Dell Xps 15 Views

General Goods

I just got a Dell XPS 15 today. I connected a USB mouse and used it for a few minutes and then nothing. The USB mouse didnr't seem to be recognized anymore. I tried both USB 3.0 ports with the same result, the mouse wouldns't work. I connected the mouse to the one USB 2.0 port (right side) and it worked just fine. This is a Dell USB mouse and Ir've used it on two other computers frequently and without issue.

Though the XPS 15 lacks some features such as an ExpressCard slot or Intel Wireless Display, it's chock-full of future-proof ports that may matter more. Two USB 3.0 ports leave the door open for high-speed data transfer peripherals, though we currently don't make use of it much, and having HDMI 1.4 enables Nvidia 3DTV Play, allowing playback of 3D games or Blu-ray content 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 advantage of this feature, and we doubt many people will, but it's a nice touch that's offered at no extra cost.

Configurations options abound on Dell's Web site, as is often the case with Dell laptops. Our XPS 15 has a base configuration including a Core i5 processor and Nvidia GeForce 420M GPU with Optimus, a solid set of specs already. CPUs range up to a quad-core Core i7-840QM (an extra $500), and graphics top out at an Nvidia GeForce 435M with 2GB of memory ($100). RAM can be expanded up to 8GB (an extra $180), and the hard drive up to 640GB for an extra $50, or a 256GB SSD drive for $550. It's nice to see the entry-level base $849 XPS 15 configuration represent a laptop that offers nearly no compromises, except for its lower-res screen and lack of Blu-ray. Compared with the entry-level $999 HP Envy 14, which comes with a Core i3 processor, this is a better deal.

The Dell XPS 15 has a six-cell battery that lasted for a disappointing 2 hours and 26 minutes using our video-playback battery drain test. We expect a 15-inch laptop to last at least 3 hours, especially since the included Nvidia Optimus automatic-switching graphics should help conserve battery life. The HP Envy 14 had a battery life nearly an hour better, albeit with a larger included eight-cell, with its manually switchable graphics turned on the whole time. The XPS 15 battery can be upgraded to a nine-cell for an extra $40--otherwise, we'd recommend not straying too far from an outlet.