Dell XPS
 

Considering getting a 13" Dell XPS since there are some decent deals around lately. I'm set on the 13.3" size, just wondering if anybody has any recommendations on different versions.

Most laptops are visually the same. The thing you want to look for is specs: What kind of CPU, amount of RAM, hard drive space, and screen size do you want.

With electronics, you do get what you pay for.

Best Buy has an i5 model with 8gb and 128 ssd for $1479 while Costco has an i7 model with 16gb ram and 512 SSR for $2099. Which would be a better value?

Take a look at the Asus Zenbook as well. I found it being around 100 dollars cheaper with comparable specs. Regarding i5 and i7, it really depends on what you're doing. Need more info.

Unless you really need the horsepower for something like CAD, I find it silly to spend 2 grand on a laptop. I'd rather spend 1 grand and get a new one every 2-4 years or build a workhorse desktop.

You need to consider what your usage will be. My wife needed something super-portable with long battery life. The previous generation base model (i5/4/128) was more than sufficient for her needs. She's on it all day doing work on Facebook, word processing, and playing Plants vs Zombies.

XPS13 is an awesome laptop. It's a 13" laptop in a 12" case. The battery life is fantastic. The XPS 13 is on sale right now at the Microsoft Store. They sell the Signature version which is basically just the OS. No crapware. It starts at $1200 for the i5/8GB/128.

Get the FHD screen over the QHD screen if you want longer battery life. The XPS is the best laptop right now the only downside is the amount of HD space it has.

Look at this: [Dell.ca] XPS 13 i5/8G/FHD/256G @$1249 all-in (Mar7th updated) - RedFlagDeals.com Forums

Get FHD for both scaling and battery life.

Check out the Razer Blade Stealth. Razer Blade Stealth

i have a new zenbook, it came with a Intel Core M-5Y10. it is very pretty, and got it on sale from microsoft for 700. if i was to get a laptop again, i probably will not get it again. i already had it repaired once under warranty

try out the Lenovo line of ultrabooks. The x1 carbon and yoga business line. you pay premium price but you get the quality

don't buy dell

there's a good chance you'll have to speak to their customer service at one point which is overseas...they seriously like wasting your time. Not once but may be 4-5 times I will get transferred maybe a half dozen times per call. If I ask for supervisor right away I may get it cut-down to 2...but an average call is still an hour.

I've bought many stuff from them but my latest XPS they basically falsely advertised I was getting a stylus. It's still right there in the product page and the supervisor still insist on I ordered a different bundle. fucking crooks. I reported it to the US Federal Trade Commission and will file a chargeback with credit card. /rant

then again Lenovo is known for spyware....so unless you're willing to reinstall windows without factory image I would consider to the other guys to be honest (ms surface/asus/acer/msi). Someone mentioned MSI has service depot in Richmond.

Do try out the keyboard on the xps. I didnt really like it too much

What broke? I ask because I have the same one as you.

We use a lot of Dell at work. Never really have issues and when they do they show up next day to replace the part. I guess they treat pro support customers better. I've purchased about a dozen or so xps13. Only had 1 touchpad issue which was replaced next day.

I have been using my Dell XPS 15 9550 and it has been excellent. Power components in such a light and thin chassis. Even when I am gaming the noise is tolerable compared to other notebooks.

The Dell XPS 13/15 are definitely the top Windows notebooks in their size category in my opinion.

BTW. Don't get the Dell thunderbolt dock. It's not ready for prime time yet. Been having issues with it. Ended up giving the user the Dell usb dock instead.

Sweet price on the the base XPS 13 for Pi Day - $959.71

Buy Dell XPS 13 9350 Signature Edition Laptop - Microsoft Store Online

Appreciate all the comments. Leaning towards an i7 model. I'll be looking into the Zenbooks and Lenovo lineup as well.

To date, I've only ever owned the Lenovo T-series. You'll pay a slight premium for average specs, but it's well built and I love their keyboards.

T series are about average these days. They're boxy, heavy, utilitarian design doesn't make them as popular a choice these days.