Dell Considering a FHD XPS 17 w/o 3D! Let your voices be heard!

I just spoke with a dell rep. While I am one of the more critical about the knowledge dells reps have, this info seemed hard to make up.

As we all know by now, dell has really mucked up the release of the xps 17 forcing customers into 3D w/o optimus and WiDi if you want a 1080p screen.

Well according to the dell rep I spoke to, they are seeing an unusual amount of requests for an optimus enabled, non 3D, XPS 17 w/ 1080p to be added and they will consider it if the demand is there.

So this thread is both for discussion of an XPS 17 FHD WITH optimus and WiDi and for petitioning the troops to pepper dell's reps and boards with requests for this option.

Hopefully this will expedite the process significantly.





a link to chat with dell about the xps:

http://chat6.us.dell.com/netagent/c...0&portid=8B32F49D-3419-4088-A986-82AC8A7788A1



general contact link:

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/contact_us_tb?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs



dell laptop forums:

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/default.aspx

 

oh and if you do use chat, copy and paste their responses here

 

you could always start an idea on DellIdeas and if ideas get tons of support and disscussion they just might be implemented.
there's a link to another idea in my sig (spoiler part).
Best of Luck

 

SO just chatted with a sales rep...
He thought the XPS17 3D worked with Optimus and WiDi.
I pointed out that this was contrary to what I have read... he then referred me to speak with technical support. Partial transcript below:

Me: I have been reading on a forum at notebookreview.com, many people complaining that 1080p is only available with the 3D enabled, which prevents Optimus and WiDi from being used. Many people saying they would get the XPS 17, but only if Dell offered it with a 1080p screen with NO 3D, Optimus and WiDi enabled.

Me: the marketing on the dell XPS website is misleading with regards to 3D and Optimus: XPS 17 Laptop Details | Dell Canada

Me: quoted from the webpage above...
"Smart Power Management

Long media marathons are no problem with smart power management that helps extend battery life when you need it. NVIDIA Optimus™ technology automatically optimizes your battery life while maintaining the graphics performance you expect — completely, seamlessly and transparently — whether you’re watching an HD movie, surfing the web, or playing a 3D game."

Agent: Thank you for your concern, we shall surely get this to the notice of the concerned department and rectify the same ASAP.

Me: This to me sounds like Optimus works all the time, even in 3D - if this were the case then I would likely buy it with 3D.

Agent: Yes it would work

Me: So you are saying that Optimus works all the time on the 3D enabled version of the XPS17?

Agent: Yes Kyle its confirmed that optimus do work

Me: what about WiDi, does WiDi work on the 3D XPS 17?

Agent: the technology works, the TV should also have the 3D. WiDi is to hook the TV to laptop wirelessly

Me: I understand what WiDi does.

Me: What you are indicating is contradictory to what I have read about the XPS17 3D.

Me: read the first few entries on this page:
Re: Does the XPS 17 3D support Nvidia Optimus or not? - Laptop General Hardware Forum - Laptop - Dell Community

Agent: for more clarity, you can contact tech support at 1-866-398-8977. Thank you for the info.

Me: Will Dell offer another version of the XPS17, 1080p, no 3D but with Optimus and WiDi enabled?

Agent: Yes is the option with out 3 D

Me: The option without 3D is only 900p, not 1080p

Agent: i request you to kindly contact tech support

 

gees, thanks for the effort and i must say, with dell reps its really hit or miss. in this case, a huge miss and i prob would eitehr just leave him or request a manager. i'd say about 50% of the people i have talked to understand the issue right off the bat, and only about 75% are capable of understanding the issue even when presented with the info that explains why they are wrong. but i think all mentions help. i'd be interested to hear what tech support says but i dont really get how they can be the appropriate people to call.

 

This agent tried to convince to get the 900P model w/o 3D. He didn't seem particularly knowledgable about optimus (not that I am either, but I'm not selling Dells):

Funny part at the end where he types something in the wrong window:
----------

Time Details
10:45:17 System: "Thanks for choosing Chat to assist you in making your purchase on Dell.com. A Dell.com Chat Expert will be with you shortly."
10:45:24 Session Started with Agent (Bryan J)
10:45:30 Agent (Bryan J): "Welcome to Dell US Chat! My ne is Bryan and I pleased to be Dell.com Sales Chat expert! How can I help you today?"
10:45:34 Agent (Bryan J): "Hello K2007!"
10:46:09 K2007: "Hello, can you tell me if there will be an XPS 17, 1080P without the 3D, with optimus and WIDI enabled ?"
10:46:18 K2007: "(with sandy bridge)"
10:47:30 Agent (Bryan J): "I would be happy to help you out with that! I also want to make sure you have my contact info in case you need anything in the future. Feel free to use me as your primary contact at Dell by e-mailing me at [email protected]"
10:48:12 Agent (Bryan J): "at this time it is not offered, unfortunately I don't know if they have plans to launch one with those specs later on or when"
10:49:31 K2007: "Thanks for checking. I'm really interested in buying that configuration. Can you somehow pass that along - because I'm sure I'm not the only one expressing that interest."
10:51:17 Agent (Bryan J): "I have had a few customers ask about it, is there a reason you don't want the one available now? You don't have to do the 3D"
10:51:42 K2007: "I need the 1080P resolution"
10:52:05 K2007: "Also, does the model w/o 3D have sandy bridge ?"
10:53:11 Agent (Bryan J): "it does, but you can get the one with the 1080p display and just turn the 3D off"
10:53:13 K2007: "I would want the benefit of less power drain, especially with the heat issues of the past model"
10:54:53 K2007: "You're correct about turning it off however - what would be the use of still using a dedicated video card that drains more power when the new sandy bridge chipset has integrated GPU (w/ WIDI), etc... ?"
10:55:49 K2007: "I'd feel like I've wasted money on something I would never use"
10:56:31 Agent (Bryan J): "some good points..."
10:56:52 Agent (Bryan J): "I can pass along to our marketing te what you are looking for"
10:57:14 K2007: "If there were a model that I could disable the 3D and then not use the nvidia card, but instead use the optimus and WIDI w/ integrated GPU (the way it was designed), I'd be happy."
10:57:15 K2007: "Thanks"
10:57:53 K2007: "I will be checking back. Have a good day."
10:58:18 Agent (Bryan J): "which m15x package are we looking at?"
10:58:48 K2007: "?"
10:59:41 Agent (Bryan J): "what is the starting price or savings on the package you put together?"
10:59:58 Agent (Bryan J): "sorry, K2007 window"
11:00:02 Agent (Bryan J): ": )"
11:00:20 Agent (Bryan J): "wrong window"
11:00:44 K2007: "Indeed. Ok, have a good day."

