Dell XPS 15 (L502X) - Order Progress

That being said, I know a lot of people that gotten the 720p screen and were perfectly satisfied with it. I guess it depends on what your previous computer was. I'm using my old dell latitude D810 that's like 6 years old (i had a old asus that died recently that had a sucky screen too) and I know that ANY screen would look better so I know if I gotten the 720p screen, I wouldn't really feel disappointed if I didn't get the screen if I were on a budget.

But, this time around, I really wanted really nice speakers and screen because everyone would tell me my speakers totally sucked and the screen was pretty fugly. I can't wait because my ORDER HAS BEEN SHIPPED. YAHOO!

 

Makes sense. And congrats on your order being shipped! I believe you ordered yours 2 days before me (9/22). So I'm hopeful that mine will ship by Thur and arrive Friday! We'll see =)

 

Wait, what leads you to think unnoticeable performance upgrades are at all more important than a screen upgrade that is noticeable throughout your entire usage?

First, you don't need 6GB of memory. 4GB is more than enough for most users, and you will not notice the difference getting the extra 2 gigabytes of RAM. For most tasks, RAM past 4GB is completely irrelevant. if you are getting blue-screens with 4GB of RAM, it's not because you "only" have 4GB of RAM. It's because you either have a software issue that can be fixed with an OS re-install, or because you have a hardware issue that should be fixed with a warranty repair/replacement.

A performance upgrade is not a good investment if it means losing out on the screen upgrade. You may not even notice the difference unless you run very intensive software, and even if the CPU/RAM does make some sort of a difference, the difference will usually be very small, will usually only affect very specific things, and still won't even be able to come close to how much of a difference the screen makes throughout your everyday usage. Processors have advanced so far in the past few years such that you generally don't need to worry about which processor you get and you don't need to pay extra to get what is considered to be more than enough. However, screens have not progressed, and you generally have to pay extra just to get a decent screen (much less a truly great screen such as the 1920x1080 B+RGLED display offered in the XPS 15)

1366x768 is a bad resolution for a 15.6" screen. It's the same resolution used in 11/12-inch laptops, and essentially allows you to fit just as much stuff onscreen as you would be able to on the 11.6" Macbook Air (a really tiny screen). The resolution isn't just about picture quality, it's about having more room onscreen to fit things for multitasking and so you can reduce your scrolling. Resolution itself doesn't actually affect picture quality very much, however the fact is that most 15.6" 1366x768 screens are junk, especially the XPS 15's 1366x768 screen. In a 1366x768 screen you're going to expect low contrast ratios (blacks look bluish-gray and the whole image looks washed out), very narrow [vertical] viewing angles that further distort the contrast ratio, and image griddiness (a characteristic of many budget-grade screens that causes a screen-door effect to appear every other pixel).

On another note about RAM, it costs $44 to upgrade to 8GB of RAM after-market, and the RAM modules are very easily to find and order. However, if you want to upgrade the screen out of market, you have two issues to deal with. First is price: You're looking at almost the same or even higher cost for the LCD panel. Second, you're going to have a difficult time tracking down a B+RGLED replacement panel (AUO B156HW01 V4 / V7) so you'd probably have to settle for a standard 60% gamut "WLED" 1920x1080 display (which is still good but not as good).

Second, the screen isn't "aesthetic" like the difference between the aesthetics of a Beetle and a Ferrari. Aesthetic is the design of the case of the laptop, like the difference between the XPS 15, HP DV6t, ASUS N53, and Sager NP5160/5 (all competing models).

Third, regarding "putting a VW bug engine in a Ferrari", another flaw in your argument here: generally you're going to go the speed limit, so you're not going to NEED a super-powerful engine and you will not benefit from it. You will not be using the full potential of the engine in your car, however you will always be using the full potential of the screen.

I see this same scenario far too often: people, who recently joined the forums, who are trying to argue that performance specs are more important than the screen. If you don't know what you're talking about, please become more informed before posting about things like this.

 

My laptop arrived yesterday, yay! 6 day turn-around time from Ordering to Receiving it in my hands (only 4 business days). I'm very impressed!
The screen looks good, and I'm happy. After uninstalling a ton of crapware that came installed, the system runs much faster now.

 

What was some of the crapware that you uninstalled? I know that "crapware" is subjective, but I'm just curious. I'm just looking at it and I am always anxious that I would regret it later lol. The only thing I knew I didn't want was the McAfee.

