Laptop poll, choices/review inside (lots of pics)

UPDATE: Apparently this long- thread is moot as I've spoken with tech support and they will send someone out to replace the screen! W00t!

Hey guys, I'm a longtime member of Anandtech and been a lurker here for some time; I thought I'd post a little thread here as it's right up you guys' alley!

Short recap:
- Ordered a Dell Studio 14 with a fantastic display and so-so specs (1st gen Core-i3) from Dell Outlet
- Got the 14 with upgraded specs (1st gen Core-i5), just happens to be an engineering sample unit
- Dell is willing to work with me and send me a XPS 15 (L502) (2nd gen Core-i5 w/ upgraded GPU) but it does not have the high quality display.


So I now have both, and I have a few days to evaluate which unit to keep and which to send back; I will list the general specs, and I trust most everyone will know the benchmarks of each CPU/GPU so I won't go into much details about that. It's mostly about the look and feel of the unit that I will go into detail on.

Here's a little bit about what I'm looking for:
- At this time, I'd consider myself mostly a "casual user": watch movies, surf the net, etc.
- The only exception would be that I game. A lot. But I do not mind playing in low-med settings.
- I used to do a bit of 2D graphic design and would like to get into 3D modeling, but it' not a priority.
- I'd like something that I can keep/use for at least a few years.
- Down the road, I'm thinking about the following upgrades: replace the HDD w/ an SSD (once it gets more affordable), upgrade the RAM to 8 Gigs, and (if necessary) replace the display with a higher-definition one.

Without much more ado, here are the contenders:

Dell Studio 14 (1458)
- 14" 1600x900 display
- Core i5-ES (is in similar specs w/ i5-430M/i5-520M)
- AMD 540v
- Slot-loading DVD burner

Pros:
- Beautiful display (we'll touch on that later)
- 14" is a great laptop size; mobile but not too small to type/work on
- Solidly built, great design; I like the magnesium casing on the base of the laptop - it's definitely a pretty laptop to look at and there's a subtle design inlay on the plastic portion of the laptop that's both tasteful and unique.
- Keyboard is backlit which is a first for me (and is more useful then I thought)
- "Good enough" specs
- Easy to upgrade; there's a big panel on the bottom that houses the HDD and RAM if, and when, the time comes to upgrade.
- Did I mention the ridiculously awesome display?
Cons:
- Terrible speakers. It supposedly has "SRS premium sound" but it definitely sounds like it's being played inside a can.
- The display hinges are weak. It may be a minor issue at this time you can notice the display hinge flexing a bit when moving around; I rarely use a laptop while moving around but the tightness of the hinge that could pose an issue in long-term use.
- GPU is somewhat weak ( AMD 540v) but it does the job (I can play Starcraft 2 and Far Cry 2 on low settings/lowered resolution, for example)

Dell XPS 15 (L502)
- 15.6" 1366x768 display
- Intel i5-2410M
- Nvidia GT 525M

Pros:
- Awesome speakers. I've wondered what the reviews meant when they said that this laptop has industry-leading class speakers. I'm no audiophile, but the difference is obvious, and staggeringly so.
- Also solidly built. On design alone, I'd prefer the Studio 14 but build quality-wise I'd say that the XPS is about the same.
- Construction-wise the XPS has an aluminium palm rest but the rest of the system looks like it's plastic.
- Obviously, the specs are also a lot better as well.
- It is possible to upgrade the display, HDD and RAM . . .
Cons:
- But it does not mean it will be easy. It seems particularly challenging, if not a nightmare, from what I've read so far.
- Terrible display. I will touch on that later.
- Non-backlit keyboard. Not a dealbreaker, but it's a minus compared to the studio 14

Comparison

Display
This is the image used for comparison:
I've left all three units unplugged, used Chrome to open up the image, and blew it up to full-size (533x800). Just for reference, I've borrowed my wife's Asus UL80VT-A1 as well. The laptops (from the left>right) are ASUS UL80VT-A1, Dell Studio 14 and Dell XPS 15

The display settings were on the default Win7 settings and not messed with; as you can tell from the head-on and angle shots, the Studio 14 display is both brighter, retains better color accuracy and uniformity across a wider viewing angle. You may not be able to tell from the pic, but color gradations are noticeably more defined on the 14 than on the XPS.

