Dell XPS L501x: An Excellent Mainstream Notebook
by Jarred Walton on November 10, 2010 12:01 AM ESTDell XPS L501x: A Bargain at Any Price
When we reviewed the ASUS N82Jv in September, we were generally pleased with performance but unimpressed with some of the finer details. We concluded that review by saying we wanted more—specifically, we wanted better battery life (or at least an option for it) and a better LCD. We said that if the N82Jv had included a good LCD, it would be a silver medal recipient, and gold would need a larger battery with a good LCD. Two months later and Dell's XPS L501x provides exactly that, with generally better build quality and features along with the ability to customize your system. True to our word, we're awarding the Dell XPS L501x our Gold Editors' Choice award—but only with the $130 1080p B+GR LCD upgrade.
Honestly, even without the LCD the XPS L501x impresses, as it has bar none the best laptop speakers we've encountered, with a great build quality and aesthetic to match. It's not as thin and light as other notebooks, but it still looks good and there's a wonderful lack of glossy surfaces (other than the LCD). Such extras do matter, and what's more you can get all of this for essentially the same price as the N82Jv. Graphics performance is slightly slower, and the chassis is larger, but this is easily the best 15-16" notebook I've laid hands on during my time with AnandTech (now at six years and counting).
Where do we go from here? We'd still like the option to get the upgraded graphics without losing Optimus, and in the next couple of months Intel's Sandy Bridge will shake things up. Dell is almost certain to revise the current XPS lineup to move to Sandy Bridge, but unfortunately that will require more than simply swapping CPUs. Sandy Bridge will require a new chipset and socket, which means a new motherboard. By the time Dell puts in the work on the motherboard and chipset, maybe they can also toss in an upgraded NVIDIA GPU. If we had our dream setup, we'd get Sandy Bridge, a "flat" 9-cell battery option, the current 1080p LCD, and at least a GeForce GT 445M (192-bit) graphics chip to back it all up. Can Dell provide all that with the next XPS release? We shall see.
As for comparisons with Apple's MacBook line, it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that it's lopsided. Looking at the MacBook Pro 15, the base model checks in at a whopping $1800 MSRP. That will get you an i5-450M (or maybe an i5-520M—who knows?), 4GB RAM, 320GB 5400RPM HDD, GeForce GT 330M 256MB, and a WXGA+ (1440x900) LCD. The MBP15 will still get better battery life than the stock L501x, it's slightly lighter and definitely thinner, and some will prefer the Apple styling. However, you're looking at a nearly $800 premium for slightly less performance and fewer features—like no USB 3.0 (MBP has FireWire 800 instead), no HDMI port (without an adapter, and no 1.4 support), and speakers that can't hold a candle the L501x. If you prefer OS X, you don't have much choice, but Windows 7 is highly usable and stable and most things come down to user preference these days. A bit more fine-tuning for Windows 7 battery life and the only clear advantage disappears. That's not to say that MacBooks are bad, but they are expensive, and laptops like the XPS L501x serve to make them feel even more so! Heck, you can buy two of the upgraded XPS L501x laptop we're reviewing for a similarly equipped MacBook Pro 15.
We're also still trying to get an HP Envy 14 in for comparison, and it would be great to get some Sony laptops in for testing as well, but with every passing week we tend to lose hope. At this point, the latest Envy 14 revision has been around for over three months. It still looks like it compares well with the new XPS, but the Radiance Infinity 900p panel is no longer an option, Waves comes standard while Beats costs extra, and Optimus trumps AMD's switchable graphics. We would still love to get an Envy 14 for review, but unless it comes with an updated Radiance panel (or whatever marketing wants to call it), it will be difficult to top the Dell XPS L501x.
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barnett25 - Wednesday, November 10, 2010 - link
As always a great review. Just wanted to throw that out there because it amazes me how much people complain about the most ridiculous things in reviews on this site.Dug - Wednesday, November 10, 2010 - link
Pc laptop makers still don't get it. (Except HP with Envy line, which is just a knock off of Mac).Just like monitor manufacturers. Just make a simple square black border. Don't add curves, or shiny black borders, or ugly angles.
This thing is horrible to look at.
Why can't manufacturers make a simple design? I don't care if its a little thicker than a mac, just don't add stupid crap that isn't necessary, put stickers all over it, etc. It's not that hard, and would actually be cheaper to manufacture.
For instance the thinkpad series, the border of the screen has engraved lines, hooks, odd spacing on one side, different depths. Why?
I think the timeline x series is close, but still not quite there. It is very close to specs on this except the screen. 3x battery life, better video card, 4.5lbs.
Dug - Wednesday, November 10, 2010 - link
I think this would be a much better alternative.http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np5135-built-clevo-b5...
$803 with better specs, better looking, and more custum options.
