Should I accept xps 15 with SSD and W7 Pro upgrades in exchange, or a refund and wait for SB?

Dell TS is offering an exchange xps15 (with 256GB SSD and W7Pro upgrades + all my current specs) for my defective xps 15 laptop (current specs: i7-740, NV435M, B+RG FHD LED panel, 8gb ram, Blu-ray reader, BL keyboard, 6200 wireless, etc). The exchange laptop would have almost all upgrades currently available, I believe.

The alternative is a refund and wait for the SB series. But pay considerably more than my $900 investment.

Since the SB series should hopefully be available in 1-2 months, what would you do?

 

1st option

 

the more you keep running behind technology the more it runs away...
ivy bridge will also be releasing....so youll even want that

 

Go for the upgrade. You can't catch up with technology enough really. If the SB is available now I'd take it, but another month or two's wait - not worth it.

 

That SSD is worth $500. That's more than half of what your entire laptop is worth. Easy decision.

 

Seriously, take the Ssd upgrade...ebay it later if you want...you'll get at least 300$ from it. making your laptop $600.

 

If you didn't pick the 1st option, I'd seriously call into question your rationalizing aptitude.

 

Not an easy decision.

Even with SSD upgrade, it is still no serious gaming laptop.

The SB xps 15 with the NV555 gpu (if it is an option) is a much better gaming system. Will a serious gaming gpu be an option in SB xps15 systems? That is a big unknown in this decision-making.

Accepting the exchange makes sense if I can resell it for approx $1100 when the SB xps 15 is available. (Or, will market fall sharply for older xps15 laptops?)

($900 + tx +$50 in-home war = $1010 total investment + $90 to cover selling expenses = $1100)

I have another laptop to use for the next 2 months, until the SB xps15 is available. I don't need this one (although it is a great laptop), so I am not deducting a "use" charge from the $1100.

Am I over thinking it?

 

Take the replacement, the SSD alone is worth it.

If you then need another replacement, wait for SB.

 

^^ what he said.

 

If the current XPS 15 only comes with the 435, why would you think the new one will come with anything more than the equivalent 535??? Even the 17 only comes with the 445. I highly doubt they will upgrade the GPU by 2 classes.

 

Thx for the input, guys.

What are you all saying....
I should take the exchange just b/c its a great deal.
I should ignore the fact the exchange does not meet my needs. (being a great gaming is high on my list)

Or stated differently, are you all saying....
Take the exchange b/c it is a great deal.
The SB xps 15 probably will not be a great gaming system.

 

If you wanted a gaming system (and you said you wanted a die-hard system), The XPS wasn't a good choice in the beginning. The 435M is only a mid-end card that couldn't even beat the ATI Mobility Radeon 5730 (which was a staple card in many OEM 15" laptops over the last year). That being said, in the case you are in now, the SSD Drive is worth a pretty penny and Dell is giving it to you for free means you make profit.

That being said, if you wanted to gaming, you should avoid the XPS line and head to the realms of Alienware, Sager/Clevo, MSI, ASUS ROG etc. For the same amount of money you spent on a high-end XPS, you could of gotten a far superior system if you shop carefully and strike with deals.

In that case, you should take the system Dell is offering you and sell it immediately for more profit and then wait for SB or look for the gaming lineup currently available.

PS: There is no way Dell is giving the XPS the GeForce GT 555M. That card would already hitting the borders of competition with their gaming brand, Alienware. Sure the 555M would be weaker than any of the staple Alienware choices that most people will buy, but I can assure you that people would take the XPS more with the 555M then to look at an Alienware if that was to happen. I don't think Dell would let that happen.

 

The SB xps17 is reported coming with the NV555 gpu as an option.
Why not the SB xps15? It is possible, isn't it?

“Dell's making it happen with some component upgrades on its high-end Alienware M17x and XPS 17 laptops. It seems Round Rock came across a few shipments of a 17-inch, 1080p panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, perfect for interfacing with NVIDIA's shutter glasses, and is including it ( along with a new NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M for the XPS 17) as premium options.”

Dell refreshes Alienware M17x, Dell XPS 17 with 120Hz 3D HD screens, Sandy Bridge CPUs -- Engadget

 

Seems like you're more oriented towards the SB update. In that case you should just wait for it and hope for the best.

