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: Dell XPS 15 2nd gen

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by Unco, Apr 19, 2011.

  1. Unco

    Unco Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    26
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hey guys, I'm planning on ordering myself a Dell XPS 15 very soon. I've just got a few questions before I make my purchase, I hope you guys can help :)

    The specs are:

    i5 2410M
    1366x768
    6GB DDR3
    500GB 7200RPM
    525M 1gb
    Blu Ray
    9cell batt
    bluetooth 3
    backlit keyboard

    Total: $1049.99

    So I'm wondering, will the 9cell battery protrude out of the bottom?
    Also, is there anyway I can lower the price with coupons? I've tried a few but they don't work...

    Is there anything I should know about the Dell before I finalize my purchase? I'm still a bit worried since its my first time making such a large purchase over the internet... Thanks alot! :)
     
    Unco, Apr 19, 2011
    #1
  2. sag_patel

    sag_patel Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    3
    Messages:
    80
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Get this one:
    it has i7 2630qm + 1080p screen(a must)

    The Dell Online Store: Build Your System

    + add backlit and blueray
    Use coupon 932N$0ZCCHWZB9 for $70 off.
    Use coupon HLSKSR06S9ZG0F for free shipping.

    place the order and call up and bargain for more discount. (I got $175 discount over the phone. my total was $940 with tax)
     
    sag_patel, Apr 19, 2011
    #2
  3. Unco

    Unco Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    26
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Wow thanks for the deal :)
    Dyou know any way of getting it downgrade to an i5? I was didn't choose i7 because I hear it drains the battery much faster..
     
    Unco, Apr 19, 2011
    #3
  4. sag_patel

    sag_patel Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    3
    Messages:
    80
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    may be try ordering it over the phone (entire order)
     
    sag_patel, Apr 19, 2011
    #4
  5. h3nG

    h3nG Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    13
    Messages:
    172
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Please do yourself a favor and get the i7 2630 and 1080 screen....the battery does stick out on the bottom. i suggest you get 2 batteries if you're concerned.
     
    h3nG, Apr 19, 2011
    #5
  6. edit1754

    edit1754 Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    1,475
    Messages:
    5,145
    Likes Received:
    71
    Trophy Points:
    216
    Seconded (Thirded actually) for the 1080p screen, and the i7-2630QM that comes with it in that upgraded model.

    The 1080p B+RGLED screen is the best part about the XPS 15

    Also the i7 battery drain issue mainly applied to the previous generation i7 quad cores that didn't support Optimus and were more power hungry in general.
    but if you're really concerned about it, you can "upgrade" to the dual-core i7-2620M that will be about the same as the i5's (possibly better at idle power because it's made from better quality silicon). I'd still keep the 2630QM though.
     
    edit1754, Apr 19, 2011
    #6
  7. Unco

    Unco Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    26
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    oh I forgot to mention I'm going to be using it for gaming (sc2) and for university next year... I was looking for something with a good battery life.
    How long can I expect the battery to hold doing just normal school work with the i7 setup?

    Thanks everyone!
     
    Unco, Apr 19, 2011
    #7
  8. edit1754

    edit1754 Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    1,475
    Messages:
    5,145
    Likes Received:
    71
    Trophy Points:
    216
    the 9-Cell should get around 5-6 hours. Maybe a bit closer to 5 hours with the quad core, and a bit closer to 6 hours with the dual-core.