 

I was a little apprehensive at first too. But I used a program (designed for dell systems, ironically) called PC Decrapifier. Google it, it's the first link that comes up.
It's designed to uninstall a slew of programs that come pre-installed.
I just googled the program names I wasn't familiar with. Some are even called Dell this, or Dell that. But not published by Dell. All in all, I probably uninstalled 10-13 programs including a couple E-readers, and that dell signature program (designed to download any software purchased electronically with your order....I didn't).
The system is significantly faster now.

I'm looking to test out the system now with some games, maybe demos at first, to see what it can handle or what it's capable of.
Have you tested any on yours?

 

PS - I got rid of McAfee too. I can't stand it. Much rather use AVG

 

Thanks for the advice! I will definitely try that out.
As for games, I downloaded pcsx2 (PS2 emulator) and ran some of my old ps2 games on it 45-60 fps...but that was using the actual PS2 discs that are not optimized for laptops...so I will hopefully make them iso files to make them run faster. I haven't tried any pc games yet since I'm now broke xD

 

I hear you on the broke part....I'm in the same boat haha. No more toys for a couple months
I wanna try Need for Speed on it and see how it handles it.
Do you know if the 525 video card has 1GB memory, or is this shared memory with the system's memory (onboard video) ?

Let me know how that program works for you. It also gives you the option to create a System Restore point, so you can undo any undesirable affects it may have after the uninstall. Although I've used it on 3 systems (dell, gateway, toshiba) without any issues.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/dell-xps-studio-xps/617910-xps-fan-issue-solved.html#post7994778

 

My XPS 15 L501x had many issues and part replacements..
After all that, Now Dell is Replacing my XPS 15..
Today I got a Quote and its an L502x... Woot!!!
Can't wait..

BTW about the 1366x768 panel
I have been using my XPS since last nov and had an LGD0266 Screen
I can tell you that the resolution is perfectly fine.I felt about 1440x900 would have been better though.
I am a programmer and Use Eclipse/Netbeans alot.
Besides I also do some Basic PS 2D Work, and I felt the screen is good enough..
The 1080p panel is good, but makes screen text look worse(Too small)
My friend Owns one, and anyday I prefer my display to his(Except for Movies)

 

I finally ordered my xps 15 after months of debate with myself I think it was a good deal!

it came out to 1065 after 100 dollars off.

I should get it by Nov 4th

It was either this the sony se or the samsung 7. The sony se was lighter but i didnt like its setup/quality. The samsung 7 is taking way too long to come out and the specs are different on every site.

My old laptop that I'm typing on right now is a m1530.

 

Exactly. I am in the same situation: Programming (Netbeans, Eclipse...), database......
I do agree the 1900X1080p screen is the best for movies especially fro Blu Ray movies. but who cares ?
I ordered the L502X in order to output the display into 2 external digital monitors capable of 1900X1080p. One through HDMI and the second through the mini DisplayPort.

I tested the 1366x768 screen of my friend's L501X and it is just fine for everyday task.

Yet, for watching movies, I largely prefer to use a blu ray drive connected to a large external screen. I just can't stand watching movies in a 15' screen, not even in 17'.

By the way, I ordered the unit on 31 october 2011 and here is the order progress at this instant (Seems the carrier is having a long term coffea break inKazakhstan) :


Almaty, Kazakhstan 03/11/2011 17:41 Departure Scan
03/11/2011 13:59 Arrival Scan
Koeln, Germany 03/11/2011 3:31 This shipment is warehoused until it is released by clearing agency / Released by clearing agency Now in-transit for delivery
Incheon, Korea, Republic of 03/11/2011 10:33 Departure Scan
03/11/2011 8:57 Arrival Scan
Shanghai, China 03/11/2011 6:20 Departure Scan
03/11/2011 1:36 Export Scan
03/11/2011 1:30 Origin Scan
Koeln, Germany 02/11/2011 17:32 This shipment is warehoused until it is released by clearing agency
China 02/11/2011 10:56 Order Processed: Ready for UPS

 

got mine in just three business days surprised since order status was showing 10 nov as delievery date but i got it on 2nd nov...
dell rocks as far as purchase process goes cant say anything about the product experience as this is my first dell

 

--------------

 

I agree with him. It is useless for external HD monitors owners to have HD on their notebooks especially for such a small screen.

In my case, I also picked the standard 720p screen because it is fine for everyday task.
While believe me, you would appreciate so much watching HD movies on wide screens. 23' and larger.

