DELL XPS 15, Spec Questions

I am interested in purchasing the Dell XPS 15 and I have a few questions


The 1080P screen is no longer an option which is very disappointing.
1. Is this computer still worth purchasing, even with only the 720P screen?

I mainly use my computer for media content such as movies, music, editing photos, and surfing the web.
(I think an i7 for me would be over kill and I prefer a longer battery life).
2. i5-460M or the i5-560M Processor?

What's the difference between 1000 and 6200 Network Card.
3. Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1000 or Intel© Centrino Advanced-N 6200?

Should I upgrade the Warranty.
4.Would you get the 1 or 3 Year Warranty?

 

I'm in the same boat...it was still available when I went out of the country, and I had no expectation of it being removed, so I figured I'd order when I returned 12/15 - it vanished about 12/11 or so! I couldn't order while gone, because DFS wants to call you on the number on file, or you call from it, and I wouldn't have been able to get a fast enough connection over satellite to use VoIP, with a 2nd channel to my VoIP provider on my cell, using same caller ID as home.

I wanted:
XPS15/1080P/i740QM/8GB/640GB/BluRay/BT/Wifi-6200/backlit keyboard/3YR BAsic warranty, plus a 42" LED TV for the wifey...

My thought, is to use my next laptop as a a VM platform, ie, run Linux on the hardware, and virtualize my Win7 and Linux environments, so I want/need RAM+Horsepower, but not necessarily GFX, although they force a GPU upgrade for the quad-cores.

Only options with Dell for Quad are the XPS, Alienware (no WAY - way too much $$), and the precision, also way too many $$.

Kinda looking in a way at the M501R with the Phenom QC N930, and then maybe getting an X920 Black Edition to pop in...don't know...

FWIW, I called on the way home from work today, around 7pm, asking about the 1080p option, and the CSR said he'd research and call back.

About 2 hours later, he called and said some jibberish about the 1080p display being pulled due to poor reviews. I mentioned that Dell's 720p displays were the ones getting poor reviews, and that it was available in the UK, which has consumer protection laws 10x more stringent than here in the US!

Whatever - hopefully it's available in the next few days so I can order on my DPA with the 12mos no interest...No way I'm dropping $1500+ and getting only 1366x768 - that's LUDICROUS!

A bit OT, but anyone here try the Inspiron M501R?

 

I was originally going to purchase the HP ENVY 14
When I was customizing it, I noticed they only had the BrightView 1366x768 screen. Apparently they did away with the Radiance 1600x9000 screens months ago! Which was very disappointing because that was one of the reasons I was going to purchase the laptop. Many rumors are that the company that sold the screens when out of business, others say it was a cost issue.

I decided the next best thing would be the Dell XPS 15
Mainly because of the 1080P screen, great JBL Speakers, and it's reasonably priced. As I went to customize it the other day, I noticed the 1080P screen was no longer an option! I couldn't Believe it! I heard rumors that it will no longer be coming back as an option, and I heard other say that it should be back in January.

In conclusion, I'm mind boggled that 2 major computer company's would take away one of the best qualities about there laptops and without an explanation or reason none the less! I suppose I am just going to have to wait and hope that 1 of these 2 laptops come back with there better screens soon! NOW I MUST WAIT & HOPE!

 

We're in the same boat, I fear.

If there was a 1600x900 option for the XPS 14, man, I'd be in heaven!
PERFECT size, i7 QC-capable, up to 8GB RAM - best of ALL worlds!

As it is, if I have to settle for 1366x768, then no WAY will it be $1200+!!

I'm a bit limited in choices as I HAVE to use my DPA, and get the 12mos no interest, which is running through 12/29/2010!

 

The 1080P screen is no longer an option which is very disappointing.
1. Is this computer still worth purchasing, even with only the 720P screen?
Depends where you're coming from. I've never used a 1080p notebook so 720p is perfectly fine for me, others are already spoiled by it so they won't take anything lower =D
I mainly use my computer for media content such as movies, music, editing photos, and surfing the web.
(I think an i7 for me would be over kill and I prefer a longer battery life).
2. i5-460M or the i5-560M Processor?
560M uses slightly more power, maybe a 10 min difference in battery life, i5-500 series do have a few more features like AES encryption etc, but none of that affects you, it would only be a minor improvement. I still think its worth it since its only $90 more, but its up to you

What's the difference between 1000 and 6200 Network Card.
3. Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1000 or Intel© Centrino Advanced-N 6200?

6200 is 2X2, 2 antennas so better range and signal quality. You also need 6200 if you plan on using push2tv with intel Wi-Di.
Should I upgrade the Warranty.

4.Would you get the 1 or 3 Year Warranty?
I would get the 1 year in-home warranty (usually standard), because you can upgrade you're warranty at anytime within a year, so might as well hold it off for now and come back to it later when you make up your mind. Note sure if there will be a price difference though, might wanna check that

 

I talked to Dell customer service today
I'm not sure how true this is but the person that a spoke to today from Dell said the 1080p screens are just out of stock and there expecting them back. He couldn't give me a time frame, but said he would e-mail me once he is informed when they will be back in stock.

 

Don't trust them to call back. They never will. You can try ordering through a sales rep on phone. When I ordered, the backlit keyboard was outta stock. I called and pressurized the sales rep till he finally relented and ordered one with it. You can try for the display in a similar fashion.

Talk to sales. Not to customer service. Sales people are more desperate for a customer and will try to get what you want.

Good luck.

 

I went with the 720p and haven't regretted it since. I guess thats partly because I got away by just paying $650+tax with free next day shipping because of a EPP discount code that lasted only for a couple hours.

XPS 15
720p
Intel i5 2.53ghz
4gb ram
Nvidia Geforce GT 420m 1gb
500gb 7200rpm hd

This was a once in a lifetime deal and so far has been a great replacement for my previous m1530.

 

I don't like 1366 x 768 resolution, everything is a little to big. My Dell XPS M1530 which I purchased 3 years ago even has a better 1440 x 900 resolution!

 

The 6200 card supports 5ghz and 2.4ghz wireless n networks, the 1000 card is 2.4ghz only

 

So when is the XPS 15 going to get a better GPU for i5s? That's what counts. Hope Sandy Bridge combos are better. The continual gimping of GPU selection is getting absurd. Why do I need a 17 inch quad core to get a GT445? Is this chip super huge or so much more power consuming that it can't be handled in a 15 inch chassis?

Also, how is the driver support? Do only Dell drivers work? Or can use nVidia updates?