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

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8600 (3MB cache/2.4GHz/1066Mhz FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-bit
13.3" WXGA Slim WLED LCD with 1.3 Megapixel Camera
Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write)
4GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1067MHz (2 Dimms)
320GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive
NVIDIA® GeForce® 9500M - 256MB
High Definition Audio 2.0
Dell Wireless 1515 802.11n Half Mini-Card
Bluetooth® Internal (2.0) mini-card
56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Obsidian Black with Leather Accent
1Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, In Home Service

Just ordered mine, came to £796, which is about $1100 or €880.

 

Hey there,

If you having these issues and your not happy..you may want to return it!

Are you in the US? If you are, remember that you have that 21 days from date of invoice for new replacement/refund.

Sorry you had these issues, on a brand new lappy


Cin

 

Could you run hwmonitor to try and help quantify that?
http://www.cpuid.com/hwmonitor.php
With some users reporting idle temps in the 40C range and others in the 60C range, it'd be good to figure out whether dell has a thermal paste problem or whether the discrepancies are due to other factors like 7200rpm drive vs SSD drive, 9400m vs 9500m

 

I redid the thermal paste on my CPU (Dell had put tons on) and it went down a few degrees, but mine wasn't too hot to begin with. People with really hot results might just have a thermal paste problem.

However, the back corner of mine still gets super hot when doing something intensive for a long time. Dell's awesome lid-blocking-vent design might not be helping there.

Today is 17C and my idle temps are:
CPU: 35C
9400: 51C
9200: 55C

 

Do temps (as measured with software or observed at the outside corner) get better if you turn off the 9200?

Maybe those vent holes need to be cut bigger if the lid blocks some of them. Jacknife?

 

Sort of. It's obviously trying to hold a certain temperature, so temps end up the same but it runs the fan less. To be fair, that one little heat sink and fan is cooling a whole lot of stuff.

 

Isn't it the same on m1330?

 

At least that's good news for those of us who only ordered a 9400m - less heat output AND smaller power supply.

 

holla back

 

yea, not that i wasn't having any fan issues with my M1330.
in the M1330, when the screen is vertical to the keyboard, the vents are not blocked, only when u tilt the screen further back do they get blocked.
in the 1340, even when the screen is vertical, it blocked at least one quarter of the total vent space.

as one other person mentioned, switching the SLI to power save mode does slow down my fan and cools the bottom surface of the laptop considerably.
i talked to dell and they told me that the 1340 is considered a "high end" "notebook" and not a "laptop", so they're not designed to be put on your laps. lol. i thanked him and told him that it confirmed my suspicion on the overall design. he said they're built to sit on straight surfaces, like an office desk !

i'll keep this laptop sticking around for a while until i come up with an alternative. these new sony vaios are looking sexy.
after all, i do have 30 days before i can return it.

 

You mentioned that you redid because "Dell had put tons on" it. I thought more thermal paste=less heat I'm new to this, so pardon my ignorance. Is there a way one can re-do the thermal paste?

I haven't got mine yet (customer care reps said it would be shipped this week) but I'm worried about heating issues. I might be traveling to Prague soon so I just want to careful with what I am getting.

Will re-doing the thermal paste affect warranty? Are there any risks involved?

 

You have 21 days, not 30 (although, what country are you in?).

Well, if it's really meant to sit on a flat surface, I have to reconsider my decision. As I said before, when people ask whether they should get m1330 or 1340 and use it a lot on the go, I'd advice to stick with m1330.

 

jesus christ. i was about to buy one 2morrow...

or it is just spiral of silence ? e.g. only unhappy people post to forum and hundreds of happy people (with hole in lid not to cover vent) just sits around and loughing?

Lexus: lets go buy HP... at least it will cost much less...

 

It's not good to put too much - you want to put on just enough to cover it.
I wouldn't risk it if you haven't done it before. And I'm not sure if opening it voids the warranty actually.

 

Hehe It will cost less, for sure, but what about the satisfaction? I want my notebook look nice, be pleasant to touch, and bring me joy, knowing that i'm using not just anything, but a higher-end one. It's like driving a Daewoo Matiz vs BMW, both have 4 wheels and will get you from point A to point B, well, you get the point.

