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

Yeah I think that's mostly likely the be the one that's causing the issues

 

All partitoins are now deleted..

It says:

Do i first create a new partition or do I exit now?

 

Exit first. Vista should be able to create the new partitions for you

Don't forget to change your hard drive mode back from ATA

 

Great. I am now exiting and going back into BIOS to change back to SATA.. then I boot from Vista.. I will let you know if it works..

 

Anyone who can recommend ethernet / wlan / GPU /audio drivers for Win XP?

Still struggling with these, even Driver Detective is unsuccessful.

 

I received my 1340 last thursday, here are some first impressions.

I simply love the keyboard, the best I have ever used on a laptop - and the backlight works great when using the computer in darkness. I like the design, and even though it does attract a lot of fingerprints, it doesnt bother me much. I havent used it enough to give much feedback on performance, but will install Visual Studio, and a Virtual PC with a Team Foundation Server image on it - and try working on it. I'll post some feed back on working on it as a software developer later.
I experienced the computer freeze twice, and the second time when I tried to reboot, I got disk errors. After a couple of reboots it booted fine though, and haven't had any errors since. Last but not least I noticed that the laptop is kind of bended and stands unstable on the desk - which mean that it rocks when typing. I contacted Dell, sendt them a few pictures and videos of it - and they are shipping me a new one. The support was great, they reacted to the mail with the pictures and ordered a new one within 24 hours, as well as ordering someone to pick up the defect one..

 

weee, so far succes I created 4 partitions, and installation has begun on the selected partition Now hoping that it can complete it

 

Sorry, i just now saw your PMs. But congratulations, it should complete just fine! Good luck!

 

I received my 1340 last thursday, here are some first impressions.

I simply love the keyboard, the best I have ever used on a laptop - and the backlight works great when using the computer in darkness. I like the design, and even though it does attract a lot of fingerprints, it doesnt bother me much. I havent used it enough to give much feedback on performance, but will install Visual Studio, and a Virtual PC with a Team Foundation Server image on it - and try working on it. I'll post some feed back on working on it as a software developer later.
I experienced the computer freeze twice, and the second time when I tried to reboot, I got disk errors. After a couple of reboots it booted fine though, and haven't had any errors since. Last but not least I noticed that the laptop is kind of bended and stands unstable on the desk - which mean that it rocks when typing. I contacted Dell, sendt them a few pictures and videos of it - and they are shipping me a new one. The support was great, they reacted to the mail with the pictures and ordered a new one within 24 hours, as well as ordering someone to pick up the defect one..

 

Very nice! Congratulations! Kudos to Dell for reacting fast and doing the right thing!

 

That keyboard looks to be sweet!

Hopefully the one they are replacing with, doesn't freeze up, nor will it be *wobbly*. I think some of the 1530's had this issue when it was first released.

Dell XPS Support is usually pretty good! When are you expected to receive your replacement??

Cin

 

YAY guys!! Vista is installed

I appreciate your help, everyone of you. Thank you so much.

I am now going to install chipset drivers and gfx drivers, etc..

For network drivers there are 5 to chose from on the dell drivers download panel.

Which ones should be installed, besides ethernet, to get wireless internet and bluetooth to work??

(see attachment for screenshot)

 

If only they were so good to all of their customers. I'm still trying to get them to replace my studio xps 13. Remote diagnostics failed to fix it 4 times. In-Home failed to fix it. Not sure how that doesn't qualify for the replacement. I have the packing slip etc. to return this, but I really liked the laptop EXCEPT for its inability to get any wifi signals whatsoever.

They told me that "all of the laptops have this issue with the driver compatability so we can't just send a replacement". "our engineers are trying to keep up with vista"

If the wifi was so incompatable I'm shocked no one on here complained about the darned thing acting as if its got no antenna whatsoever.

I'm really really hoping the sales team that sold me this thing can resolve it so I can get a xps 1340 laptop (working) in less than 45 days. (30 for the credit to be "freed" and 15 for the whole ordering process). At this point if they won't honor their warranty I am just giving up and going somewhere else.

Waiting on a call back from their "Resolution Specialist".

 

What??? If you are w/in your 21 days of date of invoice...they are supposed to replace with a new one or refund. They shouldn't even be questioning you on this.

Unless, you wanted it fixed. That is your choice on the refund or replacement..not Dell's.

Cin

 

For anyone who needs this, here is the link to Dell and info' on returns:

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/dells_sat_policy?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

Cin

 

Going from top to bottom:
1. You don't need it, it's optional and older.
2. If you have the 1515 wireless card, install this one, otherwise go to number 4.
3. This is the bluetooth driver, install it
4. If you have the 1510 wireless card, instlal this one, otherwise go to number 2.
5. This is the ethernet (wired netword/internet) driver, install it.

