Dell XPS15 R2 (L502) Thread

yeah, that system would cost at least 3X as much just to have a svelte case design and a cool glowing apple!!!

 

I know, Apple is ridiculous. Still, I wish other companies would care more about high quality screens and battery life, plus little things like the magnetic power adapter and the high-quality aluminum case.

This Dell XPS 15 looks like a fabulous replacement for my aging MacBook Pro though. I doubt I'll be buying any more Apple computers.

 

Didn't charge me anything either time. I think they will do it once per system. I ordered a L502 i5, so when I get it, I'll call them again .

 

just got mine. R+BG screen looks very nice. These colors are soooooo i do not know how to describe it, vibrant.

gonna start on a format soon. 1.7gb of ram and 88 processes on intial boot. WAY too much dell come on!

Im not liking this new multi touch track pad. Hate using 2 fingers becuase it is not as smooth as the old side scrolling.

 

this screen is beautiful!!! and the battery life seems amazing

 

The FHD and higher gamut display are two of the reasons I ordered, but great color and resolution don't mean much if ya can't see what's onscreen due to glare... Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of options at reasonable prices.

Thanks to both of you for the feedback. It won't likely be a problem too often, but I am outdoors sometimes so I'll just have to wait and see if that small percentage of time is a big enough problem to warrant return or just replacing the display with a matte one. Enjoy your new toys!

<goes back to waiting for his own new toy...>

 

I happen to like the dell webcam central. like when recording a video and such.

 

I'm getting this because of the screen, indeed. I was referring to most other notebooks that have totally inadequate screens though (including the low-end one here).

 

Here's an example of something Apple gets right--no bloatware--and it's one reason Apple's market share has been increasing. People have been complaining about this stuff for a decade or more, yet Dell and others persist in this idiocy. I'm no Apple fan, but come on PC makers, you have to get better at this.

 

but its not worth paying double....

 

Agreed. Now why hasn't my system been shipped yet? I'm dying to get mine.

 

when did you order?

 

2/27

I'd get this computer even if the Apple alternative were the same price, by the way--this screen sounds significantly better, for one thing.

 

Agreed.

And the worst of it is... they CAN build computers with no bloatware.

See: Dell and HP's buisness machines.

But for some inane reason they think consumers won't care about the crap that's shoveled onto their new PCs.

Earth to OEMs: THEY CARE. STOP LOADING YOUR PCs WITH CRAP.

Fortunately it's easy enough (for we nerds) to do a fresh install with a Win7 disc, crapware-free.

 

While this may be true, there is a reason I am returning my brand new Macbook Pro to best buy tonight. The reason: My iPhone 4 comes with more software on it than the mac does. You can't do squat except for face chatting, email, surfing, and looking at pictures. That is not an OS, it's more like a single program, and the reason why mac's get such good battery life and fast boot times. There's nothing to load. Also, the island keyboard sucks. Dell's is way better, closer together and the keys don't take 10lbs. of force to push in. Apple did not follow the "form follows function" rule, and people not smart enough to make a competent decision are the one's who will buy this (and keep it!)

On a funny note: I bought the mac for my wife who always wanted one. She felt the same way I did and so that's why I'm returning it. But the first time she booted it up, it wasn't 10 minutes later, and she asks me "Can I install flash player on this?" I laughed so hard when she asked me that.

 

It's all about money, I suppose. At least for things like demo/cutdown versions and ISP preloads - they get money from the ISPs and software companies for referrals.

Something I've been wondering - all you guys with recent laptops in your sigs, plus an L502x on the way, do you sell the previous laptop? Or have multiple recent and expensive laptops? Or one provided by work?

 

We all know this isnt accurate but its still a pretty high number 90% battery life left saying 6.5 hours on my 9 cell

 

E6500 in my sig is a work machine.

 

Is it worth upgrading to the SoundBlaster X-FI MB 1.2 ?

 

What I REALLY want to know... will the L501x keyboard work with the L502x?

 

Most of their customers don't mind. However, we do tend to be very price sensitive and every piece of obnoxious software you don't want and sticker you'd rather do without knocks the price down a little more.

However, despite Apple's reputation for being expensive (mainly because they don't play in the dirt-cheap market), I have never found their computers to be significantly more expensive (heck, they were often cheaper!) until the last year to eighteen months. So if they weren't more expensive without all the crap, then maybe Dell should return to the model where you can pay an extra $40 (or whatever) for a pristine machine.

