The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Processor-Resolution dilemma

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by empires.varun, Oct 10, 2011.

  1. empires.varun

    empires.varun Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hello All,

    I am planning to purchase Dell XPS 15 laptop. I have decided upon the most of the configuration except on processor-resolution combination.
    I would be very thankful if you can provide your opinion/views/sugesstions on processor-resolution combination based on following two configurations considering I won't play very graphics extensive games and watch HD movies..

    Config#1

    2nd generation Intel® Core™ i5-2520M processor 2.50 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 3.20 GHz
    15.6 in HD WLED TL (1366x768) with Skype-Certified 2.0MP HD Webcam

    Config#2

    2nd generation Intel® Core™ i5-2410M processor 2.30 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 2.90 GHz
    15.6 FHD B+RGLED TL (1920x1080) and Skype-Certified 2.0MP HD Webcam

    Thanks in advance for your help.
     
    empires.varun, Oct 10, 2011
    #1
  2. namaiki

    namaiki "basically rocks" Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    3,905
    Messages:
    6,116
    Likes Received:
    89
    Trophy Points:
    216
    People generally strongly recommend the 15.6 FHD B+RGLED TL (1920x1080) screen in the XPS15 as make or break.

    What general activities are you going to be doing with the laptop?
     
    namaiki, Oct 10, 2011
    #2
  3. empires.varun

    empires.varun Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I would do software development stuff (which won't require huge processing power) , play some games(not high-end ones) and watch occasionally HD movies..
    I don't foresee any more types of usages. :)
     
    empires.varun, Oct 10, 2011
    #3
  4. namaiki

    namaiki "basically rocks" Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    3,905
    Messages:
    6,116
    Likes Received:
    89
    Trophy Points:
    216
    There's practically no difference between the CPUs, so I would definitely recommend the screen upgrade.
     
    namaiki, Oct 10, 2011
    #4
  5. gpig

    gpig Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    82
    Messages:
    885
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Definitely go with config #2. The screen upgrade is (in most cases) the most important upgrade of all. I'd go as far as to say that Dell includes the 1366x768 just so they can say "Buy the XPS 15, starting at a lower amount of $."
     
    gpig, Oct 10, 2011
    #5
  6. edit1754

    edit1754 Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    1,475
    Messages:
    5,145
    Likes Received:
    71
    Trophy Points:
    216
    Never buy the XPS 15 with 1366x768. Screen takes priority over everything because it makes more of a difference than anything else.

    If you buy an XPS 15 with an i5-2410M, you won't notice any disadvantages versus the i5-2520M. However, if you buy an XPS 15 with 1366x768 rather than 1920x1080, you're severely limiting the usability of your laptop (you can't fit much onscreen) and you're making it an eyesore to use (image quality on the 1366x768 display is awful). If you buy an XPS 15 with 1366x768, you're wasting your money on the laptop.
     
    edit1754, Oct 10, 2011
    #6
  7. funky monk

    funky monk Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    233
    Messages:
    1,485
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    55
    #2 /10char
     
    funky monk, Oct 10, 2011
    #7
  8. coolferry

    coolferry Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    57
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    1080p would be better..
     
    coolferry, Oct 10, 2011
    #8
  9. DakkonA

    DakkonA Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    30
    Messages:
    448
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Also: You can always drop in a more powerful CPU down the road if you want to. Can't (as easily) do the same with the screen.
     
    DakkonA, Oct 11, 2011
    #9