XPS 15 or DV6T

My use case: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver and some Premiere almost always open with multiple files. I barely game and when I do, it's on my 360.

My budget: I was gong to get a 17" Macbook so obviously I have the money to spend. I'm half expecting Apple to do a complete refresh on their design within a year so I didn't want to feel like a fool getting the build right before that. So spending around half for a great PC is cool with me.

Options: XPS 15 ($1300) or DV6T ($1000).

XPS Pros: better quality display (++), backlit keyboard for when I'm coding (+), better speakers (eh), somewhat better details in designs (eh).

DV6T Pros: Cheaper by about $300 (++), matte display (+), thinner (eh), better GPU (eh, since I don't game), a little thinner and minimalistic in steel gray (eh).

Only thing I'd add is that the DV6T's superior GPU wont even be used in CS5.5 because of the obvious switching problem.

That said both systems are 8GB, 1080P, good enough discrete GPU, and i7 quad cores. Want to hear a vote between these two since I'm having a hard time choosing and want to order tonite.

 

I think you've pretty much covered it. I think the XPS build quality is a bit better, but doesn't the HP have a numberpad? That might be something to consider.

 

hmmm! thanks for pointing that out, I didn't even check that (will now). Would be kind of relevant since I code and ssh a lot.

 

current generation of xps laptops are butt ugly imo

 

The glowing white HP symbol on the lid of my DV7T makes me cringe everytime I see it...lol

 

I could do without it too.. I almost always turn off the trackpad light too. I wonder if there is a way to turn off that light too

 

I was about to click buy on the HP dv6t but the build date is the 29th. No way jose.

So I ended up buying an XPS 17.

 

there's a completely decked out quickship model of the dv6 for about 1100$ with 2 day shipping, what did u pay?

 

Why not just wait, especially if you're gaming? the 6770 stomps on the 555m, and the price is great. 2 weeks of extra waiting vs a happier 3-4 years seems like an easy decision...

 

Oh yeah. Only thing it lacks is 7200rpm drive. Wish coupon codes worked on the quick ship models...

 

3DMark06

555M 10,590
6770M 10,409

....and you can OC the 555M, you can't with the 6770M in the 61XX series. My friend's XPS 17 w/555M hit 14,900 in 3DMark06...as good as a GTX460M. The 6770M is still a great card and it would be even better if they fix the switching issue and let you OC it. Both companies have good coupons but I ended up with $520 off my XPS.

 

You don't say? I recall looking up benchmarks before and it didn't come close. I'll try and find it again.

EDIT: I looked at SC2 benchmarks. Apparently the 6770m only beats the 555m in sc2, but beats it by small/medium margins on higher settings in everything else. I take back what I said.

 

3dmark06 isn't relevant anymore

not that it matters, the 6770m and 555m are around the same level, one runs one game better, the other runs another game better. starcraft 2 for example runs better on the 6770m xD

 

What's everyone's opinion on the XPS 15z? I can get the high end for around $1300, I could then invest another $250 on a 120GB SSD. $1500 but I would get the much better build and design. The burning question for me is if the quad core i7 is significantly faster (photoshop, etc) to the point where the build is not worth it?

I was dead set on the DV6T but the 30 day wait is killer and the quick ship is only $100 less than the 15z I just peeped.

 

Anyone know if the 555m can hit ultra in SC2? (720p/1080p)

 

It's just unfortunate AMD/HP cut the legs out from under the 6770M. It has a lot of room to breathe. Hopefully when they fix the switching issue it will let the 6770M be OC'd too.

 

This shouldn't even be a question, the dv6t is miles ahead of the 15z, the 6770M in the dv6t is ridiculously better than the 15z's 525M and the 15z only packs a dual core. Also, the portability of 15z isn't anything to rave about, it's only .24 pounds lighter than the dv6t, 5.54 lbs vs 5.78 lbs. Considering the 15z's minuscule increase in portability, I'd go with the dv6t which is cheaper and has much better hardware inside.

 

From what I've read, the build quality on the 15z is... less than desirable anyway.

 

I ended up not buying it contrary to what I said. it's hard to click submit button lol

I just don't want to wait till August 1st to get the laptop

I wish there was a good deal on the XPS 15 like the dv6t and xps 17 because I just dont want a 17"

 

I actually am in the same boat, i cant decide between the 2. The only thing that the xps 15 has that the dv6tqe doesnt is the backlit keyboard. This is the one thing that is keeping me from getting the dv6tqe. I am hoping they add that as an option soon. Do you guys think that the backlit is that big a deal. I really dont think it is worth paying the extra $300 for the xps15 when i can get a much better performing laptop in the dv6tqe. What are you all's opinions?

