-=[Dell Studio XPS 1340 Replacement Thread]=-

OMG! If the SXPS isn't a refurb then definitely!! Almost everyone on this thread has fought hard for one...and here you are being offered one straight up!!

Besides, you can sell the SXPS for a hefty sum then buy what you really want! That was what I was going to do, but I fell in love with the RGB screen and it really wasn't that big. I am a grad student as well, I still lug it everywhere...I notice the size difference but not the weight. But in all honesty if you found the 1340 heavy, the 164X would be heavier.

But once Dell comes out with a new 13" to replace the 1340...we'll see, I might sell the SXPS 16.

It's an amazing laptop though. I had thought the 1340 and 164X were cut from the same cloth, but my 1647's build quality FAR exceeded that of the 1340. To me, the 1340 was a product that oozed class and finish in theory but was executed poorly. My product, at least, had several flaws that reduced it's over class and made it somewhat cheap--the bulging "edge to edge" plastic above the camera--lid of the laptop was not clean cut: I could see and feel jagged lines---keyboard was an extreme fingerprint magnet: oil from my fingertips would sink into the keyboard and would not go away even with spraying of quick detail and wiping down with microfiber. My 164X had none of these issues.

 

I have just received specs for a studio xps 16 after I complained about receiving a downgraded studio xps 13 (P8700, 6gb, 320gb 5400 rpm) from a studio 14(Core i7, 4gb, 500gb 7200rpm), both computers having malfunctioned. I got the studio 14 as an exchange to my xps m1330 originally.

Here are the specs below:

1 224-6716 Studio XPS 16 Notebook
1 310-0173 Airborne Documentation, System Exchanges,Factory Install
1 312-0950 9-cell Battery
1 313-8874 8X DVD+/-RW Slot Load Drive
1 317-2361 Intel Core i7 720QM 1.6GHz (2.8 GHz Turbo Mode, 6MB Cache)
1 317-2364 4GB, DDR3, 1333MHz 2 Dimm
1 320-1307 ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5730 - 1GB
1 320-8339 15.6 inch Wide Screen 16:9 1080p Full HD WLED LCD, W/2.0 MP, XPS 1645
1 320-8354 Arctic White High Gloss Finish with Leather XPS 1645
1 330-6222 Windows 7 Label
1 330-7785 RESOURCE DVD,BACK-UP,MADISON,XPS 1645
1 341-8989 500GB 7200RPM Free Fall SensorSeagate Hard Drive
1 410-0487 Microsoft Office Starter 2010
1 410-1883 ADOBE READER 9.0 MULTI- LANGUAGE
1 410-2466 MCAFEE PEARL MUI,15MTH,Without Media
1 420-6436 PC-Restore, Dim/Insp
1 420-6576 DELL WELCOME,Software Dimension/Inspiron
1 420-7938 Dell Connect 2.1
1 420-9100 Dell Dock Consumer
1 420-9352 Dell, Software, Wild Tangent Inc Games
1 420-9691 DataSafe Local BackUp 2.0 Basic
1 421-0092 DELL-DOWNLOAD-FLAG
1 421-0187 Dell Support Center Software 64 Bit 2.0
1 421-0188 Facial Recognition
1 421-0323 Windows Live Search,Multiple User Interface
1 421-0757 Skype VOIP Application
1 421-1010 Dell Webcam Central v1.4
1 421-1361 MOD,SW,RXO,EZCD,10.3,DE,FI
1 421-1582 Cyberlink Power DVD 8.3 Playback
1 421-1737 Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
1 421-2000 Soundblaster X-Fi Hi Def Audio Software Enabled
1 421-2086 eBay Webslice
1 430-0700 Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Module (2.1+EDR)
1 430-0737 Intel WiFi Link 5300 802.11AGN Half Mini Card
1 430-3605 Integrated 10/100 Network Card

I definitely like this setup. Much better than the studio xps 13 and studio 14 I have.

 

Very happy for you ! It's always a fight with DELL but very rewarding if/when the CSR caves. Now the waiting game.

Thread updated.

 

Dell offered to replace it even though I was out of warranty

 

My XPS 1340 is going down the crapper. It's a low-quality piece of rubbish that should have never been rolled off the assembly line. 8 months into ownership, and it's just problem after problem with this thing:

- The base of the laptop becomes insanely hot. I bet I could melt solder with this thing.
- The battery life has been steadily declining ever since I got it - possibly related to above point?
- The plastic trim on the screen hinges is coming off, on both sides. My friend has the larger XPS Studio, same problem.
- When active, the CD drive makes a noise like a buzzsaw whenever I rest my hand atop the right side of the keyboard.
- It's lopsided. Doesn't stay flat on any surface.
- Frequently freezes, especially within 10 minutes after boot.
- While listening to audio, every hour or so, the computer will freeze for about a second, and a strange buzz will interrupt whatever it is I am listening to. It last for about a second, then audio resumes as normal.

Ugh. It's a bloody shame that HP doesn't allow you to customize their laptops when you're ordering from Canada. I'd have an Envy by now if that was the case.

