I currently own a Dell XPS M1530 which I believe has reached its final days. I've enjoyed this laptop (seems high quality), but within the past year or so I've been having a lot of trouble with freezing, crashing, start-up problems, errors, cannot run Windows updates, and blue screens (this may be due to my heavy computer use/abuse, due to the computer's age, or some combination). I'm currently in grad school taking online courses, so reliability is important to me. I've seriously been considering the new Dell XPS 15, but have been doing a lot of research lately and I'm concerned about all the talk I'm hearing about Dell's customer service declining.
I've been using the laptop buying guides and laptop choosers on several different websites, but I'm having difficulty deciding what is best for me. Essentially, I'm looking for a computer that is of equal or better quality as the Dell XPS 15, but I'm uncertain what other computer brands are equivalent/comparable. Or maybe the Dell XPS 15 is best for me, I don't know?
Of utmost importance to me is reliability, but I would also like speed, decent memory, multitasking capabilities, good graphics, good customer service, and if possible, cooler temps.
1. What is your budget? Would like to try not to go over $1,300 (including any custom add-ons and service plans/warranties). I would prefer to stay under this total cost, but would be willing to spend more up to $1,500 or so if it was worth it (but it'd have to really be worth it!).
2. What is the size of the notebook that you are considering? 15-16"
3. What screen resolution do you want? I would like decent, high resolution.
4. Do you need a portable or desktop replacement laptop? Mobility isn't that important to me. The laptop will be plugged in most of the time and will only be moved occasionally when traveling.
5. How much battery life do you need? Not as important to me.
6. Do you want to play games with your laptop? If so then please list the games that you want to with the settings that you want for these games. (Low,Medium or High)? No gaming.
7. What other tasks do you want to do with your laptop? (Photo/Video editing, Etc.)
- I do a lot of multitasking (e.g., researching w/ a lot of windows open at once, sometimes multiple programs running at once)
- Frequently use Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint).
- Frequently use Adobe Photoshop CS2 and Adobe Acrobat (I do a lot of photo editing and designing)
- On rare occasions use Autodesk: AutoCAD, VIZ 4 (3D Studio Max), Revit Architecture (drafting and 3D modeling programs).
8. How much storage (Hard Drive capacity) do you need? 4GB Memory 500GB 7200 RPM Hard drive (at least, I believe this is what I'd like to have).
9. If you are considering specific sites to buy from, please post their links.
I've been looking everywhere: through cnet and pcworld, newegg, bestbuy, tigerdirect, amazon, manufacturer websites (e.g., dell.com). Would like to buy from somewhere with the best price and best warrantee options.
10. How long do you want to keep your laptop? As long as possible. Would like at least 3 years.
11. What kind of Optical drive do you need? DVD ROM/Writer,Bluray ROM/Writer,Etc ? Not as important. As long as I can play and burn CDs/DVDs.
12. Please tell us about the brands that you prefer to buy from them and the brands that you don't like and explain the reasons.
I've been looking at and comparing: Dell, Lenovo, Asus, Sony, Toshiba, Samsung, and Apple (although w/ Apple I'm concerned about cost, incompatibilities w/ my existing Windows programs and costs associated with making them compatible, and the nearest Apple store is at least 1 hour away/hassle to get to). However, I'm open to recommendations.
13. What country do you live in? USA
14. Please tell us any additional information if needed.
- Prefer a laptop that runs cooler, if possible.
- Would like a good service plan (e.g., 3 yr hardware and accidental damage service)
I've been using the laptop buying guides and laptop choosers on several different websites, but I'm having difficulty deciding what is best for me. Essentially, I'm looking for a computer that is of equal or better quality as the Dell XPS 15, but I'm uncertain what other computer brands are equivalent/comparable. Or maybe the Dell XPS 15 is best for me, I don't know?
Of utmost importance to me is reliability, but I would also like speed, decent memory, multitasking capabilities, good graphics, good customer service, and if possible, cooler temps.
1. What is your budget? Would like to try not to go over $1,300 (including any custom add-ons and service plans/warranties). I would prefer to stay under this total cost, but would be willing to spend more up to $1,500 or so if it was worth it (but it'd have to really be worth it!).
2. What is the size of the notebook that you are considering? 15-16"
3. What screen resolution do you want? I would like decent, high resolution.
4. Do you need a portable or desktop replacement laptop? Mobility isn't that important to me. The laptop will be plugged in most of the time and will only be moved occasionally when traveling.
5. How much battery life do you need? Not as important to me.
6. Do you want to play games with your laptop? If so then please list the games that you want to with the settings that you want for these games. (Low,Medium or High)? No gaming.
7. What other tasks do you want to do with your laptop? (Photo/Video editing, Etc.)
- I do a lot of multitasking (e.g., researching w/ a lot of windows open at once, sometimes multiple programs running at once)
- Frequently use Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint).
- Frequently use Adobe Photoshop CS2 and Adobe Acrobat (I do a lot of photo editing and designing)
- On rare occasions use Autodesk: AutoCAD, VIZ 4 (3D Studio Max), Revit Architecture (drafting and 3D modeling programs).
8. How much storage (Hard Drive capacity) do you need? 4GB Memory 500GB 7200 RPM Hard drive (at least, I believe this is what I'd like to have).
9. If you are considering specific sites to buy from, please post their links.
I've been looking everywhere: through cnet and pcworld, newegg, bestbuy, tigerdirect, amazon, manufacturer websites (e.g., dell.com). Would like to buy from somewhere with the best price and best warrantee options.
10. How long do you want to keep your laptop? As long as possible. Would like at least 3 years.
11. What kind of Optical drive do you need? DVD ROM/Writer,Bluray ROM/Writer,Etc ? Not as important. As long as I can play and burn CDs/DVDs.
12. Please tell us about the brands that you prefer to buy from them and the brands that you don't like and explain the reasons.
I've been looking at and comparing: Dell, Lenovo, Asus, Sony, Toshiba, Samsung, and Apple (although w/ Apple I'm concerned about cost, incompatibilities w/ my existing Windows programs and costs associated with making them compatible, and the nearest Apple store is at least 1 hour away/hassle to get to). However, I'm open to recommendations.
13. What country do you live in? USA
14. Please tell us any additional information if needed.
- Prefer a laptop that runs cooler, if possible.
- Would like a good service plan (e.g., 3 yr hardware and accidental damage service)