Expert Opinions Needed.. crazy story with xps

Ok so crazy (and LONG) story here. I have a Studio XPS that ive had for almost 1 year. I have really not had any issues with it, except I got the RGB LED screen upgrade, and had to replace it a few times due to dust getting between the glass and the screen (Im sure people have heard this issue before). So, I had them replace the screen recentally and the person they sent out to replace it did the switch, and I noticed on the "new" screen there were a bunch of scratches etc. I told the guy that it was not acceptable and he said would order a new screen.

Then 10 minutes later I got a call from dell. Naturally I assumed it was a follow up to let me know that yet another screen was ordered. Wrong. It was a dell rep asking how the repair went. I advised him that the screen that was just replaced was bad, but that it was ok because the company they send out was ordering another one. At that point he said that Dell was going to just replace my WHOLE system!

I asked him if it would be like for like exactly, and he said yes. So... no I log onto my account at dell and see my brand NEW system is being built. When I look at the specs it is NOT like for like. So to make this long story shorter, here is the basic jist of it. There are like 3 or 4 differences in the system and want to get some opinions on weather I should take this brand NEW system or stick with my "old" one.

The main 4 differences that I can see are:
The new replacement one has the Intel Core i7 820QM 1.73GHz (3.06GHz Turbo Mode, 8MB Cache) processor, where my current system has the core 2 duo T9550 2.6GHZ Processor.

Also The new system is saying the screen is the: 15.6 inch Wide Screen 16:9 1080p Full HD WLED LCD and my Current Laptop has the "RGB LED" upgraded screen.

The New system quotes as having "BluRay Combo Drive" and Im not sure if that is just READ bluray or also write? My current system has the Bluray read AND write capability.

Lastly, The new system says it has the " ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5730 1Gb" video card, and my system currently has a "ati Radeon HD 4670 1gb" card.


Sooo... Basically it sounds like I would be getting a better processor (as I really do want being that I do After Effects and Cinema 4d work) and potentially a better video card (if anyone can tell me that the 5730 is better than the 4670), and in turn I may be getting an "inferior" screen and possibly from the sound of it a Bluray drive without Burning capabilities.


Just looking for some peoples takes on weather they feel this would be a good tradeoff? I would be ALL for it with no questions, but just don't know how much better the RGB screen is compared the the WLED one? I have to admit, at first I wasn't to keen on the RGB one as it didn't seem to have the really inky black levels and seemed oversaturated, esp. in the red channel. But I have grown to like the display, and now that its calibrated it looks pretty damn nice. Has anyone seen the 2 displays personally to tell me if the WLED is not as nice? Also... I really do like to burn blu rays, but I guess that would not be a deal breaker as I could get an external Bluray drive at some point. So... after this long novel of a post, does anyone have any opinions on what I should do???? THANKS for any info!!!!

 

The gpu is currently the best option available for the 1645, and the new GPU is worth $350 over the old i7. In other words, even if the screen is not as good, this is one hell of a good switch.

 

The processor is a nice upgrade, the video card is an upgrade, I don't know about the blu-ray drive, and the lcd is a downgrade. I really, really like the RGBLED and don't know if I'd give it up, but that is a good processor upgrade. The decreased color depth and smaller size meaning the bezel is effectively larger would be staring me in the face every day.

I remember one guy here claiming that he asked if he could switch the RGBLED from his current laptop onto the replacement laptop they were sending and they agreed. Perhaps this is something you could look into, but of course the scratches on the screen are the reason for the exchange in the first place...

 

Hmmm good point. So this new screen is actually smaller huh? I guess i should know that lol. So the RGB one is what, 16" exactly whereas the other is 15.6"? Man thats going to probably bug me! I really want to see the new screen to see if i can tell a big difference. Also, does anyone know if they ship the new one to me and i have to return this one, or do they send one of their 3rd party tech people to swap them? Im wondering if i can live with this scratch and keep the RGB...

 

Same size laptop/lid, just slightly smaller viewing area. 1 way to tell is to look for a space between the actual screen and the silver trim on the lid (with the 2 screws). If there's no space, it's 16". If there is, 15.6".

 

Thanks Fred. I def have the 16" rgb right now, but the new one would be the 15.6". 2 questions.

1. have you seen the non RGB screen first hand? i saw you have the RGB so just curious.

2. I see you have the 820qm , and wondering if your system is pretty beastly, and if you like that processor.

thanks man

 

lol .4" is seriously not that big of a deal. The real deal is that the RGB has way better colors.

 

man, thats exactly what a DIDNT want to hear, lol. The size i can live with, but i do a lot of graphic/web/motion design and need a good screen. I guess i will let you know when i have both systems and can do a literal side by side. Crazy as it sounds, i think my old XPS M1710 had a really nice screen, and the black levels were better on that then my current RGB one. Dont get me wrong, the RGB one pops and ive grown very used to it, but just want to know if the color on the non rgb ones is THAT noticeable. this is driving me crazy, i get a new sick system, but have to give up the screen that i love!

 

If the 1080p WLED screen is anything like the 800p WLED on the sxps13, then you should be fine. The WLED screen on the sxps13 was, for its time, one of the best screens on a 13inch I had EVER seen. The only better screen was the one found on the old Vaio Z. Since the WLED on the 16 is 1080p, it should be better than the one on the sxps13. Since I have never seen a RGB before irl, only you can compare the quality when the new lapy arrives.

