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

looks like you cant stack epp + the 20% on the battery i keep getting a segment error! grr

 

You will need to contact a EPP Rep, and have them apply the code for you.
I had this happen when I was trying to order my Portable HD

You might even get bumped to Next Day Shipping, if you ask nicely!

Cin

 

but its not my epp code.. i just happen to google "dell epp code" and found one.. :x unless.. you would order the dell battery for me?

the 79.99 - 7% - 20% is what im going after

the 7% is just basically going to cover some of my tax seeing as tax is like $5.00 so id be getting the battery for like $65.00 vs $69.20

 

after a week of using my new 1640, here's my observation:
-it runs HOT, definitely need a laptop cooler, although I got around it by putting a book underneath so the hot air can come out
-RGB LED screen and the resolution are unbeatable
-Fast RAM and fast system overall
-nice webcam
I also noticed that the system runs much HOTTER if it is plugged in

 

is it possible to upgrade cpu to T9800 (2.93) myself? the canadian version can only go up to 2.53 =(

 

its very accessible if thats what ur asking

 

I have a SXPS 1640 with the config in my signatur

GTA 4 doesn't go, have anyone played GTA good at a Studio XPS 16 ?


Thanks for answers

Marcel

 

gta4 works on my xps 1340..

 

I got all of my BSOD issue's worked out....I think.

My problem now is I can't play any of the Source based games. I can play Half Life 2 in single player mode with no problems. But if I go online and play CounterStrike or Day of Defeat, I crash to the desktop with no errors at random times. Sometimes I can play for 45 minutes, sometime 2 minutes. I'm wondering if it could be a heat issue, is there a program that I can get that can monitor the Vid card temps and log it? Now normally I would just try to figure it out, which I still am, but my first computer did the identical thing. Half the reason I bought this thing was to get back into gaming a bit, it's going to suck if I can't play the main ones I want to play.

 

Hi!
I've just got my XPS Studio 16, so far everything is good! Expect that I've heard that Dell will maybe release new Ati 4xxx in the Studio XPS.
Do you think that we can upgrade our Studio XPS with the new Ati 4xxx or are we gonna be stuck with the 3670?
Thanks

PS : Yeah, gaming is important

 

I think it is upgradeable so if you're really anal about getting a maybe 10% increase in performance than hope that Dell releases the new card within 21days so you can swap it out. Otherwise you're on your own.

By the way, has anyone tried playing GTA IV on the SXPS16? I really want to play it on my laptop seeing as how my laptop surpasses my desktop in performance.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbIIdcT93uo
Like this? I don't know what the quality is or fps. [Not my vid]
You'll have to make it to 1:30 to see it.

 

So I just noticed something. I have a 320 gig drive, with 10 gigs set aside for the recovery. I have loaded Steam and a few games, which are about 18 gigs and that's it, yet I only have 227 gigs left. Does Windows and all the stuff that Dell puts on take up 40 gigs? I guess I'm going to reformat.

 

I hope a few of you would help out here.

I am a video editor, and I have this 25% coupon code that would give me this spec:

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9400 (6MB cache/2.53GHz/1066Mhz FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate Edition 64-bit
4GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1067MHz (2 Dimms)
ATI Mobility RADEON® HD 3670 - 512MB
Edge-to-Edge FullHD Widescreen 16.0 inch RGBLED LCD (1920x1080) W/2.0 MP
320GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive
BluRay Disc Combo (DVD/CD read/write + BD read) Slot Load Drive
Intel® 5300 WLAN Wireless-N (3x3) Mini Card
Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Module (2.1+EDR)

for $1,934.25 CAN. To me it seems to be a little overpriced but I really dont know. If i have to use this coupon code the only thing I can really configure in terms of performance is the rams and the hard drive. I am not sure if I really need the HD screen + bluray drive and should I rather use that money to invest more on other performances... however if I do that I won't be able to use the coupon and it will most likely be another laptop.

anyone can please give me some pointers?

thanks!

 

What are the requirements to use the coupon?

 

Forgot about system restore?

 

only on "selected items" so they only have this already pre configured xps studio 16 model for you to use the coupon on. and like I said, the only thing I can really upgrade in terms of performance is the rams and hard drives.