I did find articles from the 2007 time frame that indicated Dell had listened to user complaints and will now automatically uninstall any software that you don't accept the EULA for on startup. I cannot confirm that myself, though ... soon. :smile:

 

In my situation, my wife and I both have personal and work laptops. I have two personal laptops now, and a very expensive and fast desktop with two 23" 1080p screens I do most of my playing around on. So, we have 5-6 computers at the house for two people, not including servers/networking equipment.

 

I'm not sure I follow the bashing. The web site indicates that they still install iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, Garage Band, web camera software, contact management (including Bluetooth syncing), web publishing, music player, and more.

Isn't that more than Microsoft installs these days? I have nothing bad to say about the Microsoft Live Essentials Suite, but it's not like it comes with the OS.

What were you looking for? About the only missing application that springs to mind is pixel-editing software (gotta' love Paint even if there are better options out there).

Why did you laugh? I wasn't aware that the Mac OS no longer comes with Flash, but it's terribly easy to install.

 

I was one of the first to instinctively hate the L502x keyboard because of the MBP's new chicklet keyboard. I must say that I like it and don't want to switch back to the L501x keyboard.

 

I laughed because apple hates flash, and I kinda hate them for hating it. I can't tell you how many normal websites that I can't view correctly because my iphone doesn't have flash and apple won't allow it. As far as the OS, yes I was expecting more. Maybe it is the fact that my iphone does the exact same stuff with the same names and icons, that makes me think it's nothing more than an iphone 4 with better hardware. If you own an iphone 4, and a new mac, you can't help but notice all the similarities between the two.

 

Hey guys:

I want to order this new XPS 15 laptop. However, I'm not sure about which processor should I choose.

I'm between the i7 2720QM and the i7 2820QM. The 2820QM is $200 more expensive and the only difference I see is that it have 2MB more of caché... so what do you think about it? Is it really worth this update? Would it make a big difference in performance? Or should I stay with the i7 2720QM?

I would like the laptop for gaming, video and pictures editing and for designing stuff with the Adobe Suite...

Thanks for your advice!

Regards

 

I'm excited. My status just changed from Production to Shipped. (3/11/2011 4pm central time). Interestingly the Fedex info indicates that it had shipped earlier

Mar 10, 2011 10:05 PM Left FedEx origin facility CHICAGO, IL
Mar 10, 2011 4:14 PM Arrived at FedEx location CHICAGO, IL
Mar 10, 2011 Picked up CHICAGO, IL
Mar 8, 2011 2:18 AM Shipment information sent to FedEx

So maybe the data entry has been slowed down on the US side.

System was ordered on Feb 22

 

The 2720QM offers plenty of performance. Save the money for the B+RGLED 1080p upgrade
(which I'd assume you're getting anyway due to the fact that you're buying this laptop for photo and video editing)

You probably won't notice the difference unless you're rendering tons of HD video. And in games your bottleneck will most likely be the GPU, not the CPU.

 

Update - Received and typing this mail from it. Received 14 days earlier than quoted. 3/25 was the posted expected delivery date. So far, very happy with the Dell experience. Now I need to get some content loaded on this puppy!

 

Save the cash and stay with the 2720, use the spare cash on other upgrades (like RAM or the 1080 screen).

 

Ok great! Then I'll go for the 2720QM And off course I'm getting the 1080p screen

One final question: is the 9 cell battery a good option to get? How much time could I get with the 6 cell battery without been plugged?

Thanks again for your advices

 

That's awesome! Could you please post some pictures of the packaging and the laptop itself?

Thanks!

 

WOW, I think Im the only person that has ordered the L502 with an i5. In my case, I see no need for the i7. My desktop is an i7-875k @ 4.1ghz and I have never loaded it up, not into games. Anyways, I ordered the i5-2520. My first order was for the i5-480, the SB wasn't posted. I cancelled that order 5 days after placing it but it has already shipped. So Im waiting for both, sending the 480 back with no restocking fee.

 

Rough estimate from the widely varying numbers we've see so far? Between 2.5 and 4 hours with the 6 cell.

No, you are not the only one. The only processor-intensive thing I will do on this system is games, and I can put the $300 difference in price toward the purchase of a new laptop in a few years if game developers decide to start pushing quad core.

I cancelled my first order as well (while In Production so no return) without penalty. I bought the quad core before they shocked me by releasing the i5 at an insanely lower price point.

