Dell XPS 13

[jyates]

I was doing a search for a thin and light and powerful laptop and I read several good reviews on the Dell XPS 13 with the i5-5200 processor . I'm looking at the 256gb storage and 8gb memory model with 13.3" screen. They come with windows 8.1 upgradeable to windows 10.

I see a few on Ebay new in the box in the $850 range and I was wondering if anyone in the membership of the forum knows about this model and if the $850 is a fair deal or is there something better out there for the money?

Basically all I need a laptop for is to browse the internet and email. Wifi and a USB port is about all I need in one.

Thanks for your help,
Jim

 

[Seven]

For browsing and email I would recommend a Chromebook.

That particular XPS is a good laptop. It will have a good battery life. I haven't done a research on a price, but seems like a good deal.

 

[jyates]

I left out a detail. I need something with about 200 gb worth of storage so that is why I was looking at a laptop.

 

[Seven]

I left out a detail. I need something with about 200 gb worth of storage so that is why I was looking at a laptop.

I had the XPS 13 i3/4GB model. The battery life and the build quality were the best thing about it.

Note: One thing to consider when spending closer to a $1k for a laptop that mostly likely you would want a touch screen, even though you hardly use it. After using a SP4 for a while I would not buy a device without it.

 

[jyates]

Thanks for the information Seven. I don't need a touch screen but I'm guessing there is a way to disable it so all you use is the mouse pad?

 

[Seven]

Thanks for the information Seven. I don't need a touch screen but I'm guessing there is a way to disable it so all you use is the mouse pad?

The FHD model of the XPS doesn't even have the touch screen. Only the QHD+.

 

[jyates]

The FHD model of the XPS doesn't even have the touch screen. Only the QHD+.

Thanks. I'm mainly looking at some buy it nows on Ebay and I'm always afraid the seller is going to be using "canned information" and doesn't actually know all the specs for a certain model number.

 

[firewolfsm]

A new model just came out with Skylake processors. Unless you get a significant discount, which those ebay prices are not, you should buy that. On the Microsoft store you can get a 10$ student discount, and I believe the i5/8GB non-touch model comes out to 900.

Also, the Asus UX305FA or CA (skylake version) are great cheaper options. I don't think you'd notice the performance difference.

 

[jyates]

Thanks firewolf. I saw a couple of the XPS 13's with i5-5200 processors with 256gb and 8gb at $850 shipped buy it now on ebay that were new but they are gone now and now all that is left for that $850 price range is remanufactured ones. I'll check out the MS store but I'm far far far away from the student discount but I'm still in the "school of life" !

 

[Seven]

Thanks firewolf. I saw a couple of the XPS 13's with i5-5200 processors with 256gb and 8gb at $850 shipped buy it now on ebay that were new but they are gone now and now all that is left for that $850 price range is remanufactured ones. I'll check out the MS store but I'm far far far away from the student discount but I'm still in the "school of life" !

Check the Dell outlet as well. They've had a few, but sold quickly.

 

[firewolfsm]

You want the 6200U, not the 5200U.

 

[jyates]

You want the 6200U, not the 5200U.

I haven't bought yet....I'll look into that also.

 

[jyates]

I ended up buying a XPS 13 9343 Dell that I liked very much but the touchpad was erratic and "touchy" it would just randomly click on things as you passed by links or icons. I read about the same issue on several websites and the dell support forums.
In the control panel under "mouse" there were no adjustments for the sensitivity of the touchpad....but that said it was still buggy because even with a very very light touch and being extremely careful it would still click on things randomly.
Apparently it's a known issue and even though there were some "fixes" out to download and install I never could get mine to act right so I sent it back for a refund.

Back in the hunt. I think I like the touchpads where the right and left mouse button is not built into the edge of the touchpad but rather rest a little below the actual touchpad.

I'm probably going to make a few of the computer places and go hands on and see how the laptop actually feels and if it has adjustments on it or not.

 

[myocardia]

I'm probably going to make a few of the computer places and go hands on and see how the laptop actually feels and if it has adjustments on it or not.

Every laptop has trackpad adjustment now, since it's now built into Windows. That's also why almost every laptop now does not have software from the manufacturer to set sensitivity. Read here to learn how: http://www.howtogeek.com/223404/how...s-in-windows-10-and-other-mouse-enhancements/

 

[jyates]

Thanks for the tip but I had tried those settings but the touchpad would still randomly "click" on links and the such as you passed over them without tapping for a "click".

 

[tonie]

Thanks for the tip but I had tried those settings but the touchpad would still randomly "click" on links and the such as you passed over them without tapping for a "click".

Did you buy the last gen or the latest gen with skylake? I heard the touchpad is fixed in the latest gen.

 

[jyates]

It was the i5 5200U I think.....I couldn't swing the cost of the newest skylake.

 

[poohbear]

i read the battery life on these things is insane! like 10-13 hours yea? more than my bloody Samsung S 8.4" tablet!

 

[MysteriousRJC]

I have one thru work... very light & powerful, good screen, stable, quality seems good...... when running a hd video lomg the fan runs up but u have to expect that for super thin laptops, doesnt seem too warm when it does... fans noticable but not hugely.....save $ get a non touch screen if u dont need it