High End Ultrabook - ~ €2000

Slaanesh

I'm fortunate that work are going to buy me a laptop.

I'm a software developer so I need 16GB RAM minimum, SSD 512GB.
This laptop will also be used to demo software to customers so the inputs/outputs would be handy for connecting to TV's on different customer sites. I used to be a big gamer (original member here playing quake!) and wouldn't mind the ability to play some newer titles but it's not hugely important.

I've narrowed my search to an Dell XPS 15 - 4K screen 512GB RAM, i7, 16GB RAM etc, touch screen and fingerprint scanner. I tried it out in PC world compared to the 13 inch and the size and screen real estate suits me much better.

I've also been looking at the surface book 2 but haven't been able to get my hands on one to play around with.

What are peoples opinions and would they have any other preference in this space?

I have a desktop at home that is decent enough but find myself needing a laptop more and more when working from different locations.

Alanstrainor

There's a big thread from a while back talking about the XPS15, and a number of people posting there with their experience having one:

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057707627&page=7

There's some talk of trackpad issues.

As for the Surface book 2, they are a lovely machine but I would want to play around with one first before taking the plunge. I just wouldn't be so sure I would use the tablet on one, and if you don't use it as a tablet perhaps it defeats the purpose a small bit.

I presume a Macbook Pro is out of the question, I reckon it would stretch your budget given the requirements you have...

Slaanesh

Thanks!

The trackpad thing would worry me a little bit as I can envisage using this on the couch where using a wireless mouse probably isn't overly practical.

I would actually like a MacBook but I'm going to be running a lot of Microsoft software (SQL Server) and would rather not use VM's etc. Also you're right, the price is a good bit more.

Alanstrainor

The Surface Book 2 is a beast, so I would definitely keep that in the running. The reviews say the track pad is one of the best on a Windows device. But it would also stretch the budget, looking at the pricing there it would be closer to 3k for 512GB, 16GB and that's for the 13.5" model. The 15" is 3.4k. :eek:

Royale with Cheese

I've a nearly max spec late 2016 macbook pro 13 that I dual boot with Windows 10 installed through bootcamp. I work as a .net developer and have a .net Dev environment setup on it with no issues, although I'm not using it for anything too intensive really. They're great laptops imo but will cost you a good bit over €2000 unless you go refurbished or second hand.

Useful.Idiot

What's the craic with GPUs on Macbooks nowadays. Can they run games well?

Slaanesh

The 15 inch SB2 is available next month in Ireland. Has a GTX 1060! Wonder how much the boss is willing to stretch .... would look more professional than the XPS at meetings.

Alanstrainor

Slaanesh wrote: »

The 15 inch SB2 is available next month in Ireland. Has a GTX 1060! Wonder how much the boss is willing to stretch .... would look more professional than the XPS at meetings.

The GTX1060 always looks better in meetings!

Useful.Idiot wrote: »

What's the craic with GPUs on Macbooks nowadays. Can they run games well?

Nope. Buying a Macbook with the intent of gaming is a tad silly though...

the xps 15 with 1050 nvidia card, i7, 16gb ram, 512gb ssd for 1800 less 12% b4 jan 24 is a good option.

balance between professional looks for work environment (unlike a pure gaming laptop which would look like that).
not super light at 2kg which you'd feel moving around but at the 15.6 inch size there are not a lot of light machines.

you could consider a 14 inch machine.

the razer blade 14 inch with 1060 card could be an option. looks professional even though it's from a gaming company.

surface book 2 15 looks good but expensive.

the macbook pro 15 comes with intel iris graphics or amd. the top model radeon 560 seems to be just a little less powerful than an nvidia 1500 card.
https://www.apple.com/ie/shop/buy-mac/macbook-pro/15-inch

looks out of your budget even for the lowest model.

Slaanesh

I should really have put €2000 ex VAT! I saw the 12% deal on the XPS 15 and it could be a runner. We have a PC Specialist laptop in the office that weighs nearly 3kg so 2kg would be very light. It seems to be hit and miss with the trackpad.

4k screen will hit battery life a bit remember on the xps 15.
even tho you have the money to spend and it's not your money! just a point to remember!

the 1050 card in the xps will allow for 1080p gaming. although with laptops there is always the potential for not getting the full performance if the temp gets too high and performance is throttled.

if you want to try VR you'd need a 1060 card inside.

Slaanesh

I must remember that it's primarily a development machine, so nicey things like VR and ultra high res gaming aren't a priority. I do love shiny nice high-end toys but must be slightly logical about it.

The XPS sounds like it would be perfectly great at handling the day to day whilst being able to do a bit of casual gaming.

As I'm sure an even lesser specced laptop would do, but I want the highest performance in the smallest/lightest package for the best price.

the 4k screen is supposed to be very nice - excellent colour reproduction.

not sure if there are still some trackpad issues. you'd think that if it was a common issue that it would have been sorted over the last year with the different versions of the machines coming out.

seems to be a software issue and there appears to be some workarounds/fixes if you get the issue.

ED E

Few bullet points to consider:
- Linus reported poor colour on some of the XPS 4Ks IIRC, but the 1080s were fine
- Display scaling in Windows SUCKS. With a 15" 4K when scaling goes wrong it goes very very wrong
- Surface P3/4 and SB1/2 are great machines, but crap for media. I use one every month or so and its top notch
- The keyboard is everything - try before you buy if at all possible.

Slaanesh

Why crap for media? Is it the aspect ratio?

ED E wrote: »

Few bullet points to consider:
- Linus reported poor colour on some of the XPS 4Ks IIRC, but the 1080s were fine
- Display scaling in Windows SUCKS. With a 15" 4K when scaling goes wrong it goes very very wrong
- Surface P3/4 and SB1/2 are great machines, but crap for media. I use one every month or so and its top notch
- The keyboard is everything - try before you buy if at all possible.

ED E

Yep

Slaanesh

Ordered the 15" 4K XPS 16GB with fingerprint reader. couldn't justify the 32GB ... I bloody tried though

Useful.Idiot

Report back with how you find it. Looking to buy the exact same spec myself.

Slaanesh

For those interested, here's the delivery info, should be delivered tomorrow. ETA was 7th of Feb, so 6 days early.

Date Time Location Status
31/01/18 12:12 DPD ATHLONE - HUB ORDER DISPATCHED FROM HUB.
31/01/18 12:12 DPD ATHLONE - HUB FIRST BOX SCANNED OUT OF HUB.
31/01/18 11:06 DPD ATHLONE - HUB ORDER COMPLETE IN HUB.
31/01/18 09:35 DPD ATHLONE - HUB FIRST BOX SCANNED INTO HUB.
30/01/18 20:07 WWI - LUTTERWORTH ORDER DISPATCHED FROM HUB.
30/01/18 20:01 WWI - LUTTERWORTH FIRST BOX SCANNED OUT OF HUB.
30/01/18 19:11 WWI - LUTTERWORTH FIRST BOX SCANNED INTO HUB.
30/01/18 14:58 PLAN COMMITTED NOTE.
30/01/18 11:31 WWI - LUTTERWORTH MERGE ITEMS PICKED.
26/01/18 22:00 CHINA DEPARTED MANU.FACILITY
26/01/18 14:00 PENDING.

forzacalcio

How did this turn out?
Looking at this myself, a bit of graphic design (Adobe products and some film editing) and some sneaky Football manager. Was going to jump on a Macbook Pro but seem to get better value with XPS.

Slaanesh

I've created a separate thread with a review of the laptop:

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057845316