Dell XPS15 R2 (L502) Thread

reply #500!!


Carry on.

 

I'm seeing you as 501 chief, sorry. But to keep on topic, mine is estimated delivery on Saturday. I'm super excited.

 

I am the 500th reply to the original post and the 501st post which includes the original post. Mine is coming on the 29th.

 

Fedex tried to deliver my L502X today. Sadly no one was home. My wife picked it up at the fedex office this evening after she got off work. It's sitting in my house patiently awaiting my return home on the 15th.

If only I could be so patient.

 

I'm on the fence about getting the 1080p screen or WLED screen. I feel that text on the 1080p screen will be uncomfortably small, and I don't want to have to zoom on every other site I go too. I mainly use my laptop for web surfing, school assignments, wordpress. Any advice anyone?

 

Don't skip the 1080P panel!!! The RGB panel on the XPS 15 is one of the best notebook screens in its class. It's one of the major pluses of this laptop and I think you are making a huge mistake to skip it.

To make the font manageable, set the Windows font DPI to 125% and you can zoom (hold control and use the mouse wheel) in browsers. The font size is totally at your control and you can enjoy the benefits of an excellent panel.

 

What he said!

 

Quoted from another thread:

Also most people have no problem adjusting to the tiny text and icons. I personally use [email protected]" set at normal 100% DPI setting, but there's always that 125% DPI setting if you feel the text is too small for you at first.

If there's a monetary reason for forgoing 1080p, downgrade the processor or memory or whatever, they're not as important of upgrades as the screen is.

If you look back through this thread at all the other people who've ordered and posted their specs, you'll notice that every single one of them got the B+RGLED 1080p display. There's a reason for that

 

This would be a million times easier if I could just see the 1080p display in person. I actually drove to Frys the other day and they had a 17 inch Vaio with 1080p display that looked good (couldn't connect it online as they're not allowed to surf the web at work...what the heck do they do when a customer wants to see what a site looks like?...unbelievable). I know that with the 720p screen I have nothing to worry about. I WANT the 1080p screen, but I know that when I got the laptop and can't read the text easily then I won't be happy at all. Readability is paramount. I heard increasing the DPI causes some windows etc to become blurry/distorted?

Could someone post a close up video of the 1080p screen while web surfing etc?

 

Not quite right. Decreasing the display resolution has the effective result of making everything bigger, but you can pretty much assume it will make everything blurry.

On the other hand, if you are having trouble reading the text anyway, then you might not notice a little blurriness.

To get a rough approximation of what text and images will look like, zoom your web browser (or word processor) to 70%. In Google Chrome, I believe this is two Zoom Outs (Ctrl-minus). It is going to be significant.

However, I could never put up with a 1366x768 screen. I would feel like I'm looking through a tiny window the entire time. However, thanks to HDTV, we have too few pixels or possibly too many (with the 'tween class phased out).

 

1080p is a must! Have read nothing but great reviews and how the screen looks. Can't wait for mine to arrive now.

You can always upgrade memory later if it comes down to the financials. Screen not as easy!

 

My XPS shipped last night... and should be here today! And I didn't even pay anything extra at all for shipping, just the standard 7-day.

 

Sam here! My XPS status changed to shipped last night and is out for delivery today. Ordered 2/28 with standard 7 day shipping. Shipped from NJ to northern VA area.

___________________________________________
Dell XPS 15 L502X: Intel Core i7-2720QM, 6 GB RAM, 15.6FHD TLF B+RGLED LCD, NVIDIA GeForce GT540M 2GB, 750GB HD, Intel 6230 and Bluetooth 3.0, Backlit Keyboard, 56 WHr 6-cell

 

Hey, Laptop mag told that it last only 4 hours surfing the internet with 9-cell battery...
kinda weird, really. I expected about 5-6 hours with 6-cell battery.

 

I was testing it last night and it lasted for more than 4 hours with the 9 cell. This was installing stuff, surfing, transferring files, etc. This thing has the best battery life of any laptop I have ever had. LOVING IT!!!!

 

Laptopmag has horrible battery tests.

There are barely any reliable sites except anandtech and notebookcheck.

 

Posting from my XPS 15 now.

 

How unwieldly is the 9-cell in person?

I opted for the 6 cell because that forced prop-up looked annoying (I already have a cooling stand that props it up).

 

its not bad. a little awkward if you are sitting and it is on your lap but it is not bad

 

How glossy is the display? Any problems with glare?

 

I don't think you guys are all just getting free upgrades to overnight shipping.. they just don't keep tabs on them perfectly so that by the time they change it to shipped, they've probably already been out for almost a week.

I ordered mine on the 4th. If people are already showing theirs as arriving soon, I see no reason why I shouldn't call them and complain.

 

Also, anyone have any more info on battery life? I opted for the 9 cell and am really curious how long it will last under regular use i.e. internet, music in the background, word processing.

 

The shipping notifications seem to be pretty accurate. Mine status went to shipped late yesterday. A few minutes later I had a tracking number. Checked tracking number and it showed the package was picked up yesterday. Using the standard 3-5 day shipping will get you varied delivery times because they are using FedEx Ground Home Delivery. When I checked the transit times on FedEx it showed that from the city Dell is shipping mine from 2 days is the transit time. The cost of shipping using that method is 15 bucks and if 2 days make the delivery happen on Saturday...so be it. But the time it takes for Ground Home Delivery is highly variable depending on destination and origin as compared to regular 2 day shipping that is guaranteed 2 day regardless of origin and destination.

