Is The New Dell XPS L521X Overpriced?

i think you fail to understand that in engineering sometimes the only way to see if they are issues is to release on a mass scale. You get much more data this way than you would if it was only released to a select few beta testers. Besides you make it sound like Dell are the only company that does this. Rarely are laptops released where there are zero issues. I could quite happily list launch bugs and current unfixed bugs with practically every other competitor. The difference between Dell and other manufacturers is that the listen and have a very large presence on these forums. I can assure you none of the other manufacturers would have a bios fix as quickly as Dell have done for the throttling.

 

Being that the top of the line LX521 costs much more than my Sager NP9170 with an AMD 7970, yes, the Dell seems overpriced.

 

Shame on them for copying one of the biggest companies in the world. How dare they try to sell something made with higher quality materials for a higher price?

Those tech savy people are likely the only ones noticing the issue. I consider myself an avid computer user but I don't have much experience with things like coretemp and 3D mark (and such) and I can honestly say my new XPS 15 works great. Don't get me wrong, I'm very thankful that tech savy people are around to tell Dell about the issues but don't say that the 80% of other people are lost in all their problems. Don't forget "Ignorance is bliss".

 

You mean the grainy screen?

In hundreds of pages I've read here in notebookreview I've seen that the main reason to say it's not overpriced is build quality.
Now, materials are definitely excellent, and this is the only reason why I'm still without a laptop waiting for the L521x (let's forget the poor glue which causes the cable to touch the fan and make noise.......... ) But materials are only one side of build quality.
The other side is just the one Dell has failed with: quality control, which is foundamental to find out development mistakes.
A good quality control would have noticed the throttling problem quite soon, even though this seems to be common to all Ivy Bridge laptops (so let's pass over it, since they seem to be on the right way to solve it with the new BIOS)
A good quality control would have found out the wifi issue in less than 5 minutes
A good quality control would have noticed that eye-punching pixel grid on the display! Especially since XPS 15z had teh same issue
And these are major problems, which compromise the utility of the laptop! Such lacks of attention can't be accepted on a laptop which costs so much and which aims to steal customers to Apple. This is the reasons of rants and this is the reason why Dell should lower the price at least until they solve every issue I mentioned above.

 

There are engineering processes that can be used to elimiate these faults, or drastically reduce the likelyhood of them occuring. They are used throughout the motor industry where every once in a while recalls occur, but are very rare. If computer faults led to the same issue as car faults, they would have to engineer them better. Instead, it's business as they can get away with. The methodologies are used in the auto industry all the time. Keep in mind that Dells recent revenue was reported as being 65 billion. They can afford to do things right.

For example, if Dell hired the 100 most competent people on this forum as BETA testers, they would eliminate most of the issues everyone else faced. I would trust the collective wisdom of these users *way over* my trust level of the current Dell testing gang. Forces combined, that should de-risk the computer ownership experience for everyone.

Keep in mind in terms of faults, we are not talking about abstract niggles, where when unusual software does things in unusual ways with non-standard external devices when things go awry. We are talking about simple stuff like OVERHEATING and THROTTLING and even LATENCY and FAN NOISE and functioning USB3 ports.

My XPS L702x shipped in a way that couldn't play MP3's or Videos without stuttering every 45 - to 90 seconds. It doesn't take a genius to notice this, just someone who is paying attention.

As best as I can ascertain, there is a much lower occurence of faults with Mac's than with recent Dell computers. Dell's engineering processes also purposefully knowingly apply different classes of quality control on consumer machines vs precision machines, even though many people complain of Latency / Stuttering on the M4600 here too.

My experience is not so much that Dell listens, but has a process where you can reach someone and then they put you through a very time consuming series of steps under the banner of customer support. This isn't of the same calibre it used to be, often with semi-competent tech staff and no-one who takes charge of resolving your issues. They hide behind anonymity and freak out if you ask them upfront for their employee ID and put you through to their manager. There is a culture of very mixed integrity in Dell's support process. Finally, by using these forums and going back anf forth, Dell offered me some type of resolution *BUT* it took an inordinate amount of time / frustration to get to that point, and based upon all the things everyone has said here, I just don't trust the L702x is engineered in a way that respects customer time.