Anyways, i'm still thinking, if i will use it a lot on the road, so my choices are m1330 or 1340, and if not, then m1530, 1640 or Studio 15 (since these 3 have Blu-ray drives). Yes, decisions, decisions.

 

hey when you keep saying there is 21 day return policy, don't they charge you like a 15% restocking fee? So its a big waste to even return it?

and hey ima be happy with this 1340 after my olddddddddddd inspiron 6000, in which the ac adapter doesn't charge, and the monitor hinge cant hold the screen in place, and i see the BSOD more than i see the desktop (even after a fresh wipe of xp and vista)

 

why is there so much talk about the heat problem -___-
i'm so worried now.. how hot does an average notebook get and how hot is ur studio xps 13? i hope i dont have any heat problems

 

lexus: i am still not convinced that 1340 is BMW... or i missed the point ?

 

I thought maybe it'd be helpful to consolidate all the issues people are having into a thread, so I made one here, since people are starting to post different threads about the same issues.

If people post in it I'll try to update the OP if fixes (or more issues!) are found. Of course you don't have to post in it.

I like to imagine this guy as the laptop talking.

 

I was close into getting one, I guess I expected a lot more from hybrid (cooler, more battery life and no more m1330 like GPU related problems..) yet m1340 doesn't get more than 3/hrs.

XPS 1340 has a stunning look and I was really going for it, however glossy design (why do they do that?) proved to be (from the first pics) that I would hate it..

Now the only option there is (better considered the GPU - 9600m gt) is 13.3" LG P310, note that DVD rom is usb, (which I use rarely) and it weights only 1,6kg. But considering the power of (P9500, 9600m gt and DDR3 ram) I guess it would be worth it.

Any word on any other manufacturer releasing good 13.3 " ?

 

If you going to look for a LG go to this section of the forum for the LG's:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=29

All other manufacturer's are also under this section:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1002

You can also check this section of the forum for any News, etc. on all things new upcoming in Notebooks:
Notebook News and Reviews:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=13

The 1340's are nice...each lappy works for each person differently

Cin

 

when I called, the guy said 30 days.. I'll return it within 21 days just to be in the safe side. I am in the US btw.
as of stocking fee, that same representative said that they'll issue a full refund once the item is returned. they'll even take care of the return shipping cost.

 

Good!

I think they have to say, that they have the right to charge a 15% restocking fee. Most often, that does not happen

Per Dell's site the return policy is 21 days from date of invoice...There has been great confusion in the past with the Reps saying 30 days. There are some exceptions..certain notebooks have the applicable 30 days:
http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/policy/en/policy?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~section=018

Cin

 

Says delivery slated for the 9th of Feb... It hasn't even gone into boxing yet, and takes 5 business days from the time it leaves Dell to get to Vancouver.

 

if you want to return with no 15% stocking fee, you can just simply complain about the system "oh it runs too hot" or "the size is a little too small so I want to return it and buy a bigger one", etc...just stretch the truth out a little bit...good luck

 

Ahhhhh The ESD is usually over projected on Dell's end. Perhaps, it could could ship sooner than 2/9. Do you get yours shipped thru Purolator?

Cin ;

 

Perhaps... One can hope.

This evening, reading through the latest recent entries into the newly-received 1340s, I'm starting to get worried about:

a) the glossy screen (the more photos I see, the more I don't like this)
b) the heat issue on uneven surfaces -- I sometimes watch movies in bed on my laptop (especially when traveling) and that would be a big problem
c) the 15% restocking fee (Canadians have 30 days to return, but it clearly states that there's a 15% restocking fee on the CND site here.
d) the size of the power supply (granted, mine won't be as big as the 90w, but the 65w one is still pretty huge compared to other manufacturers

... ARGH. Maybe I ordered this too soon -- I did pay $2058 with taxes and no extras. Perhaps I should wait for more people to get theirs, and decide based on real user experiences?

I'm in a quandry.

 

Oh, and I think it's FedEx these days for Dell Canada.

 

Mine's been in boxing since Wednesday with no end in sight. At least it's given me time to think about whether this was the best decision for me considering the amount of issues I've read. What really scared me was the report that it keeps freezing even after reformatting the hard drive, but you really can't find another laptop stocked with this much high-end stuff at the same price .

