New Dell XPS L521X (Ivy Bridge)

1GB vs 2GB of video memory really doesn't matter.

Personally, I had Windows 8 Consumer Preview installed on a 30GB partition on my desktop for several months, until I decided I really liked it and increased the size of the partition. Windows 8 takes 20GB on a 64-bit computer and 16 on a 32-bit computer (which is what my old desktop is). I wouldn't have any reservations installing the OS to a 32GB SSD, but you definitely wouldn't have space for many (if any) programs.

 

Remove hibernation and pagefile and you will shrink down the windows install size down to 20GB-8GB for example, so 12GB for windows. That was the size of my initial windows 7 install on my 64GB SSD. If you add more RAM, i got 16GB in my G73, that makes for a lot of space taken by hibernation and pagefile. That's something else to take into consideration, hence my comment about ~10GB with tweaks.

also do keep in mind that for a SSD to retain close to peak performance, you need some free space for the writes so the controller can move things as needed if TRIM and Garbage Collection haven't done their job yet. I have no idea if the mSATa SSD offered by Dell has some overprovisioning or not.

 

Ding. Exactly what I did. I'm replacing the HDD too with a SSD.

 

I'm not drawing any conclusions about that assertion other than, with respect to the MBPw/R the jury may still be out.

Retina MBP Image Retention Issue - YouTube
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4047428?start=30&tstart=0
Some Retina MacBook Pros hit by image persistence flaw | Apple - CNET News

Though, to be fair, Apple issues get way overblown, and the Apple forum thread on the issue doesn't appear to be growing very fast.

 

This is far from the truth, especially if you are running crazy large resolutions like the rMBP is.

I don't use hibernation at all, I disable restore points, and if you have tons of ram I really don't see a point for a page file. I agree though, 32GB is cutting it way too close.

The mSata SSD offered by Dell is the PM830 by samsung

 

good luck googling, almost all of those numbers are unreleased to public, haha. if you find something let me know.

 

Guess I won't have my XPS 14 for a good while. Dell+Best Buy are screwing me over with false release times.

 

1- The issue in youtube video is diffidently a driver issue.
2- Ghosting/Retention are related to the IPS panel.

I'm not sure if this justifies that 1 GB VRAM is lagging

 

/OT
Personally, I wouldn't put swap files in SSD units, 'cause of their frequent writing... albeit windows will use much more the swap than linux...

Clearly, all this IMHO...

 

Me neither. I tried to word my doubt clearly, but I guess it could be construed as a conclusion based solely on context of the comment quoted.

Jury's still out on that issue. I've been thinking driver the whole time, because users report if they reboot or toggle the resolution back and forth the issue is gone.

 

I'm looking for a 128GB unit, to install OS and software; do you guys know if Crucial makes mSATA drives? I've read many good reviews about their m4 SSD...If no, what do you think are the most powerful and reliable alternatives?
Samsung PM830 ?
OCZ Nocti mSATA ?
Other suggestions?

 

I'm no expert, but I know that one has been well received.

 

Good point..I didn't even consider that when I was going through the installer. I rarely load the system enough to use swap space anyway but now that I think about it swap would probably be better suited for the regular disk. Good thing I used LVM so I move/resize the volumes without reinstalling. I also still need to enable trim in the fstab mount options.

Overall I am impressed with the XPS 14 so far.

 

Meh, still not gonna be enough writes to wear down the SSD prematurely. I'd still leave a small swap file on the SSD myself since it's gonna be faster than on a HDD should you ever need it. That is if you don't have tons of RAM and just disable it altogether.

I remember something about a mSATa version of the M4, but not sure it's actually been done. The PM830 would be my mSATA SSD of choice or maybe a 128GB MyDigitalSSD one.

 

For Bill.
You've answered the warranty question about replacing parts a 100 times I know. But do the parts have to be purchased from Dell, specifically an SSD or ram memory? I have an Intel 320 series I would like to use.

 

In my desktop w/4GB of RAM, running Ubuntu 12.04 I haven't created it altogether but I haven't tons of applications running, max 2 VMs

No. Obviously, Dell won't respond to faults to the parts you've replaced.