Size
Being a bit redundant here, but the XPS 15 is obviously larger. As far as thickness goes, they're about the same; but it is a bit tricky to judge as the studio 14 has a wedge-shape that tapers to the front. On a side note; The UL80 has a aluminium display cover, the XPS an aluminium palmrest and Studio 14 a Magnesium bottom casing.

To recap:
- Both have solid build quality.
- Studio 14: Awesome display, crap speakers. I like the design a little more. Display hinge may be of concern long-term. "Good enough" specs.
- XPS 15: Awesome speakers, crap display. Great specs. Will be a nightmare to update.

Which one would you recommend?

Edit: Ack, it seems that my image hosting website doesn't like it here. I'll move the images over in a few hours . . ..

 

There's no reason to keep an ES unit, but there's also no excuse for such a low-res display in a 15" laptop. Neither is a good choice...see if Dell can upgrade the XPS 15 to a better display.

 

Right. Well when I was speaking to the rep, they said that they'd send me what they had . . . considering that it's a spec upgrade (not considering the display) I'd say it's a fair replacement but I agree, the display is a sticking point in my decision.

 

See what else Dell has to offer, whether it be a 14" or 15", or just a display upgrade (I'm sure they can send out a tech to swap a 1600x900 display into it).

 

Did you get this from the outlet? 'Cause it seems like you should be able to get a good deal on an XPS with the FHD display. They've got a ton of 'em there.

About a month ago I ordered an XPS and, not knowing better, got the 720 resolution, which I hated. I sent it back and paid a bit more for FHD (and a better processor, blu-ray, backlit keyboard, etc.) Still was under eight hundred after discount coupon. Also, here's a tip-- Dell slips in a warranty option where they will send a tech to your house, which is fine, but you can return this portion of the warranty, and shave a sweet 55 bucks off your price. You've still got a warranty for parts/labor/etc, but you've got to use the mail if something goes wrong. OK with me. So my price dropped to about 720 plus tax.

Adding RAM is very, very easy. I'm a tech-idiot and I had no problem. Get the least amount they'll sell you and upgrade from newegg. If you wait for a sale 8 gigs will go for 65-70 bucks. Then sell the old RAM sticks on ebay.

But the 720 screen sucks. I'm incredibly happy I've returned it and I love my machine now.

 

I knew about the RAM slots being readily accessible. I was thinking about swapping the HDD to a SSD when prices drop (so give it a few months) - and on many laptops; Dell or not, have either a large panel on the bottom that you can unscrew and pop off or just a plain ol' HDD bay that you can unscrew and slide out.

This beast, however, you have to go through the top of the keyboard if I understand correctly.

 

I wouldn't recommend this, especially if it is only $55. The chance that you'll have a problem with the keyboard (stuck key) or LCD (dead pixels) is pretty high, and one LCD swap is enough to make it worthwhile. Other troublesome parts include the touchpad and fingerprint reader, and not to mention, you never know what they do when you send it back in...

 

Schadenfreude, what exactly was wrong with the studio 1458 and how long have you had it for? Because from reading your first post it sounds like they are only replacing your laptop because it's and ES.

 

I've only had the 1458 for a few weeks. My only concern I had at the time was that being an ES unit, what implications there are if there are any issues with the product that I'd have to send it in. As far as the system itself was concerned, there was nothing wrong with it whatsoever.

Well, the original question is a non-issue now; I've sent in the Studio 14 in favor of the XPS.

 

How about the new Z series. It seems pretty decent.

 

not decent with 525m lousy card!