HP Envy 15 vs Dell Studio XPS 16

1. I would've gotten an Envy if 1) it was out when I bought my SXPS and 2) if it didn't look like a MBP
2. Charges when you total your order, however the charge is not placed until your system ships.
3. Not sure, never did
4. I'd say a fair bit ... maybe like going from a 9700m GT to a 9800m GT? Just a guess though
5. Gaming yes especially on a 16"/15.6", however for everyday use it depends. I got a 1920x1080 because I needed more space for everyday use, however I used to have an Acer with 1366x768 and it wasn't enough space for me because I had to keep switching windows.

 

The envy configuration is really weird... If you move to the i5 you then have to switch to the HD 5830 for i5 systems (didn't know they were different?). However, after switching to that card it says you're limitted to only 2 DIMM slots... meaning only 4gb of memory.

I do like how the envy is a completely 'flat' design instead of what Dell seems to have nowadays with a tapered thin front and thicker rear. I was hoping the XPS's would get a form-factor refresh like the new Inspiron's did but that doesn't seem likely in the near future -- of all the components on a laptop, form factor is something you can't upgrade away without buying a completely new machine

Beyond that the envy is too minimal -- no built in disk drive, no express card slot for my smart card reader, and a wireless-n card whose model is left off the website (which intel card does it get, the 5300/6300 or the lesser 5200/6200?).

 

I think the configuration is weird, due to the i5 not having usb 3.0 yet?? and only 2 slots, instead of four that the i7's have. was that way when i ordered.

my envy has the 6200 wireless card. It is a bit minimal which is kind of nice to me, i dont use the optical drive much. The flatness is awesome to type on, i would agree heh.

 

Any word on when the Envy will have USB 3.0 with the i5s? I don't mind the RAM limitation and it's not like I've got any USB 3.0 devices sitting around right now, but it'd be nice to know that it's ready for them.

 

Asus has USB 3.0 and only on the i7 as well..strange

 

i5 does not have enough memory access pipes (according to Intel). I guess if you have a P55 with an i5 processor and you get a board with USB 3.0 it disables Cross Fire, and lowers the memory clock speed and amount of memory you can install among other things.

 

Does the Dell Studio XPS 16 still have these throttling and over-heating issues I keep reading about?

 

Seems like it.

 

The 1647 (with new 2010 Dual Cores) with RGBLED 16" no longer does with A04 BIOS and 130w adapter (free).

More Info:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=5962778&postcount=373

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=5963073&postcount=379

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=5963401&postcount=383

 

How is the LED screen of the Envy 15 compared to the XPS 16?
I've read that the XPS screen is really good, but how does the HP screen stack up?

 

Envy screen is just as awesome as the WLED option in XPS 16. Now, if you are talking about the RGBLED, then this screen is light years ahead of them. I had them side by side at one point.

 

I agree. I would have made a mistake of my life had I taken a WLED over RGBLED. You stare at the screen all day. It is one of the most important components of your laptop. Don't think twice. Get it.

Also, keep in mind that Envy is a smaller monitor. It may not seem much, but when you use hi-def that one inch is a huge difference (RGBLED comes in 16" not 15.3").

 

From what I have read, the Dell XPS screen is much better than the Envy's. Some people have complained that the XPS screen does oversaturate colours, although to most users, this looks very nice

I have the HP Envy 15 1104 with ATI 5830. Its a very nice, thin, light and portable unit with very decent performance. Best of both worlds IMO. I do a fair bit of travel, so it suits my needs perfectly.

Does get a little warm though, which is understanble when considering the spec and size of the thing. Only wish the screen opened a bit further and that it had one extra USB port!

I wouldn't worry too much about the lack of USB3 on the i5 models. Can't see USB3 becoming huge for another year, although I could be wrong on that one...

 

A big turn off for me with Envy was not only the screen, but also the lack of internal CD/DVD. What's the point of "thin" if I have to carry around the external CD/DVD drive?

 

well, for a user like myself, who does not have may cd's (i rip them once and its done), dont get dvd's, and do not burn disks often, have minimal use for an optic drive. I would not be upset without one.

If I ever needed one, and didnt have it, I would with little trouble be able to borrow a friends machine or an old one, copy the data/music to a flash drive, and use that.

 

Honestly, reading all the reviews I think that HP did better this time. If I could return now the XPS, I would exchange it for Envy.

Nikolay

 

Sorry not trying to rain on anyones parade here, but shouldn't this be in the what notebook should i buy thread?