If I can call this based upon incidental experiences, Dell with their 65 billion revenue can hire the best consulting firms in the World to make my experience better. So why then am I so frustrated with them?

It's a total fallacy that computer companies, instead of making high technology works of art, sloppily sell what they can get away with. This is one of the factors that is turning me towards Apple (which is like changing religion).

 

I second that although all official or non-official answers are: 1) materials are excellent 2) great support.
Although for great support you pay that by extending your warranty!

 

I hate to tell you this, but there is more that goes into a laptop than metal and glass. It can be pretty, made of premium materials, and still overpriced.

 

It's certainly true, but maybe you didn't read carefully what I wrote: materials are excellent, but quality control failed. The good support (that you pay, btw) can "contain damages", but with such a price you really shouldn't spend several hours (and lose half day of work to wait technician, don't forget) to sort out what they messed up

 

Let us note that the entire XPS line has basically plastic or carbon fiber bottoms. Anyone knocking a laptop for having a plastic bottom is an idiot, as there is no real advantage to having an aluminum bottom--only disadvantages.

 

Pretty sure the Envy 15 already upgraded to Ivy Bridge. HP Envy 3200 series is Ivy, 3000 series is Sandy.

 

And has technical problems. Last I checked, it's a computer.

 

I'm just hoping for a 20% off coupon...

 

I'm thinking of waiting at least till the end of summer to buy it... maybe there will be some back to school discounts? If not maybe there will be when the Win 8 model comes out?

 

why do people even draw these comparisons... you are comparing a desktop replacement to a mobile work notebook, the same could be said about ultrabooks.
the NP9170 has less than 2 hours battery life, massive power brick and no international warranty options. I lacks the slim and portable form factor and is loud even during idle temps.
There are always compromises, value is not only about hardware power.

 

I think many would argue that the XPS 15 isn't particularly portable, either, given its weight. Weight matters a lot more than thickness for portability.

 

I beg to differ, weight almost isn't an issue with a regular backpack, but you need the extra space for other things such as textbooks and notebooks etc that would otherwise be taken up by the oversized laptop and it's power bricks, with the XPS 15 you don't even need the adapter to get through the day, can't do that with the NP9170
and I think the torque formula applies in these cases as well, bigger things are heavier to carry

 

I agree, size is more of an issue for me, because I'm a relatively strong person, but there is a finite amount of space in my bag.

I think the important point here is that the VALUE of 10mm less thickness is completely subjective, so you can't put a dollar amount on it. You can't compare two laptops on specs alone as the value to an owner is much more ethereal than that!

 

I ordered mine with -effectively- around 22% discount. (in the Netherlands).

First I ordered with EPP discount(slight change of the url), which is 8% above 1600, then a 10% coupon, and finally ill get 7% back through a shopdiscount site. You will probably have something similar, you go to the Dell site through a link on their website, they get some money for that, and share that with you.

Sad thing is you will probably still get in cheaper in the US anyway

 

Shopdiscount site? Tell me more please...Do you think I can do the same here in Italy? I have actually found out the EPP+10% code combo, but didn't know about other discounts

 

Cashback is actually a better word, Cashback website - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I see no reason why Italy wouldnt have it, try some creative googling

 

I'll definitely do it! Thank you

Sent from HTC HD2 with Tapatalk

 

Yeah, the UK have a few... Places like Quidco and TopCashBack.

 

If the issues with this laptop were fixed, it'd only be "pretty" overpriced rather than "super" overpriced. With coupons (which there really should be; the HP Envy 15 Ivy refresh has been on sale every day since it was released), it'd be right on the money.

 

don't base value on issues. I have it and have NONE of the problems

having said that, considering the build, and maxing it out at 16gb and 512SSD, it is not over priced.

Sony Vaio, Both MacBooks (retina and pro), and HP Envy with these specs, cost more money (the sony can't even do 16gb though, only 12 and slower ram too)

 

Voted no because back in 2008 I paid $1,650 for the M1530, core 2 duo T9300, 4 GB DDR2 with full HD panel and 3-year warranty. So for a mere $350 more i got the L521X with 3-year bumper to bumper.

