New Dell XPS L521X (Ivy Bridge)

For me the ODD is a big disadvantage in terms of thermal and noise. A fan is not enough for that slim case. I would have preferred a double fan, a 650M and a bigger battery. You can always get an external ODD for little money ..: D

 

Agreed, they could have likely bumped up the spec if they dropped the ODD, but as a lot of people still want them, they decided against it.

My point is mainly aimed at those who are saying Dell should have made it with all this high spec plus BR-ODD to better the last gen XPS.

Just not possible in this chassis by the look of it.

 

You just described 99.9% of everyone who ever purchased an Apple product, because Lord knows they weren't thinking about a quality OS, universal compatibility, or value.

Then they made a crappy design choice in new XPS, because they neither upped the level of specs to anyone's expectations or satisfaction and yet they had no problem charging 25-35% more for a sub-par product. Not sub-standard -- I'm not saying it isn't built well -- only that it doesn't equal other offerings on the market. Therefore, the new XPS is neither worth buying on specs nor on price. You would be better off spending a little more on an AW or a lot less on an Inspiron, or for that matter, an Envy, a Series 9, etc. etc.

People can spin this anyway they like. There's no point in apologizing or rationalizing corporate shortcomings or avarice. I'd be willing to spend upwards of $3,000 for the right specs. Money is not the issue for me. Value is. There is no value until Dell drops XPS prices by at least 25% and offers no less than (3) options per major component. As I've said, maybe with the L522x.

 

Been lurking in this thread for some months now whilst I’ve waited for the IVB update to the XPS range.

The thing that annoys me, at least from the UK configs, is not so much component options that aren’t yet available because they mostly are, rather the sheer stupid inconsistency of how they are tiered.

For example; no SSD on the home side of the website but is available on the business side; 256GB SSD available on XPS 14 but only 512GB in XPS15; no hybrid SSD/HD with i7 CPU but is available with i5 CPU. I could go on, but you get the picture.

It looks to me as if the UK product managers have built the configs by throwing darts into the master BoM.

 

+rep!!
I’m totally agree with you. Money is not the problem. The value is.
If my precious 4 years old XPS M1530 (the best original design laptop Dell ever made) can serve me for another year, I’ll wait for XPS L531x or completely redesign Alienware for 2013.

 

So because I bought the new XPS because I wanted a slimmer chassis and better build quality I don't know a lot about tech? That's laughable to call people out because they wanted to buy a better looking and slimmer device over an Alienware that looks like a 12 year olds dream. I apologize I don't need the extra horsepower it provides and I don't want to look like a complete fool taking that to my college classes... I'm sure this is the reason not more people buy the alienwares.

 

The only reason they are "people who bought an Apple product" is because if that was their requirement then they had no other choice if indeed they didn't do it for OS as you say.

Now those people have a choice.

I don't know why it's looked at as a bad thing to want a laptop with smaller dimensions, better build quality that looks better and are willing to pay the extra price that those features cost.

Fair enough, it's not what everyone wants, but obviously there is a big enough market that Dell has decided to enter.

I personally wouldn't have bought an Apple as they are even more expensive and I don't like the OS one bit, so I had no choice but to buy a bigger Windows machine with lower build quality in a bigger frame.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but we've known the specs for weeks if not months on the new XPS.... Why is it now such a shock?

It does equal other offerings on the market does it not? It doesn't have the same spec as the MBP but it is also cheaper. It matches some of the Envy specs and is more expensive but that's also because it is a brand new product. Prices will drop, just as the Envys did. That said, as mentioned, it seems it's pretty much only available in the US so isn't an option for anyone else. I'd happily seriously consider it if it was available here.

AW is not even comparable as it's a tank and is a gaming machine, which this new XPS is not. If as above, your consideration is size, style, quality of materials / build quality then the Inspiron isn't an option either.

I don't know much about the Series 9 as again, very limited availability in the UK (outside the US??).

