Dell XPS15 R2 (L502) Thread

hi am planning to buy a XPS 15..
wht should be the necessary upgrades to be included which able me to have a nice movie experience and gaming like crysis as i want to keep it under 1150 USD...

 

You'll probably want to upgrade the graphics card to the 540M, or overclock the 525M with software (it can usually be brought up to 540M speeds). For games like Crysis you'll probably benefit from having the 540M, but the 525M runs things like Starcraft just fine.

You'll also want to get the 1080p B+RGLED screen because it's so much better than the standard 1366x768. If you find that gaming at native resolution is difficult, gaming 1280x720 on the 1080p screen will probably look better than gaming at 1366x768 on the default screen. The youtube video I linked below shows Crysis running at 1920x1080. The colors in the 1080p screen will also give you a nice movie experience, and the higher resolution will make the computer more useful for day to day tasks because you can fit more on the screen at once.

This youtube video shows someone running Crysis on Medium settings on his L502x w/ 1080p and 540M:
YouTube - New Dell XPS 15 L502X Running Crysis and Need for Speed Pro Street Demos

Here's a great deal on an Dell XPS 15
http://goo.gl/Zz0P5 (this link won't show up on Dell's site) + coupon code 932N$0ZCCHWZB9

Specs:
Quad Core SandyBridge i7-2630QM processor
1920x1080 B+RGLED screen (default on this config, and it's one of the most awesome screens available on a laptop like the XPS. If you end up getting any XPS 15 config make sure it's got this.)
6GB+ RAM
500GB+ Hard Drive

EDIT: it's even got a 2 year warranty standard

 

edit1754, you also mentioned lowering the res to 1280x720 in the previous page. But can you comment on how the games that don't do so well in 1080 run in 1600x900? I've read that it looks almost as good as 1080. What do you think?

 

I'm looking for a new laptop, and the Dell XPS15 R2 looks really awesome, but I've looked around, and everyone suggests to take the B+RGLED screen over the WLED. I've searched, but I cannot find any examples of differences between those two screens.

The B+RGLED screen is ~$289,60 extra converted from my currency (everything is like double price in Denmark), which makes it exceed my budget. Even with a 10% coupon code it's just too expensive for me, so if the WLED screen is so bad, I guess I'll have to look for something else.

I'd mainly use the laptop for school, but I'm also going to do alot of photoshopping and I'd want to enjoy some gaming too.

So my question is, would the WLED 1366x768 screen make it not worth buying?

 

Yes, I'd say that screen would ruin the whole notebook. Try to save the money on any other upgrade, but the screen is a must-have.

 

The screen is the main reason I chose to order an XPS 15 instead of waiting for an Alienware M14x even though the 14x will almost certainly have a better GPU for gaming.

 

I just tested it out at a custom resolution of 1600x1000 on my 1920x1200 RGBLED display (to match the 1600x900 -> 1920x1080 scaleup) and it actually looked pretty good. I barely noticed a difference between that and running at native.

With the 1366x768 WLED screen you're never guaranteed to get a good screen. Sometimes they give you a decent screen and sometimes they give you a grainy screen. I've seen both. With the 1080p you're guaranteed to get an amazing screen, and it's what makes the XPS worth buying. Budget for that first; you don't need a quad-core i7 or a higher-end graphics card for what you're doing. Worse comes to worse the 525M can be overclocked, but I know the 525M should be able to run Starcraft 2 oh high settings w/ the shaders turned down too medium. I run Starcraft on my older graphics card and a 1920x1200 screen on high graphics settings, medium shaders, and ultra texture with no issues. Runs at around 41fps and dips to 33fps at the lowest.
Photoshop will benefit greatly from the high quality color and increased workspace on the 1080p display. I don't recommend getting the standard screen if Photoshop is one of the reasons you're buying the laptop
Plus, the multitasking capability of the 1920x1080 resolution is awesome. You can fit two side-by-side windows on the screen, such as one for Microsoft Word for writing a paper and the other for your web browser looking for some references.
If you're keeping the laptop for a few years, you really ought to try to budget for the screen. For what you're doing the XPS 15 should be a great laptop provided that you get the 1080p display.

 

Hey, thanks for the answer.
I just found out I had a bigger budget available than I first thought, so now I can afford the B+RGLED screen, which by the way looks awesome.

