i3 v i5

GuruJockStrap · 12 Feb 2011 at 08:52

A certain Outlet store has a number of XPS 15 laptops. Was ideally after an i5 based model but not sure if its worth checking back all the time to see if one appears. They do have plenty of i3's like this:

XPS L501X
Processor : Intel i3-370M(2.4GHz) Mobile CPU
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64 BIT)
Hard Drive : 320GB Serial ATA (7200RPM)
4096MB (2x2048) 1333MHz DDR3 Dual Channel
Optical Drive 8X DVD+/-RW Drive
Display : 15.6" HD WLED True-Life (1366x768) with 2.0 Mega Pixel Integrated Camera
Battery : Primary 6-cell 56W/HR LI-ION

Believe the GPU is a 1GB 420M.

Thats for around £425, which I think isn't bad considering the quality of the laptop.

Main use will be for web, office, music but I would be looking to play some games.

Just wondering if the i3 is more than enough for all that.

olivier renault · 12 Feb 2011 at 12:56

Yes. The main difference between a i3 and i5 is turbo-boost. But a i3 is very capable at games, and won't bottleneck a GT 420M.

I've heard criticism of the screen, but if it's all good to you, that's a very good price.

MonkeykingZX · 12 Feb 2011 at 14:20

olivier renault said:
Yes. The main difference between a i3 and i5 is turbo-boost. But a i3 is very capable at games, and won't bottleneck a GT 420M.

I've heard criticism of the screen, but if it's all good to you, that's a very good price.

Screen on mine seems fine, the laptop as a whole seems like a solid bit of kit aswell.

Would definitely recommend it. Not sure about the i3 vs i5 issue but i imagine olivier is right.

GuruJockStrap · 12 Feb 2011 at 14:59

Oh well, placed my order.

Had a budget of £400 to replace my laptop and was going to stretch to this Inspiron 15r for £540 as the spec was pretty good:

Intel i5-460M Dual Core (2.53GHz, 3MB Cache, with Intel Turbo Boost up to 2.8GHz)
4GB
320GB HD
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 with 1GB Dedicated DDR3 RAM

XPS 15 might not equal it in sheer performance but its more than enough for my needs.

nikzGfx · 12 Feb 2011 at 19:40

Also remember the XPS has the better speakers, JBL! Plenty of good reviews on them.

Stimpy_7 · 14 Feb 2011 at 08:43

Has anyone had any experience with the refurb Dell's? Quite interested in these laptops.

GuruJockStrap · 14 Feb 2011 at 21:52

Will let you know when mine arrives.

kristmace · 15 Feb 2011 at 13:47

The 420M is really good for gaming for the price imo:

http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GT-420M.35837.0.html

GuruJockStrap · 21 Feb 2011 at 14:05

Laptop just arrive at work.

For a refurb, its immaculate. Not a scratch, dent, scuff, mark or anything on the laptop. Its like a brand new laptop.

Must be a model that was purchased, configured, built and then cancelled by the customer.

Either way, I'm happy with purchase.

olivier renault · 21 Feb 2011 at 16:11

Yeah, you very rarely get a dud with Dell Outlet.