The XPS 15 (also known as XPS L501X) is a completely redesigned multimedia laptop from Dell. Sporting a JBL audio system with subwoofer, dedicated NVIDIA GT420M and an Intel Core i5, this system is designed with performance and entertainment in mind. In this study, we take a detailed look at the new XPS and see how it compares to competition.
Building and Design
The new Dell XPS 15 is a silver on gray, with metal plates and plastic body. Compared with past XPS designs that are trend setters that have distinguished the lower models, the XPS does not seem to generate much visual interest. In theory, the signs of an alloy mixture with a wrist rest and keyboard backlight, brushed metal tends to give good results. The new version of the XPS 15 does not seem to really stand out, however, the standard Inspiron 15R to take a much closer look. Standing less than five feet, the plastic panels are similar on average on the outside, and the body itself seems even more inflated than the 15R. Overall, it appears that Dell has lost a great opportunity for the XPS series notebooks that were once only. The result is a rather bland looking laptop when your budget-oriented media brethren - the Inspiron 15R - surpasses it.
Building and Design
The new Dell XPS 15 is a silver on gray, with metal plates and plastic body. Compared with past XPS designs that are trend setters that have distinguished the lower models, the XPS does not seem to generate much visual interest. In theory, the signs of an alloy mixture with a wrist rest and keyboard backlight, brushed metal tends to give good results. The new version of the XPS 15 does not seem to really stand out, however, the standard Inspiron 15R to take a much closer look. Standing less than five feet, the plastic panels are similar on average on the outside, and the body itself seems even more inflated than the 15R. Overall, it appears that Dell has lost a great opportunity for the XPS series notebooks that were once only. The result is a rather bland looking laptop when your budget-oriented media brethren - the Inspiron 15R - surpasses it.
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| Dell XPS 15 |
Nevertheless, the XPS 15 feels better than it looks. The metal panels on the interior and exterior add strength to the body reduces flex and gives an impression of the laptop of high quality. Keep the laptop for the first time is a strange experience, because most of the plastic panels look like, until you feel the cold metal. The screen cover does a good job of protecting your monitor against shock and seems to resist bending when you open the screen of one of the front corners. The interior of the laptop has a brushed metal panel that make up the large palm rest and keyboard surround. The underside of the laptop is completely plastic (including open bar), but still resists flex and feels durable. The only problem we noticed was the extensive use of plastic clips take the most laptops and (in addition to metal screws).
Users who want to upgrade the Dell XPS 15 can be found easily or not so easy, depending on which parts are trying to change out. A door on the bottom of the laptop houses, two sticks of RAM, wireless card, and WWAN / TV tuner card. To access the hard drive, you must completely disassemble a laptop, which has not been done for the faint of heart. We counted about 16 screws, but did not want to go further and break the plastic clips, or the risk of gouging cut around the perimeter. This is a tremendous amount of work just to replace a hard drive full-size laptop.
Users who want to upgrade the Dell XPS 15 can be found easily or not so easy, depending on which parts are trying to change out. A door on the bottom of the laptop houses, two sticks of RAM, wireless card, and WWAN / TV tuner card. To access the hard drive, you must completely disassemble a laptop, which has not been done for the faint of heart. We counted about 16 screws, but did not want to go further and break the plastic clips, or the risk of gouging cut around the perimeter. This is a tremendous amount of work just to replace a hard drive full-size laptop.
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| Dell XPS 15 |
Ports and Features
Users who want high-speed connections to the data on their laptops will love the Dell XPS 15. Dell sets up the system with two USB 3.0 ports, an eSATA / USB 2.0 combo port, Gigabit Ethernet, mini DisplayPort, HDMI, and a lot of audio jacks. For expansion, Dell only includes a SDHC card reader / writer card, you get an ExpressCard slot to add additional ports in the future.
Our Dell Inspiron 15 Specifications:
* Intel Core i5 460M (3 MB Cache, 2.53 GHz)
* 15.6-inch 1366 x 768 glossy display with LED backlight
* NVIDIA GeForce GT420M with 1GB DDR3
* Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
* 6 GB of DDR3 memory
* HDD 500GB 7200rpm * (Seagate Momentus 7200.4)
* Realtek Gigabit Ethernet and 802.11b/g/n wireless Intel 1000
* Bluetooth 3.0
* 6-cell Li-Ion (56Wh)
* Dimensions: 15 x 10.4-inch x 1,3-1.5
* Weight: 6.21 pounds
* MSRP: $ 899.99 (nearest configuration)
Users who want high-speed connections to the data on their laptops will love the Dell XPS 15. Dell sets up the system with two USB 3.0 ports, an eSATA / USB 2.0 combo port, Gigabit Ethernet, mini DisplayPort, HDMI, and a lot of audio jacks. For expansion, Dell only includes a SDHC card reader / writer card, you get an ExpressCard slot to add additional ports in the future.
Our Dell Inspiron 15 Specifications:
* Intel Core i5 460M (3 MB Cache, 2.53 GHz)
* 15.6-inch 1366 x 768 glossy display with LED backlight
* NVIDIA GeForce GT420M with 1GB DDR3
* Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
* 6 GB of DDR3 memory
* HDD 500GB 7200rpm * (Seagate Momentus 7200.4)
* Realtek Gigabit Ethernet and 802.11b/g/n wireless Intel 1000
* Bluetooth 3.0
* 6-cell Li-Ion (56Wh)
* Dimensions: 15 x 10.4-inch x 1,3-1.5
* Weight: 6.21 pounds
* MSRP: $ 899.99 (nearest configuration)