 

This is an amazing offer - I ordered my new xps 15 3 weeks back and checked edit1754 link, adjusting the specs to mine and the new price is $200 lower than what I paid - shouldn't have checked this offer, now I am angry about myself that I couldn't have waited another 3 weeks to place my order

On the other hand - my xps15 was delivered yesterday

 

Dell is really great. I had just ordered my XPS 15 the other day. When I saw that the above link and coupon provided over $200 in additional savings, I called Dell today, and they simply agreed, created a new order, and cancelled my older order. So it will take a few more days to get mine, but I now save a HUGE amount of money. Almost $500 less with all three deals, promotions, coupon, and free shipping added together
Dell service, at least in the USA, is getting much better lately.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/gam...ds/545708-gt-550m-no-faster-than-gt-445m.html

this may be not a glitch

maybe just a standard revision

 

hi - ordered mine from the Dell UK on April 2 and initially quoted an estimated delivery date of April 25. as of yesterday it showed as shipped and the UPS tracking is showing a departure scan from Korea (10:37AM local time, April 7). so I am hoping it will be delivered to my workplace by tomorrow .

XPS L502 i7-2720/15.6 FHD B+RGLED/4GB RAM/640GB HD/Blu-ray Disc BD-Combo/9-cell battery/2GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M/Internal DVB-T TvTuner/Wireless-N 1030/Backlit UK/Irish Qwerty Keyboard/Windows 7 Home Premium/3 Year Hardware Support - Next Business Day

 

Has anyone had this problem...
My XPS15 is barely 2 weeks old and the palmrest started to discolor on the left side...called Dell and they wanted to change the complete system...(I had the bad feeling that the replacement would be a refurbished notebook...)

After some arguing that the current system is perfect (has no fan problem, is not overheating) apart from the palmrest...they will replace only the palmrest of the notebook, but want to send a technician to do it, as it seems to be not replaceable by the user...weird...

By the way is there any way to get the W7 and the i7 stickers from the Dell?

 

Can you post a picture of the discoloration?

 

Wow, I just went to this website, to see if I could run a couple of games in my new XPS, and I chose Metro 2033 and Battlefield:BC, and it failed to meet the minimum requirments, it says the GT 540M is not good enough, is there something wrong going on??

 

Wow! I ordered mine on March 28 and got an anticipated delivery date of May 12. It was only today (April 7) that it went into production. Surely it won't take another 5 weeks to be built and delivered!

 

Why not just check the minimum requirements for the game instead of relying on some arbitrary browser plugin?

 

Yes, there's something wrong...with the site. Notice that it says you have 4 GB of VRAM, and 0.0 versions of the shaders. That's impossible.

 

Curious question for those who received their laptops, if you called the automated order # to check the status does it always say "Order is processing" even right before it ships? Thank you.

 

Dell coupon code for XPS15 ended early?

I got a mailing from Dell that had a coupon code for the XPS15 supposedly valid from 4/6 6am CT - 4/8/11 6am CT. I just tried it, and the website said the coupon code is invalid. I'm pretty sure that by most definitions of CT, the coupon is still supposed to be valid. Is this the type of thing Dell does frequently?

 

Does anybody know of good deals and coupon codes that work in Canada?
All coupons and deals I checked do not work on the Canadian site...

Also, I'd like to have an idea of the current total delivery time (build+ship) to Canada. I need the laptop a week before May 20 (when I go back to Canada from abroad), but don't want to wait if it's delayed... If I order it a month ahead of time (next week) should I be OK?

Thanks!

 

If you were to call them/chat with them and ask, they'd probably be able to process it. Mistakes happen. Or it could be intentional, but they might still be willing to give it to you.

 

No discolouration here - yet. Would be pants if they've used a thin / cheap coating on the plastic that comes off or gets stained easily.

When I had my palmrest replaced I used a paint stripping heat gun (on low setting) to get the stickers off the old one. They need to get warmed through (it took a good few minutes of heat for anything to happen) but the glue does soften enough to get a fingernail underneath and peel the sticker off. It then resticks when the glue cools.

 

It's definitely replaceable. I had to take it off to get to the Hard drive bay. It's just a pain in the @ss. This lappy was definitely not designed with end-user upgradeability in mind.

 

Yeah - not looking forward to having to do it!

But if Dell offer to come and do something for free then I think let them. New expensive laptop, under warranty - let them snap the tabs off or scratch the screen or whatever, then put it right afterwards!

 

Great deal today, 30% off the XPS 15, plus $70 off with coupon code 932N$0ZCCHWZB9

 

It was definitely a great deal!

I decided to buy it yesterday and got an awesome price!

