===> The Official Studio XPS 1640 Owner's Thread<===

I'm not sure if this will be the same sleeve that will be offered in other regions. This is the "Designed for Dell Studio XPS 16 sleeve" being offered here in Singapore.





Note that the sleeve I got barely fits my laptop. If I forcefully stretch the sleeve, then it would leave a very, very tight fit on the laptop (you may risk scratching the edges of the screen highes). I am now asking for refund/replacement for it.

EDIT: The sleeve is made by Timbuk2. Inside is a tag that reads "Designed for Studio XPS 16".

 

Looks like it has potential.

 

Thanks Sergei for your reply. How are you finding out specific information that yours is in Texas? Can you track its progress online with your tracking number?

I purchased other items the same time as my laptop order which arrived already, and when it was shipped, the tracking showed only from Toronto, and it was infact delivered the next day.

I have since been told that mine is in testing phase, and I should receive it next week.

 

Sorry - I misspelled your name Sergeh!

 

the rep on the phone said you need the 17" case, the others are too small. even if they fit snug, they are bound to eventually scratch from repeated abrasion. its better to wait, or use one you can test first.

 

Will a 9 cell battery from US work in Aus?

 

yes it will

 

Anyone had to put a sim card into the XPS 16 yet ?

My machine has just arrived and I have no instructions on how to put the Sim card into the machine. I've found a 'hole' behind the Battery that appears to be the correct one but I don't know what way I should put the sim card and when I push the sim card in it pops back out again ?

 

i just made a discovery in the dell support forums regarding the crappy audio quality. people were having audio quality problems on the studio 15/17 series. the dell representative suggested removing the IDT driver in lieu of the Microsoft driver.

the speakers now go much louder while staying clearer. im hoping a better idt driver is released in the future, but at the moment i cannot see any deficit to using the microsoft drivers.

the original thread is here: http://en.community.dell.com/forums/t/19247388.aspx

what the dell rep said:
"
DELL-Bill B
Hutto, TX
Joined on 03/06/2007
Posts: 3,365
Points 5,686
Re: Studio 1737 Brand New Today - Speaker Sounds Horrid!!
14 Jan 2009 11:25AM

Greetings from the Dell FA lab.

We spent the morning looking at sound and speaker issues with 1737's that we have captured from the field. There are two possible causes to sound quality issues. One is the driver, and one is a hardware problem, specifically the speaker.

What to do if you are experiencing low volume or poor sound quality:

1. Run Dell Diagnostics on audio by pressing F12 repeatedly at power up, then choosing Diagnostics from the boot menu. If you have low volume or distorted sound there, just stop and contact tech support for speaker replacement. If you have any problems with tech support, just get the case number and get with me in a private conversation. You should not need any parts replaced other than speakers for this specific issue- low volume or poor sound quality. Read further if you have symptoms outside of those.

2. If the audio in diags sounds fine, you are possibly dealing with a driver issue. If this is the case, you can try uninstalling the current driver (choose the delete driver files option), and installing the latest web posted Dell driver. If the sound is still not to your liking, you could try the workaround posted previously in this thread of uninstalling the factory shipped IDT sound driver and letting Windows automatically install the Microsoft High Definition Audio Codec. We have not been able to establish that one driver performs better than the other, but we believe the enhancements provided by the IDT driver are better than those from the MS driver."


and the instructions are:

1. Start -> Control Panel -> Hardware and Sounds

2. Click "Sound".

3. Under "playback tab" select your audio device. Mine shows three options. One is bluetooth speakers I set up. One is HDMI sound setup. The other says something like "Speakers" or says "IDI" something. Select this option and press "Properties" (sorry, I'm trying to remember, but I've already done this, so I don't remember EXACTLY what it looked like)

4. Select Properties again, about halfway down the window under the "General" tab.

5. Select "Change Settings".

6. Select "Driver" tab.

7. Select "Uninstall". Click the box asking you if you want to remove everything and click Okay. You may be prompted by Vista to make sure you want to do this. I assure you that you do.

8. Reboot. Windows should automatically install the "High Def Audio Driver".

-------------------

this helped me,
hope this helps some of you too!

 

Just a question: Is "Hibernate" enabled on your OS? It is disabled by default on mine. When I turned it on and did a hibernate, the machine did not power off and on normally.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

It appears the usual suspects are missing (powerDVD, facial recog.), but I wonder if anyone is getting them on the most recent units?
I imagine that one of those Dell Utility discs is a full Dell image of the laptop too since that is supposed to be there too???

