--->The Official Studio XPS 1340 Owner's Thread<---

Hey guys,
Dell Customer Care called me up to check if I received my laptop. I told them that I appreciate sending the laptop before the estimated time but was disappointed the way I was expected to receive the shipment. I told them it took me 3 hrs to get back home

 

Hey guys,
Dell Customer Care called me up to check if I received my laptop. I told them that I appreciate sending the laptop before the estimated time but was disappointed the way I was expected to receive the shipment. I told them I had to drive 40 miles to collect my laptop since Fedex held back my shipment (Fedex said if I am not at home at the time of delivery, they would send it back to Nevada, when i am in AZ). So in compensation they offered $30 or a $50 coupon. Both are meagre amounts so i really dont know what to go for. I need to make a purchase of at least a dollar more than $50. For example, I should buy a backpack for 51 bucks to use that coupon.

Not sure which one to go for.

 

It is permanent, but I think you have the wrong idea here. It is a coating, much like finish and stains applied to wood to make them water resistant/pretty/ect. The kind I used was a viscous solid (pudding anyone?). First I used tape to seal off all holes and unwanted parts of the notebook. I then applied the finish with a wooden tongue depressor. I then took a heat lamp to it to even out the coat (this step may not be necessary, especially if you are willing to do multiple coats). I let this dry overnight. There were a few bulges near the edges and I'm OCD, so I sanded off the bulgy finish, not touching the laptop, with P2000 sand paper. I just reapplied the same way and again let it dry. This second coat came out perfect. I can't seem to find my camera right now, but as soon as I do I will get some quality shots here.

 

Sorry for the double post, but this definitely seems worth a new post. The 9 cell secondary battery has just gone live on the US site. Hope this is good news for all you out there worried about battery life. It is only possible to buy as a secondary. The primary will still be a 6 cell.

Edit: It's a $190 addition.

 

How do you guys feel about the leather>?

 

ARG! Now I'm definitely calling up sales tomorrow. This was the one hesitation I had about ordering the 1340 but I went ahead because I was worried about it shipping in time. Plus I'm a little upset that I didn't get to use the "extra 3%" discount off by using my DPA by clicking on the "pay with credit card" during checkout first.

 

My XPS 1340 is set to arrive tomorrow.

I ordered on the 1/29.

Does the 9 cell add a lot of bulk to the 1340?

 

Got mine 12 days before it was scheduled to ship. Great quality but, had to powercycle to get the touchbuttons to work after 1st reboot and holy crap does this thing get hot!

 

Hi guys,
Does anyone know how i can get a MediaDirect 3.3 DVD? My XPS didnt come with one. Was it supposed to?
Can I download it from somewhere?

I wanted to do a clean install based on the instructions here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=3314842&postcount=1291

 

Looks like they added the 256GB SSD option too!

but its another $200.....

Wow, $190 for the 9 cell battery, I might pick it up in the future, I'd be interested to know how much bulk/weight it adds...

 

got a question about this laptop guys...
in the dell site.. they say that the laptop is GPS ready. what does that mean exactly ? did any one tried to get that working ?

thanks for ur reply..

 

I think it means it has the ability to add a GPS receiver/card inside of it.

 

Interested....a gps card eh? can I find these on newegg? I'd totally like to add that to the 1340...

 

http://www.notebookreview.com/shared/picture.asp?f=39833

 

All - here's a solution to your XPS 1340 freezing when coming out of Sleep Mode. I know a few of you guys have this problem.
Here is something I posted in the Sleep Issue thread. But i'll paste it here for you guys.

Now, try your sleep mode.

Hope this helps!
I feel as though I have a laptop again!!

 

See, 9 cell exists This should give me credit
And about the battery life.. I think the XPS 13 should do something about 3h+ with office+wlan ... a little bit less then the M1330, but not much.

 

Mine entered boxing stage.. Hopefully not long before ship

 

how and where can i check the tempuratures for my new studio xps??

 

Go with the $50. In the end, that will get you more savings, if you find something you want ~ and it's already reduced

I got a few of these for compensation for things that happened with my Mini 9 order.

