The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
← Previous page

    The New XPS Review Thread

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by JohnnyFJohnsson, Oct 29, 2010.

  1. games_icon

    games_icon Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    19
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Thx EvilSheep,

    Anything about the processor i5-460M or i5-560M?

    Thx!
     
    games_icon, Nov 5, 2010
    #101
  2. machiz7888

    machiz7888 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    10
    Messages:
    134
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    machiz7888, Nov 5, 2010
    #102
  3. Botsu

    Botsu Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    105
    Messages:
    624
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    The term impressive is nowhere near accurate for the 420M, it's actually ranked lower than the 335M (an average, or just below average GPU) in 3dmark and other benchmarks, and it gets lower fps in games too.

    Differences between i5-460M & 560M can be seen here on the respective page of each CPU. As you can see the 560M is clocked 133mhz higher compared to 460M, gets a higher turbo on 1 core (almost useless), and a few sets of instructions. I suggest you stick with 460M unless you have a particular use for these instructions and/or the price premium is not too high.
     
    Botsu, Nov 5, 2010
    #103
  4. machiz7888

    machiz7888 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    10
    Messages:
    134
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    idk if my link will be any better than yours, but yours is just the 560m Compare Intel® Products, hopefully this one works. it lists some advanced techologys at the bottom. im not familiar with the ones that the 560 has but they may play a difference?
     
    machiz7888, Nov 5, 2010
    #104
  5. Evil_Sheep

    Evil_Sheep Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    100
    Messages:
    229
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    That isn't borne out by the results. I haven't seen the 420M tested in detail yet but preliminary results show it's at least as good as the 335M. If we look at Laptopmag's gfx tests:

    Far Cry 2 (XGA)
    Alienware M11x R2 (i7-640UM, GT335M) 36fps
    Asus N82Jv (i5-450, GT335M) 41fps
    Gateway ID49C08u (i5-540, GT330M) 34fps
    Dell XPS 15 (i5-460, GT420M) 64fps

    Far Cry 2 (1366x768)
    Alienware M11x R2 30fps
    Asus N82Jv 31fps
    Gateway ID49C08u 27fps
    Dell XPS 15 34fps

    World of Warcraft (1366x768)
    Alienware M11x R2 74fps
    Asus N82Jv 83fps
    Gateway ID49C08u 75fps
    Dell XPS 15 98fps



    The numbers speak for themselves.
     
    Evil_Sheep, Nov 5, 2010
    #105
  6. Micaiah

    Micaiah Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,333
    Messages:
    1,915
    Likes Received:
    41
    Trophy Points:
    66
    That's odd -- both XPS 14 units that Engadget and Laptop Magazine have has the glossy LCD bezel; mine is definitely not so, it's a matte dark gray color that matches the rest of the unit. I guess they may have gotten a pre-production model?
     
    Micaiah, Nov 6, 2010
    #106
  7. MaxGhost

    MaxGhost Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    9
    Messages:
    118
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I thought the XPS 14 had the glossy bezel, whereas the 15 and 17 have the matte, but according to your comment, it's supposedly not so.
     
    MaxGhost, Nov 6, 2010
    #107
  8. scandal881

    scandal881 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    4
    Messages:
    36
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I wonder why Dell is sending out the review units with the base configuration instead of the tricked-out models. Maybe there is some delay on the 435s or something.
     
    scandal881, Nov 7, 2010
    #108
  9. 905er

    905er Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    4
    Messages:
    111
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Probably because Dell wants the lower price of the base systems quoted.
     
    905er, Nov 7, 2010
    #109
  10. david1274

    david1274 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    22
    Messages:
    631
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    ..or the heat that their i7 & 435 systems produce, not publicised :p
     
    david1274, Nov 7, 2010
    #110
  11. NewScientist

    NewScientist Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Dell has removed all customer reviews for all XPSs. They removed the bad reviews to start over. Are they allowed t do that?! How can we trust their customer reviews any more
     
    NewScientist, Nov 9, 2010
    #111
  12. Micaiah

    Micaiah Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,333
    Messages:
    1,915
    Likes Received:
    41
    Trophy Points:
    66
    All of those so-called "Reviews" were made by people who didn't even have the notebooks. I know there were some posted within a day or two of the line-up's announcement, which would have been impossible as none of the notebooks have even arrived to the consumers until a few days ago. For an example:

    I don't like companies that remove negative feedbacks from their websites, but in this case I think it's justified.
     
    Micaiah, Nov 10, 2010
    #112
  13. loaded12

    loaded12 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    46
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    loaded12, Nov 10, 2010
    #113
  14. machiz7888

    machiz7888 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    10
    Messages:
    134
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    machiz7888, Nov 10, 2010
    #114
  15. Gloomy

    Gloomy Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    33
    Messages:
    422
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    From what I've read:

    So much failure, it's almost like Dell hit a home run. Home runs suck.
     