I'm glad the OS disc is there, I will probably end up re-imaging to a base windows install and going from there, I like doing my own fresh installs.

 

Can anyone that recently received a machine in the US confirm they have received PowerDVD or the facial recognition software discs?

I was told they are shipping with the units, but I don't know if that is accurate.

 

Anyone know where one of these machines can be seen in person in the US?
Not a specific address, I'm not flying there, just an outlet chain, ideas, etc.)

I'd really love to see the RGBLED, better yet a WLED next to an RGBLED to see which would be better for my needs.

 

Hi everyone

I received my studio xps 16 two days ago. I have not had any problems so far. Went for the Vista 32 as I really couldn't be arsed with having software & driver incompatibilities on the system I carry around. Anyway I have put on a fresh install of Vista & installed all the drivers with no issues. The thing I am struggling to find is the face recognition software & the webcam software (have the webcam drivers).

I know some people have had this issue & posted requests on this thread for links to Dell download sites. I have tried the links that have been posted & find that the Dell website just crashes every time it tries to register my laptop.
So I am still without these 2 programs. Does anyone have a link or website details where I can get hold of these programs without having to go through some poxy Dell registration process?

Thanks for any help.

I also thought I'd throw in my opinion on the great studio xps 16 blocked vent debate.
Not a problem really. The vent is made up of 4 rows of small vent holes. When the laptop is open the back of the screen does cover 2 of the 4 rows. There is a small gap in-between the screen & the exhaust vent. The gap is very small & can only be seen if you hold it up to the light, but never the less, air does not need much space to disperse. Now I agree it is not the smartest build in the world having the vent in a position where half of it goes straight into the back of the screen but it is not a laptop killer.
I am finding that it runs cooler than my old xps1530. I haven't played any games as yet or really stressed it but I figure if it runs cooler than the previous model (that I found acceptable) I can live with it. When the fan kicks up a notch to cool the cpu&gpu the temps drop very rapidly so it would suggest the heat sink & fan are not being hampered by the vent being partially covered. If you are planning on buying one of these as your main pc, to play games, convert video files etc, you can expect it to get hot. Even my well ventilated, well cooled desk top gets hot when under heavy stress. As far as I'm aware it does not break the CPU & GPU manufacturer’s guidelines. I myself am using it as a multi-media laptop & intend to use it for light gaming when away from home. For my purposes it is great.
If you intend to use it for hardcore gaming etc you may find it will get hot, as do most systems under load. If you want to find something that runs cooler when put under consistent load maybe see if the Alienware or Rock systems run any cooler. Or if you have one of these beyond return date consider applying arctic silver & undervolting. I myself can't see that the exhaust vent position causes any major issues (silly as its positioning may be).

 

How were you able to get 32-bit Vista? You mean from them, or you put your own copy on? I'd hate having to reinstall Windows AGAIN, but I'd sure like to switch to 32-bit.

It doesn't matter what it suggests, you can test it yourself and see it raises temps by a good 20c, which is a massive difference.

Not from what I saw, it it's right on the line, massively over what other notebooks with non-blocked vents can do, and will shorten the thing's life. (At least if you push it.) I *think* it's still better cooling than Apple has though.

 

Oh, so I guess you're not in the U.S. It's only offered with 64-bit here

The 1640 with a 2.53Ghz/6MB CPU hit the mid 80s when the CPUs were being pushed.

I'd just request it from Dell, and/or keep trying that site. It's horribly broken, but I was eventually able to get in (seems typical of most people), but it only had like 3 programs on it.

 

Anyone had an issue with the TV Card when you switch to Windows 7 ?

My TV Card was working fine under Vista, but when I loaded Windows 7 it doesn't even show the TV card under device manager ? and Media Centre doesn't find anything ?

 

I'm not sure why people are installing a BETA OS on a new laptop when they don't know how to support an OS with things like drivers?

Things are not supposed to be expected to work fine with a beta, that's why it's beta.
First, did you report the problem to Microsoft?
Even though everyone and their uncle has access to the beta, that's the idea of a beta to give feedback.

P.S. You should have really setup an extra partition if you wanted to test the beta.
I mean the program ceases working in August, what are you going to do then? start over again with Vista?
Is it really worth it?