 

XPS 15 < XPS 17 in GPU Options. The 15 will NEVER surpass the 17 in the top graphics card segment. Starting with the successors of the XPS M1330 and the M1530. The 15.6" never got a better card than the 17.3" but seeing that they are willing to put a GeForce 555M in the XPS 17 is surprising.

Nevertheless, the XPS 15 isn't going to get it. I promise you that. If you want a good 15.6" "gaming" laptop, go with the Alienware m15x or the ASUS G53.

 

They won't put the same level of hardware in the 15 as the will in the 17. The larger laptop is able to hide a larger and weightier cooling system needed to cool the more powerful GPU. Also, putting something that powerful in the 15" will compete against the 15" Alienware, something they don't want to do.

If the XPS 15 doesn't meet your needs, then why did you buy it in the first place? If you don't like it, take the refund, but don't do it with the intention to use the money to buy the SB XPS 15, it won't be that much faster. Buy an ASUS G-series laptop, or a Compal barebone instead. Though if you do that, expect to pay a bit more than $900.

 

The XPS is good for games in general, but if you want everything high and max resolution, then the XPS isn't a good choice from the beginning. THe XPS is geared more for entertainment and multimedia over gaming, although it can game if one's standards is medium-high. If you want ultra high and raw power from the start, then there are better options for the money to be brutally honest that you spend on the XPS.

 

I not saying the SB xps15 will get a better card than the SB xps17.
I am saying it could the same high end card.
The NV 555 card already mentioned for the SB xps 17.

As to your post highlighted below.....
Remember the xps 1645?
It had the same ATI 5730 card as the xps 1745.
Maybe not a better card, but the same card.
A respectable (not great) gaming card.

If the SB xps15 did in fact get the NV 555 card as an option too....
that would make a great gaming system, right?
The NV 555 card is a Class 1 card, isn't it?
A superior card to the 5730, right?

And well worth passing on the exchange system, and waiting.
If only the NV 555 card is an option for the SB xps15.

 

We are saying it is IMPOSSIBLE for the XPS 15 to get the 555M.

1. The 15 has NO space to FIT a 555M with all the proper cooling.
2. Dell sees a THREAT in their sales of their Alienware m15x and the XPS 17 if they did that with the XPS 15.
3. The 5730M was known to be the limits of the XPS 15's design capabilities at the time. The 17 had more room to fit something better.

I don't want to ruin your hopes and dreams, but it is just not possible. The biggest factor is you can thank the existence of a system called the Alienware m15x. I think you are really missing a chance by letting the Dell deal pass. I think you could of sold it for profit then you spent on the machine in the first place and you can get something more worthwhile when SB comes out. Hopefully you can get an Alienware in that regards.

Oh well, it is your decision in the end and not ours, but your decision at the moment is not what I would do if I was in your shoes to be brutally honest.

 

I bought the xps 15 b/c it has the best audio system in the Dell lineup.
It has (as many would argue) the best LCD screen (the FHD B+RG LCD panel) in the current Dell lineup... below their $3000 workstations (that have the RGB LCD screens, the same panel that used to be in their earlier xps 1645 systems).

And the xps 15 was "hyped" as a "reasonably good" gaming system. Where the NV435 was touted as good as the ATI 5730 for gaming. As we all know, that turned out to be "wishful thinking."

As to taking the money from sale of the exchange and passing on the SB xps 15 b/c it will never be a great gaming laptop, that may be overly pessimistic thinking. If it gets the NV 555 gpu (like its big brother, the SB xps 17), it could be a great gaming system... with the best audio and best LCD panel out there... in a laptop under $2500.

 

Hopefully you, or others, can clarify your point here.

I am getting ready to buy a new laptop here, and it will primarily be for gaming. But also for school/work/etc. Ive always wanted to get an alienware over the years, but now that im finally in a spot to get one, im not sure its so appealing.

The problem is basically the case. As cool as it may be, I cannot really swallow the idea of giving a presentation at work, sitting in class, or even at starbucks with glowing alien heads on my computer. In addition to the other visually "loud" design choices of the case. So that puts me in a spot where I want a laptop that can really put out some high end gaming, but also has a more subtle, modern style case/body to it. Which is what turned me into looking into things like the XPS line.