 

Another DELL GUY. One is the almost-perfect-downlinx review, second Risco and now you. Thank god we can buy 6gb and 512 ssd much cheaper than dell

 

nothing I said is a lie. Look for laptops with 512SSD and they are all more expensive.

In the US, we have a 1999 model and a 2299 model. The only difference being a 1tb HDD and 512SSD. Please tell me where I can get a 512GB SSD for $300??

 

shall i try to make a similar system to see how much it costs from other vendors?

 

Yes, I've tried Sony, Apple and HP. Each time the dell was cheaper. I priced them each with 2 year warranty too.

 

did you also count difference in GPU, CPU, blu-ray burner...?

 

other than the Sony which had an inferior GPU and slower RAM, most ivy bridge systems are configured the same...

 

asus N56 has GT650...and you have blu-ray burners...most non-US countries don't even have a blu-ray reader, and this machine aims to be a top multimedia laptop

 

Best price i found was 1200 US... To max it out to 16gb would cost me 125 shipped plus 450 for the cheapest 512GB SSD. This puts me at 1775 with only a 1 year manufacturer warranty. If I buy a 3rd party support, i am at 1975 US. Not to mention that the Asus is thicker & heavier.

If i buy from Dell, they will cover the SSD. Which is massive since they have high failure rates.

That Asus is the only competitor at a decent price I found. It has it's drawbacks but the price difference and lack of convenience don't warrant me to abandon ship.

 

Can you list us the models please?

 

I got last year's model of the XPS 15. A new XPS 15 with the same specs as mine (upgraded to Ivy bridge of course) would cost $400-$500 more than mine. I don't see how Ivy Bridge and changes in the chassis require that big a price increase.

 

Hopefully by November, there will be big sales on this. That is one thing Dell has that Apple generally doesn't do--deep discounts. I got my XPS 1502x for $950 USD last November. It has an i7, Blue-ray, 1080p screen, and the more expensive 9 cell battery. It only had 4 GB RAM and the 525 graphics card since the upgrades would be $100 more, but for $950, that is one of the best deals ever on a laptop.

 

In my opinion, the moment they fix every issue, that moment price will be fair

Sent from HTC HD2 with Tapatalk

 

apples and oranges...if each spec were the same then yes....but you are talking updated graphics, processor and more ram plus gorilla glass and a much thinner and lighter body. Those things don't come free

 

Every year they will update the specs so that is an invalid argument. The 2010 to 2011 model didn't jump like this and they improved the specs as you say.
The improvements you mentioned outside of specs (thinner and lighter, gorilla glass) are valid but they also used a worse screen and removed the subwoofer so it is kind of a wash. I'm betting Dell has higher profit margins for the 2012 vs the 2011 XPS.

 

I voted Yes, and, as suggested from someone, i voted also with my pocket because at the end i bought a laptop produced by a competitor. Let me dressing Mr. Obvious suite, i say that everybody have to buy what he consider value.

I needed a multirole laptop: i use for mutimedia (surfing, movie, pics), standard Office tasks (doc writing, excel, etc), development/work (using virtual machines, so need lot of ram), playing games (usually strategic 2D games but sometimes also 3D ones ). About 3D power i don't need to run a game in ultra details, i'm a casual gamer i can stick also with lowering details o resolutions in case of an hardware demanding game.

Here's a comparison beetwen the 2 laptops that helped me to choose. In order to satysfy my needs i would add/buy to both:
- 16GB RAM (approx 100 EUro),
- 256GB SSD (SAsmung P830, ca 210 Euro),
- HDD Caddy to store the HDD instead of CDROM (ca 27 euro)

Total costs (shipping cost included): 337 euro.

Also i will consider 1 year Kasko warranty in order to make the laptop comparable (the non Dell laptop offer it).

So, this costs are added to both laptop.