My point? I don't think these machines have been shipped days ago, I just think those close to a shipping center will get their computers in 1 or 2 days after shipment and those further away will have to wait a bit.

-D

PS. I ordered on day 1 of L502x availability (feb 22) and will receive mine tomorrow. So ordering on March 4 I don't think its reasonable to expect you machine at the same time the early purchasers are. If your projected delivery date has not passed you got nothing to grouse about.
-D

 

i ordered on march 1 and it shipped on Thursday and its suppose to arrive any minute now

 

I think Dell is still just getting through the order backlog. My order was placed 2/28, shipment info sent to FedEx 3/8, picked up 3/10, delivered 3/11. The Dell delivery date estimate still says March 16 even though it arrived today. The high 7 day estimate is probably for folks in rural areas (and likely an attempt to get folks to pay more for faster shipping). If you ordered 3/4 with expedited shipping I wouldn't complain unless it hasn't shipped by early next week.

 

I would say it's pretty glossy, but the resolution and color more than make up for it.

 

anyone else who has taken delivery having an issue with slow download speeds? plugged straight into the modem I get 20MBps but over wireless I'm getting between 1 and 2 with an upload of around 3MBps...frustrating. I have the Intel 1030 with up to date drivers and a new belkin N600 router. I did do a clean install of windows when I received it yesterday but have reinstalled all the drivers as far as I can tell. anyone else having this problem? and does anyone have any ideas to remedy it? I will move this over to the wireless section if necessary but since it was for this specific product, I thought I would ask her first.

 

I really don't mind it. it can be awkward in the lap but when it's on a desk I actually prefer it with the typing angle it gives. all in all doesn't cause me any problems.

 

If you unplug, how long does Windows say your battery will last? 6 or 9 cell?

I'm gaining optimism that Laptopmag underestimated the XPS 15's battery.

 

Very.

If you're in sunlight, yeah, it's going to be a problem.

 

No... it's not a free upgrade or anything.

It's just that the laptop shipped out from Georgia and I live in Charlotte, NC.

 

Hmm.. my office is 360 degrees of windows... this could be a nuisance.

 

Not sure yet.

Currently at work, wiping the factory image and installing W7 from scratch.

 

Are you using "recovery media" from torrents? My understanding was Dell recovery media forces the bloat on you, no way to avoid.

 

I opted to spend the $15 extra for the Windows 7 disc.

You get the straight-up Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit disc and also a seperate Drivers and Utilities disc.

 

Crud, I should I have haggled for that to be thrown in.

 

does the cd come with the webcam software? if not where can we get it from? i forgot what that site was call some direct download dell site.

 

If any of you got the 6 cell battery could you please upload a picture of it just so we can get an idea of how much different it is in size to the 9 cell?
From the laptopmag review , the 9cell looked really bulky and I want this laptop for travel.

 

I have the 6-cell battery.

It's flush with the bottom of the laptop.

 

Well it comes with the webcam driver, dunno about the software.

 

just tried to check the order status page a few times and it doesn't appear to be working (UK). Press the submit as usual with the correct Order/Customer number and the page just stays static as if the 'Submit' button's not doing anything.

Same in FF and Chrome. Anyone else got an issue? Cheers.

Would love to see some snaps of someone's new toy

PS - is any of the 'bloatware' actually worth keeping - like the sound management software / music stage?

 

Same here (also UK). If you use the link in your confirmation email - that passes in order number and customer number with the request - then it works.

 

Now if only I could figure out where to buy a backlit L501x keyboard...

 

If you call/chat Dell, they will ship it free. At least in the US they will. I have done it on two different systems. Sent me 4 or 5 disks each time, including plain Win 7 64 bit.

 

Thanks for letting me know! I emailed my sales rep asking him to throw it in, maybe he'll do it.

 

Will they ship it for free and charge it for free?

 

New member, but have been following the L501 and L502 threads.

Ordered 3/1 through an EPP program.
It still shows as "In Production" on the Dell site but I just missed delivery today.
???? I requested a hold and will pick it up tonight or tomorrow.
I live west of Chicago.

i7-2720QM
8GB,DDR3
B+RGLED LCD
GeForce GT540M 2GB graphics with Optimus
640GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive
Blu-ray Triple Writer
Wireless-N 1030 and Bluetooth 3.0 - (Damn, forgot to upgrade, oh well)
56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
1 Year Limited Warranty

 

Thanks Zygotic - that worked for me too. Few Gremlins in the system

 

no it doesnt come with that stupid effects software, but why would you want that anyway? I did a fresh install of windows 7 pro when I got my system. So now I guess I have a spare win 7 home key haha

 

I ordered on 2/27, and my order is still listed as "in production". I'm jealous of those of you who ordered after me who already have had yours shipped. I'm really looking forward to replacing my 2007 MacBook Pro with this system--Apple has some nice design perks, but it's really not worth the price and worse Windows performance. I'm planning on replacing the hard drive with an SSD as well.

Here's what I ordered:
XPS 15
Intel Core i7-2720QM
8GB,DDR3,2 DIMM
Backlit Internal Keyboard - English
15.6FHD TLF B+RGLED LCD
NVIDIA GeForce GT540M 2GB graphics with Optimus
640GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive
Tray Load Blu-ray Disc BD-Combo (Reads BD and Writes to DVD/CD)
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6230 and Bluetooth 3.0