XPS 15: 720p vs 1080p

I am looking to buy a dell xps 15 for my architecture university course, but your post just put me off getting the 1080p screen. Could you describe your problem with the 1080p resolution? Would i also get similar problems with the 720p screen?
I will be mainly using autocad (or similar program), photoshop and maybe gaming.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

 

The 720p screen will be worse with color reproduction regardless of calibration.

 

Hi, all.

My budget only goes as far as getting a refurbish 720p xps l502 from the dell outlet but after reading the comments on this thread the views by many is that 720p on the l502x is rubbish. Does this mean 720p screen on any 15.6 laptop is rubbish. If no could someone please suggest alternative laptop with a good 720p screen. Also is it possible to buy and replace a 720p laptop screen with a 1080p screen.

 

It's not only a XPS 15 problem. Almost every HD panel (1366x768) is junk.

If you bought a refurbished machine, the panel should be noted on your invoice. The HD LG display is tolerable. It's much brighter and the horizontal viewing angles don't completely suck. The HD AUO panel is renowned for its mediocrity.

You can self-upgrade the panel if you want. It might be hard to get a B156HW01 v7 (XPS 15 upgrade), but you can easily get other FHD panels which are also superior to a stock HD AUO panel. Make sure you have proper cabling though.

 

What cable would you recommend. I have also come to the conclusion that self-upgrading a 720p panel to a 1080p panel could far more costly and do more damage than making it better. Would getting the xps l502x with 720p as intended and then use it with a 1080p monitor be another way of achieving 1080p from the l502. The reason I came up with external 1080p monitor idea is because I believe the graphic card from the xps 502 can be used to output 1080p via hdmi to another 1080p source.

 

Yes you can use an external monitor to get 1080p... but that still doesn't solve the problem of having a terrible 720p screen on your laptop.

edit: I've read that the 720p display on the xps15 is actually worse than other 720p displays (for example, on the inspiron 15 but don't quote me on that)

I actually got the xps15 for the display.. aren't there cheaper laptops that are just as powerful if you don't need a 1080 screen?

 

I know using full hd external monitor won't change the issue of the l502x having terrible 720p screen but if I display the desktop of the 720p xps 15 on a full hd external monitor would the display on the monitor be 1080p or 720p.

 

I can confirm this! My boss has a XPS 15 with 720p and my parents have the XPS 15 with 1080p, configured exactly the same way, bought as 2 same target devices with the exception of different screen.

My superior (boss ) has the 720p because of his bad eyes, but regardless of the bad eyes I once took my parents lappy to work to compare, and I can definitely conclude that the 1080p looks way crispier and with a better color reproduction, everything seems way more natural!! I can't recommend it enough.

 

i have the 720p and it is perfectly fine for me. with the money saved i could buy an actual moniter.

 

As people have said 720p laptop screen looks terrible which is why I want to buy a 1080p external monitor to use as a primary screen by connecting the laptop via hdmi full hd monitor. With decent dedicated graphic card I know I know laptop can output 1080p to other full hd source so my question is would connecting 720p laptop to full hd monitor gives me the same experience as some of you guys who has a full hd laptop screen.

 

Simple answer, yes.

 

Am so glad to hear you say that. All I will be using the laptop for is microsoft office, video chating, Internet surfing, downloading 720 and 1080p movies to watch back on a big screen so based on these tasks I will be using my new laptop for am I better off going for intel core i3 / i5 second generation or i3 / i5 first generation processor.

 

I remember agonizing over 720 vs 1080p. It didn't help that I couldn't see one in person before spending this much money but...

HERE'S THE BOTTOM LINE: GET THE 1080P SCREEN IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT

Small text and pics is a complete non issue at the following settings on the 1080P display:

125 DPI (default)
Set 120% Default Zoom in Google Chrome - Everything loads at this percentage, and everything is readable just fine. If you leave it at 100% then YES it's gonna be small and you'll probably find yourself squinting/trying hard to read text. BUT at 120% zoom it's perfect.

If you've never experienced a 1080P display like this before on a notebook you're in for a real treat. The colors and clarity are absolutely amazing. EVERY website you go to looks AWESOME because of the display. Photo's, pics etc are so clear and lifelike - go to flickr and browse some random photos and you'll salivate. It doesn't matter if you don't plan on gaming, the display makes even regular browsing a treat. Yes, the very websites you've been visiting for years will look 100x better because of the display.

To give you some perspective, before I had my XPS 15 I was using an old Dell Inspiron with 1024x780 resolution. Now that I have this display, I can't go back to anything else because it's just so nice. So basically, get the 1080P screen, set the browser zoom to 120%, then come back here and tell me how right I was.

I'll post some *photos* later today of some sites so it'll put prospective buyers here at ease.