Area	DELL XPS L521	Another Laptop	Notes
CPU	i7-3612QM	i7-3610QM	2.1 Ghz for 35W TDP (3612 one) or 2.3 Ghz for 45w TDP. Choice is up to you,
GPU	640m DDR5	650m DDR3	I think this is a draw
HDD	750GB + 32mSATA, 7200 RPM	750GB, 7200 RPM	Draw. No need of mSata 32Gb cause i add a 256GB SSD
DISPLAY	FULL HD Glossy. Notebookcheck test: black level = 0,65; Brightness (average) = 320; Contrast= 523:1	FULL HD Matte. Notebookcheck test: black level = 0,58; Brightness (average) = 298.8 (model with samsung panel) or 400 (model with Philips-LG panel); Contrast= 514:1 (model with samsung panel) or 690:1 (model with Philips-LG panel)	i did not see the DELL display. I saw the Another Laptop display and it's stunning. Never saw a matte display so bright and at the same time keeping good black level. Good color saturation. Outstanding horizontal view angles, decent vertical ones. Ok, i will avoid wars, i assume DELL display got the same quality. So, draw here too.
BUILD QUALITY & FORM FACTOR	Unibody, Best (?) materials, 2.7Kg, slim (23,2 mm)	Good materials, not unibody, not slim (37mm), 2.7 Kg.	I voluntary will omit considerations about throttling and "maybe" bad heat dissipation for DELL. I will assume no matter about this for DELL. The Another Laptop do not reach for sure quality of DELL even if i consider Another Laptop building quality very good. Another Laptop is not THICK as other competitor but for sure DELL is more slim and "sexy". DELL win here.
CUSTOMER CARE & Warranty	2 years standard European warranty 1 Year Kasko if you pay it anticipately (50 euro in my country). 1 Years 24hours on sites	2 years standard European warranty 1 Year Kasko, you pay it only when the event occurs (50 euro) 2 years pick up and retunr (48 hours).	What can i say....i give win to DELL, i will assume that generally speaking its customer care is better. Never had a "another laptop" product so i can't judge its customer care...i will close my eyes and i will give win to DELL...but not an overhelming victory, i say a marginal victory.
TOTAL PRICE	1395 euro + 337 euro = 1732 euro	946 euro + 337 euro = 1283 euro	For DELL XPS i choosed the 1499 models on Italian DELL site. I added the 50 euro kasko, and then i applied the 10% discount coupon.

Differences is 450 euro. Dell win in 2 areas, but i don't consider them overhelming or significant victories anyway thery are still "victories".
QUestion i asked to my self was/is: are 450 euro worth for build quality/form factor and supposed better customer care ?
My answer is/was: no.

Hope this will help other guys and will not be censored. May be you can censor this post because the comparison omit a significant cons on DELL but i will omit it in order to avoid fan boys wars.

 

Can I ask you what laptop did you buy at the end? We are all looking for good alternatives

 

Said at start and end of post: the Another Laptop

 

i think it depends on what version you go for...there is NO competitor out there that can match 16gb Ram and 512SSD (Samsung 830!!) for 2300


if anyone out there can match that, I'll gladly take a look

 

No need to be so coy ... this is a thread about value and alternatives, nobody will give you a hard time for naming the competing product here.

 

I don't mind hard times, banning, censorship. My aim was not suggest competitor product but i tried to stick in topic sharing with others what was/is my choosing process.
If you wish to know the model, the display part of comparison contains a not so much hidden hint.

Cheers

 

Lenovo? Y580?

Edit: Nah

 

I'm pretty sure he's talking the Asus N56

 

Matte screen? Not unibody? Cannot be MacBook Pro. 15.6" FHD screen options by Samsung and LG Philips? NVidia GT 650M? Cannot be ThinkPad T/W530.

HP Pavilion dv6-7000.

 

I think it is disappointing that the "flagship" notebook in Dell's line up does not have a better GPU.
Nothing wrong with the GT640 but when the Inspiron 17R SE has a GT650 for hundreds less... it makes no sense.
MSI offers a 15" with GT 650 and another with GTX 670 for about half the price of the XPS.

Seems you are paying quite a bit for a snazzy case.

When the Dell is basically the same price as the Macbook pro retina... I think it is safe to say it is at least a little over priced.

 

why do people keep spreading this false notion?

which retina Mac cost 1599 US or 1999 US?

And even the ones that are close, the 1999 and the 2299 model are configured higher and better than the mac (sans the screen of course)