The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Need help in deciding....

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by joehempel, Mar 2, 2011.

  1. joehempel

    joehempel Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    188
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I need some help in deciding between the Dell XPS 17 (I don't care about 3d, so it'll be just the XPS 17) the stock one for $1299, has 900p, 3GB Video 9-cell battery, 640GB drive, upgraded to 6GB ram.

    Or the Alienware mx15 stock i7, which is $1500.

    The Alienware is more expensive, but it seems the XPS 17 has better specs.

    I do game, and my XPS 1645 was great for gaming, even with the 1GB ATI 4670. So I'm leaning towards the XPS 17

    I'm just confused.
     
  2. NoSlow5oh

    NoSlow5oh Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    27
    Messages:
    451
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    It seems to me that Dell decided to refresh the XPS line before the alienware line. You would think the opposite given the processor upgrade improvements. If your looking for a dell gaming notebook, I would think about waiting to see when they will refresh the alienware line with the newer processors and video cards. Or look at other brands entirely for that matter. Once you get into the top-of-the-line gaming, dell usually doesn't offer the best gaming product for the best price. For all around performance and decent gaming graphics, the XPS 17 should suit you fine.
     
  3. joehempel

    joehempel Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    188
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Great thanks.

    My 1645 can run things like fallout new Vegas on full as well as CoD Black ops on close to full, so if I can get the same from that cool. I even think ruts 1080p so perhaps Ill get better with 900p. There can't be that much of a difference right? Im not hooking this up to a a TV or anything.
     
  4. 4thehorde4

    4thehorde4 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    27
    Messages:
    252
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I'm confused, if you're considering the Alienware 15" then why don't you consider the XPS 15 given it has one of the best screens in the market? There's a considerable size difference between the 15" and 17"...
     
  5. joehempel

    joehempel Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    188
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    The reason I went with that instead is I couldn't find the mx17 anywhere on the website. Thanks for the heads up on the 15. If its better than my 1645 then that will be a better option.
     
  6. 4thehorde4

    4thehorde4 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    27
    Messages:
    252
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    You should really consider the XPS 15 as it has the upgrade option for the 1080p B+RGLED screen which is way superior to that of the WLED 900p on the XPS 17. Obviously Dell wasn't thinking when they didn't include a non-3D 1080p option for the XPS 17. Here is a great review on the XPS 15 and they also conduct extensive testing comparing attributes such as screen quality to the 1645 and other models. http://www.anandtech.com/show/3999/dell-xps-15-l501x-review
     
  7. joehempel

    joehempel Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    188
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    SOLD!

    I ordered the XPS 15 today, will be here by the end of the month, need to find an excuse for the wife before it arrives! LOL. But I decided the screen size doesn't really mean that much to me. I'm hoping the XPS 15 isn't a fingerprint magnet like the 1645 is.

    i7 2720QM 2.2Ghz
    6GB DDR3 RAM
    15.6FHD TLF B+RGLED LCD L501X
    NVIDIA GeForce GT540M 2GB graphics with Optimus
    Tray Load Blu-ray Disc BD-Combo (Reads BD and Writes to DVD/CD)

    Pretty happy, after shipping and taxes it was still less than $1500, and I hope this will last for a couple years.

    Now time to sell the SXPS 1645. Hoping to get around $800 for it, it's less than 1yr old.