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

I got curious and just checked the Sony Vaio Z690 on Canadian SonyStyle website. A couple hundreds dollars more? Guys, you must be kidding. A similar configuration (to 1340) is almost $1000 dollars more! No, Sony, thank you. I just wonder if it's golden by any chance? Maybe it could be a good investment then. No, it's not an alternative to 1340 in any way.

Anybody knows of any solution to those smudges on 1340? Stickers would look ugly. Will fine sandpaper work? ohhhh...

 

And the BluRay option is only $650! Wowsers.

I did look seriously at the Z590 (as well as the SR, which specs out near the same price as the 1340 but probably weaker graphics). But I didn't like how much Sony charged for accessories, like batteries/power cords. (I swear an extra battery was a $200 option). One great thing about Dell is cheap spare parts and eventually third-parties making spare parts -- like the $20 keyboard I tossed on my 700m.

 

to me, sony and apple rhymes with "rip off" lol

 

Yeah I agree Sony is way overpriced but all these issues are scaring me =(. I've been reading on the 1640 forum and there are problems there too. Sad times...

 

Actually this is not correct. We have been spoiled by the 'no questions asked' return policies in the United States. They vary according to the law of the land in different countries. In France, I believe the return period is 7 days for Dell products.

Caveat Emptor.

 

is there a fan vent on the bottom? i dont think you should have real trouble. i dont see any problem with those keys unless they are actually easy to pull off which i doubt they are. i am definitely thinking the design looks so compact compared to the 1640, but its the price you pay for a smaller size. the one thing i am not a fan of whatsoever is the fingerprint issue. it looks like you already gave up on cleaning them off based on those photos. i have seen lots of 1640/1340 photos and they all look like this. so it cant be that all of you are especially oily people!

did it at least come with a dell branded wipe cloth? if not, put it this way, at least if its stolen theyll be able to match your prints to the recovered machine, as well as those from the thief!

 

The best thing will be when Dell offers a matte black option. I'm thinking of getting the XPS 1640 and I'm not too crazy about the glossy surface. I also need a 13" travel notebook and I'm thinking about getting the Adamo in white/silver so I don't have to look at smudges. The Sony Z is another notebook I'm considering if I can't wait until later this year for the Adamo's release.

Then again, just because you don't see it doesn't mean your notebook isn't dirty. Maybe the glossy black is good for forcing you to clean it more often.

 

Won't using sandpaper make the finish look uneven and scratched? Maybe I don't know how to do that. Anyone care to enlighten me? Haha.

 

Depending on the materials that Dell used, it might make the surface look unrecoverably ugly It's an expensive risk But then again, you never know until you try it

 

If you you use an ultra fine paper like 1500 or higher you'll get a real fine scratch pattern that isn't visible to the eye, what you'll see is just a dull finish. Same as fine steel wool which I wouldn't recommend since you'll get metal particles everywhere. If you're really going to try it I'd suggest sanding some other sample piece of material first.....If I don't like the gloss that's what I'll be doing... or grey auto primer .

 

I am going to order the 1340 tonight or tomorrow (I'm in Australia so it shall be interesting to see how long it takes to get to me) and I was thinking about trying to get an extra power adapter - a 65W one which I can take to uni to use when I am only using the integrated graphics - I'll turn the dedicated ones off. The 90W one really looks like a brick and my sister's XPS1330 65W one is nice and small and light.
Do you think this will work?
Anyone tried to get one from a Dell rep? Any good deals?

Also, anyone seen the Studio XPS sleeves yet? The rep I spoke to last week said they were not on the website but would still offer me one at a discounted rate. I think I will order one and send it back if I don't like it.

Any more thoughts on the 9500M GE graphics? Worth it? Good enough?

 

I was going to ask for the 65W one but never got around to it since I'm not sure I'm keeping the computer just yet--have to wait for some more user reviews. There's no harm in trying though.

By the way, what city? I spent 2 months in Sydney a few months ago for a research project =). Cool place!

 

Melbourne actually. And it is not cool today . It is HOT! 42 degrees Celsius actually. I think my trains will be cancelled.

According to my dell rep, the delivery time was not delayed and would be 7-10 days - I am assuming working days....

And I just can't wait for a new laptop!

 

Hey guys,

I ordered a Studio XPS 13 on Jan 22, and my ESD is 2/13/09

Loaded it up with the 2.53cpu, the LED Display with a 9500m, and the 128GB SSD

However, I'm really, *really* worried about this vent issue, it being blocked by the screen when you open up the laptop - I mean, seriously? dell? were you thinking?

Also, that movie of the keyboard keys having a "wobble" issue really concerns me.....I really hope its not as bad as that vid makes it seem, we shall see....

To those of you who have already received your 1340, PLEASE do a review/put your thoughts on the laptop up - I promise you a lot of us are very eager to read a decent review of this laptop...

thx

 

Let's just hope the 1340 delivers! So far problems are plaguing these new studio xps computers!