 

I'm just not touching 7 'till it's done. I might consider buying it then though, just 'cause maybe it'll fix up some bugs in 64-bit Vista. (I shudder to think how terrible 64-bit XP was, given that 64-bit Vista is supposed to be a massive improvement).

Honestly the only thing stopping me though is Microsoft's 'activation'. I used to always buy the new OS or Office version right when it came out, until they started in with 'activation'. I haven't bought a single copy of office or windows since (that wasn't already included on a PC).

 

I actually called Purolator and the lady was nice enough to tell me that all ground deliveries (to Canada) from Dell are sent from Texas to Toronto and then dispatched to wherever you are in Canada. My tracking right now only shows : In transit in U.S which really isn't a lot of information...

 

Yes, but the system clock will run backwards.

 

That's so weird, because for the last few years, all my Dell notebooks have come from Nashville (including 1 currently in transit), and I live in Texas.

 

that's very weird indeed, I'm just repeating what the Purolator rep told me so I don't know whether it's a fact or not

 

Deliveries to the US go through Nashville, but Canadian bound orders go through Texas.

 

Well... I like this machine,,,but what do u guys recomend me???

I'm a photographer and need to work with CS3...it's better WLED than RGBLED??? I have a 1440X9something LCD in my Inspiron...the WLED is less than this so I'm not sure what of them I'll buy...

I dont want to start researching again...since I was waiting from July to comeout this model. I was hopefully used to see BluRay and photoediting.

What do u guys recomend me???

 

From a previous post, purolator said it takes aproximately 4 days to get to Toronto and then 1 more day for delivery here in Montreal - is that 4 regular days or 4 business days counting?

I hope yours arrives soon! It sucks having to wait - why was mine ordered on Feb 2, which is 3 days before yours was ordered and yours is already shipped and mine is still in production? I am happy for you that yours is shipped but I want mine in transit too! (fingers crossed for today being the day!) The order status still says my expected delivery is yesterday, Feb 11th.

So it's safe to assume then that once it is shipped to count an extra 4-5 days then give or take to receive it.

 

those who took advantage of the best buy deal, any word on when they are scheduled to fulfill and ship their orders?


Just saw on their website they don't even have it available for purchase any longer. Now its just SOLD OUT.

 

I would give them a call at the 1800 number.

My order (from Canada) was delayed about a month after i called them (the online status never budged). It was only on the call that i learned it had been delayed.

 

Are there any windows xp drivers for the audio ?

 

Both awesome screens..! I'd say you should go with WLED because apparently the colour seems to be more accurate..? Also it's cheaper!? Someone said in the previous pages that the colour on WLED seems to be normal.. hang around for more advice before buying!

Not sure but I really doubt it..! =\

 

Yeah about the 4 days, that's also what the rep told me but then again I just got a call from purolator telling me that someone has to be home between 9am and 5pm. Even though my Order status said it was shipped, the package wasn't scanned till yesterday at 6:30pm. Although my tracking status still says that it's in transit in the US even though I'm receiving it tomorrow... I'm guessing that it's arriving in Toronto tonight and shipped right away to Montreal

*Edit*
My order status changed to shipped on tuesday and I'll be receiving it tomorrow so that's 3 days total

 

How long did it take you to get your order from the time you placed it?

I have called the 800 # but everytime I do, I get someone in India who keeps telling me that a part is backordered, even though my sales rep (in Canada) told me it was in testing yesterday. It sounds to me like they are reading scripts or something because they just repeat that "a part is on backorder" and "it's in production phase" and "it will be shipped in 2- 3 days" but even 3 days ago they said the same thing (in 2-3 days). From my experience, when I ask other questions I still get these answers, which are not the proper answer to every question that is asked (ie language barrier). When I repeatedly asked what part of the production phase was it in, I was told that they don't have access to that information.

I will try to call again on the french line but I am not fluently bilingual so if I am lucky I get someone who will speak english otherwise I end up back in India with the same story. (grrrrrrrrrrrr!)

 

That is good news. I am happy for you.

 

So what is the consensus on why there is no TV Tuner option for the US?

Is it really because the tuner is not capable of digital signal?

Can anyone confirm?

 

I called Best Buy today to ask them about my order (placed on Feb 6th) and she extended the backorder for me so it wouldn't get canceled (wasn't even aware it would be but I told her to go ahead) and she said it usually takes 25 days for back orders which would put shipment at about March 6th. The last estimated delivery date I saw before it was listed as SOLD OUT was 2/23 ~ 3/11

I will call back again in a few days.

