XPS 15 or 17 ?

This is killing me -- I can only have one or the other. After extensive reading here, I think it comes to this:

XPS 15 Pros
○ Stupendous FHD display

XPS 15 Cons
○ FHD display makes text size small
○ Difficult to access disc drive and memory

XPS 17 Pros
○ Two hard drive bays
○ Slightly faster Nvidia graphics? (555M vs 540M)

XPS 17 Cons
○ Large and heavy
○ Some people don't like the non-3d FHD display
○ 3D version has no Optimus

Have I missed any important issues?

Posts below contain some good info, so I have slightly edited the above. I'll also note that some would consider the lack of Optimus on the 3d XPS17 to be a good thing. One other consideration is that the 15 and non-3d 17 both have two RAM slots, while the 3d variant of the 17 has 4.

 

I think so...You haven't told us what you are primarily going to use if for.

If it is going to be primarily parked on your desk, you should go for the 17"

I'm not aware of the speakers on the 15 but I think the 17's are quite good. Gave my daughter the set of Bose I had because the 17's are "good enough."

Not familiar enough with the 15, but very happy with the 17.

 

Probably can't go wrong either way. I'm very happy with my XPS 15, but the wife is also very happy with her XPS 17. Not much help I know, but as stated it all depends on what you want it for.

 

The XPS 15 screen is the main reason I went with it. As far as the 17 not having optimus, I see that as a bonus, there's still a few intermittent issues with optimus not switching to the better graphics card. Besides my laptop is plugged in 98% of the time, this is why I went with the 6 cell this time the 9 cell has a uncomfortable hump resting on your legs.

 

I had the XPS 17 1080p non-3d and HATED the screen and size of it!!! I wasn't really thinking when I ordered my laptop, but I mainly needed it for my photography work, thinking I was looking for a desktop replacement. I realized after playing around w/ it that I actually wanted something I could take with me and work on pictures on the go, so the XPS 15 1080p would be better for me.

It all really depends on what you want your laptop for

 

I went with the 17 because of the screen, graphics, jbl speakers and mainly because I picked it up when it was on sale a few days ago. I haven't got it yet, but I have yet to read anything here that has made me think twice about my decision. The 15 is also very nice, but I opted for the full keyboard and the 555M primarily.

I am coming from a nearly 10 pound Gateway FX so I am used to the weight. But if I remember right, the 17 is only 6 and a half pounds which I think will be very nice compared to what I've used for over 3 years.

Both are very nice though, best of luck with your decision!

 

Same speakers in the 15.

 

Almost. According to Dell, the 15 has a 20 watt speaker system and the 17 has a 22 watt system.

 

Thanks for all the good inputs.

I didn't get into usage because I wanted to separate out my needs from the technical facts that distinguish these two machines (or perhaps three, since the 3d XPS 17 differs substantially from the non-3d version).

My real problem is that I get into 75/25, or maybe 95/5 issues. That is, 75% of the time I use my laptop at a table or desk, where the 17 would excel, but 25% of the time, I use it in my lap or even in a car (with my wife driving!), where the 15 would be better.

I also really like the possibility of having 1.5 TB always there on the 17, but external drives would give the 15 all the capacity one could ever need.

I expect that 95% of the time, I'll be using the more power-efficient Intel graphics, but that other 5% is probably the reason I'm not buying a $500 laptop! So, I think I really want the Optimus technology and hope it will work better as the drivers improve.

This is a tough decision!

 

At least it's a GOOD tough decision, though.

 

I feel your pain.

For me it's the monitor. I know I'd really like the 15's 1080p monitor but would also like the additional real estate afforded by the 17's 1080p monitor.

The reports of 'graininess' on the non-3D 17's matte monitor worries me because I'd be spending most my time looking at screens with white backgrounds (text editors, etc.) and hardly ever watching movies or playing games.

What to do what to do!

 

1080p is 1080p, so you don't get more real estate with the larger screen. What you do get is larger text and icons at slightly lower pixels per inch. Of course with older eyes, the bigger screen is a plus.

Mike

 

Mike,

I do have older eyes but they're pretty good. If I got the XPS 17 1080p I'd scale the fonts etc. smaller (perhaps comparible to the XPS 15's?). I'm worried about how the matte XPS 17 would look for programs with predominately white background - I'm worried about the 'graininess' I've seen mentioned.