 

Just received my xps15, and the second windows loaded I knew I was going to be taking it back. Unfortunately, I too decided to cheap out and opt for the 720P screen....what a bloody mistake that was. The screen literally gives me headaches/eye strain within minutes of viewing, it's that bad. The quality is so low, it's as if I can see every single pixel on the screen, taunting me. It's actually the worst screen I think I've ever laid my eyes on. Now, to all that have went through this before, how did you go about getting your screen changed to the 1080p one? I've called in and the only way they are giving me is to return for a full refund, then re purchase the laptop with the proper specs. Seems like a long turn around, like I want to wait another month for it to arrive. Any shortcuts? let me know!!!!!!!

 

In a word, no. Send it back for a refund and repurchase a new one with the screen you want. Consider it a hard lesson learnt.

 

Screw this whole color reproduction crap, resolution, etc...of 720p vs 1080p.

The viewing angle of the 1080p alone is enough to justify spending extra. Vertical and horizontal angle are some of the best on a TN panel. Watching movies, viewing photos, etc...in groups (more than 1) is fantastic.

Try moving your head a few degrees on the 720p and see how washed out part of your screen is.

Put on a movie with dark scenes and the 720p is unbearable.

Those who didn't get the 1080p is doing yourself a disservice. Spend the extra $$$ on the 1080p and skimp on the rest if you have to.

The XPS 15 is arguably the best multimedia 15" laptop on the market. One of the best in class speakers and LCD available. As a multimedia Laptop (movies, music, photos, etc...), the XPS 15 should last for many years without the need to upgrade.

 

Moving toward buying a refurbish xps l501 or the l502 dell laptop instead of getting a brand new one. Am sure many of you guys have heard of dell outlet uk as am in the uk but has any one bought a refurbish laptop from the dell outlet site before and if so what was thier experience when laptop was delivered.

 

Finally got my dell l502x and loving it. I would like to know what media player I need to download to player 1080p mkv files etc. thank you in advance.

 

@tech geek

try media player classic homecinema or vlc player.

 

You MUST have PotPlayer.

I've tried virtually all media player programs, VLC being my favorite for a while, but PotPlayer is simply the best.

(If your XPS 15 has a TV tuner, you definitely can't miss PotPlayer: it can capture more digital channels than Microsoft Media Center, and is simpler to use.)

I'd would set its default position and size (1280x720) in the middle of the screen for preliminary viewing/checking, then hit Return to watch the MKV full screen.

 

Is window media player classic and vlc player free to down load. As my graphic card is nvidia I have heard of nvidia pure video. Is pure video also a media player and is it free to down load.

 

VLC is free to download. So is PotPlayer.

 

Its not windows media player classic but media player classic homecinema. Yes it is free to download.

 

720p because it's easier on the eyes. Not 1080p because 125% DPI doesn't look natural with the text. If I'm paying EXTRA to get a better screen, I can't deal with the DPI issue. Trust me the text DOES NOT LOOK NATURAL. I already got a 1080p xps 15z and returned it within 2 days.

1080p is great ONLY for watching movies. Web surfing and other programs, the DPI increase in windows will make it look VERY UNNATURAL. 1080p for me is for screens > 18 inch.

I surely wish dell would offer 1440x900 to fill in between 1366x and 1080x. Looks awesome in a 15 inch screen!

 

1440x900 is a 16:10 resolution. But 1600x900 should be offered as the standard option though, not 1366x768.

1080p is for those for whom small text doesn't cause eyestrain, because in cases where that isn't an issue then the increased resolution is a benefit to multitasking and productivity in everything you do. Just worth nothing that it isn't purely useful for movies and nothing more.

 

I love the 1080p screen. 1080p FTW. I've used xps15 with both screens and I prefer 1080p screen.

 

1080p on 15.6" require a good eye.

It is stressful on eye.

 

Got nvidia 525 one gig on my xps 15 but how can I bitstream 5.1 hd audio from laptop to my Yamaha 671 av receiver. Trying playing Mkv file that has Dolby tru hd sound but while I get picture on my hd tv but my receiver is only displaying sound from the 525 nvidia card as pcm

 

Oh by the way am using pot player to the Mkv file but not hd to displayed he audio on my receiver.

 

Hi all

I am aware that the xps 15 l502x has both integrated and dedicated graphic card but when connecting laptop to my hdtv via hdmi, does the laptop automatically switch to the nvidia graphic card or do i have to tell laptop to use the nvidia card when connecting to my hdtv via hdmi.

 

I believe HDMI output is processed by the Nvida Card

 

thanks for the quick reply. By your statement am guessing that once the laptop is connected to the hdtv via hdmi it automatically switch the grahic card to the nvidia card. Also do you know how to bitstrem hd audio from laptop to my av reciever. I got the dark knight mkv file which has dolby true hd 5.1 sound but can't get this to display on my av receiver.