Dell XPS 15 mainframe
The excellent: Stellar JBL speakers with subwoofer; fantastic specs for the price; generous upset pad and backlit keyboard; Nvidia Optimus graphics; generous diversity of upgrade options; HDMI 1.4 and USB 3.0 ports come ordinary.
The terrible: Clunky-looking design; disappointing array life; no VGA port.
The underside line: Dell’s new line of Dell XPS 15 mainframe, counting the XPS 15, offers more bang for the buck than most, combining fantastic audio and rock-levelheaded facial appearance for less than $1,000.
Editors’ Note: As of Development 2011, the Dell XPS 15 mainframe reviewed here has been replaced with a newer model that offers the latest second-generation (Grimy Bridge) Core i processors.
Dell is relaunching Dell XPS 15 mainframe high-end mainframe line for the holiday time of year with a revamped line of Dell XPS 15 mainframe systems. These are media-all ears counterparts to the gaming-centric Alienware, and, now that the poorly defined Studio line has been killed, the main alternative to the infinitely configurable mainstream Inspirons.
Surprisingly, even with a fantastic, clunky design, the Dell XPS 15 mainframe’ ample specs and stellar speakers combine to place forward one of the best reasonably priced high-end laptops nearly.
The pleasant bolt from the blue lies not in the facial appearance, but in the cost. The Dell XPS 15 mainframe we reviewed was an entry-level model at $849, yet its specs were a pretty strong overall package: Core i5 processor, 500GB hard drive, 4GB of RAM, Nvidia GeForce GT420M graphics, backlit keyboard, and the aforementioned huge-sounding JBL lecturer array, which gave even the HP Envy line a run for its sonic money.
The Dell XPS comes in 14-, 15-, and 17-inch models, all with high-end arrays of JBL speakers, updated ports counting USB 3.0 and HDMI 1.4, and Nvidia GeForce 400-series graphics with Optimus.
Even if its looks don’t scream high end and its size and weight plea placement on a desktop, the reasonably priced Dell XPS 15 mainframe deserves consideration from any shopper looking for a excellent media and game-ready notebook. If you’re looking at a MacBook Pro or an HP Envy, make sure you give the Dell XPS 15 mainframe a serious look, too.
Dell XPS 15 mainframe
| Price as reviewed / early price | $849 |
| Processor | 2.53 GHz Intel Core i5 M460 |
| Reminiscence | 4GB, 1,333MHz DDR3 |
| Hard drive | 500GB 7,200rpm |
| Chipset | Intel HM57 |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce GT420M + Intel GMA HD (Nvidia Optimus) |
| In commission Logic | Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) |
| Dimensions (WD) | 15.0 inches x 10.4 inches |
| Height | 1.3-1.5 inches |
| Cover size (diagonal) | 15.6 inches |
| Logic weight / weight with AC adapter | 6.3 / 7.2 pounds |
| Category | Desktop substitution |
The size and shape of the Dell XPS 15 is best described as well built and fantastic, with a flat, wide, silver profile that looks like fake but is really metal. A thick, vaguely tapered base and wide, flat, brushed-aluminum lid look, at first glance, like they belong on a fiscal statement mainframe.
The axis-forwards design on XPS mirrors additional contemporary Dell laptops such as the Inspiron R and Mini 10, pushing the cover forwards a modest in relation to the keyboard but charitable the rear end noteworthy chunk. The XPS uses that back lip for a handful of rear-facing ports, counting HDMI, Mini DisplayPort, Ethernet, the power jack, and one of its two USB 3.0 ports. It near acts like a dock, charitable this XPS a very desktop-forthcoming feel for keeping wires out of the way, but building door a modest tough for lap use.
The thick chassis has some noticeable flex on the sides, charitable an depression of being not quite as solidly built as additional high-end laptops such as the MacBook Pro and HP Envy. Even if, this is a mainframe that gets a lot best once you really initiation by it. A wide, generous palmrest and keyboard deck is covered in more brushed metal, with a semiraised keyboard centered right in the middle between two lecturer grilles.
Typing feels very comfortable, although there may possibly have been room for a digit pad had the speakers been placed somewhere else. We also valued that the keyboard was backlit, which isn’t always a agreed in laptops less than $1,000. Even best, the volume control and additional control keys are gathering-reversed, meaning a austere push is all it takes to bring to somebody’s attention and decrease volume. We’re not a huge fan of the discussion of page up/down buttons lining the right side of the keyboard, relegating the Enter/Shift keys to inside positions that aren’t instantly upset-intuitive.