 

Seems this is gonna happen to me too. As I am in France and the XPS is now in France, as far as I can tell, the parcel is in about 4 hours of train far from my town : (In the order bill, delivery is programmed for 15th november)! I wonder if I can receive it today as UPS does not deliver during weekend! Here is the updated EDD:

Saint-Jacques-de-la-Lande, France 04/11/2011 6:33 Arrival Scan
Roissy Charles de Gaulle, France 04/11/2011 5:38 Departure Scan
04/11/2011 3:32 Arrival Scan
Koeln, Germany 04/11/2011 2:20 Departure Scan
Koeln, Germany 03/11/2011 23:12 Import Scan
Warsaw, Poland 03/11/2011 21:45 Departure Scan
Koeln, Germany 03/11/2011 19:51 Arrival Scan
Almaty, Kazakhstan 03/11/2011 17:41 Departure Scan
03/11/2011 13:59 Arrival Scan
Koeln, Germany 03/11/2011 3:31 This shipment is warehoused until it is released by clearing agency / Released by clearing agency Now in-transit for delivery
Incheon, Korea, Republic of 03/11/2011 10:33 Departure Scan
03/11/2011 8:57 Arrival Scan
Shanghai, China 03/11/2011 6:20 Departure Scan
03/11/2011 1:36 Export Scan
03/11/2011 1:30 Origin Scan
Koeln, Germany 02/11/2011 17:32 This shipment is warehoused until it is released by clearing agency
China 02/11/2011 10:56 Order Processed: Ready for UPS

 

Yeah, I can't tell the difference between 1920x1080 and 1600x900 on a 15" screen for movies, etc. But it is certainly much better for productivity. I do have my DPI set to 125% though, otherwise the text would be too small.

 

I got some questions for you guys:
1)First of all, is it worth the change to go from an i5 2410 to the lowest 4core i7 model?
2) The battery option is not available to all models anymore?
3) The warranty is changed from the last time i checked and now accidental damage is a different warranty. So does it worth paying for basic service + accidental damage or total support + accidental damage?
4)Backlit keyboard and battery option not available to all models anymore?

 

Unless you do intensive computing, no. I have the i7 2630QM and I was actually considering replacing it with an i5 2430M, purely from a battery life point of view (oh, and a little because of thermals). Except for using my laptop to do intensive statistical models where 8 threads halves the runtime vs. 4 threads, I would do this.

If you do gaming, the GPU will be the bottleneck.
If you do general day to day computing, the i5 is fine. Heck, even the i3 would be fine.
If you know you're going to do lots of Photoshop, 3D work, video editing, then go for i7. Or if you have another obvious requirement. Else, get i5 and the 1080p screen

 

I really knew something would happen once in France!

Saint-Jacques-de-la-Lande, France 04/11/2011 10:04 Postal code listed for the receiver is incorrect UPS is attempting to obtain correct postal code and complete delivery / The address has been corrected The delivery has been rescheduled
04/11/2011 7:20 Destination Scan
04/11/2011 7:20 Arrival Scan
04/11/2011 7:12 Departure Scan
04/11/2011 6:33 Arrival Scan
Roissy Charles de Gaulle, France 04/11/2011 5:38 Departure Scan
04/11/2011 3:32 Arrival Scan
Koeln, Germany 04/11/2011 2:20 Departure Scan
Koeln, Germany 03/11/2011 23:12 Import Scan
Warsaw, Poland 03/11/2011 21:45 Departure Scan
Koeln, Germany 03/11/2011 19:51 Arrival Scan
Almaty, Kazakhstan 03/11/2011 17:41 Departure Scan
03/11/2011 13:59 Arrival Scan
Koeln, Germany 03/11/2011 3:31 This shipment is warehoused until it is released by clearing agency / Released by clearing agency Now in-transit for delivery
Incheon, Korea, Republic of 03/11/2011 10:33 Departure Scan
03/11/2011 8:57 Arrival Scan
Shanghai, China 03/11/2011 6:20 Departure Scan
03/11/2011 1:36 Export Scan
03/11/2011 1:30 Origin Scan
Koeln, Germany 02/11/2011 17:32 This shipment is warehoused until it is released by clearing agency
China 02/11/2011 10:56 Order Processed: Ready for UPS

 

EDIT Bloody damned week-end

Scheduled Delivery Updated To:
Monday, 07/11/2011, By End of Day
Last Location:
Departed - Saint-Jacques-de-la-Lande, France, Friday, 04/11/2011