 

Depending on how much video editing you do, you might consider a ram upgrade. Generally, 4 GB is more than enough unless you run a couple extreme memory hogs. You can see how much ram you are using via task manager. Hard drives depend on whether you keep your videos on your hard drive or on an external drive. If you keep them on external drives, you might consider the SSD options. No moving parts, no sound, less heat, and longer battery life [measured in seconds lol]. The 256 GB SSD also has very fast seek and read times. The write times are also good. There were some figures a few pages back on it. If you store the video on your internal hard disk [and store quite a bit] you will probably want to stick with the regular HDDs. Benefits of the 7200 RPM drive include faster read/write times when compared to a 5400 RPM drive[helpful if loading a large video [but SSD are really good, if not better, at this too]]. However, they [7200 RPM HDDs] might also produce more heat, consume more power, cost more per GB, and make a bit more noise [noise seems to be luck of the draw and very subjective].

As for the BR and HD screen, it really depends on what kind of video editing you do. The higher resolution screen will give you more space and allow you to see the video more "properly" [?]. BR is really only going to be useful if you pull video from it because the BR drive isn't able to write BR yet. Might be better to wait for the BR because you can buy an external BR drive when they become more popular and the price drops.

I would try a fresh configuration and build it the way you want and see what the difference comes out to be. The 25% coupon is nice but sometimes it seems the price on the preconfigured specials is inflated a bit to make it more even in the end.

 

Thanks aaron...but I am just wondering if this is the lappy for me in the first place because it seems to me that this is more of an entertainment notebook than a video editing workstation. does the price of it sounds alright?

I was considering upgrading it to SSD too.. but how much more battery life im gonna get? another bad thing about this specific pre configured xps studio 16 is that I can only upgrade it to 128gb SSD.... =(

I will probably have to upgrade my ram to 6 gb because adobe after effects is good at eating them quick.

the bluray drive is a must have to use this coupon....no options to take it out...same with the HD screen... =_=..

 

I was in the exact same position except I have already received my laptop. I am going to be returning it for another one because the speakers are not working right. I love the upgraded screen but the red is way too saturated. Still trying to figure out how to fix the issue. Perhaps my replacement laptop will be better.

As for the coupon, the truth is that it is a marketing gimmick. Almost all Canadian Dell e-mail subscribers received the 25 percent off coupon. If you go to the regular (no coupon) dell.ca site and configure the -550$ system to the coupon system, you will see it almost results in the same price. Those Dell marketing people are sneaky!

As someone else mentioned, I would definitely choose the SSD drive. Trust me - it makes a big difference. It sounds like you may not use the Blu-ray so perhaps drop the Blu-ray but keep the high-end screen.

There is a premium price for this notebook but I have been very happy with product.

John

 

I'm probably not the best person to ask about the price. I think the best way to find out would be to configure some different brand laptops [maybe something like an HP] and see how it compares. It is kind of difficult to compare cross company because it seems like each laptop has pros and cons. Hardware vs. cost vs. weight vs. battery life vs. customer service etc. I also find that Dell is among the best when it comes to customizing.

I, however, would still try a base configuration of the SXPS 16 and build it the way you want. After you do that, you can look at the price difference vs. what you need upgrade wise. If you get rid of the BR, that's 150 USD off but probably won't make up for the 25% coupon. Other options add different price effects so I would still try that and go from there.

 

Then again, taking into account what John said, it may come out closer than I thought.

 

hey john.. are you also a video editor? if so..do you use premiere + after effects on it? how did you like it?

I did make the comparison lol.. I know the difference is not big.. but i would get 320gb + vista ultimate instead of 200gb + home basic. I am gonna try to configure the -550 without the blu ray drive and see now.. did you get 256ssd?

edit: the -550 also has no options to take out the blu ray drive.... do you think I can do it on the phone?

 

Should be able to. If not, ask them what the difference is between the US non-BR drive and the CA non-BR drive.

 

will definitely call dell tomorrow.. you think i can still apply EPP on this? =p

 

As long as you still qualify for it.

 

Clemix...I'm not sure if EPP works...I asked a dell rep if it does and they said yes...but I didn't bother...I guess I could have saved an extra~$100 but I got lazy...

btw I got the same notebook as you...I only wish it didn't make me buy Windows Ultimate and the Blueray drive...

 

I already ordered my XPS 16 but how can I order the 9cell battery now with timbuk2 sleeve? I don't see where the battery is available separate from the lappy?