 

That's my configuration =). I'm with you--reviews are NEEDED! The vent thing may be intentional though. I wonder if the quality of the computer is related to the plant that it was produced. Certain areas may have more incompetent people haha.

 

I'm kind of worried now too. I've been waiting since August when they announced these would be out in late November. The only thing I'm worried about are the keys and build quality (that we've seen lacking the 1640 thread, along with the messed up drivers and constant BSOD). Hopefully there'll be reviews up soon. I hope my campus store gets sample ones within the next few weeks (a perk of being so close to Dell). If they do, I'll post some photos, but by then I'm sure there'll be plenty of reviews.

 

Well as I have a m1330 I had a look at the vent, it is in the same place and if have the screen at full tilt to the back it covers part of the air vent just as shown on the 1340. I have had no heating issues linked in with this or any change in the quality of the screen. I really can't see Dell making such a serious issue on their top of the range Laptop. I think people need to chill and wait until some more reviews appear.

 

Thats good to know, I was just looking at some pics of the 1330 thinking that before you posted....

Now the only issue is the keyboard - I'm sure it being back lit has something to do with it....maybe its a trade off - for me personally, the back lit keyboard was major selling point

 

Well as I have a m1330 I had a look at the vent, it is in the same place and if have the screen at full tilt to the back it covers part of the air vent just as shown on the 1340. I have had no heating issues linked in with this or any change in the quality of the screen. I really can't see Dell making such a serious issue on their top of the range Laptop. I think people need to chill and wait until some more reviews appear.

 

I really like the Studio XPS 13 with the backlit keyboard but what I don't like is the screen resolution which is a pittyful (1024x768). Many others out ther like the Sony Z series offer resolution at 1600x900 which is equal to a 40% more increase in screen space and obviously better productivity as I see more on one screen instead of having to scroll up or down everytime.

This is a big mistake on Dell's part they should offer a 1600x900 screen resolution option when configuring/buying the laptop and they do not. Becaue of this I cannot buy. For the premium price Dell is charging it should be by default that they ship 1600x900 resolution.

1024x768 is terrible for watching movies and viewing your pictures they will come out pixelated like box shaped. Like I said a 1600x900 is perfect aspectio ratio for that screen and provides 40% more info on the screen without having to scroll up and down or side to side in any program.

I truly hope they quickly add the option of 1600x900 resolution then I would buy one for sure. Why they don't offer a Blue Ray Reader I think is another big mistake as it is offered on the 13inch Sony Z...but they are overly priced, but Sony's blueray players also can BURN to Blue Ray Disks not just Read like Dell Studio XPS 16. Imagine being to make a 50Gb backup of your important files in a 10 minutes.

Any info if they will offer a good screen on the 13 inch studio XPS with 1600x900 I would be certain to pay the extra price for it and why not offer the RGB LED on the XPS 13 like its offered on the Studio XPS 16?

 

The resolution is 1280x800.

 

In case of unrecoverably ugly result, buy a can of fluorescent pink spraypaint along with your sandpaper.

 

The 1280x800 Resolution on a 13inch screen is totally acceptable imo.

 

My 1340 just went into shipping preparation this morning (Schenker would have picked it up today). Then I called Dell and cancel it. Not because I don't want it, but because I found a frickin 15% discount code yesterday! (way more than my previous 7% code). My 1340 will now arrive 2-3 weeks later with a $100+ lower price. Hard decisions, but it’s tough to neglect $100.

My previous ESD was 2009-02-16. So the ESD seems to be extremely exaggerated, as Cin already stated. At least in my case.

The 15% discount code can be found at rabattkod.se but will probably only work at Dell Sweden.

 

When did you order? I ordered the XPS 13 on 19th and my esd is 20/2, and it's still in production

 

Just received the laptop. First impressions, excellent build quality, I am having no flex or issues with the keyboard whatsoever. Screen quality is excellent (LED) and it is of course a fingerprint magnet, but seeing it is piano black finish it isn't an issue for me. My specs were P8600, 9500 GC, 320g 7200 rpm hd and 4gb ram. I'll load up 3dmark later on and see how we do.

 

That I don't know. I was just writing down my thoughts =)
But now it's proved. It can only deliver 2,5 hours according to "pipomolo42"

I must ask: What power profile did you use when you got it to run for 2,5 hours? Also; how's the noise from HD and fan?

//R

 

Can you post the code? I am at work and for some reason the site wont load.

 

Ah, good point : the HDD and fan are extremely silent. The DVD drive is quite noisy (in data copy mode, I haven't trieds dvd playback, maybe it then runs much more silently, at it needs to deliver much less data per second), but I don't think it's a drawback ,as I really rarely use a optical disc these days. So, from this point of view, the machine is simply excellent.

for the power estimation: first, it's the same sumber you gan get from the official dell documentation. Then, I got approximately 2.5 hours both in Ubuntu and Vista (using the default - dell provided - profile)

 

Yes, but in the US it is correct per Dell's return policy ..And, yes they do vary for different countries.