Saint-Jacques-de-la-Lande, France 04/11/2011 21:42 Departure Scan
04/11/2011 10:04 Postal code listed for the receiver is incorrect UPS is attempting to obtain correct postal code and complete delivery / The address has been corrected The delivery has been rescheduled
04/11/2011 7:20 Out for Delivery
04/11/2011 7:20 Arrival Scan
04/11/2011 7:12 Departure Scan
04/11/2011 6:33 Arrival Scan
Roissy Charles de Gaulle, France 04/11/2011 5:38 Departure Scan
04/11/2011 3:32 Arrival Scan
Koeln, Germany 04/11/2011 2:20 Departure Scan
Koeln, Germany 03/11/2011 23:12 Import Scan
Warsaw, Poland 03/11/2011 21:45 Departure Scan
Koeln, Germany 03/11/2011 19:51 Arrival Scan
Almaty, Kazakhstan 03/11/2011 17:41 Departure Scan
03/11/2011 13:59 Arrival Scan
Koeln, Germany 03/11/2011 3:31 This shipment is warehoused until it is released by clearing agency / Released by clearing agency Now in-transit for delivery
Incheon, Korea, Republic of 03/11/2011 10:33 Departure Scan
03/11/2011 8:57 Arrival Scan
Shanghai, China 03/11/2011 6:20 Departure Scan
03/11/2011 1:36 Export Scan
03/11/2011 1:30 Origin Scan
Koeln, Germany 02/11/2011 17:32 This shipment is warehoused until it is released by clearing agency
China 02/11/2011 10:56 Order Processed: Ready for UPS

 

I am not doing intensive computing. What I usually use is Matlab, Visual Studio and other programming tools a bit of photoshop and cadence suite.
I do not do gaming..besides some old classic games.
Of course, i do some every day tasks such as MS Office and browsing.

 

If you do not have an external Full HD monitor like the Dell ST2320L and you use your laptop for everyday task then, go for the Full HD screen 1080p if you're ordering a Dell XPS 17.

I never met someone at work or anywhere working seriously on Photoshop, AfterEffects, Adobe Premiere, ...etc who used a 15' screen.

Phot and video editing needs a large screen for full comfort and clarity. The best choice is the 23' .
That if you work often at home.
If you move a lot with your notebook, then get yourself the standard screen.
and use the money to upgrade other things like the graphics card, memory, etc.
Know that the Nvidia GT525M that comes with the Dell XPS 15 is capable of driving a full HD screen with a maximum resolution of 2500 X 1600.

Some studies proved that the intensive use of the 15' screen and smaller cause vision and stress problems whatever the resolution is.
I do web applications and desktop software programming, video edition, sound engineering, and it is out of question to work on a 15' screen. It is a matter of productivity.

For movies, getting the Blu Ray driver is a good choice, otherwise, my humble opinion is to not waste the money for something you can get as an external device and with much comfort!

 

very useful post. thank you
About warranty that is changed what do you suggest the 3 year basic + accidental or full one?

 

You're welcome!
About warranty. Avoid Dell's appelations! The basic warranty (Site return) is enough. If you are so sure that you'll be mistreating the notebook and using it to its fullest non stop, then get yourself a warranty extension (1 , 2 or 3 years if you got the bills).

My first Dell Laptop was a Dell Inspiron 9400, i got it with a 1 year basic warranty (the screen once went crazy, got magnetized for some unknown reasons - they made me achive tests, then decided to replace it 2 days later and they did, the tech came to my home with the new screen....).
I got that laptop since october 2006, as a desktop computer replacement and since then been using it almost 20/24 hours each day!

I could tell the laptop went through all horrible experiences (intensive formatings, officing, programming, I even used it for a server).
Never needed the use of the warranty. And the laptop is still ready to rock.
Actually Dell makes great notebooks, made to last!

Accidental Warranty is more marketing than a true fact! They would still evaluate the damages and you're not sure to get it repaired without fees.

For 4 years I have been repairing notebooks (HP, ACER, Toshiba, Dell, HP , CompaQ, Asus...) and the one brand that rocked is Dell. Most damages were caused by users themselves (really careless users).

So again in my humble opinion, go for the basic warranty.

 

Ordered: 2/10/12
Status: In Production
EDD: 2/27/12

Ordered the L502x with 2670QM 8GB ram 750gb Hdd 1080px screen 540 Nvidia 2GB Blu Ray drive, backlit screen, and some other goodies. Can't wait for it to arrive. Not sure if this is still the current thread for order progress since it hasn't been posted in lately, but thought I would post here anyway!

 

Sounds like a great one. I ordered early AM on 2/8 and still in production, ETA: 2/23. I only opted for the upgraded screen though, everything else is standard stuff.

 

Ordered: 3/7/12
Status: In Production
(3-5 Days Delivery)
EDD: 3/21/12

CPU: 2670QM
6GB ram 750gb Hdd
15.6FHD screen w/ 2GB Nvidia GT540M
Backlit screen

Do people normally see it ready and shipped sooner than the EDD?