advice on purchasing XPS 15 (WLED)...gaming use

So, I'm looking at purchasing a laptop for use primarily with gaming. I've actually never owned my own laptop and my desktop is quite old...probably 7 years old or so, and although I do spend a lot of time on my computer browsing the web, youtube, message boards etc...i haven't really used a pc for gaming since the days of Age of Empires, Starcraft, Baldur's Gate 2, Fallout 2, etc.

I'm looking at picking up this laptop.
Dell XPS 15" Backlit Notebook-Core i7,4GB RAM,500GB HD &McAfee - QVC.com

First, I'm on a budget which is why I'm choosing to buy through QVC with a payment plan as opposed to using Dell's website. Unfortunately, I'm stuck with the 1366x768 screen that I haven't heard too much positive feedback about. This laptop won't be my primary gaming machine, as I use my PS3 for that extensively, however there are quite a few games that aren't available for the PS3 that I've wanted to play that I never could (mass effect, KOTOR, Starcraft 2, Diablo 3, SWTOR, etc). However, I don't have an HDTV to use with my PS3 so I've always been restricted to Standard Definition gaming.

So basically what I'm asking is what are reasonable expectations to have if I were to pick this laptop up? Is it an increase from Standard Def gaming on my PS3? Will it be an enjoyable experience playing on this laptop given my history and lack of experience with portable computer gaming? Or is it better to simply put this idea out of my head.

I look forward to your answers.

 

First off i would get a quad core cpu, that 2620 is dual core the 2630 is quad. This will future proof your system. Secondly the 525 would probably run most games on medium to high settings but i would get the 540 (the best card for the l502x).

But essentially a 540 is a overclocked 525 so take this in mind that you could overclock the 525. Check out the links i posted below for fps rates and stats of both cards. And there is also a thread for overclocking the 525. I use my xps 17 as my primary gaming machine and it easily out performs a Ps3.

525 review
http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GT-525M.43889.0.html

540 review
http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GT-540M.41715.0.html

 

Now, please don't buy out of day cpu. star on sep/11 same price, buy high performance.
I5-2410-->I5-2430
I7-2630QM-->I7-2670QM
I7-2620-->I7-2640

Current dell on malaysia( www.dell.com.my), same price, but cpu all free update.

Also asus now grade GT540M, all update GT555M (Alienware default cpu)

Please don't stupid, when you buy 1-2weeks, you will see all IT market cpu already free to update.

The 2630 or I5-2410 cpu, just mar/2011--july/2011 you can buy.

some people may already buy old model, so recommand you buy same.

but I tell you, this is not time to buy old model cpu, compare old and new increase 10% performance, so don't stupid. you can check malaysia dell website. dell also free update cpu for next.

 

Nothing outdated about those CPUs, ignore Alinad. He is right that slightly updated versions of the Sandy Bridge chips are coming out soon, but no ETA for Dell US and most other countries. If you CAN wait a few more weeks, you can get CPUs running .2GHz faster for likely the same price. A nice little boost.

 

Yeah there definately not outdated, possibly actually the fastest intel cpu series to date. No offense Alinad but i cant really understand what your going on about half the time.

 

Well his latest bit is about the tweaked Sandy Bridge chips that are in fact starting to become available around the world. In fact, if you order a Sager today, you get these newer CPUs, which are essentially the same as the ones from the beginning of the year, but just 0.2GHz faster clock speeds both base and turbo-boost. Yes, it makes sense to get the newer ones since they retail at the same pricing as the older ones, but the performance difference isn't massive. If you have a few weeks to wait for Dell to start selling them here, it makes sense, but you aren't at a disadvantage by getting what they have now, they are still TREMENDOUS CPUS.

 

If you can choice, same price, same series you want choice I7-2630 or I7-2670 ?
That a real answer. that also define for out-of-day

 

I'd recommend getting a different laptop than the XPS 15 if you can't get the FHD 1080p display. It's the most important upgrade to get on these rigs and choosing between SNB i7 QC CPU's should be near the bottom of your upgrade list if on it at all.

 

now Dell just only good for on-site-warranty, quality very bad, better update full(3-5 year, depend your location) warranty.
If don't plan for warranty, better buy other brand.

 

@ OP:

1. The build quality on the XPS 15 is not "very bad". I'd quantify them as "above average" for consumer line laptops. The XPS 15 platform has been around a little while now and has proven to be durable so far.

2. You'll be fine with the included warranty in case you get a lemon (possible with every brand) but if you just want a little peace of mind for the longer haul the longer warranties are there. I'd hardly consider a warranty extension as a requirement when purchasing a Dell though.



edit - the quality of the majority of the L502x 720p displays IS very bad though, and why I'd recommend an entirely different laptop if you don't get the FHD display (which is one of the better 1080p displays available).

 

The build quality of the XPS line is second only to business-class machines imo. I've yet to see a consumer laptop that gave me the same quality feeling. Is it perfect? No, but none are. A 1-year warranty is sufficient, 2 or 3 years for peace of mind sure. Make sure it is the in-home variant, don't downgrade to mail-in, those stink.

+1 to FHD screen. I'd get a lower CPU before compromising on the screen.

 

Contrary to popular belief, warranties exist to make companies money, not to save consumers money. You're paying for peace of mind, just like any type of insurance.

Is it worth it? Well that's completely up to the individual and how much they value that peace of mind.