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General discussion

Dell XPS 13 VS Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition VS Surface Pro

by JackRV Jun 27, 2015 2:12PM PDT

Im in the process of buying a new laptop and am stuck between these three laptops. The specs of each one are:

DELL XPS 13:
Windows 8.1 64bit (Would upgrade to windows 10 on july 29)
8Gb Dual channel DDR3L-RS 1600Mhz (On board so non upgrade-able but should be enough for what i need)
5th gen Intel Core i5-5200U Processor (3M Cache, up to 2.7GHz)
Intel (R) HD Graphics 5500 (Not too worried about this because i dont really do any gaming on it)
13.3-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) InfinityEdge Display (Touch is 300 dollars extra which i dont think is worth it)
2 USB 3.0 ports; 1 Mini display port; 1 Headset jack; SD card reader
There are 2 options im considering for the storage which are:
2.6lb
128Gb SSD = $1199
256Gb SSD = $1399 (This is the one im thinking right now)

Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition:
Everything is the exact same as above except:
Ubuntu 14.04 Instead of windows (which I am somewhat familiar with but not overly familiar)
Only storage option is 128Gb SSD
2.6lb
$1199

Surface Pro 3:
Windows 8.1 Pro
256Gb SSD
4th generation Intel core i5
8Gb DDR3 memory
12" ClearType Full HD Plus Display (obviously touch screen)
1 USB 3.0; microSD card reader; Headphone jack; miniDisplay port
1.76lb
$1409 + Keyboard ($160) = $1569

I just wanted to look for input on anyone who has any of these and what they think of them? I am a computer science student in University and therefore i use my laptop CONSTANTLY. The main reason i am a little weary of the surface pro 3 is the keyboard. I have a bunch of programming classes so i type all the time and im not sure how good the surface pro 3 keyboard is. Thanks for anyone's input. If you need any more information please just let me know

Discussion is locked

3 Posts

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Would not buy.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jun 27, 2015 3:20PM PDT

My bottom storage size is 500GB. The 128GB would likely have its owner fighting for space rather than getting work done.

Do not buy without a keyboard test.

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SSD

by JackRV Jun 27, 2015 3:32PM PDT

I see what you mean however i am set on an SSD instead of an HDD since they are so much faster. i do have an external hard drive however that i could carry around with me as additional storage.

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Did I write this?

by xarophti Jul 30, 2015 8:58AM PDT

Wow. You are stuck in the exact spot I am. I am considering the exact same two machines (I'm not really thinking of the developer edition - I'm a bit too used to Windows from my business environment). And although there is the storage issue, the Pro can take micro sd card, which can give you quite a bit more space. Not sure of the storage expansion potential on the Dell. I think some of this is going to boil down to how much you're going to use touch screen (you can get the Dell without) and how much you think you may use the tablet form. If you're mostly going to be in laptop mode, the Dell is going to be more comfortable, as I think the Pro's keyboard is going to flop around and the kickstand dig into your thighs if you're using it actually in your lap.

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