accept this xps17 replacement for my xps16?

Dell sent me a L702X as a replacement for my studio xps 16 due to many issues and repeated replacements of the motherboard, hdd, reinstallations of windows, etc.

Original system:
Studio XPS 16 (1645)
CPU: i7-820QM
GPU: Radeon 4670 (1GB)
LCD: RGBLCD 1080p
RAM: 8GB 1333MHz
HDD: 320GB 5400 RPM
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate

Replacement:
XPS 17 (l702x)
CPU: i7-2820QM
GPU: NVIDIA GT550 (1GB)
LCD: WLED 1080p
RAM: 8GB
HDD 500GB 7200 RPM
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate

I received the xps 17 and have tried it out over the weekend. I'm having trouble deciding whether to keep it or not. I like the extra hard drive slot available in the 17" size, the number pad on the keyboard, but it kind of sux that the laptop won't fit in my backpack when the 1645 would. Also, the display is lackluster and washed out looking. Especially when next to eachother, the RGBLCD really looks great. That is why I paid for the expensive upgrade.

More importantly, I haven't been able to get Solidworks (CAD software) working quite right on the 17. It worked great on the 16, even with slightly lower specs. On the 16, I was able to modify the ATI graphics driver to trick Solidworks into thinking a workstation card was installed, so all features (RealView) were enabled. I don't mind giving this up (especially since I can work on a similar software mod for this NVIDIA gpu), but a more significant problem is that on this 17, the Solidworks program has excessive CPU usage. One core is pretty much pegged the whole time, even when idling with no part files open. We're talking 15-20% CPU usage always. And when I shut Solidworks, it doesn't stop. I have to use Windows task manager to shut down SLDWORKS.exe manually, otherwise the fan will continue running like crazy.

Also, I've noticed that the 17 has a really annoying fan operation. When just idling or browsing the web, the fan turns on and off about once every 2 or 3 seconds, over and over again. It's kind of driving me nuts. Does everyone's do this?

Any idea how to figure out what the issue is with Solidworks? The exact same install files and procedure works great on my 1645.

Would you accept the exchange? Or insist on something with a RGBLCD? I know they have a model or two still that do offer the RGBLCD, such as the Precision line.

 

Nobody has any thoughts?

 

First off, I'm no "Notebook Guru" despite what this forum has named me so far!

Right off the bat, I would say that you should insist that you get one with the same RGBLCD as those apparently have a much better color gamut etc.

Also check out Mobile Processors - Benchmarklist - Notebookcheck.net Tech and more specific, Mobile Processors - Benchmarklist - Notebookcheck.net Tech that shows you both of the processors that you are looking at.
Also, they are offering the larger HD but I would get a better match to what you started with. As for the problems with the replacement, all that will be mute if you get a better replacement but alot of these issues can be fixed with updated drivers etc.

 

Never had a studio 16 so it's hard to compare the two. I have personally owned both the L701x and now the L702x and neither were taxed to the maximum, due to my job just being research. But I can say both performed exemplary with little or no problems(in reference to the L702x, time will tell...).
Sounds to me like even with the problems that you are suffering, the 17 is still the best bet. With CAD, I think(?) RAM will come into play, and the availability of up to 16GB will come in handy. As to why the processor is being taxed perplexes me, because the CPU you've listed is a beast, from a recent article, I think it ranked in the top best ten mobile CPU's available. that must be some program your running. I would have pushed for the 555m vid card, just so there would be less draw on your on board RAM. Could it be that the program in question hasn't caught up to the newer architecture that's being used now? Anyway, my opinion, stick with the 17 but push for the Nvidia GeForce GT 555M 3GB vid card and additional RAM(another 8GB).


P.S.
Just so you know, the screen can be replaced and the cost is within reason. If you are a do it yourself kinda guy, there is even a thread dedicated for the XPS 17 series showing you how...food for thought.

 

As it's been stated above, I would request the RGBLED as you had it on your SXPS 16. WLED doesn't cut it, poor color gamut.

 

The XPS 17 doesn't have an RGBLED display available. I've spent considerable time talking with the tech support/rep who issued the exchange, and she seems to think that since the model she offered me (XPS 17) doesn't have an RGBLED screen available, I'm just SOL; nevermind it was a $400 option, she wants me to just shrug my shoulders and accept a washed out looking screen. I mentioned that other dell models, alienware and precision, have RGBLED available, but she's adamant that only the XPS 17 is a suitable exchange for my 1645 (nevermind that it won't fit in my back pack.) And she ignored my suggestions that maybe she could make up for the lack of the screen upgrade some other way.

I'm really on the fence here. The fan is driving me nuts, speeding up and slowing down every 2-3 seconds (!?) and the screen is just sad beside my original system. Plus I'm having problems with an important piece of software. But my old system has significant issues which warranted a replacement. I'm kind of thinking of keeping the 17, selling it, and buying something else, but shouldn't I be compensated for the RGBLED I paid for? What should I do?

 

Funny thing is if your eyes were adjusted to standard CG, then you'd think RGBLED is too saturated for your liking. When my Eizo monitor got stolen and I had replaced it with a Dell 30'' which was 92% CG, I was extremely upset because everything felt unnatural. Now I feel it is "normal." That said, you should ask them for some kind of compensation for loss of the RGBLED which you paid premium for. I'd ask for an extra HDD or ram. Asking for another system while you still have two would cause a stir with DFS and your future warranty support. If I were you, I'd personally sell the system, and go with M4600 which offers an optional 15.6'' RGBLED IPS screen.