 

yeah, im kind of scared myself now hearing about all these problems....

i think ima wait and see how my laptop runs, make a decision from there...

 

Looks like mine was delayed yet again. Ordered originally on the January 8th. Supposed to ship originally on January 27th, then delayed until February 3rd. Now set for February 9th.

Oh well, gives more time for the kinks to be worked out, methinks.

Also, I'm pretty sure it's the wireless N card that causing my delay.

Anyone in the U.S. receive one yet?

 

Ohh..I hope that delivery w/Fed Ex is a bit faster...

I would prob's have the same qualms regarding all the issues going on. Being in the boxing stage you are getting thru the process, maybe it will bump w/in the next day or so for you.

The good thing, is that with the return policy you have a bit of a *window* to try it out, and if it doesn't work for you ~ then you can return for a new replacement or refund.

You never know, your 1340 could be *perfect* I wouldn't worry so about these things (though it's hard not to) ~ until you actually have your 1340 for yourself!

Hang in there!~


Cin

 

Mine will be delivered today. I'm anxious about testing it out. I will say that I don't have a "warm-fuzzy" about it though. First time I've bought a laptop that I had so many reservations about. Hopefully, I'll be pleasantly surprised

 

Sweet! That's great yours is arriving today!

I was in your position last year, my 1530 was my first lappy! Wait til you have it in your hands. I swear, I stared at it for nearly an hour before I physically handled it!

I think, perhaps you will be pleasantly surprised!

Are you going to be taking any close up pics of it??


Cin

 

My ESD is the 2nd of March x_x. That's a month away

 

Yes, that is...What was your order date??


Cin

 

My ESD is also 2nd of March (prev ESD 20th of February, ordered 19th January)

Nothing to to but wait and hoping it comes erlier

 

I only ordered a day ago.. I was hoping I'd get it delivered in ~2 weeks.

 

You got bumped out too????

I hope it comes out earlier...I wonder if a part has been delayed with the manufacturer, perhaps??

*crossing fingers* for a ship date very soon for all of you!

Cin

 

The ESD's are usually overprojected for situations such as a part delay.

A 2 week build/delivery time, would be nice. I always contacted a Dell Rep. for the *factual* on where my notebook or netbook was in the build process.


Cin

 

Thanks I'm sure it'll get here sometime before the ESD.

It's something with the Logitech mouse that delayed my order.. atleast that was what my dell salesman told me.

 

Oish... The mouse is being shipped with your order? I thought they shipped these items separately.

But, yes...it could very well ship before your March ESD *fingers crossed* oh lulz.


Cin

 

the trend continues

i ordered on the 8th, esd 27th, then 3rd, now 9th also

did you have to give your consent to the delay also?

if it's the wireless card or even if it's something else, why would they start selling a computer if they wouldn't be able to ship them?

also, quit telling me my computer will ship on a certain date if won't! just tell me it will ship in june or something if you don't know for sure it will be earlier.

for now, i'm going to believe that the american studio xps 13 is only a myth. they don't actually exist until i see further evidence proving me wrong.

@#$%*@#!*#%*&%$@#$#@&*

 

Yes, I gave consent.

There's a note next to the wireless N ard that says may delay your order.

It's a new machine, given configurations, I'm sure they had one of their suppliers not come through when they were supposed to and then the delay goes on and on down the food chain.

It's tough being an early adopter, but can at times be worth it. If it gets delayed again, i'll probably cancel and wait to check the machiens out at Best Buy, who should supposedly have them by the end of February -- but who knows.

 

also, if my computer is truly in the boxing stage as the status line says it is, then it wouldn't be any part of the computer holding the production back, since it is already built. it must just be some idiots at dell deciding they shouldn't ship them for some moronic reason.

 

i believe studio xps 13 is myth itself... as quality dell laptops are..

 

I have one! shipped 1/27 and arrived 1/30. will return within the week though, read my other posts.

 

Boxing stage = On A plane from Malaysia (according to my business sales manager)

 

Location: Denmark
Ordered: 15th of Jan
ESD: 17th of Feb or before

 

yeah, exactly. by the boxing stage it should be built already. there are other things that could cause a delay but individual components should not be delaying the order if it really is in the boxing stage.