-i7 2720QM
-GT 540M
-6GB RAM
-750GB Hard Drive
-Blu Ray Writer
-Full HD 1080p Screen
-Backlit Keyboard
-9 cell battery
-Creative SoundBlaster X-FI MB 1.2
-Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6230 and Bluetooth 3.0
- Office Home & Student 2010

Sub-Total : $1384.59
Shipping : $0.00
Tax : $99.78
Order Total :$1492.37

 

Just got my status upgraded to shipped! So excited. Ordered an L502x April 1, shipped April 8.

 

I just ordered my XPS 15 laptop the other day with a great deal from dell. I was going to wait for the M11X R3 to come out, but could not pass on the Price/Specs of this system. The only thing I found myself debating is the $100 difference between the Gt 525m and the GT 540m. I did not see either card maxing out any modern games, especially at 1080p. I also do not use the cards for graphic design or anything that will utilize the VRAM. I even tested the VRAM usage of my GTX 580 and found on games like Metro2033, COD, and all three Crysis games, the VRAM usage was between 800-1200, but that was with everything completely maxed out and 60 FPS, well 40-50 on Metro2033, damn crappy code! So, I went with the GT 525m and will hopefully overclock it for gameplay. Here is my system specs:

XPS 15 L502X
1080p no fastaccess, will buy the pro version later from sensiblevision.com
i7 2630QM
GT 525m
6GB RAM
640GB HDD (will replace the ODD w/ HDD caddy and use 250GB SSD)
Backlit Keyboard (selling point of laptop, odd that no one really offers this option with their laptops, caugh...Asus...EEE)
9 Cell Battery
Intel 6230 & BT 3.0
2 year Advanced Warranty (Accidental Damage Protection)!
Total with shipping and taxes $1181.
ETD is 5/3/2011 (long ways away, but I have waited this long, whats another month).

Funny thing is, I built the computer the day before just to price it. Same specs except,
4GB RAM
500GB HDD
No Extended warranty
$1310 Total!

Luckily I waited for the deal, but it made me happy. Have not had a laptop since the end of Feburary 2011, been unhappily using the wife's Inspiron 1545.

 

Would this work with a hair dryer...I don't have a heat gun...

 

You can only try! I would guess so - I used a heat gun cause I dont have a hair dryer and it was on how heat anyway.

 

Hey I just ordered a XPS 15 with the following specs:

XPS 15

2nd generation Intel Core i7-2720QM processor 2.20 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 3.30 GHz
8GB,DDR3,2 DIMM
Backlit Internal Keyboard - English
15.6FHD TLF B+RGLED LCD L501X
Camera Software 2.X, Factory Install
Fast Access Facial Recognition 3.0 SW Application
NVIDIA GeForce GT540M 2GB graphics with Optimus
750GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
8X Tray Load CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
Creative SoundBlaster X-FI MB 1.2
Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1030 and Bluetooth 3.0

Order Total : $1491.64

Can not wait to see and play Crysis 2 on this, Battlefield 2 in 3D, Mass Effect 2 in 3D, and watch Jackass 3D lol.

 

Its beautiful Can it have my children?

 

Ha

Hit me up after I get my system if you play Crysis 2, Counter-Strike, CS:Source, Battlefields....

 

no Bluray? Jackass 3D ?

 

LoL other ways im not waisting money on anything thousands get for free get it?

Get it? seriously?

 

Er - good luck with that, buddy. The XPS 17, not the XPS 15, is the model that comes with 3D support - it's a specific upgrade you have to get. With that model, you aren't playing or watching anything in 3D. You uh, are aware of that, right?

edit: Well, I guess if you already have a 3D TV then you could use this laptop to play games in 3D on that, because technically the GT 540m does have 3D support...

 

Are you sure becuase nVidia thinks not...

GeForce GT 540M

click on 3d vision to the right

also

http://www.nvidia.com/object/3d-vision-buy.html

120hz EASY going to buy a Samsung half months salary ( http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung...HDTV/2127204.p?id=1218310409910&skuId=2127204)

laptop has both digital video outputs, a Mini DisplayPort and an HDMI output ( http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Dell-XPS-15-FHD-Notebook.41509.0.html)

http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/c6d9857fcb.jpg

HDMI 1.4 and USB 3.0 ports come standard



also notice how the gpu options in the link below for laptops from nvidia for 3d are older

http://www.nvidia.com/object/3d-vision-notebook-buy-options.html

also

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Supe...IA-GT540M-Rolled-Out-at-CES-2011-176655.shtml

whats the title in above link? Super-Slim LG A520 3D Notebook with NVIDIA GT540M Rolled Out at CES 2011