 

Granted WRT crazy large resolutions (though PCs don't run resolutions that high, and for good reason), but unless you're like...rendering a friggin' CGI movie or something, I'm pretty sure 1GB of dedicated video RAM is sufficient for everything you'd ever do, especially on a laptop. Unless you're doing professional-level CAD or something. (In which case you probably wouldn't be buying an MBPwRD, probably something more like a Dell Precision.)

 

Nope. The only caveat to upgrading components is if whatever you install damages our parts, and that's near impossible to prove if you put all the original parts back and ship it in to the depot or have an onsite tech come out and replace the damaged parts. They will, however, spot a screwdriver slip taking out a mobo rail or liquid spill damage in a heartbeat, in which case the system has to go to the depot for repair for the cost of parts+labor (minus the up front out of warranty diagnosis fee). After the depot fixes it and collects payment, the warranty will be reinstated with the original expiration date.

 

Sorry, I meant problems with the rest of the machine. If I put the original hard drive back in and had the same problem would it be covered.

 

Ok guys, just pulled the trigger on the Inspiron 15r SE.

3rd Generation Intel Core i7-3612QM processor 2.1GHz (6M Cache, up to 3.10GHz)
8GB,DDR3,2 DIMM
Dell Chiclet Backlit Keyboard with Multi-touch Touchpad, English-Int'l
15.6 Full High Definition (1080p) LED Display
AMD Radeon HD 7730M 2GB
750GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive
8X Tray Load CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
3 Year Extended Service, In-home Service After Remote Diagnosis

For less than $1200 incl. tax & shipping, thats kind of hard to beat. The only thing i didn't like is not having the option to use a 256GB SSD, I might do that myself later.

Good luck to y'all!

Snoopy

 

I just want to add that CAD doesn't necessarily require a precision or pro graphics card, yet image processing can require more than 2G of graphics memory. The processing power of the L521X with quad core and 640M is plenty for many smaller processing tasks. The precision series is far from portable, compared to the XPS line. If 1G is more justifiable for most users, then the XPS is not; this logic would point toward the vizio or similar.

 

Through BIOS... ok.. I was hoping as much... I've seen other system that were using Intel software, which made it strange... I mean, configuring storage after you've installed the OS seemed so wrong to me!

Nice to know someone who installed Linux... How does it look on the driver support side?

From what I remember of the discussions a few hundred pages back, it was the consensus that it's one of the best mSata we could get!

Looks nice for that price... Will definitely have a look myself... Just not a big fan of AMD for graphics, but if it's the only negative point I find, I might be willing to overlook that!

 

I disagree (at least with the onsite tech) they usually do the damage themselves (especially with the screws. In my old XPS, I had like 10 service calls and I had the "copper mod" but they didn't care. But in any case, the problems that they came to solve never were caused by the mod. That's why, you should always buy accidental w/ on site service and that's the only reason I prefer Dell over anyone else.

 

Have you purchased and received your XPS14 or are you judging from what you've read?

 

Congrats.

Will you do a detailed review of it?

 

He's received it. Check the XPS 14 owner's thread.

 

So far everything I have tried works. I will be configuring Bumblebee for nvidia optimus support when I get off work. I think the main complaint with Linux support on the XPS13 was the touchpad. The XPS 14 uses a Synaptics touchpad so driver support is pretty good compared to the cypress touchpad that is in the 13.

I received it yesterday.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/del...14-ultrabook-owners-lounge-3.html#post8660201

 

Sad, was expecting them earlier

Anyway, do you know if the prices on the Dell site for non-US places (like Uruguay, where I am) include shipping, customs and whatnot?

 

Thank you for replies about mSATA. Then, I'll be glad to buy one from Dell, if they give me the chance during configuration

 

I think those prices doesn't include shipping and taxes, some months ago I called for info about the l502x and after configuration Dell rep added the shipping (about US$130) and she told me I had to add taxes to that price depending of the country I lived, in my case laptop/computer taxes are 13% and I live in Costa Rica.

 

Uh-oh. Read this about the XPS 14...

A single Dell XPS 14 drives a technology reviewer crazy | The Verge

 

Interesting. I'm curious to hear if others have similar issues (with this or the 15), or if they will report what was wrong with their build (doubtful). Unless I hear more of these types of issues I'll still probably get the XPS 15.

