Dell XPS15 R2 (L502) Thread

Dell USA has fixed the ordering system CPU upgrade anomaly. Now the dual core 2620M is $30 cheaper than the quad core 2720QM.

 

Woulda been nice.
They just designed the mobo for the L501x though, so they probably based the new one off the old one and reused as much as they could.
Plus, if they jacked up the graphics card in the XPS it would probably steal from sales of the m15x when they update it.
The new XPS 15 (501 and 502) is truly more of a multimedia laptop that can game adequately as well.
I'm not into the latest FPS games so I couldn't care less, but those wanting to play Crysis 2 or whatever else is on the horizon should wait for a SB m15x.

 

That's not an anomaly. Different processors are being offered in Canada.

USA has 2620M (2.7/3.4 GHz Dual), 2720QM (2.2/3.3 GHz Quad), and 2820QM (2.3/3.4 GHz Quad).
In addition to that, Canada also has 2630QM (2.0/2.9 GHz Quad).

Some dual cores are better than some quad cores.

EDIT: Also, the 2630QM has a slower graphics processing core (1.1 GHz) than the others (1.3 GHz)

And may I just say that the Dell Canada's configuration page is a lot nicer, and makes more sense, than Dell USA's?

 

Mmm. Island Keyboard. Wonder when I will be able to order that as a part.

 

a couple of months ago i was supposed to get my 1645 replaced....they tried to give me an xps 17 l701x...anyways i was out of the country and it didnt work out they told to put in a new request when i was back in the country..(this is a really complicated story that i have a seperate thread about but anyways)...do you think if i talk to them in a week they'll give me a l502x? i dont want the 17 inch one its too big for me and the screen sucks...

 

NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M - Notebookcheck.net Tech
here is the review of the gt540 looks about 10-15% better than the gt435 and not quite up to a radeon 5730. Its definitely not high end gaming but for mid range it seems decent.

 

There doesn't seem to be an island KB option for the L502x.

 

Its not an option is just the keyboard style they use now. You have to get it.

Also does anyone know how much RAM this can take and how many slots there are?

 

The L502x has the same keyboard as the L501x. Some blog had rumored that the L502x would have an island-style keyboard option, but that hasn't materialized on the released L502x.

 

L502x doesn't have the same keyboard as the L501X, The part number is different also in Direct2Dell confirms that both new xps15 and 17 have chiclet keyboar. Updated Dell XPS 15 and 17 Laptops Bring New Levels of Performance - Direct2Dell - Direct2Dell - Dell Community

[edit]Dell.US has updated pics of new xps15 so you can see the chiclet keyboard on the pic.

 

Correct, which means at some point, I'll be able to order it and replace my current keyboard.

 

This is going to be the most pleasant suprise for me when I receive my L502x. Thank you so much for the Direct2Dell link. The island KB was the only feature I had liked in my old Vaio notebook.

 

I knew it had an island-style keyboard!

Now if they would just offer i5s. The price is just too high, even for me. I couldn't configure it any way I wanted without it going over $2700. That's too much, I'm afraid.

 

Sorry for disagreeing with you ; the pictures of the XPS 15 KBs looked very similar to me.

 

$2700????? I maxed one out and its was only $1700. How did you get it priced that high?

 

Well, $600 of that is the SSD. Then I want a blu-ray player (not even the writer!), Photoshop elements, 8 GB of RAM, the cheapest processor option (which is too expensive to begin with), and every other bonus (TV tuner, backlit keyboard, 2 year advanced plan, etc.) It adds up.

 

Honestly, you should just forgo the SSD. Yes it is super fast, but is it worth the extra money? Besides, at some point in the future, if the regular hard drive is just too slow, you can upgrade. And maybe they'll even come down in price eventually.

 

Well, I already had a L501x for 2 weeks before I returned it (it was physically defective and the resolution was not what I wanted) and it had an SSD and the difference between it and the regular HDD is incredible. Once you go SSD (even for 2 weeks), you'll never go back. To me, it's worth it. I just think the option of a core i5 processor would bring the price down enough for me to be able to get it.

 

Downgrade to a regular HDD, get a 60/120gb SSD somewhere else for much cheaper(if 502 supports dual drive). Down grade to 6GB RAM, swap out the 2GB and replace with a cheaper 4GB. Not sure about the BD drive, but I suppose you could also get one after-market for cheaper.

 

That and buy your software somewhere else. $149 for photoshop elements 9 is FULL RETAIL. You can easily find it for less than $100 at many reputable stores and even less online.

Heck you can even get a 256GB SSD online for about $75 less than dell charges.

Just those two items would save you $150, but if you uncheck all the other bs they try to sell you at RETAIL prices and only configure the laptop with items that you can't upgrade yourself, it would be A LOT cheaper.

Ichinenjuu,
You basically walked into a car dealership, bought a car on sale, then at closing let them talk you into the undercoating, stain treatment and window etching.

 

But I'd rather have 256 GB and the ones I've been looking at (Crucial was recommend to me) don't cost much less than the one offered by Dell. 8 GB of RAM is probably not necessary, but the difference in price is not very significant.

Actually, it's Photoshop and Premier Elements together for $149. And $75 isn't that much of a difference in the grand scheme of buying a $2000 laptop and my dad insists that I get McAfee 36-months.

 

I hate to say it but your getting some wrong advice. If you want Photoshop, get the REAL photoshop, CS5. Yes, it's expensive, but worth every penny. As far as McAfee, it's about the worst program money can buy. Prime95 doesn't use as much system resources as McAfee. (If you don't know what Prime95 is, look it up.)