HTH

 

Well, I just got my studio XPS 13, and everything is great... EXCEPT that the legs on the bottom are uneven.... so that there is a big wobble when typing....

Dell is sending me a new one.... but this sucks! I waited 1 month for this thing

 

Yeah, me too! actually, this is the reason I'm returning mine. That, and a few dead pixels on the screen that I didn't see at first, but after using dead pixel buddy, I suggest all of you take a look with that program!

http://www.laptopshowcase.co.uk/downloads.php?id=1


I'd let them send me a replacement, but, I can just return and reorder for less money than I paid for the first one, so I'm taking that route.

 

Thank you Lexus

Do you guys have installed any of the two system utilities? I guess the "Dell Recommended Vista Power Management Settings" is not critical, but what is the "system software" utility?

Is it some kind of download tool, that it is monitoring when new dell driver updates are available? ie. useless?

 

I read recently how to fix such an issue, it involves placing a coin (or several coins) under one of the legs and then gently pressing the sides of the laptop until it's even. Can't find the article with exact steps though...

 

If you do find it, be sure to post it! That's helpful info!


Cin

 

I have also had problems with my CD/DVD drive. I'm calling support today to see if I need a replacement.

 

Well, the sales team "resolution specialist" set me up to get a replacement machine. This one though will take 9 days to build (extra testing) and 1 to ship.

The guy was shocked that anyone from the tech department would claim Dell was selling an entire product line of defective laptops. They were NOT supposed to tell me to return or swap for a different model. Should have been put in as a replacement from the beginning.

 

I'm surprised they didn't just try replacing your wi-fi card first. Surely it would've just been a defective card considering we all have the same model card, working fine. Oh well, replacement laptop ends up the same in the end.

 

Yes, if the drive can not read discs, it needs a replacement, because most likely it's a hardware issue, and no driver updates will help. The drive itself (inside the notebook's body) is replaceable. I'm not sure what Dell will offer: just to replace the drive or the entire notebook.

 

They actually did try to replace it. The replacement didn't fix the problem. Maybe I got two bum cards? Could it also be a problem with the internal antenna?

There's nothing wrong with the router, # of devices on, or interference. This notebook couldn't pick up any wifi anywhere without being right on top of the router. Tried my networks, other networks in this building, a friends network, and wifi in a coffee shop.

 

Yes, it's best to replace the entire notebook then.

 

Until then I have a "tease" looking at me from across my office.

Darnit! I want my studio xps 13 LOL

Such a nice looking toy over there

 

Sweet! Just ordered the 1340 again, but this time with the 2.66Ghz P9600 - Everything else is the same, 123GB SSD, LED screen, 9500m, bt

First time around it cost me $1850, this time it cost me $1638.85 with a faster cpu and next business day shipping free!!

Granted, now I'm without my 1340 for 10 days.....I just hope the new one doesn't have the wobble feet issue. Even if it does, meh, I saved $200ish



Ordered 2/13/2009, ESD 2/23/2009

 

You should have called BS on that and asked them what exactly they meant by "this issue". Others have their wireless networking working just fine.

I'm guessing they had heard about wifi interoperability problems between some vendors and were assuming that was your problem.

The 1515 is an atheros based wifi card and so it'll probably work best with atheros based access points.

I assume you tried testing with an 802.11g access point not just 802.11n.

 

My SXPS 13 shipped today
3 days before the ESD wow!
Cant wait to get my hands ( and fingerprints !!) on it!

 

To anyone who owns a Studio XPS: Does the piano black finish on the front have a rubbery feel to it, like the Studio line, or is more of a plastic matte feeling, like the old MacBook models? Because today at Best Buy, I tried using a Studio desktop and I loved the rubbery feel on the front. I really hope that's on the Studio XPS.

 

Unboxing Studio XPS 13:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNSY3BCHow8

 

Yeah most of the networks I tried it with were g. The one at home happens to be an n, but the work and friends' access points were g.

 

Nice video, thanks for posting.

 

when i turn on my laptop, before it gets to the login page, the blue screen shows up.. it only happens like 20% of the times.. why is it doing that?

 

I love this lappy, even its glossy

I have always hated and never used touchpads, but this one has an perfect one

Everything works perfect, exept my DVD\CD rom thats was defective

Esata and sleepmode works with no problems here.

 

Congrat's! Shipped 3 days before the ESD is awesome!

I bet it arrives by Tuesday!