Also, can i still get the free xbox with the dv6tqe if i use the 30% coupon?

 

It's not really a big deal. And if you don't want to get the xps 17, you will settle for medicore gpu's on the xps 15. (highest it goes is 540 I believe)

 

I need mine for college so the 17 really isnt an option. I think im just going to go with the dv6tqe...

 

It's much cheaper to by the 17" XPS than 15" right now with coupons...weird I know. HP is running good coupons on both sizes I think.

 

The backlit keyboard isn't worth $300. It's a great feature and all, and it does help with usability if you type in the dark a lot (typical for all you students), but we as a society has used non-illuminated keyboards for I dunno... How long have we had typewriters?

You can always get a cheap LED USB light and it should be much of a bother to people in your class if you aim it well.

 

After a lot of thought I'm going with either the XPS 15 or 15z. I'm going to be on CS5.5 pretty much 99% of the time on this machine and the OpenGL issues is a huge deal breaker.

The 15 is a brick but has the superior specs. The 15z is elegant and weaker but I could get the top end model this week for nearly $150 cheaper. Considering that I don't game, I might just get the 15z.

 

15z is expensive

Like pretty much everyone I'm deciding between the XPS and HP...I've considered ASUS but found them to be unreliable and too big for my liking...

Basically the unique features of the XPS is a RGB screen, a working Optimus feature, and a backlit keyboard.

The advantage of the dv6 is a much better graphics card, an anti-glare screen, a lower price, and a fingerprint reader.

I'm going to buy today no matter what...leaning towards the dv6 atm

 

I'd buy the dv6t quad fully packed if I were you.

 

It all depends on your needs. No idea why Dell hampers the XPS 15 with the 540. Although you can easily OC it for much better performance unlike the 6770M in the 61XX series. At least until they get the switching fixed. If you use Adobe products, or a lot of OpenGL programs, all the time I would get the XPS. If not probably get the dv6t. I thought I would like the fingerprint reader on my DC7T but I have large fingers and it doesn't read them well at all. Ending up disabling it. The ironic thing is you can get a fully loaded XPS17 for around $1100. HP has got some ridiculously long ship dates right now..I was shocked. My friend told me his configured DV7T had a ship date of August 1st. As i said...all in what you need.

In my own experiences I've found ASUS to make some of the best laptops in the business. They are heavy but they are built like tanks.

 

Dell probably hampers the XPS 15 to push its customers to buy alienware...

 

Ok I beat the system.

Configured my custom dv6tqe with a 30% coupon and it was gonna ship on August 1st. I was like no way, son. 1065 or something with tax.

So I decided to get a quickship model dv6190-us for 1149. But turns out my corporate perks account gets me 100 more off, 1049. After tax its 1120 or so.

So I payed around 60 bucks more and I got bluetooth, 150 gb more hard drive, 2 GB video memory, and the only thing on this list that matters, quick ship 5-7 days.

thats how you beat the system 8)

 

what is the big deal about opengl? Do you think it will get opengl support ever?

 

For most users, the OpenGL issue isn't a big deal. I think it will be fixed if we put enough pressure on HP

 

If you plan on using OpenGL programs, most notably the Adobe Creative Suite, the GPU wont kick in. For some, like me, it's an absolute deal breaker.

 

The actual difference it makes has been completely overblown on this forum.

 

The thing is that some of us don't game at all, in that case, the DV6T feels like it doesn't come with a discrete card at all. Kind of bummed me out.

 

if you don't game nor run 3d opengl applications then you're blowing money on a discrete card. a discrete card will barely make your computer run faster if that was what you were thinking.

people think "graphics card !1!1!1 OMG" but don't realize that integrated HD 3000 is like 10x better than previous gen integrated and is almost as good as a low-end discrete card.

 

Another thing, not sure if it's been mentioned yet:

XPS 15 can get dual-band Intel 6230 wireless.
HP is stuck with single-band Intel 1000 wireless because of locked BIOS.

Hopefully this changes soon.

 

Don't remind me...

 

The 6230 and the 1030 also include bluetooth 3.0 as well.

 

wait, HP's Bluetooth isn't 3.0?

 

It is, but as a separate chip.

 

hey neo, your hp pavillion spec is the same as mine. what is the build date on yours?

 

July 29

10char

 

getting so anxious for my return to ship >.<

 

Well I use Adobe After Effects and Premiere (+Photoshop).

 

Then the current OpenGL issue does impact you. I can understand needing to do the switch if your regular use includes the above. Why wait for something that might never come to fix the problem?

XPS 15 with the B+RG LED screen should be pretty slick, save for the lower gaming performance (which might not even matter to you).