How do you like your XPS 16 or Studio 15?

I am looking at these 2 and wondering what you guys that have them think of them. I have never been a big fan of dell, but these 2 dont look so bad. Here is how I have configured the 2. This laptop will be used for regular internet browsing, video chat, and school work. I just want it to be fast. I also dont want this laptop to have a noisy fan, or get terribly hot. Here is how I have configured the 2. Please let me know what you guys think.

Studio 15: $1275.00
COLORS Black Chainlink

PROCESSORS NEW 2010 Intel® Core™ i5-520M 2.40GHz (2.93Ghz Turbo Mode, 3M cache)

OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English

MEMORY 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 at 1066MHz

HARD DRIVE 500GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)

MOBILE CONNECTIVITY Internal Mobile Broadband not included

VIDEO CARD ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 5470, 1GB edit

HD DISPLAY 15.6” High Definition (1080p) LED Display with TrueLife™ and Camera/Facial Recognition SW

WIRELESS CARDS Dell 1501 Wireless-N

KEYBOARD Back-lit Keyboard

BATTERY OPTIONS 85 Whr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell)

BLUETOOTH Dell Wireless 365 Bluetooth Internal (2.1)

OPTICAL DRIVE 8X Slot Load CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)

SOUND OPTIONS Soundblaster X-Fi Hi Def Audio - Software Enabled

XPS 16: $1230.00


PROCESSOR NEW 2010 Intel® Core™ i5-520M (2.40GHz, 4Threads, turbo boost up to 2.93Ghz, 3M cache)

OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium Edition

WARRANTY AND SERVICE 2 Year Basic Service Plan

MEMORY 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3

HD DISPLAY Edge-to-Edge FHD Widescreen 15.6 inch WLED LCD (1920x1080) W/2.0 MP

HARD DRIVE 320GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive

BATTERY 9-cell Battery

BLUETOOTH Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Module (2.1+EDR)

WIRELESS CARDS Intel© Centrino© Advanced-N + WiMAX 6250

INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write)

 

I bought Dell Studio 1558 with the same configuration, and I should say VERY NICE build. I especially love the palm rest area because it doesn't attract dust like my Asus N61JQ. For me, the build quality is one of the best in its class, definitely better than my Asus N61JQ. The sound quality of the speaker is also the best I've heard from a laptop due to its subwoofer, MUCH better than N61JQ which people claim "very good". The screen has excellent viewing angle, at least horizontally. N61JQ is very poor in this area. Camera is sharp. The model looks very nice & sleek. The backlit keyboard looks beautiful. The only things I dislike , are :

- The slot-in DVDRW. While the slot-in design looks sophisticated, I realize it's almost impossible to clean the laser lens once it's dirty. The DVDRW is non-removable like other laptops, and can not be replaced with other models unless you send it to Dell for repair or replacement. Unlike my Dell 1501, I could easily replace the broken TSST 632D myself with a Teac drive which cost me only $35.

- The 9-cell battery sticks out from the bottom about 1". While it makes the keyboard more elevated and feels more comfortable for typing, it also makes it hard to put into a laptop sleeve & feels uncomfortable to hold it on your hand. I won't say it's a minus though, but definitely not a plus either.

 

Studio XPS 1645 specs in sig:

I always loved the XPS line and finally I have one! I have been nothing but super happy with this notebook over the past 14 days. It does everything I need and want it to do. The only downfall is that it doesnt make me coffee.

 

You can modify it to do that i'm sure.

 

Thanks for the input guys it really helps. So I was chatting online with a dell rep yesterday and I asked about a subwoofer in the 1558. The guy told me it does not come with one? But the review on this website says other wise. And dells website doesnt say anything about it either. Does the 1558 in fact have a sub in it?

Also liquidxit2 do you use your xps on your lap? Some people have been saying it gets a little to hot to use it on the lap. If this is true that will be a big downfall for me. 95% of the time the comp will be on the lap.

 

Sometimes I surf the web with it on my lap. Its not bad if Im only doing very basic tasks. anything that taxes any piece of hardware I wouldnt put it on my lap due to blocking the vents.

 

I have my 1647 on my lap 80% of the time! It's a laptop, after all!

When, I feel it may be getting to hot, I simply use my Belkin Cushtop Stand You can always pickup a laptop desk/stand/cooler to help with these situations, if you feel it's necessary.

Cin...

 

I have a 1645 w/i7 and when i use it on my lap I just put a large hardback book under it so the vents can get air, with pretty much any laptop you don’t want to block the bottom with either skin or cloth, even my 10“ netbook gets too hot it I put it right on my lap and block the vents. Alternatively I can set cross legged and use it on my lap without blocking the vent and nothing underneath.