 

Hmm, my advice, get the 900p 17 and upgrade your screen to a glossy 1080p screen yourself, it would be about 100 cheaper from dell and 150-175 for the new screen that you want.

If you are hung up on the fact that the 15 is a B+RGLED and the 17 is not, read this forum, its not much difference and this thread is VERY eye opening.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/dell-xps-studio-xps/527557-what-b-rg-led.html LOL, Post #22 explains it best, along with a few others they are all saying basically B+RG LED = WLED

 

By far, the main factor to choose XPS 15 is the B+RGLED screen. To have the portability of carrying a notebook with such a professional screen is of utmost privilege. The fact that Dell didn't attempt to convince their vendor to make one for the XPS 17 is probably a tragic business decision.

 

Since I started the thread, I'll now add that I ordered an XPS-15 from the Outlet this morning. I decided that it fit my needs slightly better than the -17. Thank you all for the advice and comments.

 

What specs were you able to get. The Outlet has had some VERY good deals the last couple of days.

Enjoy.

 

Maybe these comparison shots can help you decide which one to get...

 

Wow great photo comparisons thanks! Even though the photos will never reveal the true degree of the superiority of the B+RGLED as in person, it is pretty apparent that colors are more vibrant and brightness levels seems more evenly distributed. Furthermore, the contrast seems much better on the B+RGLED because the whites and blacks are more accurate.

 

Nice beertha. I don't own either screen nor do I plan to anytime soon (no money) but from my iPhone the 17 inch looks clearer, maybe cause of the size but the 17 inch looks bluish and the 15 looks pinkish. I'm sure someone will say it's cause of poor calibration though.

 

wow thanks for the pictures, I can imagine how nice the screen is in person!

 

I need 5 ***quality*** posts to be able to use a "cool" signature.

Grimreeper asked, so I'll reply:

I ordered an XPS-L502X, FHD, i7-2820, 540/2G 8/750G, Blu-ray, 9 cell, Win7Pro, Backlit, OS DVD for $1389 plus tax, free ground shipping. As of yesterday, you could not order a new one with the 750G drive, so I couldn't directly compare, but the closest I could get was $1865 "new".

I still have two previous Dell refurbs and both have been great, so I'm hoping this was a good choice. I would not have paid the premium for the 2820, but with the Outlet store, you go for the "best fit".

Thanks for reposting the screen compares here. The rip on the 17 AG display is the "grainyness", not so much the colors. Still the 15 inch does look truer to me on my desktop Samsung 226BW. It does seem fairly futile to compare photos of displays on a display that is less than perfect, though, doesn't it?

 

Regarding your last sentence, I agree that objectively it is hard to discern the quality of a screen viewed on a less than perfect screen by itself. However, one could discern the relative qualities of both screens no matter what kind of screen you were using to view the two photos. And in this case, the B+RGLED is clearly much superior in all aspects such as color accuracy, saturation, sharpness, and contrast.

 

Clearly................. this is your opinion and people (including myself) disagree with you.

 

Not surprised. If I made the mistake of getting the XPS 17, I'd want to justify my purchase and will deny all the tests and anecdotal evidence that the XPS 15's B+RGLED screen is superior to the disappointing screen of the XPS 17. Sorry to break it to you but you are the only one who disagrees with me.

 

Beertha, can you please tell me if those laptops are set to 100% or 125% scaling?

 

You are so full of crap.

I'm not denying anything because I purchased a XPS17. You are the one denying all the posts here of people who are sending their 15's back because of the consistent problems they are running into with them. Heck I have even read here somewhere someone was NOT impressed with the FHD screen and was sending it back just because of it.

If you are happy with your screen then I'm happy for you, but stop jumping down everyone's throat because they disagree with the XPS 15 for what ever reason.

Personally, here's my reasons why I would NEVER buy a XPS 15.

1. Touchpad problems
2. Video card not as nice
3. Screen Size
4. One HDD
5. Only a 1030 wireless card
6. Pretty much the same price as a 17
7. No creative labs option
8. You own one........... just kidding

Other reasons why other people (not me) wouldn't buy a 15.