Of course, a 3D notebook requires some serious graphics, provided, in this case, by the NVIDIA GeForce GT540M graphics card (1 or 2 GB versions available, together with Optimus graphics switching technology), while the notebook's level of performance is further boosted by the up to 8GB of supported RAM memory

Mines 2gb and 8gb ram AWWWWW YEAAAAAAAA


Not technically supports ha its built for it do research kid, though the XPS 15 does not have a 3D-capable display or emitter, its Nvidia GT 540M video card can stream three-dimensional video to a 3D-enabled television using Nvidia's 3DTV Play software and the system's HDMI 1.4 port.


Haters gonna hate.

 

Order Date: 4/14/2011------Estimated Delivery Date: 6/1/2011 Ummmmm what? It takes 1 1/2 months to build and ship a laptop? is there something wrong here?

 

Anandtech review of the L502x is out - Dell XPS 15 L502x: Now with Sandy Bridge - AnandTech :: Your Source for Hardware Analysis and News

 

Nope, nothing wrong.
Everything is as it should be...
It's DELL, so get used to

 

Guys,
Dell is replacing my year old Studio 15 with i7 due to heating issue. It is providing me a XPS L502X. Here are the two choices:

Choice 1:
Core i7-2720WM
1GB Nvidia GT 525M
4GB 1333MHz SDRAM
500GB 7200rpm HDD
15.6'' FHD B+RGLED display

Choice 2:
i5-2410M
1GB Nvidia GT 525M
6GB 1333MHz SDRAM
750GB 7200rpm HDD
15.6'' FHD B+RGLED display

I asked second choice with core i5 because i5 will generate less heat(Moreover I live in a hot country). I have never used my old core i7 more than 30% cpu usage.

I can ask for more changes, provided the cost remains the same. Please advice me. Which option is better/future safe? Should I ask for more changes?

 

Choice 1 with the quad-core will be more future proof of course. Though Choice 2 does have a bit more RAM and more storage space.

The way these processors are designed is to run as hot as possible (when the demand is there) without being unsafe, and the case is designed well enough that even at maximum load, the exterior never gets more than a bit warm. But since you live in a hotter country, the performance will be lower than it otherwise would be, so the quad-core i7 potentially won't perform up to its expected peak while the dual-core i5 might be more likely to perform at peak for more time, though its hard to say by how much this would matter. But during idle conditions, they should be fairly close to the same temperature-wise.

If you go the Choice 2 route, you might want to push for a slightly faster i5 though, perhaps in exchange for a smaller hard drive.

 

Thanks a lot for the thoughtful response. I appreciate.
Dell has originally offered Choice 1 with core i7 only. Since i7 is 45W and i5 is 35W, I strongly believe that i5 will run less hot even in idle conditions. What do you think?

I am using core i7 in studio 15 since one year and I am fed up with the heat it generates Thats why I asked for 'choice 2' with core i5.

And yes, there is no option of other higher models of core i5 in this configuration. I would certainly ask for that, if I made my mind not to go for core i7.

The system is mainly used for playing HD media content. Does core i5 or i7 make difference? Should I ask for 2GB Nvidia GT540M?

 

Get the best CPU and GPU combo you can get, because RAM and HDD are relatively easy to replace and are quite cheap! You can get 2x4Gb for the XPS15 currently for about 80€!!! A CPU change is possible but it will kill your wallet...mobile CPUs are most of time insanely priced if you buy them separately...and you have to tear down the whole machine to get to the CPU.

 

I clearly understand your point. last time when I purchased the new system, I thought in the same way and preferred core i7 over core i5. But during the year I faced a lot of problems due to heat generated by core i7. Motherboard, heatsink and even processor have been replaced. Finally Dell has agreed to change the system. I am afraid of making the same mistake again

 

It was not the fault of the i7, it was the fault of the notebook...the XPS15 has quite good cooling system and mine with the i7-2630QM does not get hot...the only thing is the fan which gets loud if you give the CPU something to do.

 

Do you have the same system? What are the min and max CPU temperatures you are facing? What is the ambient temperature?

 

Its not the same, its "only" a i7-2630QM, not the i7-2720QM, and has a 540M, so it could be hotter.
The Core Temps almost idle are between 55-65C so its not that hot.

 

What resolution is everyone using while browsing and doing text work? My font looks really small and I'm geting horizontal scroll bars in gmail.

1920 x 1080 is what I have.