1080p, Is it worth the money?

Hello everyone!

Recently I got myself a Dell XPS 15 L502x.

I'm satisfied with almost every thing about it, only one thing is bugging me.
People all around the internet keep saying that the 1080p screen (optional for 150 extra euro) is one of the best laptop screens available, whereas the included 720p screen is NOWHERE near as good. (I myself noticed some flaws about the 720p too).

I'm really starting to consider to return my current one and get a 1080p, but is it really worth it?

Thanks in advance!

 

It really depends on what your usage is.

I like at least a 900p screen so I can pull up 2 documents side by side or run a game in 640x480 and still be able to use word and Chrome.

 

I'm working with graphic heavy programs like 3D modeling, editing and games.
Details are pretty important for me, but it's not so much that I need to have 2 programs run side by side.

 

The 1080p screen is a 95% gamut RGB-LED screen. In other words much better colors and probably much better brightness

You should get it, if you can afford it

 

If it's graphics heavy work make sure the rest of the computer can handle it at a higher resolution because higher res = more work for the computer graphics wise.

Otherwise as people have said, it depends on you. The screen IS a better quality one but will you notice/care? Same with resolution: is it important to you? 150$ IMO isn't that steep an upgrade for a screen (considering Dreamcolor screens on HP are over 500$ the upgrade but that's a far better screen too )

 

Yes, the normal screen is crap.

The biggest reason for buying that laptop is for the screen and audio quality.

 

Alright, thanks! But how do I go about telling Dell this?

 

Appropriate screen name.

 

Just as I almost made up my mind the xps 17 appeared.
Almost the same, but with 3 gb graphics card instead of 2, 9 cel battery AND full 1080p screen for 850 bucks, while my xps 15 with 2gb graphics card, 6 cel battery and if I update the screen, my cps will cost me 900.

What to do?
Return for the xps 17? Stick with the xps 15?

 

1080p is so much better than 720p. 900p is alright, but 1080p is really the sweetspot.

 

1. The XPS 17's 1080p is very nice, but the XPS 15's is "very nicer".
2. The XPS 17's GPU options are better than the XPS 15's, but it has nothing to do with the vram. You'll never use 2 or 3 GB on these laptops.

 

It depends on your eyes. If you have good eyes, get the 1080p. If you don't get the 900p or even 720p. Maybe check out how it looks to you from a local computer store with similarly sized screen and resolutions. For me, 900p is ideal for a 15" screen but for you it might be different.

 

Alright, I'll stick with the xps 15.
Besides, the xps 17 is a behemoth, its 17.7 inch.

Alright, I'm convinced, I'll get the 1080p screen!
Is upgrading my 4gbram also a good idea?

 

4GB of RAM should be enough.

 

4gb ram should be fine. If you really want to upgrade it, it's cheaper to do it yourself. (And very easy)

 

4GB is enough unless your big on creating movies and music or running a virtual machine.

However, 1080p is always worth it as it is extremely crisp and truly a pleasure to gallantly stare at.

 

After using a laptop with a 1080p, i can't imagine using one with 720p or lower. It is worth it, a 1080p screen i mean. But like someone said, your eyesight should be good cuz text size is really small on a 1080p screen.

 

Damn, you guys are a helpful bunch!
I'll stick with the 4GB then, and order a xps 15 1080p one.

And what are your opinions about backlit keyboards?

 

Essential if you type in the dark and looks really cool too. Would not buy a laptop without anymore.

 

Think about it like this, getting that 1080p screen on your laptop isn't something you're going to be able to do down the line, if you stick with a 720p one now, you can't upgrade it. I normally go for the highest end screen, since it's not easily changeable later on.

 

I really really like the 1920x1080 res on my m17x R3. The 17.3" is nice as well. And yes you can probably get the screen (if not now at some pont in time) off ebay and upgrade yourself. Its not all that hard to change out a screen.

 

It would most likely void his warranty if it's still valid if he were to do that however.

 

whats a warranty? You can always put it back... unless you sell it.

 

Typically the stickers are made in such a way that when you peel them off you see a VOID pattern on the backside, so placing it back won't do you much good.

 

Haven't checked the screen but CPU and graphics on mine are completly free of said tamper protection. Its actually in a position where its easy to change out as well.

 

The OP has a different laptop than you, however, so he may have some tamper protection.

 

I was planning on sending my xps back to Dell and ordering a new one with the 1080p screen, is that possible?

 

You have 14 days time after you bought a device in Europe on the internet to send it back.

 

Could be worth the money. I'm somewhat disgusted that "standard" laptop screens have no more vertical resolution today (768 lines) than they did when I bought my first laptop 10 years ago, a Compaq Presario 710 with a lousy 1024x768 LCD.

Definitely worth the $ (or € as applicable) for a 1080 screen if you want to watch full HD content. Or edit documents, or program, or any other thing that would benefit from extra vertical resolution.

720 vs. 1080 isn't as important on a TV, where you're sitting 10 feet away. But on a screen likely to be only 2 feet from your face, I think I'd notice the difference.

I have noticed a lot of "Blu-ray" laptops on the market with only lousy 1366x768 screens. Seems pointless. True, not all HD content is full HD, but you can hardly call a computer a "Blu-ray" machine if it can't even display full-resolution Blu-ray content. Sticking a Blu-ray reader in it doesn't make it an "HD" machine.

 

I'm going to concur about the 1080p screen. It really is the sweet spot as you're capable of displaying true HD from things like blu-ray media, but it also makes it a lot easier to multitask with several different documents open.

When I had a configuration issue with a Dell I had ordered, I called and spoke to a rep and they were very amenable to me sending it back to receive a different machine...as long as you're giving them additional money for an upgrade and you're within your return window, you should be fine.

 

Watching HD content was meant for screens larger than 15". I have a 13.1" 1920x1080 display on my laptop with a really good screen but I can't do any graphic work on it until I connect it to an external display that's at least 32", well I'm using a 47" external 1080 TV.

I have an external 19" Sony 1280x1024 monitor (4x3) which is like the best for 3d modeling. I can't use anything that has a 16x10 or 16x9 aspect ratio. 4x3 aspect ratio is your desired aspect for 3D modeling.

 

The quality difference between HD and SD images/videos on my 15" is VERY noticeable. The difference between 720p and 1080p images/videos not so much, but still noticeable.

 

Thanks for the advice everyone! I found a way to replace my screen (probably let a technician do it) and I'm going to buy a screen for 110$ plus 40$(!) shipping cost. That saves me (in euros) 80 euro! Thanks again!

 

It will if the work becomes fine. Which is important for photo or video. Other than that, it's less of a necessity.