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    Really Close to buying an XPS16/XPS13

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by hsingh89, Nov 9, 2009.

  1. hsingh89

    hsingh89 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I just have a few questions before I pull the trigger and buy these =).

    1) Heat problems seem to be in all the reviews, but my previous laptop was a gaming laptop and it heated up quite a bit as well. Are these abnormal heat issues or just relevant to the average consumer who shouldn't expect heat from a laptop like this?

    2) What can I upgrade in these 2 machines?
    XPS 13 - Can I upgrade the CPU? GPU? Hard drive? Memory?
    XPS 16 - Can I upgrade the CPU? GPU? Hard drive? Memory?
    [Also to what extent can I upgrade these?]

    3) This may not really concern the notebooks specifically, but I have a few questions about the Intel processors.
    a) The P series vs. the T series Core 2 Duo's seem to give the upper hand to the P series because of the lower TDP rating of 25Watts in comparison to 35Watts on the T series. I am torn between the P8700 (3MB cache/2.53 GHz) and the T9600 (6MB cache/2.8 GHz). I assume from the stats that the T9600 is superior, but how much superior is my question?
    b) I have been hearing that the extra 2 cores are not really relevant in today's software environment so they are not necessary from the i7 and that actually makes it superior in some applications. How much of a difference does it make to go from Core 2 Duo to the i7 processors with I believe 4 cores?

    4) The XPS 13 9500M SLi seems like a good card with the battery saving approach it has. I was wondering how effective it is when you use the battery saving technique in reality with you guys that have been using it?

    5) One last question. Is it possible to get a P9700 Intel Processor in the US when you buy from Dell?
     
    hsingh89, Nov 9, 2009
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  2. hsingh89

    hsingh89 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Could someone please help me with #1, 2, and 3!! I may very well buy the XPS 16 tonight!
     
    hsingh89, Nov 9, 2009
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  3. th3van

    th3van Notebook Consultant

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    1) I don't have too much of a problem with my 16. Gets a little hot on the lap I suppose.

    2) Yes, no, yes, yes.

    3) I'd go for the P8700. You won't notice much of a difference between the two and the P will run much cooler and take less power.

    4) Not sure.

    5) Not sure.
     
    th3van, Nov 9, 2009
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  4. Student Driver

    Student Driver Notebook Consultant

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    Or just call and get whatever P9xxxx class processor you want. I got my P9600 when it wasn't even listed on the site in any of the combinations. If you're buying new, just call and get what you want.
     
    Student Driver, Nov 9, 2009
    #4