Should I get the XPS 16?

I am looking for a new laptop and the xps 16 is an option. I want something for internet browsing, video chatting, and school work. But I want something fast and reliable. Are there any known problems with the newest models that I should stay away from? Also I keep seeing things like 1640 and 1645...What is the newest XPS model?

 

The model numbers are just to separate the different processors used. 1640 is the oldest and uses core 2 duo's, 1645 came next with the clarksfield i7's (quad core) and most recently there was the 1647 which has arrandale i5/i7's (dual core).

The only thing I notice is heat, and I bought a cheap cooling pad. I'd rather protect my investment anyway so even if heat wasn't an issue then I'd get one. Heat is an unsolved issue with all models so you can't avoid it with the SXPS.

For what you want to use the laptop for, I'd recommend the 1647 with i5. Battery life will be optimised with the i5 and heat won't be a problem like it is with the i7 quad cores.

And since you want your laptop for speed, then you won't be dissapointed with the SXPS, it handles everything I throw at it easily.

 

thanks for the input. are battery and heat really that different from the i5 to i7?

 

I've only had it for 4 days. The only thing I would say at this stage is it's a little heavy. If your thinking about taking it with you to school then I'd go for something more portable.

 

Well it will be used at home the majority of the time. But it will always be on the lap. So how it the heat and fan on this laptop?

 

Wouldn't really call this a "lap" laptop.
I have a 1645 with i7 720, ATI 4670, 7200 RPM HDD, and RGBLED atm.

That should account for most of the heat producing components, I idle around 59 while surfing the web without a laptop cooler, and 68 when streaming HD video on youtube.

With the NZXT laptop cooler I idle around 49 when surfing the web and stay near 63 while streaming, which is a lot more acceptable.

Now if it was on your lap the laptop would heat up a lot more until it would probably become noticeably uncomfortable. If you plan on using a cooler then you might want to add that to total cost.

Also I heard the 5730 runs cooler and that comes standard on the higher end 1645s now.

Temperatures vary but if it helps I'll be getting my replacement laptop soon. I'll tell you how it's temperatures are on the i820, WLED, 7200 RPM HDD and ATI 5730.

*I hear temps rise a lot when using the optical drive, keep that in mind!*

 

hmm this is interesting. if it is too uncomfortable on the lap then this will not work. well optical drive wont be used very often either. and it will be equipped with the 5730, and I may downgrade to the i5 if there is a big difference.

im definitely interested in if the 5730 cools it down a bit.