However, I completely agree with you with regards to the currently available options. It's absurd to not have a single SKU with the BR-ODD in the UK and also for the most expensive consumer model to drop the mSATA and leave you with a slow 5400RPM. That could do with being looked at.

As for price. It does need to drop a little for me to purchase it I expect. But that's just because I'm tight.

 

I tried to get the eGift Card from the small business section of the dell website. But they would not budge saying it wasn't available on that package
but being that its only 1400 for the 1700$ config on the home section, its no the end of the world. I did however get them to drop 30$ so only paying 1369.00 for the $1700.00 configuration, only losing out on "americas best protection plan" but i can add accidental care for only 60 anyway so in the end its a great deal

 

The current Dell Advantage promotion in the US lops $100 off of the $1399 configuration (i5, 8gb ram, 750gb 7200 rpm with 32 msata).

 

There are ppl. do buy Apple because of its style, my mum is the case....

 

If you didn't need ANY of the extra power, you could have spent HALF the price and gotten a machine that fits your needs. If all you bought a laptop for is taking notes in class...that's an insane amount of money to spend.

 

Really did you try really hard? I have evidence that they said it's available for the student discount

There's another promotion for students that's a $200 gift card back. The $1399 config is now $1299 as a "June" Special lol. It's only the i5 model with 8 GB ram, 750 GB HD and GT630M. Also look at the email they sent me. They're upgrading it to a 750MB HD Automatic buy right there!!!
Otter got the SMB 1399 model with i7, 750GB HD, 8GB Ram, and GT640M which is a better deal.

Well I don't think it'll only be for taking notes. If he/she is a college student like me, it'll be for doing some resource intensive stuff too. I'm an engineering student so those cheap low-end computer won't cut it.

 

The problem with the price is that they are obviously raising it for home buyers, when they could lower it and still make a profit. As someone else pointed out, you can get the $1700 model for $1400 on the business site. It kind of gets me mad that I'd have to pay $1700 for a computer that as Dell admits on a different site can be sold for $1400. And frankly, I think $1400 would be a fair price (about the same as the Vaio S I'm looking at).

 

Did I once say I was only using it for taking notes? No I didn't. I like to game and this has more than enough power for my gaming needs as well as CAD and whatever else I may throw at it. Do I need the even higher level GPU's of the Alienware? No, this was my point though you seemed to have missed that.

The power for my needs is great, the size and portability is great, the build quality and looks are great. Once again I don't need a GTX card for my gaming and I don't want to carry around a HUGE gaming notebook.

This is the perfect laptop for my needs, maybe not for you but for me it is.

 

You got it already?! Review soon?

 

It is supposed to be here by the end of the week (fingers crossed) but I will take some picture and my first impressions

 

Yea I tried with multiple reps, they all said the same thing. Even when I showed them evidence someone posted that another rep HAD said it was possible. They just wouldn't budge. Idk its w.e though because I got my quote for the i7 model at a great price.

 

Please stop judging other people for how they like to spend their money. It's a nonsense.
Anyway i agree with Muffy Man when he said that's only a matter of value. We already knew hardware specs of XPS, we already knew it shold not been a beast but i guess we all thought that that hardware was enough for our needs...even if we already judeged it underpar, or simply at medium level.
What changed cards on table was the price and then the "value" matter.

By the way, i just realized on italian dell site that new xps 15 sold on business part of sites got all 7200 rpm hard disk (except the 1TB one). Just guessing why only for business. Also, if the reason for mounting 5400 rpm was for battery duration, my question is: who needs more battery duration ? A business user or a non business users ?

 

Sweet, can't wait to see.

 

In terms of specs, this XPS is more of a successor to the 15z, and compared to the dual core i7 and super low 525m graphics and more than likely better quality chassis + blu-ray, I'm thinking this is where they based this laptop off so in those terms I can see the improvement.

 

I am completely with you here as well. I don't want to be carrying around a hideous and large laptop from class to class. I did that last year, and it was quite annoying to have a big heavy 17" laptop that took forever to boot up and connect to wifi.