Anyone, feel free to add to the list

1. NO 3D option
2. Only two DIMM slots
3. Permanent Optimus disabled (some people like it)


I can upgrade my screen easily to your so called dream screen if I wanted to but you can't upgrade your size or video card no matter how hard you try. Have fun with your 15 while I easily remove one of my two hard drives and put in a glorious centuries ahead SSD I just purchased yesterday by only removing the one screw off the back cover to access THEM while you have to go through the hassle of removing the palm rest cover to access IT.

 

You seem to have a bizarre fixation on people who chose a different system from the one you chose. There's got to be a deep psychological reason for it. Perhaps looking for approval? You actually regret your decision? I'm sure you can work through it with professional care.

 

Hey nigel8600. I agree with you.

Here's another reason why I would get an XPS17 over a XPS15. I need the full number key pad it offers. I dont want to be carry a USB number key pad around with me for portable work on my laptop when I am number crunching.

 

Just correcting errors: the XPS-15 that is on its way to me has the 6230 wireless with Bluetooth and the Creative Wave (Panzer) software.

Aren't the touchpads identical on the two?

Most of the rest of the stuff is correct, if one removes all the emotional context. It is amazing how excited we get over this stuff, isn't it?

 

I recently got an XPS 17 to replace my M1710 and I think the screen is nice. I would have preferred a glossy screen, but overall I have no issues with the screen. The pictures posted prior between the 17 and 15 do make the 15's screen look quite a bit nicer, but I really can't go to the smaller 15 inch screens as I like the larger size of the 17s.

 

Nice specs on your 15. Time for the cool sig.

 

Hmm, Ok, thx for the input. Perhaps its different from where you live but in Canada on dell.ca even if you pick the best xps 15 you cant order a 6230 here.

Neither can you order any creative labs software either.

As for the touchpads, I'm not sure. I have seen complaints here on the 15 but not the 17

 

I just checked again and starting with the "Multimedia" variant I was able to select the 6230 wireless option and the Waves Maxx sound option.

Strangely, though, the only hard drive options are still the 640 GB 7200 rpm and the 256 GB solid state (for $560 more! ouch!).

(and I still can't seem to add a signature to my profile, so I guess I still lack 5 "quality" posts. I wonder if it would help if I called somebody stupid?)

 

Yes, I believe you, but like I said dell.ca has different options than dell.com. For example a 256 ssd on the xps 15 on dell.ca website is only 420 bucks upgrade from the (already comes with) 750GB HDD. Plus the back lit Keyboard is only 25 bucks on dell.ca too.

Each country has different prices and different options.

 

My refurb XPS 15 arrived yesterday and I'd like to share my first impressions. (I'm replacing a 2 1/2-year old HP DV5).

The build quality is far better than the HP. I don't have the "raised keyboard" reported in another thread. Everything feels more solid. However, it also feels heavier. The 9-cell battery is huge.

The FHD screen is indeed a delight. Comparing it alongside the DV5 makes me think I really needed this machine.

Again, compared to the way the DV5 arrived, this thing has no bloatware. I removed McAfee and installed MSE, but otherwise I don't see a real need to remove anything. The HP was way different!

My wireless works great, no signal problems as reported elsewhere with the 6230 card. It connected right up at 5 GHz at the other end of the house from my router (in fairness, so does the HP).

The packing on the refurb is spartan -- it came in a plain box with the power supply, OS DVD, and two tiny pamphlets.

It didn't take forever to get all the OS updates, but I ran Windows Easy Transfer to move about 120 GB from the HP to the XPS and let that run overnight. I installed Office 2007 in about a minute this morning before leaving for work. Easy Transfer gives you a list of programs on the old machine -- it's going to take a while to get all that installed, but I have a quite useable machine right now with all my most important files in place.

I love the lighted keyboard!

Mike

 

The L702x 3D display is VERY blue out of the box. I applied a color profile someone posted in the L702x thread and now the screen is perfection. I use my laptop as a desktop replacement so I went 17" and didn't look back.

 

Part of the reason why the first laptop in my sig is going back..lol The DV7t might feel solid to some but it feels cheap to me and they dented speaker screen. Plus the issue with the graphics ticked me off. So for $75 more I got the 2nd laptop in my sig..lol $1,679.99 knocked down to $1,159.99 (for 4GB DDR3, moving over the 8GB in the DV7t)

 

Sounds good May yours be as trouble free as mine has been.