    Gloomy, Nov 10, 2010
    #115
  16. machiz7888

    machiz7888 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    10
    Messages:
    134
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    i meant the review, not the verdict of the laptop. in reference to the bluetooth...

    the review actually gave me a hope for this thing being good.

    just made somewhat skeptical by the 2.1/3.0 thing
     
    machiz7888, Nov 10, 2010
    #116
  17. JohnnyFJohnsson

    JohnnyFJohnsson Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    167
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    JohnnyFJohnsson, Nov 10, 2010
    #117
  18. Breather

    Breather Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    152
    Messages:
    29
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5

    I don't think the review got it wrong. I think their unit may have had Bluetooth 2.1. Bluetooth 3.0 is an option. The fifth paragraph under the spec list mentions the options that are available on the XPS. Here's a quote from that paragraph:

    "Other extras like a Blu-ray combo drive, Bluetooth 3.0, a 2-year warranty, faster CPUs, a GeForce GT 435M, and a larger hard drive (or an SSD) are also available if you're interested."
     
    Breather, Nov 10, 2010
    #118
  19. whistlingdogg

    whistlingdogg Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    16
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I for one think this is an excellent review. They have review a base model with a 1080p screen. I don't care about the battery life as it will be plugged in for 99% of the time. I also have the 435 GPU so this will be a bit better.

    Hopefully mine will arrive today sometime.

    As for bluetooth... What do you actually use it for? headphones? Is the spec really that important (the bluetooth spec I mean)?
     
    whistlingdogg, Nov 10, 2010
    #119
  20. ninja2000

    ninja2000 Mash IT

    Reputations:
    434
    Messages:
    1,674
    Likes Received:
    268
    Trophy Points:
    101
    Where abouts is yours?

    Mine is at cologne, germany. Hoping mine arrives tomorrow :)
     
    ninja2000, Nov 10, 2010
    #120
  21. whistlingdogg

    whistlingdogg Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    16
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Ah - Mine's on a delivery van in Reading on its way to my house.
     
    whistlingdogg, Nov 10, 2010
    #121
  22. ninja2000

    ninja2000 Mash IT

    Reputations:
    434
    Messages:
    1,674
    Likes Received:
    268
    Trophy Points:
    101
    god I envy you :)
    I keep hitting the ups refresh just in case it landed in the UK this morning but they were a bit slow updating! I mean its only a 2 hour flight from Germany and it cleared at 3:44am....I know I am clutching at straws but the wait is so painful :)
     
    ninja2000, Nov 10, 2010
    #122
  23. whistlingdogg

    whistlingdogg Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    16
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Here's my tracking if it helps for times etc (a rather quick trip from Standsed to Reading)

    READING, GG
    10/11/2010 7:16 OUT FOR DELIVERY
    10/11/2010 5:15 ARRIVAL SCAN
    STANSTED, GB
    10/11/2010 5:05 DEPARTURE SCAN
    10/11/2010 5:05 DEPARTURE SCAN
    10/11/2010 3:59 ARRIVAL SCAN
    KOELN (COLOGNE), DE
    10/11/2010 3:36 DEPARTURE SCAN
    10/11/2010 1:09 IMPORT SCAN
    KOELN (COLOGNE), DE
    09/11/2010 23:46 ARRIVAL SCAN
    WARSAW, PL
    09/11/2010 22:05 DEPARTURE SCAN
    09/11/2010 20:42 ARRIVAL SCAN
    ALMATY, KZ
    09/11/2010 19:49 DEPARTURE SCAN
    09/11/2010 18:01 ARRIVAL SCAN
    INCHEON, KR
    09/11/2010 15:15 DEPARTURE SCAN
    09/11/2010 13:43 ARRIVAL SCAN
    SHANGHAI, CN
    09/11/2010 11:11 DEPARTURE SCAN
     
    whistlingdogg, Nov 10, 2010
    #123
  24. ninja2000

    ninja2000 Mash IT

    Reputations:
    434
    Messages:
    1,674
    Likes Received:
    268
    Trophy Points:
    101
    ahhh thanks for that. I guess its tomorrow for me then.

    How weird that you get a arrival scan at cologne on the 9th then KZ, then PL than cologne again!
     
    ninja2000, Nov 10, 2010
    #124
  25. huntergreenall

    huntergreenall Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    68
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Still no bloody i7/435 review and benchmarks. Was really hoping anandtech would have it.
     
    huntergreenall, Nov 10, 2010
    #125
  26. david1274

    david1274 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    22
    Messages:
    631
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    david1274, Nov 10, 2010
    #126
  27. fanATIc Nvidiot

    fanATIc Nvidiot Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    4
    Messages:
    38
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    The Anandtech review talks up the audio on this thing a lot. I would be interested to know how the JBL speakers stand up the Dynaudio speakers in MSI 663 notebook and the Bang and Olufsens speakers appearing in the new Asus range. Only then will we know the last word in laptop audio.

    As for the screen-that must be the best news about this laptop-it appears to be every bit as good as the SXPS and even a little better in some respects.