 

I could definitely leave out McAfee. But as for Photoshop, I've pirated it in the past (CIA doesn't watch this site do they?), but I wanted to actually own it legally for once, but the full version is hundreds of dollars. I'm just not sure that what I do with photos is enough to warrant spending way more on the full Photoshop.

 

So first off, I'm not promoting pirating or anything, but if you do get a cracked version of Photoshop, then what's the difference in that, and owning a CD? You're just gonna waste hundreds of dollars, or even just $175 in your case.

 

Just configured an XPS15 over the phone:
- The HSDPA module seems to be standard in better configs!
- The 9Cell is also standard in better configs...
- Backlit keyboard is only available as US English!
- I was discouraged to order a TV Tuner, the rep said they have history of compatibility problems with the l501...

 

That's nice, but why order over the phone while you have the access to the net? There are enough scary movies about orders over the phone in the forum lol

 

Just a guess from your picture, but if you're a student you can get Photoshop A LOT cheaper:

Newegg.com - Adobe Photoshop Extended CS5 Full for Windows Student/Teacher Edition

 

Just a word of caution to those that see this and are not actually a student/teacher at a college: These do not ship with the registry key. Once you receive the package you have to perform the instructions inside the box which will verify your elligibility to use the software. Only then will adobe send you a product key through email to use.

 

what are the differences between the i7 2620M and the i7 2720QM? Do i really need the 2720QM?

 

I would go for the 2720. Look Here for Comparison

 

For those that ordered one of these... I called Dell to ask why they were taking so long to get orders out and they immediately offered me $100 off to keep the laptop.

 

Well I bit the bullet and placed my order:

2720QM
8GB ram
GT 540m w/o TV tuner
640GB HDD
Blu-ray writer
1920x1080 display w/o facial recognition
Intel Advanced-N 6230 + bluetooth
56W battery
Backlit keyboard
Windows 7 Pro (buying upgrade from Amazon separately for only $70)
JBL with Soundblaster X-FI
and VGA adapter


all this for $1548.00 before taxes! (+ $70 for Win 7 Pro)

I would have gotten the 17 inch but the 3D display disables WiDi and optimus and those are important features to me. The 15 inch worried me a little bit because of the 540m GT card but I read reviews that it is great for After Effects and 3D design programs like Maya so I am ok with it since I won't be using it for gaming.

 

There are 2 problems with over the net:
1. You get better prices over the phone
2. You get some parts which are not available: like English OS in Germany, any keyboard config you like or the TV tuner which is currently unavailable on the webpage

 

Ichinenjuu, I held off on the SSD because OCZ is coming out with their Vertex 3 SSD, which is wicked fast, in a few weeks. Read and write speeds over 500 Mbs, and only a very small price premium over the Vertex 2. Google it, and read the reviews.

 

Mine:

Intel Core i7-2720QM processor 2.20 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 3.30 GHz
6GB,DDR3,2 DIMM
Backlit Internal Keyboard - English
15.6FHD TLF B+RGLED LCD L501X
NVIDIA GeForce GT540M 2GB graphics with Optimus
640GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
Tray Load Blu-ray Triple Writer (reads and writes CDs, DVDs, BDs)
JBL 2.1 Speakers with Waves Maxx Audio 3
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6230 and Bluetooth 3.0
92 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery

$1,616 including tax -$100 threaten to return discount = $1,516

 

How long is your service plan?

 

Ha! That's funny

 

Wow, really? That's a jumpy salesperson. Yours is shipping in about a month, right?

 

I didn't think the L502x would have sata III and thus, be able to utilize 500MB/s speeds? Can anyone confirm this?

 

I'm thinking of ordering 3 GB RAM with my XPS, and then buying a separate 4 GB ram stick. Any potential problems with this?

 

anyone here ordering a Design Studio Color? I want to add the red color but its 85 bucks extra I think. I want to keep everything below $1500

 

You mean the Product (Red) red gradient? I did. It is expensive for just a color, but at least I know some of the purchase is going to a good cause.

 

Yeah, do you think its worth getting? And what cause is that? They should have added just plain colors without any designs on it. I really want a blue colored laptop.

 

Design Studio is not Product (Red).

 

What do you mean "taking so long?" I ordered on day 1 and the shipping date was 3/15...still plenty of time to meet that. Now, I checked order status through My Account and it says, "Pre Production." I wonder if they are still awaiting some parts...

 

Okay so here are my specs for my laptop i plan on ordering Today. What do you guys think? What should I leave out or leave in??? All for $1409.99 Plus if i wanna add the color it comes out to be $1494

Processor: i7 2720QM- 2.20Ghz
Memory: 6GB
KeyBoard: BackLit Screen
LCD: 1080p Screen
Video Card: 540M with 2GB
HDD: 640GB
Blu-ray Player
9-cell battery
1-year basic service plan

 

Design Studio includes Product (Red) designs.

Product (Red) is for fighting AIDS in developing countries.

I mean it's a tough call... part of the reason I went for it is because I have a grant paying for most of the laptop's cost. If I was really hurting, I would more readily spend the extra $100 on a feature rather than a color. Though I agree that they should have had normal, and not so artsy, designs available as well.

 

You're right! I am living in the XPS M1540 days, when it was a separate 'red' cover + a red Windows Vista theme.

 

It's a bit of a shame, because they don't advertise it anywhere. I didn't even realize it was there until I stumbled across it.

 

Can anyone confirm or deny this? If it works, I might order one now. I'm kinda still waiting to see if they'll have some kind of discount before ship date... which is kinda unlikely...