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Its a nicer look, but it doesnt add up to anything significantly more ergonomic than the previous XPS.
Ing Lion On Dell Xps L502X Series CPUs AndIntels new Core i-series CPUs and Nvidia graphics are standard, but there are also plenty of configuration options.Some configuration options feel like they should have been included for free.Though it was certainly not svelte, the 849 entry-level model we reviewed had an excellent set of specs and some of the best-sounding speakers weve ever heard on a portable.The new XPS 15 looks a lot like the old one--which isnt that old, really: we reviewed it back in November 2010. First and foremost, all XPS models now have new second-gen Intel Core i-series CPUs. The GPUs have also been revamped, incorporating newer Nvidia GeForce GT 500-series graphics. The keyboard has also been given some tweaking, which well go into in more detail. Finally, the built-in Intel Wireless Display is now WiDi 2.0, incorporating HD streaming up to 1080p. The base model of the new XPS 15 is actually even cheaper than last years, at 799. It comes with a 2.3GHz Core i5-2410M CPU, an Nvidia GeForce GT525 GPU, 4GB of RAM, and a 500GB, 7,200rpm hard drive. Unlike last time, Dell sent us a top-of-the-line fully rigged model, the XPS15-L502X, running around 1,488 on Dells Web site: a quad-core 2GHz Core i7-2630QM CPU, 8GB of RAM, a 750GB 7,200rpm hard drive, Nvidia GeForce GT 540M graphics, a Blu-ray drive, and a 1,920x1,080-pixel resolution screen, along with a chunky but longer-life nine-cell battery. Its a heavy beast, and expensive, too, but if youre looking for a media laptop that can blast movies, play games, and show them off on a great screen, the new XPS 15 could be just what youre looking for. But dont feel like you have to spring for all the upgrades; the base model should be more than enough for most--unless youre looking for Blu-ray and a full 1080p display. The size and shape of the Dell XPS 15 is best described as beefy and bulky, with a flat, wide silver profile that looks like plastic but is actually metal. A thick, slightly tapered base and wide, flat, brushed-aluminum lid look, at first glance, like they belong on a budget laptop. Especially with the extra riser added by the nine-cell battery option, the overall effect is one of the thickest laptops weve seen on the market. The XPS has undeniably throwback looks, and not in a good way. The hinge-forward design on the XPS mirrors other recent Dell laptops, such as the Inspiron R and Mini 10, pushing the screen forward a little in relation to the keyboard but giving the rear end significant chunk. The XPS uses that back lip for a handful of rear-facing ports, including HDMI, Mini DisplayPort, Ethernet, the power jack, and one of its two USB 3.0 ports. It nearly acts like a dock, giving this XPS a very desktop-friendly feel for keeping wires out of the way, but making access a little tough for lap use. The thick chassis has some noticeable flex on the sides, giving an impression of being not quite as solidly built as other high-end laptops such as the MacBook Pro and HP Envy. However, this is a laptop that gets a lot better once you actually start using it. A wide, generous palm rest and keyboard deck is covered in more brushed metal, with a raised chiclet-style keyboard centered right in the middle between two speaker grilles. The keyboard is new, a shift from the flat keyboard with raised key surfaces seen on many of last years Dell laptops.
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