I was looking for a smaller laptop that can meet my school needs, as well as be able to play games like Civ. I am done with cheap build quality laptops, and even became close to doing the unthinkable... buying a new macbook and installing windows.

This offering from Dell is right up my alley.

While the 650M would have been nice (and I would have chosen it if it were offered), I am sure that I would not see a big difference with how I use the laptop, while I would notice the increase in battery life. As for my disappointment with the limited hard drive options, I will see how the 128gb mSATA is used. I like the idea of having a large capacity HDD for music/pictures/video storage, so if the mSATA works well, then it would have been the best option. A 7200rpm drive would be noisier, less energy efficient and hotter, for only a marginal speed increase.

From my perspective, when the overall quality and specs are weighted together, this seems like a great laptop. I want to see it in person before I decide if it's the best option.

 

Aw that sucks. Hopefully I'll have better luck and get my way. Really want that $1399 laptop with i7 and gt640 for $1399 and get that $200 gift card. Otherwise I'll have to wait until the prices drop.

I had to go through some really bad reps before getting what I want. Luckily I got disconnect via chat and they had a higher up call me back and did everything to satisfy my order.
Got a $250 gc for $225 LOL Took so long for such a minimal thing but they did it. (Combined 3 $75 promotional gift cards for that order.)

 

Hi there,

I read literally EVERY post in this thread and it has been very informative so far.
Next school year i will start a 3D modeling (visual Arts at IGAD in Holland) program and i need a laptop for that.

So i have watched the developments very closely and i have to say i am very dissapointed... Price and spec wise. I am willing to spend over 1500 euro but then the system has to have a better screen (i cannot wait till the w8 release)..

But i still think it's a nice machine but then i read the following on the autodesk:

" Important note: Nvidia Kepler graphics cards (Geforce GTX 670-680-690) are not supported by Maya."

And since i'll use Maya allot i'm pretty much screwed.... Or am i wrong??
(if im correct i can stop looking at the xps and start searching for an Ati machine or a workstation..)

 

The XPS has the GT640m so if it means only the GTX 670-690 are not supported you would be good.

 

Nvidia's latest cards are geared completely for gaming.

 

Well dell blatantly pulled the estimated delivery date out of their proverbials as it has not arrived today. Rung up and they said it would be Wednesday at the earliest, but like most employees i've spoken too in this entire ordeal he didn't seem to grasp what my problem was.

 

I thought it only were examples? It clearly sais Nvidia kepler cards...

That would be insane...

 

I guess it could go that way I was looking at it as "Kepler cards (GTX670-690)" meaning only those ones?

 

Everyone says they NEED a computer for their school work, but from personal experience you need to check if your school has computer labs to do your work in. Granted, if you want a laptop that's fine. But if you want to save some money, check if your school offers computer labs with the software that you need. That's what I do for all of my work.

 

That's actually an advantage of my University's Engineering College, we have access to a giant computer lab 24/7 and also any software they offer on those computers we can download for free onto our laptops. Win win!

 

We have that too along with remote access. I guess its personal preference, but the I find working in one of the Linux labs much nicer than sitting in my dorm room.

 

LOL really my school is cheap and only offers some of the software eligible for download. Think you can hook me up with some of your school's software lol.
I go to one of the nation's 3 best engineering schools and they don't offer that much software for free. Great financial aid though but lack of free software

 

I am still waiting to see some reviews on the fan noise and mostly "heating" . I currently have an Acer which has been great machine in performance ( I really didn't care about the plastic look ) but had a lot of heating issues .

Surprisingly I found the Inspiron 5110 very cool testing out the rendering tests .

I planning to get this for casual gaming and my 3d R&D work which include cpu intensive rendering test ( 3dsMax , Maya , Houdini ) .

I have a primary desktop station which i use for the main stuff . But most of the time I find my self wanting a laptop with a coolpad that I can use on my lap to do similar work .