For US:
http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/policy/en/policy?c=us&l=en&s=gen&~section=018

Per Dell US site: (taken from above link)

Cin

 

The code is: PCM2KRSTSPLF19

 

Ok. Can that power profile be compared to the "balanced" profile that comes with Vista as standrad? I guess there is an energy saving power profile as well? When you have tryed it (if you do) feel free to post the results! =)

By the way it's feels good to hear that the machine is quiet!!

//R

 

Even so that still doesn't compare to 1600x900 resolution you are getting 30-40% more info plus a much much better quality picture. 1280x800 is still a joke simply try comparing those settings on your desktop by changing the display settings. Big difference. Studio xps 13 should have 1600x900 like the Sony Z does now that's a picture!! Dell does a good job of hiding this on there website next to impossible to find out what the resolution is on there site for the studio xps 13. I'm not falling for that trick then once u get it and don't like it there is a restocking fee. Thanks but no thanks.

 

paying $1000 more for a 1600x900 screen is a joke

1280x800 is a good resolution for a 13" display
you really have no idea what you're talking about

 

Aren't you 1340 current and future owners gonna go crazy about all the fingerprints ?

 

cong
we would like to see some cool pictures or videos

 

A 16:9 aspect ratio isn't good for anything but watching movies anyway, so I'm quite happy with a 16:10 ratio, even if I would definitely have been much happier with a 4:3 ratio, which seems to have disapeared by now.

I don't really care about aesthetics, it doesn't make the machine more, or less, usable.

 

Are you saying that your keyboard doesn't behave as in the video that was posted here earlier?

Gimme BluRay on XPS Studio 13! NOW!

 

Cancelled order: Order date: 2009-01-10, ESD: 2009-02-16
New order: Order date: 2009-01-28, ESD: 2009-02-25

 

Sorry for asking questions that I feel I should have been able to find out myself but am unable to find the answers on the dell website:

1. The "Tech Specs" on the XPS 1340 seem a little light on information. For example, where on the Dell website does it indicate that the screen resolution is 1280 X 800? On the Mini 9 Tech Spec the screen resolution is listed.

2. Does the Dell website indicate how long the estimated battery life is? If so, where?

3. The Tech Specs state: 6 cell 56 WHr Li-Ion Battery Plus 9 cell 85 WHr Li-Ion Battery. Does that mean a 9 Cell battery is available? When I tried to configure the system I was only given the option of a 6 cell battery.

Thank you

 

I don't think 1280x800 is a joke on a 13" screen. There's a reason why 99% of all 13" laptops out there have this resolution. As it is now, I have to bump the fonts way up on my 1280x800 12" monitor. And from what I've seen of the 1280x800 on the Sony SR, MacBooks, etc...is that there's plenty of detail at these smaller screen sizes.

Also, comparing 1280x800 on a Desktop monitor to a small 13" laptop isn't a proper comparison. Of course your large 20, 22, 24, 30 inch desktop monitor is going to look terrible at 1280x800 -- it's not the native resolution for one, and that's a lot of physical space to stretch the few pixels (unlike a monitor with a ~quarter the physical space)

WHile the Sony Z does have one of the best laptop screens I've ever seen (for any laptop screen I've seen) , I'm not really sure it's worth all that extra coin. And for me, I work 99% of the time plugged into either a 20" 4:3 or 22" monitor with nice resolutions.

 

Tech specs can be found in the product documentation ,available on dell's support site.

 

Tried this via Dell US; it no longer works ("expired or has met redemption limit").

 

Excellent news!! Are you in the states or in another country? Would just like to know who is producing this notebook. Thanks! Pictures and videos are always appreciated too =).

 

I just downloaded the manuals, and started reading. THere's a lot of good stuff in there:

1) Like you can't use both the DisplayPort and HDMI output at the same time.
2) Some new trackpad gestures: Touchpad Circular Scrolling and Zoom, one finger zoom (zoom in and out moving the finger upward or downward) or the pinch zoom (zoom in and out by spreading two fingers or by bringing two fingers together).

I'm looking forward to trying this circular scrolling functionality. One of the things I really like about the new Mac Books is using the two-finger up/down swipe to scroll a web page. It felt natural and works really well, and was instantly addictive. So, if anyone out there has one, let us know how these new gestures work.

(I'm still waiting on my 1/8/1009 order that was delayed until 2/3/2009.)

 

can you post the link to the manual. i know it's on here somewhere, but i don't want to search that 200 page thread to find it.

 

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/sxl13/en/index.htm

 

Multi-touch(pad)! Horray!

 

yeah, i'm curious why this feature wasn't advertised.
maybe because they didn't want the idiots at apple waving their "patents"