 

not a very exciting result, but at least he said he was going to have his boss send the request to the marketing department. i do think this has the potential to affect change faster so please contact dell as well! i also think some reps have more info/knowledge than others.


Welcome to Dell.com Live Chat! I hope you are doing well and thank you for waiting.
My name is Revy R and I’m your online Dell.com Chat Expert. I can be reached at [email protected] or via voicemail at 1-800-379-3355 Ext-2160085. How can I help you today?
15:24:14 Nick D
hello. i would like a dell XPS 17 laptop WITH 1080p screen but that supports WiDi and Optimus rather than 3D. i do not care about 3D either way, but I want a computer that supports optimus and WiDi with 1080p. i have read that currently the dell 3D 17 xps does not support optimus. When can I get an XPS with what I am looking for?
15:25:02 REVY R
Hi Nick! Glad you chatted in today. I'd be happy to assist you.
15:25:12 REVY R
Let me check. Hold on please
15:26:21 Nick D
ok. if you are unaware of the issue with the 3D laptop and optimus/widi, it is described here:
15:26:22 Nick D
http://forum.notebookreview.com/del...ndy-bridge-has-arrived-recommended-specs.html
15:26:53 REVY R
Thanks. Still checking...
15:27:06 Nick D
no problem
15:30:23 REVY R
Sorry for the wait. I'm looking at all the configurations we offer for XPS 17
15:32:29 Nick D
ok, as i understand from the link i sent, you do NOT offer the configuration i need. so what i want to know is WHEN it will be offered?
15:33:46 Nick D
1080p WITHOUT 3D
15:35:13 REVY R
Thanks for patiently waiting. We don't have any updates yet when will that be available as this the XPS 17 with the sandy Bridge was launched just two weeks ago. Hopefully soon. The configuration that doesn't have 3D option has an option for NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M 3GB graphics with Optimus and TV Tuner [Add $50.00 or $2.00/month] but only has 900p display.
15:35:58 REVY R
Please try to check our website from time to time for updates on the specs for the XPS 17
15:36:38 Nick D
ok, so as of now there are no plans or requests to add 1080p option without 3D?
15:36:48 Nick D
can you send on my request somehow?
15:37:03 Nick D
it seems there is a lot of demand for it in that forum i sent you
15:37:39 REVY R
At this time, no. But I will mention this to my supervisor so he can forward it to the marketing dept.

 

14:10:25 Karin N
We have been receiving many requests for this feature. I have forwarded yours to the appropriate department and they are looking into the demand for this.

 

In my case I want the lower resolution screen WITHOUT Optimus and WITHOUT 3D.

I do not want the added complexity Optimus brings. I do not want my GPU to have to cower behind Intel's video which is actually the real GPU in the system. For me anything with Optimus is a real strike against the system.

Too bad as otherwise I prefer Nvidia's drivers to AMDs'.

 

hmm i am exactly the opposite, i don't want a laptop that doesn't have it.
I can't buy a high end 17" machine without a dedicated GPU anyway, so i do want to be able to shut it down, I don't need the power draining dedicated gpu for 99% of my time that i am behind my laptop..

 

For me it's simple. I have one and a half thousand euro's sitting waiting to be spent on a 17" full HD Sandy Bridge laptop that doesn't waste its graphics potential on some 3D like gimmic. I started watching the XPS threads in October and I'm still waiting. I'm even willing to opt for touchscreen if there is no other choice. I'm not expecting the screen to be top quality, but I won't compromise on the other requirements.

The longer I wait, the more I see other possible alternatives. Only the possible promise of this happening with Dell, at what seem to be market leading prices, keeps me hanging on. But I will not spend my money on anything less.

 

exactly.....tell the tell chat people (links in OP) what you have to say and post it here!

 

Could someone please tell me :
Will a regular non-3D BluRay 1080 movie play on a non-3D display , noticeably better than on a 3D one , assuming they are both 1920 X 1080 ?

 

I wanted a L702x with FHD without 3D - the sales guy on the phone went away for 2 mins after I said that i'd only buy it '...without the 3D Gimmicks rubbish your forcing me to pay for, that i'll never use...' ie non 3D GPU and non 3D screen. Computer said 'No'.

So I bought the L502x instead.

 

Assuming the quality of the screen is the same, they should look the same.