So firstly what would be some of the top recommendations for something like this, as far as brands/models? Although ive been throwing around the idea of a 15, im guessing space limitations for components are going to make me choose a 17.

Secondly, what exactly is it that say, the new SB line of XPS 17s cannot do in terms of performance when fully loaded out (I suppose the question goes for both in itself, and when compared to other laptops).

Also the company is still very much something to consider, as far as support and customer service. So keep that in mind when making the suggestions please. Thanks guys.

 

Don't get me wrong. I appreciate your advice.
I do not mean to come across as "defending" the option of passing on the exchange system in favor of taking my $1000 refund and applying it to a SB xps 15 "gaming" system ("gaming" only if it gets the NV 555 chip).

You guys make a strong argument that
1. It is best to take the exchange system, sell it and make a profit.
2. Pass on the SB xps15 b/c you believe it wil never be a great gaming system (as the NV 555 chip will not fit in there and still have adequate cooling).

When I buy my next laptop, I do want great (nothing less than xps 15) audio quality, a great RGB (or, near-RGB quality) FHD screen, and of course, a great gaming gpu that can handle a FHD panel with its 2 million pixels, at high fps rates. It also has to run cool and be stable, under demanding gaming conditions. It has to be an outstanding multimedia laptop, for video encoding/ ripping/ authoring. As I am moving toward Blu-ray ripping/ authoring (and probably 3D ripping/ authoring within 6-9 months), it needs sustained data transfer rates of 50 Gbps or so. That means usb3 or SATA3 ports. I also want portability. That means a 15" laptop; not a 17" laptop. I am not sure the "other mfr" gaming systems mentioned fit ALL of these requirements. The SB xps 15 comes close... if it gets the NV555 gpu, AND remains cool and stable under demanding conditions.

I will seriously consider your arguments and let you know what I decide.
Again, thanks for all the input. My head is currently swimming.

 

Well good luck with your search . 15" laptops still has a lot of limitations to get past for the demands of both raw power and mobility. The 17" are showing that they are able to bring the power, but still not the mobility. The 15" is the vice-versa. Only time will tell that we can find the sweet-spot in laptops.

 

Guys, I have a similar problem.

On offer is a Dell Studio XPS 1647 for USD 1000 (not in the USA) with these specs:

i5-460M
HD 5730
16 inch RGBLED
4GB DDR3
500GB 7200RPM
Dell Wifi
No Bag

And I would extend the system's warranty to the normal 3 year one (for USD 200).

I see here people get i7 quad, Blu Ray, 8GB RAM, upgraded GPU (435M), SSD, Full HD screen etc upgrades and pay much less than USD 1000...

Is it worth buying this Studio XPS 1647 now or waiting for the newer Sandy Bridge CPUs and a better-than-435M/5730 GPU?

 

There never was a XPS 1745. There was a Studio 1745, but that was a lower-class laptop than the Studio XPS 1645. It would make sense that the smaller laptop of a higher class would have the same GPU as the larger but lower class laptop.

 

I have owned the AW M15x R2. It also came close to meeting my requirements.
Fell short in the audio and FHD (R+BG or RGB) panel areas. Areas the xps 15 shined.

Unfortunately, the xps 15 fell short in the gpu power area. It takes so much gpu power to push high fps rates (at native resolution with high settings) on a 1920x1080p panel, like the AUO17ED panel in the xps 15 series.

Maybe I will have to sacrifice portability and reconsider the SB xps 17 laptop... if it gets the NV555 chip and a high quality FHD panel (like the xps15 AUO17ED panel). The AW M15x R3 early reviews suggest it may not have the "xps15 audio" and "RGB-like" AUO17ED video quality panel, from what I have heard.

Again, thanks to everyone who offered advice.

 

deleted msg.

 

Yes. There were only 2 Studio XPSs, the 16 and 13.

 

Just b/c TS offered an exchange xps 15 with SSD and W7 Pro upgrades, don't expect these expensive upgrades on most exchange units.

I was very lucky.