Cin

 

Hey -

I don't know if this is the right place to ask this question, but, I originally had my heart set on this laptop for being my first. It seems to have everything I'm looking for and the few cons aren't anything that would get to me (it's cold here, I could use a lap heater!). However, after following this thread for a while it seems everyone encounters some sort of major problem after getting it from Dell inevitably (such as defective dvd/cd roms, constantly crashing/freezing, uneven legs, dead pixels, and more). Is this something specific to Dell I should be worried about, or is this just as common with any other laptop and is not worth trying to avoid? I'm a bit worried I'm going to get ripped off, and not exactly being a computer guy, I'll probably not be wise enough to do anything about it.

Also, is there any thread I'd be able to look at that I'm missing that regards how to get the most out of ordering from Dell? I originally planned on just ordering it online, but after seeing all the deals people get on this thread just by talking with them over the phone it doesn't seem like it'd be a very good idea.

Thank you so much!

EDIT: Also, I don't know if anyone has mentioned this already, but there is a weekend sale on the SXPS 13 where you save somewhere between $170 and $180 dollars from the get go on the Canadian site. Sorry if that's been said.

 

My experience is that the pc is super great and worked out of the box from Dell. That it crashed was 100% my own fault, but thx to the guys in here I managed to get it up and running again.

The things so far that i would complain about if i'd had to, then it is that it gets quite warm when hybrid SLI is enabled, otherwise it is fine. Also, the screen resolution is a bit too low for my likings, but I knew that before buying. Otherwise, the screen is really great.
The performance is snappy, although I havent tried to play any games yet. I am still in the process of just installing all the programs that I use regularly, and setting up the pc the way I like.

The design is great, and I do not experience problems mentioned like DVD-drives not working, uneven rubber feet, etc etc. As said the only thing i truly can recognize is the heat. Yea, and of course the slot-loading drive is a bit loud when loading and ejecting, but who cares - at least I dont.

I also get the same high red spike running the latency test, but it has not affected any real world stuff yet....

The only 'benchmark' I have so far, besides the latency test, is the windows experience score which is 5.2 for my pc.. P9500, 320 GB 7200 HDD.

I like the keyboard which is easy to type on, and do not make any noise, and no flexing issues.



EDIT:

Yea, and also - it is fingerprint magnet - but i'll keep a microfiber cloth next to it, and clean it like the neurotic cleaner I am.. heh

 

Thanks a bunch! I greatly appreciate that. It's good to know I'll probably get what I want out of the sxps with hopefully not too much trouble. I've used my parents old laptops on occasion in the pass, and they practically leave burnmarks on my legs when I use them, so heat doesn't bother me in the slightest. Thanks again!

 

I've had less problems with and been more satisfied with Dells than other brands. The jury is still out on the SXPS 16 for me personally, but I don't have a problem recommending it to others. What you see in this forum is mostly complaints, when people are happy with their products they generally don't come to forums to say so, but they sure show up when they have complaints. The vast majority of users are happy with their notebook. Get one!

 

why do DVD's look so grainy on my 1340. DVD's look better and clearer on my $40.00 no name dvd player. Any suggestions on how to fix, or is this as good as a 1340 can play?

not very impressed. I put it side by side with my old latitude D600, and the Lat blew it away as well.

 

So... Can anyone comment on this? I really like the rubbery feel of the Studio models, but it's a shame they don't offer anything smaller than 15''.

 

FYI: if you log in to Dell EPP website you can get sxps13 for $1,022 with LED screen as the only option. But if you go to dell.com and choose sxps13 it goes for $1,099 with LCD screen, you'd have to pay $125 for LED upgrade.

So if you have EPP login info you can get LED screen + 2.4Ghz CPU upgrades for free

 

THat sucks you're having issues with the WIFI. I haven't heard of this issue and my WIFI works perfectly. In fact, this is the first time I'm using built-in Vista software to manage my wireless connectivity at both work and home.

 

Well Dell is sending me a replacement. Knowing that there are people who get this thing to work no problems at least eases my worry that this entire product line could be a "lemon".

At least the North American sales team actually doubles as a replacement for "Customer Care" when "Customer Care" doesn't care.

 

They are sending me a new card as well, I cannot connect to an N networks, but G works fine. Seems like a driver issue to me but lets see what a new card does.

Anyone else with this problem?

 

Has anyone else noticed the very poor DVD playback quality? I am not impressed with this Laptop for the DVD capability. I have the 9400m and was wondering if that is the problem. I was told before that that should be enough for crisp clear DVD viewing. Was hoping one of you may have figured out how to fix this.

I am trying to figure out weather or not to keep this before the "21" day rule goes into effect.

P.S. I am getting a replacement sent to me as my laptop came out of the box with some specs of dirt underneath the glass and the LCD screen. I really like the look and feel (keyboard) of this 1340, but the poor DVD quality could make this a deal breaker.

 

how did you know it was a regular lcd and not led?