XPS 15 keyboard and heat

I'm seriously considering buying the XPS but I had a couple of questions for owners of the laptop. Does it tend to run hot? Especially, does it run hot while using Office (Word and PPT)?

Finally, how is the keyboard? I've heard mixed things in reviews so I was curious to hear some user perspective.

Thanks!

 

No, it runs fine on temps. Optimus means it runs even cooler when only doing office stuff (ie Word, PPT, Excel).

I can't speak to the keyboard on the XPS 15, but the one on the 17 is fantastic. I don't think the one on the 15 is much different, but I'll let those owners fill you in.

Also, check out the owner's thread for the l502x, which is this system. There will be a lot of good info in there if you take the time to read through, at least the last 30 or so pages.

Overall the feelings on the XPS 15 are outstanding, Dell did a good job with the XPS laptops for what they are aimed at imo. There are a few who got bad systems, or are overly critical, but most all users will tell you it is a good system.

Also, make sure you get the 1080p FHD B+RG screen instead of the 720p screen, apparently most of the screens Dell uses for the 720p are well below average quality for even budget systems, which the XPS is not.

 

thanks for the reply, it helps. I will check out the user owners thread as well

 

Like or dislike of a keyboard is extremely subjective. It took very little time for me to get used to the L502x keyboard from my SXPS16 and now it feels entirely natural. No flexing or spongy feel like some reviews described.

The only time my core temps start to get "hot" is when I'm playing a demanding game or ripping/converting with CPU intensive software. Highest CPU temps I've seen is 90ºC with constant CPU usage at 92-99%. Idle temps are anywhere from high 30ºC to mid 50ºC. Normal browsing and Office 2010 temps are low 50ºC to low 60ºC. All depending on ambient temperature.

The casing temps are great. I've measured them with a Fluke IR gun and the warmest temp I've ever found, besides the exhaust vent, was on the trackpad and near the bottom vents @ approximately 38ºC, and that was when I was stressing the computer a bit.

 

may the xps 15 is spoil, not any cooler system, I not any time idle got 30C, about 55-55C. for me is high. other asus that ok idle, ms-word 35-45C. same area test.

 

Thanks for the info. Sounds like it will run comfortably while word processing and maybe some web surfing at the same time. Higher temps don't bother me too much while watching HD video or something it just makes typing unpleasant when the hand rest area heats up significantly (I had that prob on an old Alienware)

 

Some people have noted that the left palm rest area gets a bit warm... I think it's because that's where the HDD is located. We're talking body temperature warm though... not like 50C or anything like that.

The left side is warmer than the right side on mine... but it doesn't bother me. Just feels.... warm, not hot.

 

Watching HD video shouldn't make the temps go up very much if at all.

 

Yeah, in terms of cooling (among other things) the L502x is a great improvement from the SXPS series.

 

thanks for the info. It sounds like the XPS 15 performs pretty well in terms of heat despite being quite powerful.

 

Yes, make sure that if you get the XPS 15, you are getting the 1920x1080 B+RGLED display. buying the XPS 15 but getting 1366x768 display is a waste of money, you shouldn't buy the XPS 15 with the stock screen.

1366x768 = bad image quality (low contrast, image griddiness, poor viewing angles), big text, not many windows fit onscreen (effectively one window fits on the screen at a time, comfortably), same resolution as a 12-inch laptop.
1920x1080 (B+RGLED) = one of the best 15.6" quality screens currently available, two windows can easily fit, a lot better for multitasking

 

Thanks for the advice. Are there any other features I should be sure to include or maybe exclude?

 

The backlit keyboard is probably the second most worthwhile upgrade.

 

I was wondering about that. Is it worth adding, does it ever increase the chance of glitchiness?

Thanks much

 

Backlit keyboard is awesome. This is the first one I've ever had, desktop or laptop, and I threw it on last--minute on a whim. Love it, my next desktop keyboard is probably going to be backlit too!

 

Wouldn't say so. I bought one from an ebay seller and it looks to be Dell original part. (thread in the forum somewhere) Fitted it myself very quickly, only 2 connectors to fit. It's really nice, using it right now in a darkened living room

Oh, it was only £19 including shipping.

Regards,
FrankyG

 

Thanks--I think I may add it on in the custom build stage, because I wouldn't trust myself to be able to add it on myself. It does sound like a cool feature that's unlikely to damage the standard functioning