 

just ordered mine through the dell small business option, got the i7, 640m, 750gb +32gb msata, and blu ray option. sells for 1600 euros on dell.nl and bought it for $1400 on dell.com. converted i just saved myself $600

 

Add import tax and potential VAT and it might not be such a saving, it might even cost you more! I hope you did your homework and checked the NL Revenue and Customs site for information about this.....

 

Dell.com sends out of USA?

Inviato dal mio GT-I9100 con Tapatalk 2

 

Define "better CPU," please. Better GPU? Are you saying the 15 has the better specs? If so, nevermind. I took that at first read to mean you're saying the 14 high-end has better specs.

Seriously, if you are saying the 15 has the better specs, nevermind, because that would be true.

Or maybe it's one of those situations where reviewers report inconsistent numbers. That's a 350 NIT screen. More inconsistency, but at least closer to the real number, is seen in the scan posted by DvP.

Agree, it's way too early to be calling "flop." In fact, I'd go so far as to say Chicken Little is riding his FUD machine down NBR Way. I don't plan on sharing any sales numbers, but if you look at XPS 13 (same customer segment, mostly same materials, same build quality, same relative price range given the fewer components on the 13) going at about 3X forecast last time a Dell exec talked about it, you might make the counter argument when predicting future sales. Oh, and here's a wild card: XPS 13 sold into the Large Enterprise at 10X forecast, which accounts for some of the 3X unit sales figures for the overall. You think there's going to be more or less LE demand for the 14 and 15?

To answer your question, we won't be refreshing based on sales numbers. We'll be refreshing based on factors like new component availability and competitive landscape. (Cue the inclusion of price of the [insert name of inferior quality competitor's laptop here] in the competitive landscape discussion.)

The Verge situation, specific to the issues with their unit, is a big no comment from me. I'll just ask if you think they'd run a post if one of those Apples had some one-off issue that Apple quickly replaced with a working unit. Then I'll go ahead and answer: Heavens no! The Verge worships at the altar of the fruit with a shameless lack of objectivity.

Conflicted?

 

I'll duck now.

Best Buy said they'd have them ready to order late in the day on July 4, and start shipping orders (whatever that means in their vernacular) on July 5.

 

No, unfortunately not, but you can order to a mail forwarding company's address and they will send the package for little extra charge.

 

Those are always a little bit shady and carry no guarantees

 

Well if someone from abroad wants a new laptop, have to take the risk. However i have not heard about lost laptop yet, mostly customs problem.

 

Thank you for your concern but yes, i do NEED a laptop.

I hope you are right, it makes more sense actually.
Thanks for thinking with me

 

I can't wait to see some benchmark videos on Youtube. The suspense is killing me. This laptop looks really nice, and the specs are amazing. @Dell-Bill_B, I don't know how you keep your sanity fighting off all these naysayers. Keep on Keepin' on!

 

Bill, Can you please find out for us if the Dell small business is also eligible for the student discount? I'm seeing contradicting views by different reps. The rep I talked to said it should work but someone else on this forum had a harder time.

I would assume it should be? Let's say I'm a parent buying a laptop for my child who is going off to college. They would get the gift card according to the terms of the promotion.

 

I have no idea about discounts and sales related stuff, but I'll ask my great good friend Lorna to pop in and reach out.

 

Bill, could you comment on what is going on with UK retail? I went in to a PC World ( Dixons Group ) recently and was told that Dell are no longer supplying to any UK retailer, high street or internet and only selling direct. This seems to be ringing true as I cannot find any places other than John Lewis ( XPS 13 ) who are selling current models.

 

Thatd be great, because ive asked 5 different reps and all have said no, but someone on the forums said they got a yes.

 

That's really interesting. A head scratcher, indeed. I will need to ask around for a retail channel contact in the UK. Please bring it up again if I don't answer in a few days. (Don't bother with PM. I'm hopelessly behind until I can find catch up time in like November.)

 

Yup I will do, I am particularly surprised that John Lewis are not able to source as they are the most successful and profitable retail group in the UK.

 

Lucky escape.