Please can someone flip a coin for me...

To decide which laptop I'm buying

I'm looking at the Studio 1747 and the Studio XPS 1645 (UK)

Studio 1747 Spec:

* Ruby Red Microsatin (yes v. important )
* Win 7 Pro
* Core i7 720QM
* 4GB 1333MHz DDR3
* 2 x 500Gb 7200 RPM hdd's (n.b. upgrade from 1 x 500GB to 2 x is overpriced, but from what I've read, you need a caddy for the 2nd drive and it's not included (or available from Dell UK parts store), so that makes it difficult to go and buy the drive cheaper elsewhere).
* 1080p display
* Radeon 4650 - default and only choice
* Blu-Ray ROM
* Backlit keyboard
* Dell 1397 (b/g wifi)

Price £1102

I'd also need to buy Wireless N mini pci-express card to replace the default (and only) wifi choice for UK 1747s and a Dell Bluetooth 365 module (can't specify it with BT and install them myself. This will cost £30 - £60 extra.

Studio XPS 1645:
* Red leather (non cost option in this case)
* Win 7 Pro
* Core i7 720QM
* 4GB 1333MHz DDR3
* 1 x 500Gb 7200 RPM hdd
* 1080p display (WLED - RGBLED costs £190!!!)
* Radeon 4670 - default and only choice
* Blu-Ray ROM
* Backlit keyboard (standard)
* Dell 370 Bluetooth
* Dell 1397 (b/g wifi)

Price £1164.96

I'll also need to buy a mini pci-express 802.11n card to replace the one that comes with the system (dell won't allow me to specify anything else even when I phone). Cost £15 - £30 extra.

The two systems are so close with the biggest difference being the graphics card, but then there are guys posting on the Studio 1747 thread with 3dmark06 scores of ~7000 with the 4650 which seems pretty good. There is the weight issue (I will be lugging it and using on the train every workday (2 - 3 hours a day) - but both systems look to be lighter than my XPS M1710 so I'll see some improvement either way I think.

So now I can't choose between the two and need someone to flip a coin Thanks in advance!

 

Go with the smaller machine.

 

I'd go for the smaller machine too.

 

Go with the 1645


Cin...

 

Some issues with 1645 now but it should be fixed soon

 

I've ordered a Studio XPS 16 in the UK. I've already bought an Intel 5300 wi-fi card and a 370 BT card on ebay for under £40. The BT wasn't included when I ordered mine. It's annoying having to take a brand new machine apart as soon as you get it, but I decided I wasn't going to spend this amount on a laptop and not have wireless N. Likewise I specced the 256Gbyte SSD, I don't need a huge amount of space on the system disc, but the SSD was just too tempting at the price.

I suggest you be patient for a week or so. I was watching the offers when the i7 versions came out and the RGBLED screen was initially available for £1099, then it went to £1199, then went down to £1099 again, now it's not available except as an add-on.

Dell seem to play games with their offers, just watch the sites that list the offer codes and wait for the right moment.

 

Don't forget to order through Quidco when you do finally order!

 

I'm not sure whether to go through Quidco or EPP. I can get 6% off with EPP which is better than Quidco, but it seems that 5% off vouchers no longer work in conjunction with EPP

If I could use a voucher and get quidco though that would be a reasonable compromise 8% total. Wish we got the same deals as the US though (I've seen 20% bing posted and the prices seem to be lower to start). Oh well.

I'm also not sure about waiting... need to order soon (been holding off on ordering something for about 6 months already ), but then I've already missed some good prices and hopefully they will come back; I wonder if they're not offering RGBLED by default due to the power probs seen with the XPS 16 atm (since the RGBLED is more power hungry).

 

I've got a 1640 and a 1747 here and they are both nice. But if you are looking for something easier to carry go with the 1645. It is lighter and easier to handle.

My 1747 has the 9 cell battery which adds to the size.

 

Thanks Bukket. How's the build quality for each? I guess the 16 is more robust also?

 

I bought the intel 5300 wifi and upgraded myself to n from ebay for 15 USD!

In pounds what's that 8 or 9?

 

I would use the EPP. At least my company gets free upgraded support options.

 

Unfortunately UK EPP doesn't get the free upgraded support... in fact Dell UK has recently downgraded support for XPS systems accross the board; they used to provide 1 year on-site service in the base price; now you have to pay at least £100 extra for just 1 year on-site (this only changed a month or two ago)

 

We actually have the 1640 here but I'm sure the 1645 is built the same. It is a really solid system that can't be beat in looks. I couldn't use the 1640 though. The palmrest and touchpad gets too hot when gaming for me. It just wasn't comfortable. My son uses it with a cooler and it doesn't bother him.

The 1747 just doesn't feel as sturdy. The lid on mine squeaks and snaps every time you touch it. My husband's 1735 does the same thing. But I got his from the outlet for almost half of what I paid for the 1747. I'm really trying to decide if I should keep it or not. I want the build quality of my 1720 along with the performance of the 1747. I have the 900p screen and I really like the resolution. I love the keyboard and the new touch controls. Plus the touchpad is really good.

Comparing the two side by side you would think the 1640 cost twice as much.

 

That sounds much as I expect from the non-XPS studios I guess... I've only seen the ~15" models in the shops but they never look too sturdy. Squeaks and cracking shouldn't happen with any new system really though!

Thanks for the update again Bukket

 

Wait a few weeks until the power throttling issue is fixed, then buy the SXPS 1645.

 

1645. Smaller (lighter) machine, higher-clocked graphics.

 

HAHA! Looks like a pretty rigged coin if it lands head up >95% of the time. In any case, I say go for the SXPS 16. You won't regret it.

 

Dell just lowered the price of the non-base edition by another £50 too, ends the 16th.

 

You're right about the loaded coin! I tried ordering the XPS 16 today by phone as the support option I wanted wasn't available online. I wanted at least two years onsite, but didn't need accidental damage as that is covered by my home contents insurance. The spec I was after was the base UK spec (as posted above with Win7 Pro and Blu-ray ROM); base price with EPP was £1118.62. The rep said that he could do it for £1199 with 2 years onsite, took my card details then sent a quote through a little later; I got an e-mail later on with the quote for £1299(!) and so immediately cancelled (really my max budget is £1200 and that ideally needs to include the wifi upgrade - can't get wireless-n from Dell).

The rep wouldn't budge on the warranty pricing (a couple of years ago I got them to throw in 3-years on-site for free!) and the only, slightly cheaper, option he could offer was for me to order without any extra warranty then contact tech support and get 2 years without the accidental damage cover for £130.

Has anyone had any success getting extra discounts from dell UK recently? If so how have you done it? I've tried several times speculatively via the EPP reps in the last few weeks but with no luck.

 

I think that was decided a long time ago.

 

Wait till these throttling issues have been resolved before you make a purchase.

 

im not sure but i do know the XPS 16 comes with the PM 55 chipset and i believe the studio 17 is the older pm45.......