not be sensible to buy the current i7 quads (except for the extremes of course). i7's power is overrated, it definitely produces too much heat, and battery power is immensely exaggerated. Even web browsing with low brightness, you'd barely get much out of it. Not to mention they are slow, turbo of the i7 to 2.2-2.5+GHz is only for the 1 or 2 cores while it shuts the others down.

For SXPS replacement of 1645, I'd suggest you get i7+GT435M 2GB, plus FullHD screen, making it nearly the functional equivalent of your previous laptop, except with an Nvidia card.

 

I wasn't aware that there was a touch screen. This is kind of bizarre.

Keep the reviews coming. So far this is the only Real review I've seen Pages that tell you the specs and weight aren't reviews

 

Thanks for the input, poiuytre. I was thinking of pressurizing the DELL guys to try and arrange an earlier 1645 system (whose config I mentioned).

The specs you have mentioned are available in XPS 15"?

 

another review:

PC Hardware / Reviews - By Category



I think it is pathetic they aren't offering 1920x1080 for the 17"

 

Anyone find any XPS 15 reviews?

 

I'm possibly in the same situation as yourself although I believe I will still have the SXPS 164x option (Aus), currently awaiting a response on the 'replacement request'. Problems I've had include 4 motherbaord replacements.

Thinking the XPS 15 over the XPS 1645 for a few reasons, I think the XPS 15 has some major advantages (at least for me) that may be worth considering;
-Air vent on left, not back (good for lounging).
-Power, 1 x USB and HDMI on back, not good for lounging but good for office use (keep things tidy).
-FHD RGB+B Screen would be better than the 15.6 WLED I've got.
-Standard CD Drive (good for my work anyways, using micro cd's).

XPS 15 would appear to have less to go wrong, no touch sensitive media keys, no slot load drive, no Edge to Edge screen - which I thought would have been nice, but not really if you use your lappy for work, also it is easy to scratch up and a constant 'care' factor. On top of this, other than not being as good looking you could only presume that it's structural design is better than any other earlier models for the components being used, put that with an 'endorsed' speaker system - I think it could be a big step forward (maybe not in the looks deprtment!)

Also, a replacement system of the same model can always get all the same problems... which means more time on the phone, more tech visits, more headache and time!

Anyway just my 2c... You will be able to get more info out of them on the phone, generally they have access to spec details often not visible online, good luck with your replacement!

 

Yeah Ckhurana XPS 15 would be 0.4 inches difference but it has 1080p B+RGLED, Windows 7 Pro, 4GB RAM, i7-740QM, GT 435M 2GB, Bluetooth, 7200RPM HDD, backlit keyboard, 130W AC, 6200/6300 Wifi, and should have 9 Cell too. That would be a great replacement for your XPS 1645 because you don't know if they will give you one anyway. Not sure how it works, in my country you have to wait at least 2-3+ weeks, so it comes from overseas, but it would cost them about the same expense as bringing in another XPS 15 anyway.

Myself, I would not purchase an XPS 15 until I am given the i5 with GT 435M option.

 

Thanks a lot zarr and poiuytre. Your inputs will make my decision easier! Thanks again!

 

I'm sure they'll offer it at some point. They probably just have not sourced the part yet.

 

LOL if it's the same size as Alienware they could put 1920x1200 screen into XPS 17.

 

I don't understand what you're saying-Dell used, if anything, a better GPU choice. It's certainly on par.

 

Not sure if anyone has posted this yet but Hot Hardware have done a review of the XPS 14.

Dell XPS 14 Notebook Review - HotHardware

I still want to find an XPS 15 review though!

 

im still awaiting anandtech for a better review. These are just too brief.

 

Anyone know if the new XPS 17 has a receiver to support a media remote? I'd like to get a compact media remote that fits into the ExpressCard slot when travelling. I think Dell's own remote does so.

Also, has anyone compared the four Wi-Fi Options?:

Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 1000
Intel® Centrino® Ultimate-N 6300 802.11 a/b/g/n (3x3)
Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6200 802.11 a/g/n
Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N + WiMAX 6250 802.11 a/g/n

I'm wondering which to choose. I can go research each myself, but if someone here already knows the relative differences, I'd appreciate his/her information.

 

I believe the XPS 17 doesn't have an expansion slot. You're referring to ExpressCard, right?

 

Sorry, typing faster than my brain. Yes, ExpressCard slot, thanks.

 

Does Dell's 150 watt PSU that's listed as being for the M2010, an M15/17x work with these systems?

This is so frustrating-I might just order an XPS 17 and be done with it but I absolutely need a second PSU, and don't want to worry about whether I'll be able to buy one later :-/

 

I did the same as I meant to also tell you that the XPS 17 doesn't have an ExpressCard slot either, unfortunately.

I'm pretty sure it does. So far every Dell PSU since my Inspiron 9400 fits on every laptop. I've used the 240W PSU from my M17x on the Inspiron, and the old 90W from the Inspiron worked on my S-XPS 1645.

Don't worry about this. You can either use an ond PSU, or get one off eBay for cheap.

On another note, does anyone else not understand why the power and hdd lights are behind the screen? That makes no sense to me at all... May be we can somehow see them while working, but from the photo's I've seen it doesn't seem like that.

 

Quoting myself

Actually this is a reason for me to stick with Dell for now. I have three or four dell PSU's laying around the house, one in my bag, and one at the office.

They all work on every laptop. If the wattage of the PSU is too low, it usually runs on battery, but doesn't charge or discharge the battery. That's not ideal, but it can be a life saver.

I can not imagine Dell changing the PSUs they use right now. Logistically that might be kind of hard.

 

That is unfortunate.

I also can't find any information in the tech specs for whether the XPS 15 and XPS 17 have an IR receiver, to allow use of a Windows media-center compatible remote (as is possible with the Studio XPS 16).

 

Ever noticed the Studio 17 the XPS 17 is replacing?
You could order that with a 17.3" B+RG 1080p panel (NOT a RGB panel). I think it'll find it's way to the XPS 17 soon.
from the old studio page:

1200p would be great though: still have one in my trusted inspiron 9300

 

Well, the Setup Guide ( see here) mentions a Full HD screen and a maximum resolution of 1920x1080 on page 93. It doesn't mention B+RG though.

I just shot my Sales Rep a message, asking about this.

 

Right, but there is a B+RG optional panel upgrade for the XPS 15, so i'm hoping for the old Studio 17 panel in the new XPS 17.

Too bad 1200p won't fit...

edit:
Hmmz, manual for the XPS 17 seems to mention a WLED where the XPS 15 manual specifies a RGB panel.
from Dell.com, XPS 15 page:

Let's hope both manuals are incorrect!!

 

Hi Guys,
I was wondering if anyone here knows what replacement WUXGA hi res screen will fit and work with new XPS 17 (L701X?)

thanks.

 

You'll definitely be able to order a second one, but you might have to go through Dell Spare parts, eBay, etc. The PSU are generally shared across many models, it won't be hard to find.