So what's the general opinion/verdict on the new XPS?

My mom wanted me to look around for a new laptop for her. She had a Latitude before and liked it but she can't get the business financing account this time around so I figured I'd go with something from Dell's home line. I heard the new XPS is fresh out of the oven, in fact it's so new I can't seem to find any reviews for it.

So I thought here would be as good a place as any to find out what the general opinion/verdict is on the new XPS.

I'm just thinking of getting her an i5, 15.6" screen, 720p, 4GB RAM, backlit keyboard, 9 cell battery, 3 year advanced warranty (she insists on that) and pretty much everything else standard. It looks like it's going to come to around $1700 with a few extras (she also insists on Office Business version since she'll be using it for business she says).

Anyway, she's going to be financing it on Dell's preferred Account but before investing that much I still wanted to know what the word on the street is about the new XPS.

 

There's no verdict yet, I don't think anyone on the forum has received theirs. People aren't crazy about the styling but I want to see and feel it first hand before making up my mind. We should know more in a few weeks.

 

This thread has a lot of feedback/comments, etc. : )

As ZippoMan stated those that have ordered, have not received yet ~ so no member reviews.

Cin...

 

LOL I know you have to obey your mom but "business version" of Office probably isn't any better than the normal one. Just like how "Windows Professional" doesn't have that many things the average "professional" would use.

People are pretty disappointed but that is because we/they are users expecting a higher level of specs like those of the predecessor, Studio XPS 16.

For your purposes it would be a fine laptop - except the price you quoted is quite high. Must be the warranty.

 

There is a very significant difference between Home and Professional versions of both Windows and Office. For example, only Windows Professional has access to group policy editor, or windows domains, both absolute requirements for a business user. Also, Home Office is only Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and OneNote. Professional also contains Outlook (required for most enterprise e-mail), Access, Publisher, and InfoPath.

 

Won't receive mine until November 17th (supposedly) I'll be doing a review a few days after I have a chance to run it through it's paces.

 

I decided to order an XPS14 mine is not due until 11/24 I'll be sure to post some reviews when I get it.. but I think it should be a pretty good machine.. I went with the optimus so I can use it on extended trips and stuff. we'll see how it does. and if I don't like it I can always return it..

There is a pretty decent review of the XPS 14 on hothardware..

 

The outlet would probably be a good place to look. You don't get value for money out of a $1700 on a computer anymore, unless you're doing heavy video editing, or playing HD media or graphics-intense games.

Unfortunately, Dell's got nothing in the 15-inch class between the $500-600 inspirons and the $1000+ XPS. It's nice to get i5 and discrete graphics and 4gb. That will let her run as many browser tabs as she wants without taxing the system. She probably does not need to pay extra for JBL speakers, Blu Ray or the NVidia 420 graphics card. And if you get a cheaper computer, you can feel like you've got less at risk if you skimp on the warranty.

She almost certainly does not need Office Pro. If she does not know which version she needs, the version she needs is Home and Student. These versions are distinct by what programs they contain, and are not granular within these programs. So the Word and Excel in $500 Office Pro are the same as the versions in Home and Student.

If you get Home and Business, you get Outlook. Many businesses do not use Outlook for their enterprise e-mails, and/or they have solutions for accessing company email remotely through a secure website. Many businesses who use outlook for their corporate e-mail are still not accessible through Outlook from remote computers because their networks are secure, so you have to go through their secure remote access form whether you've got Outlook or not. Many smaller businesses and freelancers use web-based e-mail like Gmail. If your mother isn't already using Outlook, she doesn't need it.

Similarly, many of the programs in the very expensive Office Professional are designed to facilitate interoffice communication. This is software to serve the IT needs of big companies, which is why it is priced so high.

The only Office programs most people use in their normal business activities are Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

 

Ok, you are right seeker, I can see how someone may need to use Access or Outlook, and for some people even Publisher. I guess it's because I've always had all of those but never use them.

But most people wouldn't need Windows Professional, I think.

And yeah, it'll be great to get some reviews from you guys, because those online reviews, they just go on about looks and have random comments, don't really tell you the good and bads.

 

Quick, slightly off topic question.

Is Office 2003 compatible with 64 bit WIN7, or will I need to upgrade when I buy a new PC?

I currently use Office 2003 with the 32 bit version without any problems.

Thanks.

 

I have used 2003 office on Win7 64 for quite some time now.

Bronsky

 

Thanks Bronsky!

Now, back to regularly scheduled programming!