 

Please add
Mediakey problem

 

consider yourself lucky, i have been on a replacement with a m1330 to 1340 to studio 14 to 1340 to 1340 to 1640 now which im not accepting and i don't know what they're going to do next. I just bought SONY VAIO instead and I'm going to sell whatever ty dell they send me next.

 

Ah, forgot about that one.

 

my warranty expired on 5/14/2010.

Do you think they can do anything about my system. The xps 13 since day one had mutilple items replaced and it's still causes problems.

• Mostly the wireless is never stable and works once in a while
• the touch buttons works sometimes. required full power and battery removal and couple of restart to get it working.
• heating issues
• the panels on the side of the led is peeeling

 

I *THINK* you can add warranty time. I know I added Complete Care to my system about 10 months into owning it. I'm very much thinking of buying another year of warranty service as well.

 

Tag # HGBFMJ1

So I called dell out of warranty and they said that the only way I can get the system exchange is to pay $428.00 (6 month warr) to have the mainboard and led replaced. Then I would call them back if I have any issues and they can replace the system. is this BS?

The guy I spoke to gave me this number.
800-624-9896 ext. 4541731


Please advice. i'm tired of this ty laptop but then again $428 is a lot of money to gamble with.

 

My Happy Dell Experience

Dell technician came and replaced my motherboard - after replacement the system wouldn't turn on, the tech consulted with Dell and decided that the new MB was DOA - New motherboard ordered. New technician replaced the board again but system still wouldn't turn on.

Dell then offered me a replacement (dell rep I spoke to said that that was their policy after 2 fix failures for a single fault).

Original system:

System Type: Studio XPS Laptop 1340
Core2Duo P9600 (2.66GHz) CPU
4GB 1066 DDR3 Ram
500GB 7200 Sata Hard Drive
9500M-GE Videocard
Dell 1510 Wifi Card
Dell 5530 HSDPA (Wireless Broadband) Modem
Dell 370 Bluetooth
Vista Ultimate x64 - Upgraded to Windows 7
6 Cell Battery
Slot Load 8X DVD+/-RW Drive

They offered:

Studio XPS 1645 Base
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-740QM (1.73GHz, 4Core/8Threads, turbo boost up to 2.93Ghz, 6M cache)
Internal 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
ExpressCard Slot, (DOES NOT SUPPORT PC CARDS)
Integrated 2.0 mega pixel web cam
15.6" Edge to Edge Full High Definition (1080p) Display with TrueLife(TM )-Obsidian Black
6GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM (1 x 2GB + 1 x 4GB)
500GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
Slot Load Fixed Blu-ray - Combo Drive
130W AC Adapter
6-Cell (56WHr) Li-Ion Primary Battery
1GB DDR3 ATI Mobility Radeon? HD 5730
Integrated CREATIVE Sound Blaster(R) X-Fi MB Audio Software Solution
Dell 1520 Wireless-N card
Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth
Dell Wireless 5540 HSPA Mini Card
Genuine Windows(R) 7 Ultimate 64bit (English)

I was happy with this, but asked if I could change to the Intel 5300 & 640GB HDD and pay the difference (around $110AUD)

Then I was offered (at no charge still):

Studio XPS 1645 Base
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-740QM (1.73GHz, 4Core/8Threads, turbo boost up to 2.93Ghz, 6M cache)
Internal 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
ExpressCard Slot, (DOES NOT SUPPORT PC CARDS)
Integrated 2.0 mega pixel web cam
15.6" Edge to Edge Full High Definition (1080p) Display with TrueLife(TM )-Obsidian Black
6GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM (1 x 2GB + 1 x 4GB)
640GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
Slot Load Fixed Blu-ray - Combo Drive
130W AC Adapter
6-Cell (56WHr) Li-Ion Primary Battery
1GB DDR3 ATI Mobility Radeon? HD 5730
Integrated CREATIVE Sound Blaster(R) X-Fi MB Audio Software Solution
Intel 5300 Wireless-N card
Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth
Dell Wireless 5540 HSPA Mini Card
Genuine Windows(R) 7 Ultimate 64bit (English)

Which I accepted and am now waiting for. (Est 2-4 Weeks)

 

Tag:3Y1PQJ1

I also am out of warranty by about 5 months, and have had every known problem with the Studio XPS 1340. I called Dell once and they pretty much told me I was SOL, to extend my warranty and get the mainboard replaced for a ridiculous price.... Has anyone had any success in exchanging out of warranty? Am I better off getting the warranty extension, paying for the replacement and then hoping it all breaks so i can then complain some more and finally get an exchange? Or sell my laptop on ebay, for less than 500 dollars, and go buy another? I'm frustrated with this almost useless brick...

IRONY: My laptop overheated and powered off while posting this message.

 

I have the same experience. Dell screwed us over. The POS Wireless work half the time. Not to mention all the other issues. Dell pretty much told me the same BS. I have to buy a replacement mainboard for like $500 since it's out of warranty. I feel sometimes like getting a sledge hammer and going at it.