A few backlit upset joystick lie on the high right side privileged than the keyboard, to the left of a vaguely off-from-center power pin. A settings pin launches a pop-up of helpful joystick covering the bases from Bluetooth to array mode; it’s so helpful, we wish more laptops had such a hot key. Another pin can be bespoke to instantly launch a program, and a third brings up fine-tune joystick for the Waves MaxxAudio logic that runs through the JBL speakers.
Dell’s onscreen dock, much like the icon dock in Mac OS X, provides a nice second-door strip for frequently used programs, augmenting Windows 7 nicely. It’s not new or unique, but we valued it once again on the XPS 15.
A generous multitouch upset pad is near the size of the MacBook Pro’s, and joystick best than many upset pads we’ve seen. Austere fake buttons beneath do their job lacking fanfare, but reliably. It’s nice to see a upset pad that does its job lacking getting too overstylized for its own excellent.
Now, back to persons speakers for a moment: Dell has made exalted claims that the JBL/Waves audio logic in the XPS bests even the HP Envy 14 Beats Edition. That’s up for debate, but the built-in 5.1-lecturer/subwoofer array is one of the best we’ve ever heard in a mainframe. Music and movies play with bracing pop, punch, and separation, and gaming shows off the surround-simulating equipment. The fantastic audio enhances the regard of this mainframe for anyone looking for it to be a right home entertainment manufactured goods, especially at the entry-level price.
The 15.6-inch LED-backlit glossy 16:9 spectacle has a native resolution of 1,366×768 pixels, which is a bit not more than expectations for high-end laptops at this price range. Colors were very bright and right, and both movies and sports meeting looked fantastic, but for an superfluous $130 users can brilliant a 1,920×1,080-pixel full HD spectacle instead. To us, that seems like a worthwhile upgrade, although the next temptation would be to add a Blu-ray drive for $100, pushing the price up to $1,079. Still, compelling into account the specs, that would be a reasonable price for everything built-in.
The touted HD Webcam records record at resolutions up to 1,600×1,200 pixels, or at 1,280×720 pixels in HD H.264 plot. Even if framerates are choppy by normal settings, the HD recording mode produces smooth, very watchable clips. The Webcam is also compatible with SkypeHD for HD streaming, a pleasant plus. A noise-canceling microphone adds additional regard to the chat package, pushing its chat capabilities well privileged than the average mainframe.
| Dell XPS 15 | Average for category [Desktop substitution] | |
|---|---|---|
| Record | HDMI 1.4, Mini DisplayPort, optional TV tuner | VGA plus HDMI or DisplayPort |
| Audio | Stereo 2.1 speakers/subwoofer, 2 earphone jacks (one S/P DIF), 1 microphone jack | Stereo speakers with subwoofer, earphone/microphone jacks. |
| Data | 2 USB 3.0, 1 USB 2.0/eSATA combo, SD card booklover | 4 USB 2.0, SD card booklover, eSATA |
| Additional room | None | ExpressCard/54 |
| Networking | Ethernet, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0, optional WWAN/WiMAX | Ethernet, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Optical drive | DVD burner, optional Blu-ray player | DVD burner, optional Blu-ray player |
Even if the XPS 15 lacks some facial appearance such as an ExpressCard slot or Intel Wireless Spectacle, it’s chock-full of prospect-proof ports that may matter more. Two USB 3.0 ports house the door open for high-speed data transfer peripherals, even if we now don’t make use of it much, and having HDMI 1.4 enables Nvidia 3DTV Play, allowing playback of 3D sports meeting or Blu-ray make pleased onto a 3D HDTV via an HMDI cable. You’ll need to have a Blu-ray drive on your Dell XPS and a 3D TV to even take subsidy of this map, and we skepticism many public will, but it’s a nice upset that’s offered at no superfluous cost.
Configurations options proliferate on Dell’s Web site, as is evenly the case with Dell laptops. Our XPS 15 has a base configuration counting a Core i5 processor and Nvidia GeForce 420M GPU with Optimus, a levelheaded set of specs already. CPUs range up to a quad-core Core i7-840QM (an superfluous $500), and graphics top out at an Nvidia GeForce 435M with 2GB of reminiscence ($100). RAM can be expanded up to 8GB (an superfluous $180), and the hard drive up to 640GB for an superfluous $50, or a 256GB SSD drive for $550. It’s nice to see the entry-level base $849 XPS 15 configuration represent a mainframe that offers near no compromises, except for its decrease-res cover and lack of Blu-ray. Compared with the entry-level $999 HP Envy 14, which comes with a Core i3 processor, this is a best deal.
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