 

I got my replacement about 2 weeks ago. It had the WLED originally and i can tell you it was horse ****. Colors were washed out, Very dulll and the border bugged me to no end. I payed for a 16 inch laptop not a 16 inch laptop with a 15 inch screen. I called dell told them i was really unhappy. No questions asked the next day a tech with a RGBled screen was at my door. My system now is awesome. But i have the dust problem on this rgbled. On my old system i had 3 screen replacements. The last screen i had for 7 months and no dust problems. Ill call dell once the build up gets out of control but other than that all i can say is call dell tell them you are unhappy with the screen and they will replace it

 

Or have a tech come to your house and install your existing RGB screen onto your new machine.

 

Thats what Im thinking. I mean, i already have a system with the RGB (this one) wondering if i could just swap it? I guess ill just see how much of a difference the non rgb screen is when i get it and go from there. Thanks for all the opinions guys.

 

I understand your pain. I am going through the same issue right now. I had the 16" RGB led and it was awesome!. I got a replacement laptop and although they upgraded the processor and gpu, i was stuck with a 15.6" wled. I also do a lot of web design and Photoshop work. Needless to say the 15.6" sucked in terms of its colors.

I called in to let Dell know how unhappy I was with the new display. I was told the RBG led is no longer an option, but they have a new 16" wled (part number 1CJ45). The sent the part out and tech installed it the next day. The 16" wled colors are great. I think they are even better than the RBG as the RED is not so over saturated. If you don't want to live with the scratch, ask about the part number above. You will be very happy you did!

 

Quad core i7 + 5730 + WLED + 130watt ac adapter = more then worth it.

 

I actually find the wled more closer to natural than the rgb. You shouldn't be using these screens for any photo critical work, although these are fun to have for daily use. I can tell you that from my experience.

 

BIG props to you! I am totally going to call them to find out. Do you think i should wait for this system to ship to me and then call/chat with them, or do you think i should do it while its in production? I dont wanna make them mad and have them change their minds on the BIG upgrade! lol. Thanks to anodize and liquid for their input as well. and i know the screen is not really a pro screen for color grading etc, but i do want as nice of one as i can, and rellly want that extra .6" of real estate!

 

There is no need to rush. Get the system first and compare it with your current RGB. If you like the RGB better(could be that you're too used to it) then give them a call and have them replace the screen. You have at least 10 days before you ship your old laptop back. Make a careful decision.

 

really!?? they have a full 16" (not 15.6") WLED at 1080p? That's pretty k00.

 

chidlebaugh: Sorry, I didn't read your bottom comment.
Could you please run pc wizard or everest and then post information here? I'd love to know what kind of panel it is and whom it's made by.

 

They use to have a 1366 x 768 16" WLED but they don't offer a 16" 1080 or 900p WLED

 

I know they used to have 16'' low res screen, but I was under the impression he meant 16'' FHD. Am I wrong?

 

Pretty sure he meant a Full HD "NEW" 16" Wled screen... so hopefully he responds to this to clarify.

 

Just to add my bit. I just got a system replacement which didn't have the 16 RGB screen but the 15 inch WLED, and when I was using the 15 inch, the colors were bugging the hell out of me. I knew this before hand, so I made my rep promise that when I got my replacement, they would replace it with the 16 RGB screen, which they did. So if you called up Dell and say that you were not happy with the screen, you can ask them to swap it out.

 

WOW, Dell can't seem to get things right.

Another flaw I noticed on my 3rd replacement...the webcam colors. the middle - radiating outward - is supercolorsaturated (very red) compared to the edges, I have to turn color setting down to nearly 2% to make it look kind of normal. Definitely wasn't an issue on my previous screens.

I might call Dell just to put this on the record, but I don't forsee myself dealing with another replacement anytime soon. Can I simply report an issue right now (since it's right after the replacement, and not due to software/wear/tear), and just have them put it on the record?

If they can agree to a tech coming over to swap it out later before my warranty out next July, rather than sending my whole laptop in, that would be great, too......

 

i ve had 3 xps 16s in the last 2 years, there is a simple solution to prevent dust from getting inside the e-2-e screen. tape up the edges of e-2-e screen , just completely seal the opening between the top cover to e-2-e screen.

 

Will do. Sorry, I was dealing with a sick 2.5 year old and wasn't checking my email... When I get home from work today, I will let you know what the panel is.

 

Any luck on that? Dont wanna rush you but im very curious so i know all my options when i call them. Thanks again!

 

Sorry to get peoples hopes up... It looks like the rep didn't know what she was talking about. This looks like an RGB panel to me....

Manufacturer : M077D€160HT
Product ID : SEC5448
Manufacture : 2008
Video Input Type : Digital
Connected with DVI : No
Connected with HDMI-a : No
Connected with HDMI-b : No
Connected with MDDI : No
Connected with DisplayPort : No
Max. Horiz./Vert. Size : 35 cm / 20 cm
Monitor Size : 16 inches (estimated)
Aspect Ratio : 16:10
Gamma Factor : 2.2
DPMS Active-Off : No
DPMS Suspend : No
DPMS Standby : No
EDID Version : 1.3
Features :
Maximum Resolution : 1920 x 1080 @ 60 Hz

 

Here is a photo of my RGB info

 

Thats ok, thanks anyway! Now i know i will just have to demand an RGB one, lol.