Dell XPS 17"... thoughts on spec/price/size?

Richdog · 12 May 2011 at 09:48

I have the chance of getting a Dell XPS 17" laptop for what I think is a pretty good price (I live outside the UK). Specs are:

Intel Core i7 2630QM (2.0GHz), Quad Core, 6MB Cache, Turbo Frequency 2.9GHz
17.3" LCD, Glare Type, LED Backlight, WSXGA (1600 x 900)
nVidia GeForce 1GB GT 550M Class 2 Top 5 http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GT-550M.42264.0.html
4GB DDR3 (2x 2048MB), 1333MHz, Maximum 3x 4GB
500GB, 7200rpm
2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0 (1x fitted with eSATA), mini-DisplayPort, HDMI 1.4, Audio, RJ-45
Multi-in-1 Cardreader (SD, SDIO, SDXC, SDHC, MS, MS Pro, MMC, MSXC, xD)
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit D/F/I/E
9-cell battery
Warranty: Pick-Up 24 Months

Price: 757 GBP

I want a laptop to last me a good while so with a small RAM upgrade I think this machine with its Sandy Bridge i7 and GT550 (fast middle-class) would do the job nicely as I mainly do photo/video editing, play HD content, and only minimal gaming. The only concern I have is that at 17" and 3.5KG that the thing is just a bit of a lug.

I will primarily be having it in the house (it will replace a desktop) so portability isn't THAT important I guess, and the only times I will likely carry it around is either from room to room, or if I take it abroad with me travelling like back home to the UK for visits to my dad etc. Does 17" really make it a pain to carry around, or for what is primarily a house-based desktop replacement that would accompany me to bed etc would this be fine?

Also in closing... does the price look decent for the spec in the current market? Comments appreciated, thanks in advance!

ninja2000 · 12 May 2011 at 10:40

I had an xps 15 not the 17 but can offer you my impressions based on that.

Firstly, the build quality has gone massively downhill against the old xps laptops and they have made it so you have to dismantle the whole laptop to change the cpu (as per inspiron series).
The 15" was very bulky and 3kgs. It felt extra bulky due to the thickness and the fact that there is that lip behind the screen that makes the laptop deeper than normal.

The base screens are carp, if you can upgrade the screen I would recommend it. Check some reviews or notebook forums and you will see the amount of people moaning about viewing angles and contrast.

Performance wise, they are great, and the 550 will play most games at medium to high settings. Not sure how much it costs to upgrade to the 555m but thats a worthy upgrade as it goes from 96shaders to 144. the 555m has a lower clock speed but clocks nicely.

Price wise, that seems ok. There are always plenty of offers and vouchers for dell and I always use quidco to get a further 7% cashback

Richdog · 12 May 2011 at 10:47

Hmm interesting, thanks for the info ninja. Unfortunately its not upgradeable in the shop, so screen etc cant be changed during the order at all. I will give it some further thought then, cheers.

twe · 12 May 2011 at 11:00

I have the previous generation x17 with the 940 i7 processor and GT445 gpu the L701X.
I have to admit that the build quality has been better than any other laptop that I have owned. I love the 2.1 JBL speakers on board. No issues with the standard 900p screen to be honest, 95% of the time its just me using it. I use it in bed, I do bring it to work or move it around the house to play a game on it. Plug it into my 40" lcd.
I do consider it heavy though especially with the big 9 cell battery, so carrying it around should be limited. I just normally put it into the boot of the car and drive to places.
Thoroughly happy with mine so far and I have owned it for almost 3 months.