Most of the TS inventory for exchange xps 15 systems comes close to the defective xps 15 specs. you have. As many have said here, you don't often see a $600 free upgrade. As they said to me, take it and run.

Personally, I would not buy this Studio 1647 this close to the release of the SB xps series. I also owned the xps 1647 and it was a reasonably good laptop... in its day (last yr).

Technology moves so fast as to render this "good" laptop in 2010.... merely an "average" laptop in 2011. And don't forget some owners reported heating issues with this laptop too, as the vent was blocked by the screen.

Believe me, when you see the video on the FHD R+BG (AUO17ED) screen on the xps 15, and hear its audio quality, you wonder why you even considered this discontinued laptop. IMO, the xps 15s only serious flaw was not having a more powerful GPU chip.

 

I would not consider the Studio XPS at all due to its pervasive overheating issue.

 

What overheating issue is this?

 

OP take the upgrade and sell it.
Lots a money for a SB upgraded model.

 

I think that is what the consensus is telling him here. However, he wants the money downright apparently, which is a loss of $200-$300 profit.

 

No, I am swayed by the consenus recommendation.
I am going to accept the exchange.

Its not to resell it however.
I am giving it to my wife when I purchase my gaming laptop.
Hopefully that will be a SB xps15... with the NV 555 chip.

I am not convinced you can resell the exchange and make $200-300, once the SB xps 15 and xps 17 series are available. I expect the first gen xps 15 and 17 laptops to drop $300 in value overnight.

I also expect Intel to drop the price of the SB chip sets to get buyers to accept them. That is a large part of the reason for the expected drop of $300 in the first gen series.

 

How did you even get Dell to offer you an SSD, OS upgrade and a CPU upgrade? I have a defected XPS 15 also and have been very persistent with Dell about getting a new system soon.

 

You don't get Dell to do anything they don't want to do.

I got very lucky.

I suspect this was the only exchange unit available (with a config similar to my defective xps 15) when they agreed to the exchange. And it just happened to have the SSD and W7 Pro upgrades.

 

Well, the OP is supremely forunate to receive a large capacity SSD upgrade. No reason not to accept.

I, on the other hand, just ordered the Studio XPS 1647 (i5-460M, RGBLED, 3 year normal warranty, old Targus 2.0 bag) for USD 1205 (at today's spot rate) in my country.

There are slightly cheaper (without 1080p and without RGBLED) laptops from Asus, Acer etc (and possibly Lenovo but I despise Lenovo) with newer, better GPUs than the 5730, and i5-480/Sandy Bridge, or some with i7-740QM, that don't have vent-blockage. So yeah, an i7 quad laptop with a newer GPU would be cheaper than the XPS 1647 even before warranty - it was always like this, even Dell made i7 quads relatively cheaper, but now other brands' Sandy Bridge laptops are cheaper too.

This laptop is the only one with RGBLED, and the only one at this price with 1080p also. Certainly it beats the current XPS 15 (i7 + 435M) available in the US (which was previously sold here, but now only the i5+420M XPS 15 is left).

In addition, I was told the earliest the XPS refresh could come would be March, but that it might even be in May. Obviously this is thanks to the newly discovered faults, but I don't expect top-speed from Dell even without the faults.

Now, I held off buying the laptop or any laptop since last August, because I wanted to wait for the XPS 15 launch. After the mega disappointing launch came, I decided to hold on for Sandy Bridge. Now, the XPS 1647 isn't too expensive, and I'm hoping that if and when it does have major problems (like a lot of laptops do now), I'll get a Sandy Bridge or Ivy Bridge laptop replacement (hopefully newer tech will be faster, not like these crappy i7s we have now).

 

With RGB 1080p display, are they giving you a 130 watt power supply?

 

No, they refuse to go down on anything, not even by a dollar, on the bag or warranty or even the DVD. No mouse, no 130W power supply, nothing.

Should I ask them for one after delivery for free? What excuse do I give?

I know 90W PS can cause throttling for some, and seeing as this is a i5 35W and RGBLED combo I think the 130W might be insufficient. However people say the 130W isn't actually going to deliver more than 90W, and the 130W is bigger.

Throttlestop will be all I need to test for throttling? Do you think it can run Black Ops at 1080p, lol.