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    xps 14z vs xps 14 ultrabook

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by stringman, Sep 17, 2012.

  1. stringman

    stringman Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi all,

    I have got an xps 14z which has had loads of problems and dell have offered me a replacement machine. But they no longer make the 14z

    so they have offered me a choice of a 15z or a xps 14 ultrabook

    The 15" is too big and heavy for me really but there are a couple of things about the 14 ultrabook I want to check

    I know it doesnt have the dvd drive ( which isnt the end of the world) but does it have a dedicated graphics card.

    also I have a 750 HDD (7200) i think that the 14 ultra only has 500gb at 5400 which is a massive downgrade

    maybe i should ask for the 512 ssd

    Does anyone have any thoiughts? has anyone owned/used both of these

    All help appreciated

    Thanks
     
    stringman, Sep 17, 2012
    #1
  2. CowboyCoder

    CowboyCoder Notebook Evangelist

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    No dedicated graphics on the 14, but there is on the 15.

    The HDD is only 5,400 rpm but it also has a 32GB mSATA SSD for caching which in theory makes it faster than a 7,200rpm on it's own. I can't vouch for this as I bought a Samsung 830 128GB SSD and replaced the HDD as soon as I bought it. It's not the fastest machine so if you want a laptop for games, I'd look elsewhere. If you want one for productivity then look to the business range, Latitude, Vostro, Precision etc.
     
    CowboyCoder, Sep 17, 2012
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  3. stringman

    stringman Notebook Enthusiast

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    on the spec sheet it says it has a Nvidia GT630m with 1gb graphics so I presume that is a dedicated graphics card.

    I dont do serious work on it(except some powerpoint and photoshop) and want nothing more than a 14"
     
    stringman, Sep 17, 2012
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  4. satchmobob

    satchmobob Notebook Geek

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    Yes, the XPS 14 ultrabook does have a dedicated GT 630m with optimus technology to switch between it and the intel HD4000.
    If you decide to go for the 14 note that you will not be able to drop your 750gb drive in. The 14 uses the slimmer 7mm drives.
     
    satchmobob, Sep 17, 2012
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  5. stringman

    stringman Notebook Enthusiast

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    ell i wont have the 750gb drive as i guess Mr Dell will want it back with the rest of the xps14z!!!

    so overall do you think the ultrabook (even with the 500gb HDD) is better than the 14z??

    I will hold out for the 512ssd but if i dont would it be worth going with it??

    Thanks
     
    stringman, Sep 17, 2012
    #5
  6. joshuajag

    joshuajag Notebook Consultant

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    The L421x beats the 14z hands down. The build quality is a lot better, among other things.

    Compared to yours it has:
    integrated Intel USB 3.0 ports (vs. separate, 3rd party card)
    updated Intel CPU
    updated Nvidia GPU (if you even had a GPU in your 14z)
    all metal (vs. metal and plastic)
    thinner
    better touchpad made by Synaptics (vs. ElanTech)
    .......

    I could go on... but I think I made my point :p
     
    joshuajag, Sep 17, 2012
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  7. stringman

    stringman Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well those nice people at Dell have just upgraded the laptop spec to:

    I7
    1gb graphics card
    512gb SSD
    3 year next business day warranty
    so all in all about £1700 worth to replace my facory refurb XPS14z with 2 1/2 year warranty that i bought from an ebay reseller for £700

    I am one happy customer and you reallly cant fault customer servive like that!!
     
    stringman, Sep 18, 2012
    #7