    If only the 15 inch had a gt445m w/ gddr5 option. It would be as close to perfect as we could hope.
     
    fanATIc Nvidiot, Nov 10, 2010
    #127
  28. poiuytre

    poiuytre Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    8
    Messages:
    178
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    What sort of made some people believe the speakers would be good is that the wattages of the speakers were included, and for some the fact that it's JBL.

    Those who have used JBL in laptop subwoofer + speakers know that it isn't great, and the wattage usually is not listed. Of course, this is new, and it could be very much improved, but who knows?

    About WavesMaxx, this software was supposed to be available on the laptops that used JBL. However, the recent Windows 7 transition from Vista has resulted in the inability to use/install the software on some of the last generation of JBL laptops.

    If the new XPS works well with WavesMaxx, then sound should be tolerable and good.

    However, AnandTech's review's claim that "you can watch a movie with friends without straining to hear the audio" does not sound too believable. If he was alone, in a quite room, that'd be possible. In a public space, or with some external noise, different story.
     
    poiuytre, Nov 10, 2010
    #128
  29. tvdang7

    tvdang7 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    512
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    tvdang7, Nov 10, 2010
    #129
  30. Alabhya

    Alabhya Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    50
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    The Anandtech review doesn't mention anything about the heat issues with i7+435m.
    And nothing on the quality of the 1366x768 screen either. Been waiting for that.Not too keen on Full HD because wont be able to game on native resolution then.

    Hoping for some forum member to review the i7+435m soon.
     
    Alabhya, Nov 10, 2010
    #130
  31. JohnnyFJohnsson

    JohnnyFJohnsson Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    167
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    The didn't mention the heat issues because the didn't had access to the i7 + 435gt
     
    JohnnyFJohnsson, Nov 10, 2010
    #131
  32. machiz7888

    machiz7888 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    10
    Messages:
    134
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    not that its very relevant to this but yeah, i do a little android developing and its nice to bluetooth things around. hoping 3.0 doesn't suck... and i haven't seen it on another notebook, as of yet(haven't been looking)
    i didnt see 2.1 as an option though... weird
     
    machiz7888, Nov 10, 2010
    #132
  33. JohnnyFJohnsson

    JohnnyFJohnsson Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    167
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    JohnnyFJohnsson, Nov 21, 2010
    #133
  34. 905er

    905er Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    4
    Messages:
    111
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Here's a Japanese review of the XPS 17 translated by Google. Thanks to mkj, for originally posting this link.

    Google Translate
     
    905er, Nov 21, 2010
    #134
  35. caspersghost

    caspersghost Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    26
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Sorry, where's the link?
     
    caspersghost, Nov 21, 2010
    #135
  36. JohnnyFJohnsson

    JohnnyFJohnsson Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    167
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    JohnnyFJohnsson, Nov 21, 2010
    #136
  37. JohnnyFJohnsson

    JohnnyFJohnsson Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    167
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Here's a link to the Notebookcheck.com review of the new Asus N73JQ. I think it's relevant to us because it has a intel core i7 740qm and a Nvidia 425gt. Maybe it's bit comparable to the XPS 15.

    Test Asus N73JQ Notebook - Notebookcheck.com Tests

    Unfortunately it's in german. If someone finds the englisch review and think this review is relevant to us he/she may post it here.
     
    JohnnyFJohnsson, Nov 22, 2010
    #137
  38. JohnnyFJohnsson

    JohnnyFJohnsson Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    167
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I think the following videos are interesting for every (future) owner of the XPS 15 because they give a inside look into the hard- and software of the computer and can be considered as a user-review.

    He's got more videos in his channel like Benchmarks and gameplays so check it out.


    Part I Hardware overview

    YouTube - Dell XPS 15 Brief Hardware HD Overview

    Part II Hardware overview

    YouTube - Dell XPS 15 Battery and Brief Hardware Look #2

    Part I Software overview

    YouTube - Dell XPS 15 Brief Software Overview HD

    Part II Software overview

    YouTube - Dell XPS 15 Software Overview #2 (DPI,Touchpad,Video Editing)
     
    JohnnyFJohnsson, Nov 23, 2010
    #138
  39. JohnnyFJohnsson

    JohnnyFJohnsson Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    167
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    JohnnyFJohnsson, Nov 26, 2010
    #139
  40. danis

    danis Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    danis, Dec 6, 2010
    #140
  41. JohnnyFJohnsson

    JohnnyFJohnsson Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    167
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    JohnnyFJohnsson, Dec 7, 2010
    #141
  42. kajouma

    kajouma Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    3
    Messages:
    92
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Thank you so much for this great review.

    Has anyone tested his/her notebook to see whether this is right? " On top of that, the hinges holding the screen are not strong enough to keep the laptop closed when held upside down by the base unit" I had returned mine because of this problem.

     
    kajouma, Dec 7, 2010
    #142
  43. JohnnyFJohnsson

    JohnnyFJohnsson Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    167
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    :) No problem...
    (every rep appreciated ;) )
     
    JohnnyFJohnsson, Dec 7, 2010
    #143
← Previous page