JarredWalton - Wednesday, November 10, 2010 - link
We'll have a look at that Clevo B5130M unit in the near future. I can tell you already that it's just as bulky and the speakers sound like crap, and the build quality doesn't look great either. It's got a good 1080p LCD though (very possibly the same one as the L501x).As for the curves and other styling, that's ultimately a case of personal opinion. I happen to like the L501x; if I had any serious complaints with it I wouldn't have given it the Gold EC award. Some will like simple, some will like the curves; the angled edges also make it more comfortable to rest your hands on the laptop IMO. Some people think the Alienware M11x/M15x/M17x looks freaking awesome, I find it to be somewhat impractical and am perfectly happy with "average" laptops. I also like the way ThinkPads and Latitudes look and feel -- they're nothing like the L501x, but they're built more solidly.
I'm a little confused at some of your comments, though... I suppose you're referring to laptops in general, because the L501x is very clean with no stickers to speak of, and I'm not sure what would qualify as "stupid crap" on this laptop.
Anyway, Clevo's B5130M looks to be a fairly decent laptop and we'll have a full review from Dustin in the not-too-distant future. Stay tuned....
Dug - Wednesday, November 10, 2010 - link
I was speaking of the sides. I don't mind curves around the screen or body as long as its a uniform look, but the sides just look terrible. At least keep the same color of the palm area.The lines should just run even to the back, instead there's some curve and it makes it look like the back flares out.
I also don't need the dvd, multi reader, cdrw, blu-ray, etc junk on the drive. It just looks so bad.
Even the Inspiron has cleaner lines, except for some idiot marketing dept that decided glossy black is what people want where their palms rest. Sony has good lines too.
I also think 1.5" and 6.5 lbs is too much for what you are getting. I am assuming that the speakers are what is taking so much space. Or just bad design.
barnett25 - Wednesday, November 10, 2010 - link
" I am assuming that the speakers are what is taking so much space. Or just bad design."Or cooling?
I think Dell may be trying to avoid the overheating issues of XPSs past.
I like a good looking device as much as the next person but I personally feel Dell made a good call on this one. Half the good looking laptops out there overheat, I would rather have a reliable laptop than one that just looks good.
Pylon757 - Sunday, November 14, 2010 - link
The recent Thinkpad series fixed most of the problems you listed, and overall it's a more integrated look. They've got centered screens, no pesky grille things on the screen, etc. However, the hook on the top is still necessary for the Thinklight.I think the Latitude E-series are pretty close too. My E6410 is a great looking laptop IMO. Brushed metal lid and all corners.
As for curves, my opinion is that doing them right is really hard. This laptop clearly doesn't do them well. I personally think that the unibody white Macbook is a really good example of using curves well. It fits really well into the design, and even adds a lot of functionality since the curved edges make a really nice grip.
Aikouka - Wednesday, November 10, 2010 - link
It's nice to see a look similar to the older Dell XPS M1530 (which I own), but with more curves added. I am a bit bummed that they kind of tacked on the 1080p LCD without adding a graphics option that can truly handle it. When I looked at Dell's new line-up, I also noticed that the 17" laptop doesn't even have a 1080p option (unless it was recently added) but has the fastest GPU option available.notfeelingit - Wednesday, November 10, 2010 - link
* The touchpad belongs in the center of the laptop. No one is using it with their thumbs while also using the keyboard. It should be as large as possible and directly proportional to the aspect ratio of the screen. Also, mouse buttons are dumb.* Chiclet keys are the best.
* Batteries don't need to be super easy to change. If you design your laptop around this principle you will be able to make the laptop smaller while keeping excellent battery life. Maybe make an external battery option for business folks.
* Lose the optical drive.
* Only LED screens from now on, please.
Basically, just make a MBP, minus the optical drive, and knock the $800 apple tax off and everyone on planet earth will purchase your laptop.
JarredWalton - Wednesday, November 10, 2010 - link
1 - Completely disagree on the touchpad buttons. I've used buttonless options and I hated it. Apple seems to have done it better, but I'll keep the buttons thank you.2 - I don't think chiclet is best; it's a stylistic thing that looks okay, but if you want a good keyboard try a ThinkPad or a Dell Latitude.
3 - I agree they don't need to be removable at the flip of a switch for many users, but they also need to be user-replaceable.
4 - Disagree based on input from quite a few people. I've had more than my share of friends see one of my test laptops without an optical drive and they can't figure out what they're supposed to do. When I tell them to buy an external USB drive or just use the network, they look at me like I'm speaking another language. The masses disagree with you here, and even if Apple goes this route it doesn't make it the right choice.
5 - Name me one laptop out there that doesn't use LED backlighting... just one! What you need to say is "stop using crappy panels with tons of backlight bleed."
Pretty much every one of the items in your list is personal opinion, and your opinion is that everything should be a MacBook clone (more or less). I'd like to see a good Windows laptop that incorporates most of the above elements, but by no stretch of the imagination do I think that should be the only way to spec out and build a laptop. There's room for a lot of variety, and while some may not like the L501x styling I think it looks great.