Help me choose parts for Dell XPS 15?

Hello, laptop experts.
I am planning to buy new Dell XPS 15 (in Singapore online, so limited stuff), but I dont know which parts are right for me. Budget is not a problem.

Requirements:

• Major activities: School work, Gaming (games like Crysis 2) and Video editing/ photo
• Will be bringing it to school everyday, so should be decently heavy
• need REALLY good BATTERY LIFE (5-6 hours)

Thank you.

Processor

1. 2nd generation Intel® Core™ i5-2410M processor 2.30 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 2.90 GHz
2. 2nd generation Intel® Core™ i7-2630QM processor 2.00 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 2.90 GHz
3. Power your most intense games and programs at blistering speeds.
4. 2nd generation Intel® Core™ i7-2720QM processor 2.20 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 3.30 GHz

RAM

1. 4GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM (1 x 4GB)
2. 6GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM (1 x 2GB + 1 x 4GB)
3. 8GB Dual-channel 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM (2 x 4G)

Wireless Network Cards

1. Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 1030 with Bluetooth v3.0+HS
2. Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6230 with Bluetooth v3.0+HS

Battery

1. 5.96lbs (2.70kg)* with 6-cell battery
2. 6.33lbs (2.87kg)* with 9-cell battery

Please answer (for example):
Processor: 3
Ram: 2
Wireless: 1
Battery: 1

 

Your requirements will not be met with any single currently available notebook.

For long battery life - look for an i3 based machine.

For video editing - look for an i7 2720 (and above) based system.

For gaming - look for discrete gpu with minimum of a 460M inside.


I recommend at least 8GB RAM for your requirements and possibly two or three additional batteries. 16GB RAM would not be out of line if your video editing software can use it and you get at least the i7 or above I mention here.

Good luck.

 

With Optimus with the SB i5 you should be able to squeeze 4-5 hours doing light work with the 9 cell but no way you would get that without an AC adapter doing PS or rendering.

 

Easy parts first - buy as much RAM as you can afford (8GB); also get a 7200RPM hard drive or SSD. The higher-end Intel wireless card is worth it as it has more antennas and better range/signal strength.

The processor - you will have to make a compromise. I suggest getting the Core i7 quad-core and taking a hit on the battery life, it really will be that much faster for rendering. Photoshop is a CPU monster. I have a dual-core Core i5 CPU in my laptop and it gets maxed out easily when applying filters and especially video editing.