 

It's under accessories on the Dell site:

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...etail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=312-0815

 

I think I remember someone posting about the sleeve not fitting the XPS 16 even with the 6cell battery?

edit:Yep, someone reported that it doesn't fit right in the timbuk2 design for dell so i'll wait for something else

 

i didnt get it yet.. i just want to make sure i will be concern free before I buy.. did you also buy from canadian dell as well? the -550 one?
sorry but i am not understanding you.. you said you dont think epp works but the dell rep told you you could?

 

Direct X 10 is part of Vista, so you have it. You also need Direct X 10 (really SM 4.0) compatible hardware, which you also have, and good video drivers, which you don't have. I would never consider a laptop with ATi GPU, as ATi does not support their mobile hardware-you have to resort to third party hacks to install their desktop drivers. Doing so may help performance a bit (as well as compatibility.)

This was a stability thing, right? No, Vista should be totally stable.

What did you use? Try memtest overnight on it if you didn't, and see if it gives you any errors.

If it's not the RAM, it's something else-either a bad driver somewhere or bad hardware. You shouldn't be EVER getting a BSOD. I push my hardware HARD, probably much harder than 99% of people, and have never had a crash.

 

Well, to anyone that is having issues playing games, reformatting works. I don't have the dell webcam file or the fast access but oh well, at least my computer is working great and not crashing or BSODing.

 

I think I read somewhere on the Mystery coupon that its not valid with any other discounts...but I was online chatting with a dell rep before this sale, and they said my EPP is valid with normal sales...so I'm not sure if this is a 'normal' sale...

and yes...I bought it in canada from dell.ca/discount

 

what was your total ?

 

That's great to hear!

 

Hey everyone, I just joined notebookreview.com.

I have been reading through this thread for a few days and I finally phoned up Dell and purchased my XPS 16 today!!

Only thing is, the rep from Dell somehow persuaded me to get the Vista 32 bit OS, however I was determined to get the 64 bit. Anyway I emailed him about 2hours after the purchase, asking if he could change the OS to the 64 bit version. Considering the laptop wont be in production yet, it should be no problem at all to have this changed right? (also it's identical in price so there isn't much that needs to be changed in the configuration).

 

system restore stores loads of stuff

click on computer > right click c: > general tab > disk cleanup > more options > system restore and shadow copies > clean up > delete

lots of space should return. you can set it to only use a finite amount of space, but i prefer just to clean it manually

 

You can't swap out the video card. I needed a new video card for my first 1640 and they said I would have to replace the motherboard since the card isn't removable. I returned it instead. I thought it would be like my 1705 and I could do it myself.

 

So I'm stucked with it. Thanks for the info Bukket!

 

Do ppl think its worth it for:

P8600 --> T9400 and
DVD/CD --> BD-ROM

for $300 CDN?

 

I used the Memory Diagnostic Tool in Windows. Does memtest work for Vista64?

By the way, I have had about 4 BSOD's in the past day.

 

I'd gladly pay that for Blu Ray alone I'm stuck without it currently and trying to figure out how to add it to my laptop.

The CPU's less of a big deal, as the 2.4Ghz/3MB/1066MHz performs really well, though I went for the higher one when I bought my 1640.

 

Thanks for the response.

Even the P8600 and 1066 FSB would be a huge upgrade for me (currently, U7600 @ 1.2ghz and 533Mhz FSB)... hmmm

 

Oh wow, yeah that would be a nice upgrade! Yeah, I'm doing find with the 2.4GHz CPU, though if I had had the option to upgrade on my current laptop I would have. I'm more concerned with getting Blu Ray in here somehow though!

 

So what's up with the new bios? A02? Are we going back in time?

 

im actually on the phone with a dell rep right now.. having a hard time trying to understand his english tho... the bluray is a must have option =( to get a -550 saving.. i want to upgrade my ram to 6gb and to 256SSD...

 

IMO it's a must have option anyway.

Personally I wouldn't get 6GB, as you'd be stuck in single channel mode with half the memory bandwidth.

 

I reloaded the Dell image and then slowly added the Windows updates with no issues. My only problem was I couldn't play Source based games online without being booted to the desktop with no error given. I said screw it and reformatted and all my problems went away. I know it's probably not what anyone wants to hear, but there has to be a conflict somewhere. I have minidump files if anyone cares to analyze them.

On a side note, does anyone know if the Dell Webcam Software and Fast Access are able to be downloaded? I've looked all over and can't find them. They are the only two things I don't have that I would like after my reformat.

 

omg..seriously..i just placed my order... you think i can change it? is 8gb betteR??