Opinions on the i5 Studio XPS 16

So this is what I'm planning to get to replace my 2006 Mac Book Pro. Returning to Windows because I'm getting back to games, that itself is a personal topic for debate.

Studio XPS 1647

Intel® Core™ i5 Processor 540M(2.53GHz,3MB cache)
6144MB 1333MHz Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM [1x2048 + 1x4096]
1GB ATI® Radeon™ HD 4670 graphics card
500GB (7,200rpm) Free Fall Sensor Hard Drive
Red Leather back cover : 15.6" (inch) Truelife 1080p Full HD WLED Edge to Edge Display
90W AC Adaptor

Now my query is that is this system worth the money, i.e. £1500 including a gaming mouse, 2 years collect and return and shipping, or is it better to wait out for the new Mac Book Pro and quench my game urge with the Mac games on offer.

Mainly my doubts are over -

a) Whether the XPS 1647 is a worthwhile system longterm
b) Whether Windows 7 is indeed worth the hassle of a Windows system
c) What the overall comparison would be with the potential new Mac Book Pros.

Newbie so cheers for any help.

 

Personally, I think you're overpaying.

You were able to get the 1645 with Core i7 quad core for £1399 including 3 year in-home premium warranty in January (before voucher discounts or speaking to a Dell rep!) - I think the lowest I got them to quote was just under £1300. I wouldn't suggest upgrading the RAM either, but, that's up to you

The reason I didn't purchase - I'm waiting for the new DX11 GPU's to show up. While DX11 won't be of much use, they offer higher performance, lower temp's, and better battery life.

Compared to any new potential MBP, who knows! I would expect though that Apple will support the integrated Intel HD GPU allowing better battery life and the option of using the discrete GPU when you need the extra performance (they already support this with their nvidia 9400 + 9600 laptops) - something Dell doesn't seem to support at the moment.

I own a Macbook, and having used both, Windows 7 is great.

 

I dont think its worth it! This is coming from a PC and Macbook user.

Check out hp envy 15!! google it go to hp website, youtube it.. It looks almost like macbook pro (design is copied) metal case!

It has processor options upto i7. better graphics card. 1gb ati 5830 ddr3 ram capacity upto 16gb! two hard drive bays. So you can have an ssd drive for os and hhd for data. audio by beats! many reported this is one of the best sounding laptops ever! It has one of the best screens out of laptops! Infra red webcam so you can record vides in pitch black and it looks like its in day light.
it weights only 5 pounds for a 15 i nch laptop! its only 1 inch thick when completely closed!

anyway look it up! money size its about the same but you get a newer video card, screen is even better than the one on xps 16! audio is much much better!

 

$2,223.98
thats for a comparable envy 15 to
my XPS 16 i got for 400 bucks cheaper.
If a graphic card is worth 400 bucks than go for it...

 

....and it doesn't have an optical drive, has heat issues, and no backlit keyboard.

You get what you pay for.

 

:yes: agreed

 

So you are saying the Studio xps 1645 and 1647 doesnt have heat issues?

I sold my sxps 1640 as the palm rest and left side keyboard got so hot it was uncomfortable to use whilst gaming. And this was on a zalman 2000 with CPU undervolted and AS5 applied!

I loved the laptop but just couldnt stand the heat

 

1645 doesn't have heat "issues" they did some internal rearranging after the 1640. On the outside it appears the same but internally the laptops are different. Especially since the architecture of the C2D and i7 & later processors are very different. The 1645 with the i7 idles around 50C and doesn't get uncomfortable anywhere that you'd come into contact with it (except maybe the bottom, but is anyone really putting this "laptop" on their lap?) The 1647 with the i5 should run even cooler seeing as it draws less power and it's a newer generation.

 

Confused on this one! I don't see any hassle associated with Windows systems? It is still my belief that the Mac operating system is limited in functionality in comparison to Windows, but I wouldn't say it's "hassle". It's just different. But this could be a complete other topic in itself so I'll leave it at that!

In regards to the SXPS 16 lasting, I've no doubt it will last you a long time and will prove to be a worthwhile investment. My 3-year-old M1330 for instance, still handles most current apps/tasks with ease. The issues that were originally present in the SXPS 16's seem to have been fixed now also (or are in the process of being fixed).

I don't know if the MBP and the SXPS 16 can really be compared though. To me, they're both so different and the choice is down to what you actually want from a laptop. If you're getting back into games, the SXPS 16 is a no brainer. But if there was something appealing about the MBP (i.e. Mac OS X) that's keeping you to it, then you'll have to weigh up the pros and cons.

 

I am on the same boat. Stuck between Envy 15 and Studio XPS 16. While I haven't officially made up my mind which, maybe from what I've gathered might help you make your decision.

1) Weight and Size ==> +1 Envy. It is approx 1" think front and back and lighter than XPS16

2) Latest ATI ==> +1 Envy. They recently refresh their envy line up and it uses the latest ATI

3) USB 3.0 ==> +1 Envy, it has a couple of USB 3.0, but you have to buy the quad i7 cpu

4) Sleeker design ==> +1 XPS. I like the exterior design more than Envy. The cover design is a bit sad looking

5) CD/DVD/BD ==> +1 XPS. It has the option of going blu-ray drive. Envy has no slot drive and it has to be external.

6) LED Screen ==> +1 XPS. The RGBLED and even the WLED have better color and more vibrant than Envy

I've configured both Dell XPS 16 and Envy with both similar CPU, Memory, and HD. They both are about the same price. With XPS however you get a few more stuff like Blu Ray Drive etc. But that also mean it is heavier too.

Both are great laptops and I am sure they both have good review and bad.

Decision is up to up, which look do you prefer.

 

Wrong thread. You're looking for this thread.