Difference between Inspiron 15r and new inspiron 15r (other than the switch lid

Has anyone had experience with the 15r and the new one with switchable lids?? I only see the regular 15r in stores and i dont think i have seen the new one. Is there anything different about them, like mousepad differences, keyboard differences or anything like that?? And also performance differences.

Trying to have my final decision tonight after researching this laptop for a few days

 

anyone with any help on this??

 

The new Inspiron 15R comes with faster/more efficient SandyBridge processors, while the old one does not.

By the way, on a random note, if your configuration is anywhere close to $800, I'd recommend taking a look at this laptop instead:
Sager NP5160 Custom Laptop (Built on the Clevo W150HN)
Scroll to the bottom and include Windows 7 for $90. Base price shown is without OS
After adding Windows 7 to the order, the laptop comes to around $813.
The Sager NP5160 is basically the best bang-for-your-buck you can find.

Pros:
- Solid build quality
- 1600x900 resolution in a 15.6" laptop rather than 1366x768 in 15.6" or 1600x900 in 17.3". It gives you more display room by making it so that items on the screen aren't as large as they are on the Inspiron 15r's 1366x768 screen. Basically it's a 17" screen in a 15" laptop
- It should also be a better quality display in general. Inspirons aren't known for having great screens.
- Graphics card on-par with XPS 15's +$100 option.
- i5-2410M processor

 

I might actually go with the dell xps. It might be a little more expensive but it seems to be a pretty good laptop and better quality than the inspiron even though i def like the flashier look of the inspiron. Just wish dell would make better keyboards. The main reason I want to stick with dell is because i am friends with someone who actually works on fixing computers and he has dells at his work so he knows them very well

 

If you get the XPS don't get it with the regular 720p screen. On the XPS 15 you MUST get the 1080p screen upgrade If you can't afford the 1080p on the XPS 15 you'd be a lot better off with the Sager.

The XPS 15's 1080p is one of the best screens available, but the 720p has gotten countless complaints regarding quality. I've seen the 720p screen in an XPS and wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

EDIT: you could also look in the Dell Outlet for a refurbished XPS 15 (L502x)
use this coupon: N06H0?R17M35SB for 20% off
Just make sure it's got the "5.6 inch FHD (1080p) B+RGLED Display" listed under the specs, not 1366x768

 

I got lucky on a quick Dell sale and picked up the 15R, Core i5 2410, integrated HD 3000 graphics, 2 year basic warranty and single stick 4 GB memory for $576. I don't know that this price and these features can be beat.

I am adding 4 GB of Crucial memory for $44 and I will look for a SATA 3 SSD. My total price will be around $813...tax and shipping included, or around $830 if you include a power over eSATA enclosure for the OEM hard drive.