 

Something like that is clearly a bios related issue, or as they mentioned a hardware fault. It is not indicative of the performance of the laptop, it is just sensationalism on the websites behalf and a lame attempt at gaining traffic.

 

I don't doubt it. They didn't have to say anything at all, and I can assure you they wouldn't have said anything had the same issue occurred with a MBP. I have to admit the screen doesn't look too bad on the 14. I just don't like the configurations. None of them.

 

Yea besides the completely different color of aluminum and a big fat dell logo soooo ya your wrong.

I'm not worried. I wont be gaming and if someone is gonna be buying an xps and is a gamer, you want a 15.

 

Well that's not necessarily true. A ULV CPU and a GT630M should be more than enough for casual gaming. I play SC2 on a ULV core 2 duo and a G210M and I can get by with minimum framerate issues on the games I play, even though they're not very graphics intensive (SC2, LoL, and Diablo III every now and then). Diablo does get harder to run in higher difficulty levels though.

But it's ~6 year old architecture, which explains why running 2 year old games is kind of tough, since it was super budget specs in the first place.

I would get the XPS 14 over the 15 because the 15 is just too expensive, if I decide I want it. I could pay comparable amounts to the Samsung series 7 with a 3610QM and a GT640M, or the Vizio dual core notebook, but the XPS chassis is just so much better looking and more solidly built that I would consider the hit in specs for the notebook itself

 

Wow, you're right! I didn't notice the Dell logo!

 

I wouldn't be so quick to assume that it's sensationalism. Many sites try to publish reviews the moment NDA lifts, and if the review doesn't make it on time, the reviewer in question can take heat for the delay. He may very well be quite frustrated and annoyed that he couldn't get the review out at the same time as other sites.

In any case, it will be interesting to see what The Verge thinks of it.

 

The Trunk Monkey on the other hand...huge success

 

I think they paired with 5400RPM HHD because of two reasons.

1.Battery power optimization.
2.Most performance required data [OS/SW] will be on SSD.So u'll get performance.

 

Bill really does love us. He went through the trouble just for me to hunt down the bestbuy.com marketing manager to see when they'd be available at best buy! You freakin' rock @Dell_Bill

 

Hi Guys,

German professional PC magazine CT tested the new XPS 15:

http://www.bilder-upload.eu/upload/3a263e-1341041336.jpg
Display:
Brightness - very good 305 cd/m2
Color - only average (no data)

Noise:
Good - better than MacBook retina...but still a bit loud under full load

Power consumption:
Good but consumes 40% more energy under load (same brightness) !?

Issues found:
3D (marks) quite a lot slower at same resolution - at least 15% (could be processor related as 3D marks do not test full res)
USB3.0 does not really work....very slow
WiFi does not really work....very slow
Dell said -> Updates of bios necessary

 

Yes they did, I got my order in before they raised the prices, with the 15% student discount it totalled €1400 euro for the second to highest config. Just waiting on delivery.

 

For those who live in Italy like me, I've just seen that now they corrected the warranty options in the configurator: now adding 50€ for accidental damage protection will give us protection not only for 1 year but for the whole lenght of the on-site hardware support chosen! Now extending hardware support is definitely worth it every penny! Thank you Dell, now I need only a blu-ray option and my pocket is yours

 

Bill will the i5 models see an 640 configuration?
Any chance marketing extends warranty to the current price?

 

That configuration does exist; for example, all UK consumer configs have the 640, and 2 of them come with the i5 - but it seems like your mileage will vary in terms of what's available to you locally.

 

I am curious to find out when best buy will have the xps 14 and 15 available. Were you ever able to get an answer from the marketing manager?

 

Should be up and online Tuesday morning

 

Quoting myself as it looks like question was missed.

If you didn't find out then no problem, just curious.

 

I know this is not the Apple thread but just for comparison purposes, today I received an email from the authorized Apple dealer here in Costa Rica with info about the new Mackbook Pro Retina 15":

Processor: Core I7 2.6GHz (It doesn't details the model)
RAM: 2GB (2x4GB)
SSD: 512GB

And the price is US$3832

And about the XPS15, I'll definetly wait for the prices to drop and more customatization options, the Inspiron 15R SE is not available in my country and the ones which are available have not so good specs I'm not in a hurry for a laptop