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    The Difference between XPS 15 and Inspiron 15R?

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by KevinL75, Jul 12, 2012.

  1. KevinL75

    KevinL75 Newbie

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    Hello all,

    Please forgive me if this question has already been answered - I searched around to try to find a similar thread to no avail.

    My current Dell notebook (XPS M1330) is on its last legs, and it's barely functional. I've entertained the idea of fixing it (I'm fairly certain a clean reinstall of the OS would do the trick), but it's old and has some hardware issues anyway, so I would like to upgrade.

    I'm currently on Dell's website looking at the XPS 15 and the Inspiron 15R. At first glance, to me (an admitted novice), they look remarkably similar in all aspects except the price. Each has the same processor, 8 GB RAM, and large hard drive (actually the Inspiron has more space on the hard drive). But the XPS 15 is $1700 and the Inspiron 15R is $750.

    What gives? Where is the difference in quality between the two notebooks that justifies/explains the $950 price difference? And a follow-up: is the difference in quality worth the difference in price?

    Thanks for your guidance - I'd like a highly functional and fast notebook with solid video playback and ability to run many programs at once, but I'm not a hardcore gamer or anything, and I don't need mind-blowing graphics.
     
  2. exaltare

    exaltare Notebook Enthusiast

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    - Superior Construction
    - 1 Year Accidental Damage Protection + Premium Phone Service (by default)
    - FHD panel
    - Discrete Graphics Card
    - Blu-Ray Drive
    - 32 GB mSATA SSD (for caching)

    That's for the highest end normal Inspiron 15R versus the second to highest XPS 15. It's hard to say if the XPS 15 is right for you or not. The quality and components justify the price, but if you aren't using the components then why bother to pay extra?

    I'm inclined to say that you should buy the XPS 15 base configuration. That's only a sense from what you described.
     
  3. dorekk

    dorekk Notebook Consultant

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    The 15R SE has a discrete graphics card and FHD panel.
     
  4. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

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    Anyone have the weights handy? (I'm on an iPhone)
     
  5. joshuajag

    joshuajag Notebook Consultant

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    XPS 15 is 5.79lbs
    Inspiron 15R is 6.05lbs
    Inspiron 15R SE is 6.098lbs
     
  6. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

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    Thanks. Shame they aren't a tad lighter.