    (This is based on what other people have said. Could someone possibly confirm this?)
     
    edit1754, Apr 21, 2011
    #8
  9. electroncarl

    electroncarl Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    56
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I got like 4hrs 45 mins with the i5-2410 and only a 6-cell battery.
    But I was just doing web browsing and word processing... etc.
     
    electroncarl, Apr 21, 2011
    #9
  10. juhtuo

    juhtuo Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    IMO FullHD is NOT a must in screen this size. the pixel size difference is hardly noticeable(is this even a word :D)
     
    juhtuo, Apr 21, 2011
    #10
  11. hawk1410

    hawk1410 Bird of Prey

    Reputations:
    296
    Messages:
    2,171
    Likes Received:
    16
    Trophy Points:
    56
    It is not about pixel size, but the 720p screen Dell uses is average while the 1080p B+RGLED is arguably the best 15.6 inch screen out there. That screen is a specialty of the XPS.You don't go to a restaurant know for its Italian cuisine and then order Chinese. :p
     
    hawk1410, Apr 21, 2011
    #11
  12. edit1754

    edit1754 Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    1,475
    Messages:
    5,145
    Likes Received:
    71
    Trophy Points:
    216
    *sigh*
    again, the pixel size is very noticeable. Of course it's not noticeable when watching movies, but that's not why people get the upgrade (except when it comes to the better colors). The higher resolution means you have more screen space because everything's smaller due to the fact that windows, icons, and everything have dimensions measured in pixels, not inches.
     
    edit1754, Apr 21, 2011
    #12
  13. marcoshid

    marcoshid Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    35
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I went from the 720p screen to the 1080p. I must say the difference is huge in colors, things look sharper, and it's brighter(plus for me). So I must agree with those that say get the 1080p screen. As far as battery life I have the i7 2720 with the 9 cell battery and I must say battery liife is fenomenal. I I have 2 classes a day, I use it during the entire class peroid in one class also sometime before, checking websites like this, writting programs, and a few times playing a game and the battery lasts great, I almost never leave the house with the AC adapter now days. So do yourself a favor and listen to these guys about the i7 and screen, you'll like it and from what they've shown you it will still be around the same price as the original but with better specs, you can't go wrong with that.
     
    marcoshid, Apr 21, 2011
    #13
  14. juhtuo

    juhtuo Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Is it worth 200$ ? i did not think about other aspects of FHD :)
     
    juhtuo, Apr 21, 2011
    #14
  15. Ton-80

    Ton-80 Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    26
    Messages:
    76
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    If you are planning on keeping your laptop for a few years, $200 is definitely worth it for the FHD screen. My wife has a 720p screen on her laptop, and I have the 1080p. The difference is HUGE, and I agree with everyone who has said this is the most important upgrade available. You really can't appreciate how beautiful it is until you see it.
     
    Ton-80, Apr 21, 2011
    #15
  16. juhtuo

    juhtuo Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    ok, this much yes "votes" for FHD, i think i´ll get it to my list also :)

    In finland, prices surely are high:
    xps15:
    i5 2410m
    gt525m
    250Gb hd
    720p screen
    no windows
    no backlit kb(not even available)
    4gb memory

    Price: 1370e (1998$).... nice deal :(
     
    juhtuo, Apr 21, 2011
    #16
  17. NoSlow5oh

    NoSlow5oh Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    27
    Messages:
    451
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Definitely get the FHD screen. You won't regret it. Pixel size is only half the story. Color gamut on the FHD screen will show you more colors than just about any other screen on the market.
     
    NoSlow5oh, Apr 21, 2011
    #17
  18. Unco

    Unco Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    26
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hey guys, I've decided to take your advice and get the 1080p and the i7! I have one small issue though, when I'm trying to checkout, I can't pick the correct state because I'm located in Canada... what should I do?
     
    Unco, Apr 21, 2011
    #18
  19. Ton-80

    Ton-80 Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    26
    Messages:
    76
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Did you order through the Canada website? The url is: Dell ? The Official Site for Computer & PCs | Dell Canada
     
    Ton-80, Apr 22, 2011
    #19
  20. Unco

    Unco Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    26
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Unco, Apr 22, 2011
    #20
  21. Ton-80

    Ton-80 Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    26
    Messages:
    76
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Some of the other commenters have succeeded in negotiating discounts when ordering on the phone. Maybe you can talk them into honoring the coupons.
     
    Ton-80, Apr 22, 2011
    #21