 

Has anyone had experience with receiving vostro line laptops in replacement of their failed xps 1340s?

My studio xps 1340 just failed on me and I have completecare warranty on it until next year. I am planning on contacting dell technical support soon to get a replacement, however I was wondering if it would be possible to get a vostro v130 instead of an xps 14. I don't need an optical drive anymore and the v130 is actually one of two dell models that can output to two monitors, which i need to be able to do.

 

I've seen it done before, but a lot of it rests on the timing and the CSR. My computers typically suffer catastrophic failure beyond economic repair so my replacements are determined and evaluated by the technician at the depot.

The CSR/Technical Support can upgrade a few parts maybe...but that's about it as far as I know.

If you are especially well spoken it appears you can get your order changed--there have been certainly been a few success stories but it's a difficult route.

Just keep calling until you find a CSR who is willing to work with you. A lot of people forget they can simply hang up on a CSR if the conversation is heading south. If you don't let the conversation finish, you can start over




;thread updated with SkyWraith's replacement.

 

You have to calculate the merits of each choice directly. How much is your current machine from a design and specification standpoint valued by you in relation to the cost they are asking to extend your warranty or repair your machine. You can then contrast that with the cost of just buying new and seeing where your dollar can get you.

Either way stories like yours is why I always extend the warranty on my laptop for the duration of the time I plan on owning the machine. If you don't like the idea of potentially having to repair or replace the machine out of pocket a year after buying it then you can extend the warranty as insurance.

Either way, Dell owes you nothing. Their base warranty, which is what you paid for, covers problems like yours for the first year after the machine ships...

 

Ok so, I'm out of warranty on an XPS 1340 as well, by about 6 months. Warranty expired in April 2010.

As of last week, I was really happy with my fast and responsive XPS 1340 (save for occasional BOD crashes). While working one night, I heard a slight high pitched buzz from within the laptop, during which everything froze. I immediately hit the Power Button and held on to it till the machine shut down. There was no smoke or anything. After that it was game over, the machine would not power on. Connecting the adapter in does NOT light up the hinges.

I tried to get it repaired by a third party, they told me there was an IC that needed replacing and they couldn't find the part.

So I supposed the motherboard needed replacement, just like most of you had experienced.

I wanted to know, what route did you guys follow with your out of warranty machines?
Did you pay Dell the $428 they quoted me for a replacement motherboard?

Or did you buy a motherboard off ebay or something and do it yourselves?

Which way is recommended? And how do I find out the Motherboard Part number?

The specs are, C2D 2.4 Ghz, 4 GB ddr3, 9400M G video, 320 GB 7200 RPM 13" LCD, etc.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

Why you don't buy it direct from dell i think they have parts support

 

Dell told me it costs $428!!!

 

I am about to bid on this part. I have a question. Will it fit my Studio XPS 1340 given that the dell technical support chat expert recommended a K184D motherboard (whatever that is).

Dell Studio XPS13 / 1340 Motherboard + Base on eBay (end time 24-Jan-11 21:22:45 GMT)

 

Dell should be calling me today with an answer on the replacement for my xps 1340. Are they still providing 1645's? Or are they providing XPS 15's now?

 

After 3 visits from a tech and a shipment to the depot, Dell broke more stuff than they managed to fix. The only two actual issues I had were defective memory and a broken speaker. I also complained about other issues like heat, periodic freezing on battery, hybrid sli performance loss and other minor issues, but these are mainly design flaws. After every motherboard replacement, the new motherboard had a new set of problems. (my original board was problem free) Since the refurbished parts Dell uses have so many problems, mainly defective motherboards, I was authorized a replacement. The replacement is listed as a new XPS 15!

Current System: Studio XPS 1340

Intel Core 2 Duo P9600 (2.66GHz/1066Mhz FSB/6M L2 Cache)
NVIDIA GeForce 9500M-GE - 256MB (9400M G+9200M GS)
4GB, DDR3, 1067 MHz
500GB 7200RPM Hard Drive
13.3 Inch ccfl LCD with 2.0 MP Camera
8X DVD+/-RW Slot Load Drive
Dell Wireless 1510 802.11n
Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth
56 WHr 6-cell Battery
Backlit Keyboard


Replacement System: XPS 15 (L502X - Sandy Bridge)

Intel Core i7-2630QM processor 2.00 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 2.90 GHz
NVIDIA GeForce GT 525M 1GB graphics with Optimus
4GB, DDR3, 1 DIMM
500GB 7200RPM Hard Drive
15.6HD TLF WLED LCD
8X Tray Load CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1030 and Bluetooth 3.0
56 WHr 6-cell Battery
Backlit Keyboard

It took some persistence to finally get the replacement to go through, but it wasn't too bad, just a few calls and a chat or two. Dell never called back to tell me what system I'm getting, I just had to look on the Support History & Status page and search for orders for me under order status.

I have 3 months left on my 2 year warranty, and now I get a free upgrade!