Do you like your Dell XPS?

I've been in the market for a new laptop for the past month and a half. I'm not in a rush to buy one just yet. I've been taking my time, researching what's available, reading and watching reviews (to the point where I've sort of grown to hate tech critics), scrolling up and down different forums. And went it was all said and done, I narrowed it down to the Dell XPS and the Macbook Air. 13 inches, 8gb ram, 256 ssd, i5 processor, you know the drill. Don't want to make this a contest between the two and have you guys pick for me since anything I buy is going to be a huge leap from my 2007 Macbook (that I actually received in 2010) in terms of performance so I'm not really concerned about getting the fastest machine, just something reliable. The macbook air seems like the safer bet, but I just have this nostalgia for windows, just thinking back to all the things I'll be able to do again with windows makes me excited, all those programs I haven't touched in 5 years.

Not trying to stir a debate, just wanted to provide some context of where I'm coming from, but after scrolling through so many threads here and seeing all the different things that could go wrong with the XPS (drivers, speakers, trackpad, double clicks on the keyboard), I'm curious, are you still happy with your purchase? Knowing how it would turn out, would you make the same purchase? Do you like your Dell XPS?

 

I'll make it simple for you. It comes down to one decision:

If you like Mac OS, and need to run most of your applications on Mac OS, then stick with Mac OS and get a Macbook air.
If you like Windows, and need to run most of your applications in Windows, then stick with Windows and get a Dell XPS 13.

That's it.

Some people will come in here talking about specifications, processor speed, memory, expandability, storage speed, benchmarks, etc etc. None of that matters. If you need a Mac to get the job done, then buy a Mac. If you need a Windows machine to get the job done, then get a Windows machine.

 

You probably will not regret your decision.

 

As someone who has used Macs and PCs, I agree with choosing the OS first idea. However, I will toss in one more caveat... If you choose Mac, go with a rMBP 13 or the new 12" MacBook. I'm not a fan of the MBA especially in comparison to new XPS line.


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My prefered OS was OS X until Windows 10. If you can live without OS X go for XPS and you will enter to wide, less restricted world of PCs.

 

I will make it simple. .
I LOVE MINE ..
With wds10 .. i set it the way i like .. and shut off most of junks apps .

 

I've had a 9530 XPS 15 since it first came out (late 2013) and love it fwiw.

My friend has a non-refreshed 13 (his first laptop in awhile) and he also really likes it - I think if you're looking for a PC, the XPS 13 is definitely a good way to go.

 

Mixed feelings. I'm looking at maybe buying one of the new XPS-15 models, so there is that. OTOH, I get on best with my XPS-13 when I'm using it with external keyboard and display, and especially with an external mouse.

The trackpad is a huge pain point. It's never worked well. Vertical scrolling in Chrome is an abomination. And the pad is offset to the right, leading to lots of problems with my right palm scraping across it. Whomever designed the machine was overly focused on visual aesthetics above usability. I'd be a lot happier with the trackpad centered under the spacebar. I'd be a lot happier if vertical scrolling didn't lag so badly. The trackpad on my six-year-old Macbook Pro is night and day a better experience than the one on the XPS-13.

OTOH, the screen is easy on my eyes when travel. I place a high value on the sharp display. The machine is lightweight and fits nicely onto airline tray tables. I think I'd look harder for something different if I actually had to work on the laptop itself more than I do. As it is I choose to tolerate the trackpad and other problems in return for the light weight, small form factor, and wonderful screen.

p.s. If it's at all feasible, drop by a Microsoft Store and test an XPS-13. Well worth doing if you can. I took advantage of a business trip to Atlanta for that purpose. Helped clarify my decision.

 

Which XPS is this? The one released earlier this year? Is the trackpad problematic even outside of chrome?

 

Absolutely this.

I happen to live near a shopping mall that has a Microsoft Store in it, and I was able to get hands-on time with an XPS 13 (early 2015 model). I learned three things from that:

1) The XPS 13 has an amazing form factor. It's unreal. I immediately knew that I had to own once of those laptops.
2) 1800p on a 13" display is way too small. I'd definitely want the 1080p version for both usability and battery life reasons.
3) The Razer Blade (14" laptop with GeForce 970M) is a really nice piece of kit. Thank god they don't sell the 1080p models in the Microsoft store, because I would've dropped $2000 on the spot for a machine that beautiful without even thinking twice.

 

The one this year, yes. I notice the problem a lot in Chrome, and also in Word. It is like the scrolling does not keep up with the speed of my hand swiping the pad. Scrolling by swiping the screen works fine though.

I don't regret buying the machine. Just have obviously mixed feelings about it. I do feel there is value in visiting a Microsoft Store to see one in person if it is feasible for you to do that.

 

Good to know, I've got the XPS 15 on pre-order. If the trackpad is still problematic that will be a deal breaker for me. Early reviews claims that the trackpad is dramatically improved on this model and is up to par with a Macbook pro. Quite a bold claim but we'll see.

 

I've seen those same reviews, and they are part of why I'm considering it myself. Typing this on a Macbook Pro now, but don't really like OS X for more than casual surfing. So I'm rather hoping those claims about an improved trackpad are true.

 

Do you find you use the touchscreen more to compensate for the poor trackpad? Would you get the touchscreen option again? Just trying to figure out of it's worth the cost. Thanks.

 

We are in the same boat it seems, I am writing this on a 2013 MBP as well but I just can't get myself to love OS X for any serious use. Maybe I'm just too used to Windows. I think Windows 10 on a high quality machine with a great keyboard and trackpad will be very nice for me. Really hope the XPS 15 will be that system.

 

Had my XPS M1530 for about 8 years (typing on it right now), still faster than most bog standard laptops I see guys at work with, and better materials that have lasted and still look new. Now replacing it finally with an XPS 15 in sig. The smaller form factor with that spec sold it to me completely.

 

This is a problem with all devices that use the microsoft touchpad driver. It's been fixed in a later insider windows 10 build.