 

well this is weird... I just called Purolator to ask them whether or not my concierge can pick up the package tomorrow and they told me that the package left from Tennesse yesterday and that it's highly improbable that I'll receive it tomorrow...

But I did get an automated call saying that I'll be receiving it on the 13th between 9am and 5pm..... I even made the machine repeat itself twice just to be sure

 

Yea, i was definitely talking to someone from overseas... and they were reading off some script.

I ordered Jan 26, est delivery Feb 13, and when i called on monday they said "some part was backordered" and it might be 5 days, a month or more. I ended up canceling my order since there was already a better deal on their site.. and, i might even be bumped up in the queue.

 

That's exactly why I called the french line because you get to speak to someone in montreal(?) so there are no language barriers and they actually take the time to explain things

 

I did call the french line and found out that contrary to what I was told yesterday, that infact the processor is in backorder and will arrive in tomorrow and it takes 2-3 days for production to be complete from that point and that my ship date is expected to be Feb 18th (next Wed) and then it is estimated to take 2-3 days afterwards to arrive, which can bring us even further til the following week. (GRRRRRRR!!!) I asked about the conflicting information, being informed that production was done vs part on backorder and I was told this information (backorder) was accurate and up to date and they don't know why someone would tell me otherwise.

It really p*sses me off (excuse my language) to be lied to, and I really wish Dell was forthright with information. They must have known at the time of processing my order, about the backorder of parts, so what about contacting the customer to give them a heads up so we have the option to choose a different processor that is in stock, or change or cancel order, or the choice to just wait longer etc. vs given false delivery dates that can't possibly be fulfilled. Instead, like an idiot I was thinking it would arrive on the expected delivery date of Feb 11 and looking forward to it, and checking the status like a lunatic and it has not even begun production. It still says expected delivery date yesterday! You can imagine how close I am to *wanting* to cancelling my order - tick tock.

Anyway, I know it will be worth the wait but why don't they give the proper information? Such bad customer service if you ask me.

Sergeh - I hope yours arrives tomorrow. Tomorrow morning you could check the purolator site with your tracking number, and it should say "on truck for delivery" or similar if you will receive it tomorrow.

I really don't think that purolator will leave it with your concierge because Dell has very strict rules. I had a problem with one of my orders, the address was not complete and even though purolator had my telephone number, they could not complete delivery and purolator would not take the address correction from me, it had to come directly from Dell. Even though I could show ID that it was infact me, they said Dell has very strict rules.

If you need to do an address change or authorise someone else to receive it, perhaps call Dell so the instructions would come from them, and put in the purolator system, so as to not further delay your delivery. Good luck!

 

Okay, I got my second XPS1640 today. I see a big difference in GAP space between the screen and the vent. Both laptops have the same 1080p screen. I was so shocked when I noticed this. The new one has a much larger gap so I am hoping that it would be better in terms of heat. The only downside is that there were 3-4 dents on the leather part of the screen .

 

Has anyone verified exactly what brand and model the 256GB SSD offered with the 1640 is? I've heard Samsung, but not which model and specs.

 

Is the power indicator light on the hinge on both sides or just one? Symmetry would be nice...

 

Both sides.

 

Can you post pics of this larger gap?

 

2nd 1640? Why do you want a second one? Sucks for the dents though... I know I'm very picky on things like that

which processor did you order? I ordered the P8600, I honestly think that the gain between the processors is too low and it's not actually worth it

In theory there's about a <15% gain between the P8600 and the T9600 for processor intensive applications such as simulation programs (CAD, 3d applications etc) Real world application the gain is lower than that and there's a big difference of TDP as well as battery life...

So either a slower processor (barely noticeable) with less heat and more battery time or a faster processor with more heat and less battery time...

 

I currently do not have access to a camera.

 

This second one is for my brother who was supposed to be picking it up tomorrow.

 

I ordered the P8400.

 

Someone in the great SSD thread has been testing that drive for a week or two. It's pretty fast. I am lazy or I would have referenced the post. It IS a Sammy, though.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=208242

Try the last ten pages

Edit: Here's a post, from the last couple of pages, that's helpful: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=4512074&postcount=3015

 

actually I made a mistake, I ordered the P8400 as well.... so I'm not sure how come yours was on backorder and not mine... I'd complain if I was you and ask for free next day delivery or something like that..

Makes no sense that your processor was backordered while mine wasn't when I placed my order after yours