I gladly took them, and am saving for a larger purchase (Adamo 13)

Can you order both of these together, for some savings? That is what I did when I ordered my 1530 Vs. paying more when ordering separate, later on down the road!

Cin

 

I am not a computer guy, and am going off the advice of others. I have settled on a 1340 due to size, and base features. I will be using this primarily for family photos, internet use away from home, and DVD viewing on trips. My question is do I need to upgrade to the Ge Force 9500m Vs. the 9400m that it comes with. I don't want to view skipping or spotty movies, at the same time I am not a gamer at all. Just wondering if it is worth the $100.00 upgrade.

 

9400m should be fine. Spotty movies isn't all about the video card anyway--processor and FSB are also important. The 1340 is plenty powerful enough for that.

 

thank you, now I don't have to update my order and push back my delivery date. Let the waiting continue.....

 

It's true that in older systems the video card didn't matter too much when watching movies. In today's computers, the high definition video playback is mostly the video card's job, and it leaves the processor free for other tasks.

And it's true, Baileysage2001 you should not worry, 9400M is MORE than enough for watching movies, including HD video (Blu-ray and everything else). You don't need 9500M.

 

3DMark benchmark results on my config:

SLI disabled (power save mode in Vista): 2081
SLI (balanced): 3512

The 2081 reading seems low considering most of my work will be with SLI disabled to get more battery life and I don't play games. During the tests, the laptop got very hot and the palmrests got noticeably warmer too.

 

Is it 3DMark Vantage? What type of work will it be? 3DMark only measures the video card's capabilities, not the overall system. Does it mean you plan to play games on the road (on battery) or are you talking about some other work (3D rendering, Photoshop, CAD, etc.)?

 

I think it's just regular 3DMark. I don't think I'm going to play any games or do any work besides photoshop on the road. The computer is mainly for school and occasional website design. I was just surprised at the drop in performance. So this test is only for graphics? The CPU score went up from 1369 to 2172 though--not sure how good those scores are.

 

If I take 500gb 5400RPM hard drive does it mean that It will be faster than 320GB 7200RMP HDs? I've read somewhere that higher density drives are faster or equivalent to lower capacity 7200rpm drives. Can someone confirm that ?

 

The CPU score went up because when in powersaver mode the CPU is restricted to a lower clock speed. It works like this

Power saver: Restricted CPU
Balanced : CPU downclocks when idle
High Perf: CPU always at maximum


I think the 320gb hard drive will be faster despite the higher density of the 500gb.. It is true that a 500gb will run quicker than a smaller capacity one however the differences would be negligible I would think.

 

Hi
I didn't get a MediaDirect 3.3 DVD from Dell. Am I supposed to get it? Or, should I be downloading it from somewhere? I wanted to do a clean install of Vista and was following the steps for that (it menitoned i should have a MediaDirect DVD)

 

Oh, interesting. Do you know how much the CPU is downclocked in power saver mode? Is there a way to disable the SLI and still be in balanced? Kind of defeats the purpose of getting a faster processor if you have to downclock it if you don't want to use SLI...

 

I imagine if you put it in balanced, and look around in the nVidia control panel you should find a way to turn SLi off, but keep the CPU up to speed when active.

 

Hey all!

I just posted this information in the 1640 thread..and I am posting here..because I think someone could use it...

The following deal, I received as an insert, in my monthly statement for my Dell DPA:

• $150 Free Promotional Gift Card with purchase of this system when you use your Dell DPA. Offer ends 03/15/2009
• Take 5% off select systems when you use your Dell DPA
• 12 Months, no interest
• Both the 1340 and 1640 are priced at $1,139.05 after 5% off, when you use your Dell DPA. Regular priced at $1,199.00
• This is the E-Value Code to use (for both): 6M278-DYPDGP1
• This is the link to go to for the deal: http://www.dell.com/content/topics/...s=dhs&~ck=anavml&dgc=DM&cid=28146&lid=1027401
• Valid thru 03/15/09.

I hope, that this is beneficial for some! The Gift Card is a great deal.
You would just have to use your Dell DPA to get it.
(Or apply for one).

Cin

P.S. Please provide feedback if it worked for you or not!

 

Hm, the link takes us to a movie page on imdb hehe.

