Should I Buy XPS 13?

I checked it out when it was first released. I have a few years left in warranty for my Adamo, but the performance is really starting to bug me. I can run everything I need to in multitask, but it could be much snappier.

By the way I am a college kid but I day trade hence I need to run all the necessary software + browsing + school applications. - This is where the 1.4Ghz is getting too loaded.

If I get the XPS 13, I am looking for two things: Much longer battery life and much snappier performance.

Personally, the adapter for the XPS is hideous and I plan on not carrying around the adapter. Adamo lasts around 3-3.5 hours and up to 4.5 hours if I use remote desktop to do all the work on my desktop instead. (Hence just stressing the wifi card). I am looking for a solid 6 hours with decently loaded cpu with the above applications.

What is the realistic battery life you are getting with pretty stressed i5 cpu? Do you feel that the laptop is much snappier with business works when compared with Core2 Duos, if you have any experience with those from work?

I used Sandy Bridge and other really high end laptops before, which I sold awhile back. But what can I really expect from that low voltage i5?

Thank you for your response in advance. I MIGHT get the Windows Surface Tablet if the price is right and the XPS is not significantly better.

Edit: Oh wait I just realized that it is 720p.. Urggg I guess I will have to wait another year for a 1080p screen in 13/14 inch format...

 

Sooooo did you answer your own question?

Real life battery life I am getting so far is around 6 hours at 1/2 brightness and no video streaming (just office tasks and some light browsing).

The i5 or i7 will BLOW THE C2D OUT OF THE WATER. The adamo is not a bad machine, but its very dated as far as processors go.

The screen on the XPS13 is actually nice, even though it is just standard HD resolution. The fact that the bezels are so small really make the difference to me. I love the form factor being closer to most 11' machines.

Also the charging brick is smaller than most dell versions... Its not the typical massive brick with XPS systems, its about 1/2 to 1/3 of the size.

If I were you, I'd wait for a coupon to pop up for one and go for it. It seems like you can really use the horsepower. Recently they had a 20% off outlet models and you could snag one for about 640 before tax/shipping.

 

Yea 640 is what i was looking for at the Outlet. Just missed that but it should be back by fall.

I really am looking for MINIMUM 900p cause I am having problems with my Adamo trying to squeeze in all the trading tools in 720p. Virtually impossible anyways.

Is there other portable line, perhaps 14 inch one that is speculated to have 900p or 1080p in the near future?

 

The XPS14 I think has 900p

 

The XPS 14 is rumored to have an HD+ display and would be far better for your day trading. It will be awhile before you see it in the outlet.

That Microsoft Surface looks incredible but the W8Pro version will not be out until late Q1 2012.

 

I love my XPS 13, honestly has been a very pleasurable experience. However you are in an "in-between" stage. The Ivy Bridge version will probably come out around October which may or may not have the higher resolution along with the XPS 14.

As far as Ultrabooks go I have been very happy and I have tried and used about all of them at some point for business reasons.

 

Im not the OP.

But I thought Id chime in to say that it seems to me one of the advantages of being in the "in-between stage" is that there is good availability in the Outlet Store.

I just pulled the trigger on a Dell Outlet New XPS 13 i7/256SSD for $1,129. Didnt see any coupons out there. I saved pretty good coin for the latest and greatest product.