Dell Xps 15 Help

OK so I am currently configuring a dell xps 15 l502x from dell.com and the specs are:

2nd generation Intel® Core™ i5-2430M processor 2.40 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 3.00 GHz
MEMORY 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 Memory
HARD DRIVE 750GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive
VIDEO CARD NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 525M 1GB graphics with Optimus
HD DISPLAY
15.6 FHD B+RGLED TL (1920x1080) and Skype-Certified 2.0MP HD Webcam
INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE 8X Tray Load CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
BATTERY OPTIONS 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
SOUND OPTIONS JBL 2.1 Speakers with Waves Maxx Audio 3

Total of $889 wo tax ( free shipping)

and then I found one configuration from BestBuy.com and the specs are:


Intel® Core™ i7
Processor Speed
2.0GHz (with Turbo Boost up to 2.9GHz)
High-definition LED with TrueLife technology (1920 x 1080)
8GB of RAM ( not stated if its 1333mhz or 1600, although it says DDR3 )
750 GB HDD 7200 RPM
DVD±RW/Blu-ray Disc/CD-RW
1 Gb NVIDIA GeForce GT 525M w Optimus
Same Audio speakers and same Battery options ( 6 cell )

Total of $1065 With tax ( free shipping)

so basically, the one from BB has better specs in terms of the processor, RAM. when i tried to copy BB's configuration at dell.com, it would total up to at least $1300 wo tax.

The only thing that is holding me back from purchasing from BB is that their HD LED TL 1080p screen may be that much of a difference from the FHD B+RGLED 1080p from dell.com.. is it something I should consider?

 

All 1080p screens in the XPS15 should be the same, but I could be wrong too.

 

dell.com just gave me an extra 50$ off after I told them of what BB had. The total for the xps15 from dell.com would be just under 1000. It will be a 100$ difference from the i7, 8gb ram xps 15 that BB have on their site. I just really dont know if the screen from BB is different from the screen that dell.com is offering.

 

You can try this configuration using this coupon code: 932N$0ZCCHWZB9

$1,049.99 for the XPS 15 with superior specs versus the Best Buy configuration (i7-2670QM, NVIDIA 540M).

 

I would have to go over my budget tho which is $1100 even with the coupon code. I just want to know if the lcd display from BB which is the HD LED TL 1080p is different from the FHD B+RGLED 1080p upgrade from dell

 

I went on the best buy website to see it and I think it is the normal 1080p display all XPS 15 have. If i am correct, when you buy the laptop from BB, Dell has to send it to them and when they receive it they will ship it to you.

 

Yes it does look like its the same 1080p display that all XPS 15 have although when I was chatting with a dell customer service rep, she told me that the RGBLED is better thats why its more expensive. she never answered my question regarding the screen that BB had. Im going to make sure one more time w a different customer service rep if all xps 15 1080p displays are the same. Maybe the customer service rep that I talked to just didnt want me to buy from BB

 

so i just confirmed that both screens are the same. Idk why its not stated as FHD B+RGLED TL on the BB site. The sales customer rep from dell told me that the one that BB is selling is the same with their upgradeable 1080p res so yea. what do you guys think?

$1100 for intel core i7 2630 qm, 8gb of ram or
$920 for an i5-2430m, 4gb of ram

 

also, is that a 2nd gen intel ( i7 ) ? I am not sure ^^

 

Yes it is
First generation core i7 has 3 digits (I.e. 720qm, 920xm etc.)

 

ohh ok.

apparently, the model from BB doesnt have a backlit keyboard (

 

i think xps is very old model. better wait ivy bridge.

 

how much would an ivy bridge cost?

 

yea, i7-2xxx is second gen but I think he meant the refresh (i7-2630 -> i7-2670)

When it comes out, I would say about the same as when sandy bridge came out, maybe a bit less.

My advice is, if you can wait that long anyway you might as well because when ivy bridge comes out, sandy bridge will be priced much cheaper.

 

You don't really need to wait for ivy bridge. If you need the laptop now get it.

 

i dont really know if i can wait because the coupons i hve for the xps 15 from dell.com is only valid until the 29th... if ivy comes out and it would make the price of the xps 15 I configured right now go down then i would def wait

 

Well they would most like replace their sandy with Ivy when it arrives for the configuration, so you might not see sandy bridge again on their site unless you visit their outlet. Ivy is dated for April-May, hopefully it will come then. It is about 20% faster than current cpu and more efficient on battery life, so it says.

If you buy it on Dell, you get to haggle with the sale rep; you experienced that first-hand so you get the idea. You could lie and they will probably believe you

Another thing I want to point out is the RAM. I would take RAM out of the comparison. Why? because you can easily install the extra 4gb yourself for hell alot less. Dell's upgrade price on RAM from 4-8gb is just stupid. Currently the price of RAM is extremely affordable. A mobile 4gb stick is around $20s. Anyone could install it less than 5min.

The increase price from dual core to quad should be about $150, namely i5 dual to i7-2670qm. So Dell got that right with its configuration. Would you be using the laptop for something cpu intensive that you need the quad-core or dual is just fine? The price difference is something to be concerned for.