Upgrading from an XPS 16 (1640) ?

I'm looking into replacing my old laptop which is getting on in years, computer years that is!

It's only been 2.7 yrs since I got my XPS 16 when Dell first came out with them back in 2008/2009. The thing seems to heat up a lot more, the drive clicks once in a blue moon with bad sector issues, and the whole thing seems to run slower than it used to when running the latest software (firefox w/ 15+ tabs, Lightroom 3, Photoshop, current gen games).

The specs of my current XPS 16:
Intel® Core 2 Duo P8600 2.4G
4G DDR3
RGBLED ATI M86XT (Mobility Radeon HD 3670) 512MB 320G 7200
BluRay
It sure cost a pretty penny @ $1600 back then

The system is still running strong, 5.1 still doesn't work right with the output jacks, have had no hardware failures since purchase (got my fingers crossed), and my warranty is long expired.

However, I do a bit of gaming on it, as well as heavy image/digital editing and occasional 3D work. Games like Portal 2, BF BC2, Alice 2 are playable on it, but lately when the machine gets hot usually around 54C the GPU or CPU seems to automatically throttle down and brings my system to its knees. I seem to have a lot more heat issues recently than I did when I first got the machine.

I haven't been keeping up with all the new models since then but it seems like the logical upgrade to my XPS 16 would be the new XPS 15 R2?

I've priced a lower end model at $1300:
XPS 15 i7 2630QM 2.0G
GT540 2G DDR3
1920x1080
8G RAM
750G 7200

I'm not sure if the screen size is smaller than my XPS 16, same resolution though. It will definitely be a lot faster, sounds like it runs cooler, and it sports the same keyboard layout (Can't stand the ridiculous mini-arrow keys and lack of separate pg up/dn buttons on the new 15z).

Not sure if I should upgrade to a 2.2G CPU for +$123

I've also briefly considered the MBP 15" since it's around the same price point for me at $1300 for the base 15" 2.0G. But I can't stand the keyboard (like the 15z), nor the one button trackpad. I've owned a TiBook G4 before and those things run HOT!

Is there another Dell model that would be a better upgrade for my XPS 16? I do love the excellent 1080p RGBLED screen, backlit keys, though.

I also own both the 6 and 9 cell batteries, but assume that I won't be able to use my 9 cell in a newer XPS 15.

 

Upgrading to the L502x worked for me. The B+RGLED display will not disappoint, even coming from the much celebrated RGBLED of the SXPS16. The only thing I wish the XPS 15 had like it is the full suite of multi-media capacitive keys. Other than that I'm extremely happy with it.





You might want to open up your SXPS16 and see how much dust/dirt is in there. The heat exchanger on mine was clogged solid and I had regularly blown it out with air. Still can get a little hot due to the poor cooling design, but it's MUCH better than it was.

I do a fair bit of video ripping, converting and editing and the i7-2630QM handles it easily and quickly.

And yes, they are completely different batteries.

 

excellent. Yes, I was just thinking that I would try opening up my XPS 16 to see how filthy it is inside, I've never had to open it since I bought it and knowing how filthy desktops get..

I'll probably also look into replacing the thermal paste for any spots I have access to.

But the L502x sounds like an excellent upgrade.

 

502x would indeed be a good upgrade. Slightly smaller screen of course, going from a 16" to a 15", but the screen is really 15.6", so if the screen you have is a flat 16", it isn't really even much smaller anyway. And these new Sandy Bridge CPUs rock.

 

New Asus N55SF I7-2630 with blu-ray writer and Nvidia GT555M. price about US1300 too. release on sep 2011. you can see demo first.

dell xps series prepare renew too, so please wait new model. if you like dell.

 

XPS was JUST refreshed, it isn't being refreshed again. Maybe next spring with Ivy Bridge, but not before.