XPS 14 or XPS 15?

Originally I really thought I wanted the XPS 15. I have a 15-inch laptop now and it's what I'm used to.

But then I started thinking that maybe this 15-inch laptop is a little big. I'm a student and so I like to bring my laptop to school and to the library and places like that.

I've been hearing a lot about how the 1920x1080 resolution on the 15 is too big and that it makes everything look really small. I don't want to have to be zooming things and changing font sizes, so maybe the 14 is a better option. I would like to have better battery life. I wish there was some way I could see a 1920x1080 screen. I don't know anyone with one and I doubt any of the laptops in Best Buy or Fry's would have them; they always have the default low res screens.

But then with the 14 I don't get the benefit of the B+RGLED screen or the facial recognition or the subwoofer and since I'm used to 1440x900, I'm not sure I want to go to an even smaller res...

Not sure what to do.

 

The default option for the XPS 15 is a 720p WLED Display, which is the same option on the XPS 14. So if you're concerned about going with 1920x1080, you can easily get an XPS 15 with the exact same resolution as the XPS 14 (except on a larger screen, of course).

No idea what the battery performance differences between the 14 and 15 are, as most 14 reviews don't seem to have solid numbers or testing.

 

Well, the way I see it is if I'm going to have 1366x768, I might as well get an XPS 14.

I'm just not sure if I really want the 1920x1080. Originally I thought I did, but now it seems like it might be just a little too big.

 

You can change the default font size. For me, 100% size isn't even that small, and it's a comfortable text size when you're sitting right in front of the laptop (at arms length). Right now, BatteryCare (superior battery management program that I picked up) rates my battery with 9-cell at 2h50m at 69% battery life currently. When I was at about 97%, it showed 5h27m, but that was with wifi turned off. I still recommend the XPS 15 over the XPS 14, because it's really not all that heavy, and is a very ideal size. 1440x900 feels so... primitive now after using this screen for a day and a half. I have a hard time looking at my Asus m50sv laptop.

 

Keep in mind that the xps 14 doesnt have usb 3.0. If that makes a difference. I have the 1080p on the xps 15 and it doesnt seem too small at all, but thats all opinion.

 

Hmm. I don't have any USB 3.0 devices at the moment, but I don't like the fact that the XPS 14 is so watered-down. I wish the only difference was the size of the laptop.

I just have to really know what I want because my parents are getting this for me and this is going to be my laptop for high school.

 

laaaaaaaarge external HDD with USB3.0 is a nice candidate

 

It is really a personal pref .. My XPS 1533 was perfect .. not as big as 17"s and not too small you can't type on crammed keyboard.

Think about the smaller screen = smaller text as well ..

Also the XPS 14 comes with a different Video card .. 1gb GT420 I think?

I'm using an HP TC4400 Tablet temporarily until min XPS 15 comes in and I hate it .. 13" screen and low resolution crammed keyboard .. but beats being tethered to my desktop ..


M

 

Following your logic smaller screen = more densely packed pixels = better ..

I consider the 14 inch model to be somewhat bulky -- as a college student. I was concerned with the loss of USB 3.0 but physically transferring personal data is a dying fad anyways, so i compensated by going with the 6300 wireless card. I say go 14.

The sub woofer is definitely an added perk, but thats why I have a 60 inch flat screen with surround sound... and a laptop.

 

On the Dell XPS 15, is there any option between 1366x768 and 1920x1080. Like, if I got a Dell XPS 15 with the FHD 1920x1080, would I be able to set the resolution lower? How much lower?

 

I can set on my XPS 15 the following:
1920x1080
1600x900
1280x720
800x600

 

And when you set it to 1600x900 does it get all fuzzy like it does on my MacBook when I lower the resolution?

 

This is also a concern of mine. Teeny tiny text and icons just make me squint and lean into the screen when i'm already close. I expect the native rez on a rgb xps 15 to be very small. What is the alternative to using a non native resolution?

 

I think the XPS15, 1080p screen, I was sceptical myself but once I went 1080p there is literally no going back - unless you have problems with your eyes....

1080p is also good for plugging in an external 1080p monitor, all just matches...

I've set Win7 to run at 125% and all is good... I mean if your really worried about size surely you would be going a netbook, that will handle MS word etc for your student needs..?

 

I'd never get a netbook because I think they're ridiculously underpowered. I want a computer that can do almost everything; that's why I like the Dell XPS. I just don't know if I want the 15 or 14 inch.

 

I would have thought that the XPS screen being 720p or 1080p has no bearing on how it runs on an external monitor. What matters is what external resolutions the 420m or 435m supports.

 

I think he meant it was just plug and play, no fiddling about with settings etc...

 

yep, that's so cool. I plugged SXPS16 in Sony Bravia 46W with FullHD and it's really worth it

 

So you guys who set the scaling to 125% or whatever, does that cause any glitches for you? Someone in another forum said he still sees glitches sometimes when he has the scaling set to 125%.