 

Thats probably because the L502 was initially only available with an i7 AND because quite a few people where waiting on sandy bridge because of the performance gains. Those waiting because of performance gains would naturally tend to go for the i7. Thats not to say there are not good gains in the i5 SBs, but i5 is more marketed/perceived as a competent proc with high performance to price ratio (value). Truth is, most of us who ordered i7 will rarely experience its extra umph.

ENJOY!

-D

 

Hate to say it but for what i do a netbook would work, (almost).

 

Bite the bullet and do a fresh install before loading it up. It will never get any easier to wipe and re-install than it is right out of the box.

Grats!

Oh and whoever asked about laptops in sig, I'm currently at work typing on my macbook while my new L502X is sitting at home. I won't be home for 4 more days. When I do get home, my older son will be the recipent of my macbook, while the Lenovo R61 he's currently using will go to my younger son. Trickle down theory.

Also,
I got a chance to play around with my nephews brand new 15" Macbook Pro and it seemed pretty nice to me. I didn't notice any issues with the keyboard being stiff and all the typical mac software was there. It's a pretty nice laptop, just a bit more than I was willing to spend this time around. Figured I give Dell another shot since I've boycotted them for 6yrs.

 

This might sound dense, but how can I do that without a retail version of W7? Would I have to go out and buy another version, or can I somehow reinstall without the bloat? Thanks for the advice

 

Personally I just don't think it looks as nice.

 

First off, DAMN! Ease up Dell. I never really was a fresh install kinda guy, I hate reinstalling drivers and all just cause I always think i'll miss something or something will go wrong, but that really makes me re-consider.

And I believe you don't have to take advantage of the multi touch, my SXPS 16 has multi touch but i never use it, just go into the Dell Touchpad settings and turn it off, you can use the older scrolling style with just a few clicks.

All I can say to that is, Wow, thats alot

I'm in the same boat as you once were NoSlow5oh, I pretty much hate chicklet style keyboards and upon seeing LaptopMags's review pics, hated it instantly no question. But, your comment has given me a glimmer of hope that it just might be ok.

But I must still agree with TotalLamer, even if its nice in its own, it will NEVER be as elegant and good-looking as the L501x's keyboard, I guess i just have a thing for these types of keyboards, of course there are plenty but my favourites are my SXPS 16's, Sony's old keyboard design (truly amazing keyboards [hate the relatively new chicklets Sony has]), and i was soooo happy to see it on the XPS 15 L501x, but was dis-heartened when I saw the L502x chicklet keyboard pics.

 

My Dell rep called today and told me there is a problem with the LoJack software, which, through AAFES (military) was a free add-on. The software is in the R&D dept, getting worked on, and he didn't know when the unit would ship. I ordered 2/22. Ugh.
Does anybody that has recieved their unit have LoJack?

 

I'm not saying its "as good" as the L501x keyboard. I only had that laptop for 2 weeks and I really liked the keyboard. But, with that said, I find this keyboard is WAY better than the mac, and when typing, I barely notice the difference from the L501x. The pressure it takes to push down each button is way less than the mac, and I can type just as fast and easily as I could on the L501x keyboard. I don't have to look for the buttons or "search with my fingers" as I did on the mac, nor do I make as many mistakes. Overall I think I will get used to it. It looks completely different from the mac, and up close, actually looks good to me with the template between the buttons.

 

NoSlo, did you get your Vertex 3?

 

^ Like I said NoSlow5oh, your comment/review of the keyboard gives me hope

When reading the review by LaptopMag, the keyboard was the only thing about it that struck a nerve.
Guess i can only hope for the best now.

BTW Rick: I envy your 2820QM, as much as i wanna get the best of the best, can't justify the upgrade cost for that little performance upgrade.
*sigh*

 

How are the temperatures at palmrest, keyboard and bottom.

Do you feel it cooler than the L501x??

 

Typing on this keyboard right now its great, the keyboard feels solids and its not loud at all, i cannot hear myself typing.

 

ans04, my newest notebook is a 5-year-old Sony Vaio S series. I'll probably hang on to this XPS for a while, and the 2820 will help keep it future-proof.

 

How are the temperatures at palmrest, keyboard and bottom.

Do you feel it cooler than the L501x??

 

I'm all for future-proofing.
Just saying i wish i had the funds to get the 2820QM.
I wish you all the best with your system.
(If only it were mine)

 

formatting now. Cant wait to use this as the daily.