Bout to bite the bullet and purchase the XPS 17 1080p (non-3D)...

Hey guys,

I'm about to bite the bullet and purchase this monster of a machine, but wanted to run the specs by you real quick...

• 2nd generation Intel® Core™ i7-2720QM
  
• Genuine Windows® Home Premium, 64-Bit, English
  
• 17.3" FHD (1080p) with 2.0MP HD Webcam
  
• 8GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 Memory
  
• NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M 3GB graphics with Optimus
  
• 92 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
  
• 640GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive
  
• 1 Year Basic Service Plan
  
• Tray Load Blu-ray® Triple Writer (reads and writes CDs, DVDs, BDs)
  
• Intel© Centrino© Advanced-N 6230 and Bluetooth 3.0
  
• Backlit Keyboard - English
  
• JBL 2.1 Speakers with Waves Maxx Audio 3 + Creative SoundBlaster X-FI MB 1.2
  
• Recovery DVD for Windows® 7 Home Premium OS, 64bit, English

This came out to $1329.99 before taxes/shipping (with the $400 off coupons).

Any opinions on the selected options? Is the Creative SoundBlaster software worth the upgrade? Is the Recovery DVD necessary since I plan to add an SSD later? Is the 555M only worth the upgrade for a gamer (or does it help with Blu-ray movies as well)?

Also, is there a way to remove the 1 year Basic Service Plan and save $50? I have been going through multiple configurations online and only some allow you to reduce the service plan to a "mail-in" version to save money.

Thanks for your help!

 

nice machine! I would say that if you aren't a gamer, you don't need the X-Fi MB 1.2 and u don't really need the 555m either....but i would keep the video card. it's a lot easier to get the x-fi if u change ur mind later since it's mainly software.

 

Apologies if I am hijacking the thread, but I also purchased a system with the X-FI MB 1.2, I spoke to Dell and they told me it was an actual sound card, but you are saying it is mainly software, I guess it's both then?

 

Go to ebates.com to get another 4% back as a rebate. PM me if you want a code.

I just ordered another L702x system about an hour ago that is similar to yours. Attached, is my configuration and cost (not counting my additional 4% rebate). Since I already have the 3D capable L702x, I am now going to test the non-3D FHD system with the Intel Optimus.

Bad news is the ship date is listed as 05/09/2011... ugh...

You cannot remove the warranty. The method it is listed is just a way they configure the system internally within Dell so the $50 is not really for the warranty only.

The SoundBlaster software upgrade is cool, but not worth the money unless you have the extra $20 to kill. It adds a virtual stereo control console in your audio control panel and offers you the same features found on today's home stereo systems such as environment presets, EQ, virtual surround sound, and MP3/digital compressed audio enhancement.Regardless, the system sounds GREAT as-is out of the box and you can always add the SB software later.

Scott-

 

No, it is 100% software that uses your existing "compatible" hardware. I have the CD here in front of me. In order to install the software, it goes to the SB website and you have to enter the serial number on the envelope THEN it will install. That's about it.

Scott-

 

Gotta love Dell's representatives misleading people and making them spend more than what they want. I guess I'll have to tinker with the software, any clues as to how it would help in gaming and music?

Edit: is it too late to recieve the cash back from ebates.com? I purchased my system on March 30th.

P.S. I have seen on some system configurations that you could just go for a plain old "limited hardware warranty" which saved you $56.00, I believe I saw this for the XPS 15's, first generation (I don't know about the SB) but It doesn't hurt to invest in a small warranty. Also, Scott, this isnt the best place to share this information, however if you call Dell and tell them you want to return the system, they'll produce an offer (I recieved $100 rebate) from customer care. I learned this when I purchased and XPS 15 and returned it for the $400 dollar coupons everyone has been all hyped about, and then got that $100 dollars on top of that, so I got a technically valued $1500 system for sub 1000. Yes, under 1000.

Edit Edit: This is intended to be a rebate, if you are afraid that the Dell customer service will actually cancel the order just ask them "How much can you take off for me if I decide to keep the system?" and they should be able to procure an offer for you. I was intending to keep this to myself but these forums seem to deserve this kind of knowledge.

 

A "1-year Limited Hardware Warranty" is listed as $56 cheaper than the "1-year Basic Service Plan." I have attached a screenshot to show this option, as I only see it offered sometimes (i.e. I could not choose it with my current configuration). Anyone know how to include the cheaper warranty? Maybe order over the phone as opposed to online?

 

Ahhhh... OK, I stand corrected.

Scott-

 

My one concern here is that the non-3D screen may not be as good as the 3D one (in terms of general quality). That seemed to be hinted at around here somewhere but I could find no solid data. But since the XPS 17 3D screen is already inferior to the XPS 15 RGB, I didn't want to take any chances.

The only thing I miss with the 3D model is the design studio. Really sucks that I can't even choose a color for the lid on the highest-end Dell laptop when you can do that for the budget Inspiron and all the other XPS.

 

Yea I'm kinda worried about the screen quality myself even though it is 1080p, I think we safely assume that its going to be alot less brighter than the 3D screen, I just hope not too dim and too washed out.
I'm typing on the 3D one right now and waiting for my non-3D edition to come in (as seen in my sig..).

 

Is the recovery DVD needed if you're planning to add an SSD to your system?

 

It is recommended so you have a clean install without the bloatware. Otherwise, you could make a backup image of the Dell hard drive and just apply it to the new SSD.

Scott-

 

Posted this in the wrong thread...

Every time I go through this same configuration it comes out at a different price! I tried to stack Dell's "instant savings" onto the $400 coupons, but it didn't work. It kept the $100 one and replaced the $300 one. I thought that was fine since Dell's "instant savings" was $474 (which is more than $300), but the final price was still higher because the "market value" started out higher. All of these different coupon/savings bundles make it tedious to find the actual lowest price!

This link (XPS 17 Laptop - Feel the Thrill with 3D Laptop Screen | Dell) shows the middle configuration with $474 worth of savings, yet building it yourself from that starting point with the $400 coupons gives you a price that is $100 less. Arghhh!!

What is the actual lowest price of this configuration?!

 

Has anyone received the non-3D version yet?

 

Dell's instant savings don't stack with coupons

 

They stack with the $100 coupon, not the $300 one (from my experience).

 

Hey scott, just wonder what a tech-savvy guy like uses for imaging purposes?

 

Well, these days, a very nice no-cost solution is Paragon Backup & Recovery version 10 (Advanced) Free Edition. The web site is: PARAGON Software Group - partition manager, drive backup, hard disk partitioning

I also like Macrium Reflect (no-cost as well) for its simplicity: Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download

Scott