 

Oh crap! I'm sorry...
LOL

Here you go:

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/...s=dhs&~ck=anavml&dgc=DM&cid=28146&lid=1027401

Cin

 

what battery life are you getting on power saver mode. also does the laptop get hot in power saver mode or balanced mode?

 

Hello all! I am new to this website, and like many of you am "patiently" awaiting the arrival of my Studio XPS 13! I've read that a good number of people have been looking for reviews for this laptop, and I stumbled upon a rather comprehensive one today. The overall score for the computer was an 86 out of 100 (which left me pleasantly contented)! Here is the link for the site:

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Dell-Studio-XPS-13-Notebook.14081.0.html

I hope this helps!

 

Great, thanks

 

Hi Cin,

What is DPA? Can i use it with my EPP?.
BTW, my laptop doesnt have the amber light coming when the batter is low. My machine hangs when i have three or more browsers open and chatting. So the customer care person suggested a replacement.

Can i get the DPA on the replacement model? Or can i work this out in any way?

 

Howdy!

Dell DPA = Dell Preferred Account. It's a Credit Card. But a Dell one.

Yes, you can use it with EPP, and if you do..You can save and addtl' 4% on your purchase!

I think you should get a replacement...MAKE sure they are sending you a new one. Within 21 days of invoice = NEW.

I think the replacement model, you would have to return..order new and start from scratch.

YOU can, however..since you purchased thru EPP...ask for some sort of price match or adjustment. Ask them to honor that, or you may consider returning for a refund, and look elsewhere.

My EPP Program for works states this:

Cin

 

Hello all! I am new to this website, and like many of you am "patiently" awaiting the arrival of my Studio XPS 13! I've read that a good number of people have been looking for reviews for this laptop, and I stumbled upon a rather comprehensive one today. The overall score for the computer was an 86 out of 100 (which left me pleasantly contented)! Here is the link for the site:

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Dell-Studio-XPS-13-Notebook.14081.0.html

I hope this helps!

 

Thanks, Cin!
One more query. I dont have a DPA. Will that e-code be enough?
And are you saying i should send back the replacement machine too and order afresh?
That may take time. Right now, I should get the replacement in 7-8 days.

You also mentioned that i should ask them to make the 4% adjustment by reducing the price? I dont know if they can do that.
Will they ask if i have a DPA? Or do i just have to tell them that I have a e-code for it.
I know I am asking a lot!

 

Nope, you have to have the DPA to get that discount, and the savings

You can do it at checkout...and a decision is made instantly.

Right now there is 12 months interest free on the SXPS.

What I meant was that..if you can't get them to price match the replacement for savings, you can always tell them you are sending back for a refund, and will reorder yourself to get the savings.

But, EPP is supposed to price match!

I think wait and get your replacement. In the meantime, contact the EPP Rep that helped you with your purchase, and ask them to match or beat this deal, by sending you the $150 GC Let him know that you can always return and reorder!


Cin

 

Hello,

First post at this spectacular forum. I have a question: is it possible to expand the RAM to 6/8GB, do the MB support a larger amount of memory?

Thanks

 

Yes, it is possible, the motherboard supports larger amounts of memory, so in the future, you can add 8GB of RAM (2 x 4GB for example). Remember, that you will need a 64-bit operating system to use that RAM.
HTH.

 

Thank you once again. That's an excellent review.

 

hi friends... i´m new here...
i have one question..
what games have played on this ntbk and what settings.....
thx...

 

Welcome to the forum!

And, thanks for sharing the link to the review!


Cin

 

Dell UK Sales (indian call center) keep telling me the XPS Studio 13 only has a 6 cell battery available even with the listing for 6 and 9 cell in the system details on the UK Dell website ARRRRRGH!!!!!

Think I'm going to have to email them a photo someone put up that it does actually exist

http://www.notebookreview.com/shared/picture.asp?f=39833

 

Do it!!! Maybe they will understand...

Gotta love Dell... Nah, I really like Dell..it's these types of things I don't like hearing....*cough - poorly trained Rep's*


Cin

 

On power save, I'm getting around 3.5-4 hours but that's with minimal use. I haven't really used the computer on balanced but it does get hotter than it does in power saver mode.