Dell XPS 16 vs Dell Precision

ok, today, I configured (on the Canadian website) an XPS Studio 16 and a Dell Precision. Here are the prices in CDN$:

Dell Studio XPS 16: $3,047

Code:

Genuine Windows ® 7 Ultimate Edition with XP Mode
Intel® Core™ i7-820QM Quad Core Processor 1.73GHz (3.06GHz Turbo Mode, 8MB Cache)
Microsoft Works, English
McAfee SecurityCenter, 36-Months
3Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis & Accidental Damage Service
Full HD Widescreen 15.6 inch WLED LCD (1920x1080) W/2.0 MP
8GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz
500GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive
ATI Mobility RADEON® HD 4670 – 1GB
8X Slot Load CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi MB
Obsidian Black High Gloss Finish
Options
Essentials
Also Includes
Intel® 5300 WLAN Wireless-N (3x3) Mini Card
Integrated 10/100 Network Card

Dell Precision Mobile M6500: $4,429

Code:

Genuine Windows® 7 Ultimate, 64-bit
Intel® Core™ i7-820QM Quad Core 1.73GHz 8MB
Dell Precision M6500 Mobile Workstation
8.0GB, DDR3-1333MHz SDRAM, 4 DIMMS
1.0GB ATI® FirePro® M7740 Graphics
17" Wide Screen WUXGA RGBLED LCD Panel w/ microphone
All Hard Drives, Non-RAID, 1 or 2 drive total configuration
500GB 7200rpm Hard Drive with FFS
8X DVD+/-RW Slot Load w/Roxio and Cyberlink PowerDVD™, no media
Dell Wireless™ 1397 802.11b/g Mini Card
Dell Wireless® 365 Bluetooth Module
No Contactless Smart Card Reader
Resource DVD and Quick Reference Guide
No Fingerprint Reader
210W/240W switchable Slim 3P A/C Adapter
Options
3 Year ProSupport for End Users and 3 Year NBD Onsite Service
Trend Micro Internet Security 15 Month - English

How do you guys explain this huge difference? Is the Precision model that much better than the XPS 16 model? ok, I have to admit that I chose the WUXGA RGBLED screen and that accounts for $340. But is the difference truly worth the money or is it just another rip off?

You could buy a reasonable good laptop with the difference.

 

The precision is a much better quality built laptop, it supports Raid, has 4 memory DIMM slots, and much faster GPU option, add a larger 17 inch screen which if you choose the RGB LED option is a beauty to behold.

Also the Precison comes with Buisness Level Support which is a far cry better than Home / Home Office Support

I would not touch a XPS laptop if I was paid to.

But it comes down to how much you want to spend, and what you really want to do with it.

 

BTW if I was going to drop $3,000.00 on a laptop I may suggest the Alienware M15x or M17x - if you really want a true gaming laptop

 

One is a workstation, for professionals using CAD and stuff, and the other is your average home laptop. As mentioned, the Precision will be much higher quality, as business class notebooks generally are, and the Precision also has a much better GPU, built for CAD and other workstation applications.

Obviously, a business professional isn't going to buy an SXPS 16, and an average user/gamer isn't going to buy a Precision.

 

M6500 is simply a huge rip-off in dell.ca vs dell.com.

 

M6500, no question.

 

I would prefer the M6500 to M15x or M17x by far. NVIDIA Quadro FX 3800M can rival any graphic card for gaming. Also the build quality, warranty support, and more professional look makes the precision a no brainer over alienware IMHO.

 

See my sig.....don't need to say more... Look for discounts with the Precision, then the Precision becomes a no brainer.

 

I want the M6500 in your sig

 

Yep. Precision is king if you can afford it. The graphics is literally 2-6x more powerful than the XPS 16's...

 

It just arrived today....awesome piece of equipment!

 

I Upgraded from a 3,5 years old Precision m90 to an S-XPS 1645, because a new Precision was all over my budget. I would have waited some time longer with buying a new one, but the quadro 2500m in my m90 died recently.
Compared to my last Precision the S-XPS has a crappy build quality. Keyboard-Flex (Not so bad), screen flexible as rubber (so touching keys when closed), bad vent design etc.
But I like the performance, the size, the weight and the RGB-LED screen (despite its glossy) more than my old m90.
But I wish I cold have afforded a new Precision, though the S-XPS will probably be my last Dell Notebook... I expect more quality for my money...

 

I did a similiar comparison at first. Then determined that by having a better video card, better build, better support, better screen, the price delta got much smaller. Add to that the discounts your local Business rep will give you and the delta is minor.

And you end up with an amazing machine.

Tony