XPS 15 | HD or FHD | i5 or i7 | 525M or 540M option ?!

I have a limited budget(1000-1300$). So, it's very difficult to have a full option laptop(XPS 15 L502X) with my budget. I have to downgrade some options.

What's worth choices between 3 couple options ?
(1) Screen Resolution: HD | FHD.
(2) CPU: i7-2630M | i5-2410.
(3) VGA: GT 525M | 540M.

I am a web developer, i need a laptop for my work, entertainment(music, movie, game).

 

If nothing else just make sure you get the 1080p (FHD) screen. If in budget I'd add an i7-2630QM. The graphics card upgrade is needless.

 

If you're a web developer and use your laptop for work and entertainment then get the 1080p screen. 768p just isn't enough, and they no longer offer the mid-way 900p option.

If you want to even consider playing a modern game you really need the 540M. The 525M is really bad, especially with a 1080p screen, though it should be able to handle 2-3 year old games alright. Also, everything else in your laptop is replaceable/upgradable at a later time with a bit of technical know-how. The GPU is not upgradable unless you swap out the entire motherboard.

I'd still recommend getting the 2630 as well if you can afford it, but given your intended uses and budget, if I had to skimp on one, it would be the CPU. Or, though you didn't list it, skimp on RAM if it will allow you to get the 2630. RAM is super-cheap and easy to upgrade at a later time, the CPU not so much (though still possible).

 

- The 540M performance over the 525M is so little as to be negligible. The 2GB vram is pure marketing bs and unusable.
- In my experience the quad core CPU is a better choice for working with video.
- Just to reiterate, the above average 1080p screen and the JBL/WaveMAXX speaker package are THE defining characteristics of the XPS 15 and I'd recommend not getting an XPS 15 if unable to upgrade to the 1080p.

Anyway... I just configured one on the Dell U.S. site and you can get a pretty loaded XPS 15 for under $1300.


If you're open to other options then might I also suggest:
### What Should I Buy FORM (Must Read Before Posting!) ###

and then posting here -> What Notebook Should I Buy?

 

You can get a VERY loaded XPS 15 in that price range, including all 3 of your options you mentioned.

Here's one I configured real fast using their instant savings deals, you might be able to go from the base model and use some good coupons to bring it down further:

Total: $1274.99

Drop the wireless card back to the 1000 and save $35. You can also play with the warranty, but that price includes a 2 year. Not bad honestly, and you get the quad, FHD and 540m, and the larger battery, with a blu-ray reader and DVD burner for good measure. If you don't care about the battery, you can save $40 there too.

I configured this using the 4th option from the left on the Dell US XPS 15 page. Basically just added the graphics upgrade and the wireless/battery.

 

my budget is include a fee(ship to my country - from 100$ - 150$). Is not Dell website price included the tax(9.25% or more) ? And your price is have to include this tax?

 

No, that does not include the tax, my apologies. Tax is dependant on your location. Does your country not have its own Dell site? Many do.

 

My country don't have the Dell site. With this reason, I have to ship the laptop from outside to where i live ^^!

 

Thanks, both of u.
But, 2 comments with the VGA performance's difference. Can anybody give more some advices ?

 

Links to compare the 525 and 540:

NVIDIA GeForce GT 525M
NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M

If you want to squeeze every FPS out of games with the available GPU's then go for the 540M, but they're both mid-range cards with very little performance difference (also, both of them are DDR3 on the Dells).

 

Must buy:
FHD

Should buy:
i7 is much nicer than i5.

540m doesn't matter.

 

if you country not dell website, you better choice other branch. hard to find support.

 

This is my biggest beef with the XPS 15

Why offer only a 540m??? The laptop is thick as hell it's not like they dont have any room for a gtx 460m or something else

 

Why would anyone buy an Alienware if they could get a good GPU in the XPS?

 

Not thick enough for good cooling. The AW are thicker because of this. Honestly the XPS 15/17 aren't that thick...these things actually cool unlike the MAC book, which has CONSTANT overheating issues and still isn't as good a computer (aside from maybe screen). There is a reason for thickness. You want real components that won't light your lap on fire, you need a little room for air to cool things.

 

You might also consider getting a refurb from the outlet. Comes with a 1 year warranty, if you can pay with Amex they'll extend it another year. I got my system for under 800 that way (upgraded the RAM later myself for 60 bucks more.)

 

Never buy the XPS 15 with the 720p screen. Always upgrade to the 1080p screen. The stock 720p screen in this laptop is one of the worst quality 15-inch displays available (worse than budget-class laptop displays), whereas the B+RGLED 1920x1080 display is one of the best you can get. And the 1366x768 resolution is meant for 12-inch laptops. It has no place in a 15.6" screen because of how big it makes things.

The screen is always the most important upgrade because it makes more of a difference than anything else, but in the XPS 15 it's especially important.

You are wasting your money if you buy an XPS 15 without the most important upgrade: the 1080p screen.

 

Thanks for all supports.
I have tried to custom XPS, so I have 2 configurations like this

- Config 1

Price: $1,344.99 - $269.00(Save 20%) = $1,075.99

- Config 2

Price: $1,344.99 - 180$(Dell XPS 15 Price Includes $180 instant discount) -100$(coupon) = $1,064.99

Plz give me some advices.


Tax: ~$100
Shipping(to VN): ~$160-170
Total: ~$1350

(*) A other question: The Dell has upgraded HDD to all XPS to 750GB. Does have any change about HDD provider ?

 

Does the Creative SoundBlaster X-FI MB 1.2 really make a difference? is it even worth it?

 

Go with 2630qm.

Creative SoundBlaster X-FI MB 1.2 is garbage. Ram is cheap and easily upgraded.

 

I attend to spend just 35$ USD more at "config 1" to make sound and wireless card like "config 2",

 

The X-FI is just unneeded software, the actual audio hardware is the same. Totally unnecessary waste of money.

 

why ? what's the difference ? why can't I feeling the difference ?

 

Audio equalization and processing won't make the sound card/speaker combo sound any better.

You seem to have already bought in. Just buy it if it makes you happier. Let me just say that you should be spending that money on FHD screen and i7 processor.

 

First one all the way. Looks like all you gain in the second is a slightly larger HDD, a bit more RAM (and Dell overcharges for RAM upgrades btw, by a LOT. Go to Newegg or something online and you can get the second 4GB stick for about $35-$40) and the better wireless. All can be upgraded later without too much trouble.