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

I took it to school day. Fits my Swiss Army 15" bag with just the slightest smidgen of stretching with the zipper.

It's definitely lighter, to me, than the Inspiron 1521.

 

I bought the sxps16 as a desktop replacement; 6.5lbs is far too much to lug around, imho. Although, i have a 2.2lb TZ for portable use.

You might want to consider a $200-$400 netbook if you want something small to tote around classes/campus, and the larger sxps for more intensive stuff.

 

Regarding portability...

With the 6 cell its no big deal...with the 9 though it sucks a bit more...

I'm 5'11 160lbs and work out quite often...still I would prefer to NOT have this as my 'class' computer...walking around campus you walk probably an hour a day...with this on your shoulder, sometimes books as well...I would definately get something smaller...

IMHO the SXPS16 is best as a slightly mobile desktop replacement...I bring it to places to play games, and use it as a media center to watch blue ray on my TV at nights...

For work I have a Lattitude 15"...I still think its too heavy when I'm at the airports and stuff...

 

have you updated the sound drivers? check dell's support site

 

Yes, I have all latest drivers and Windows updates.

I thought there's barely a difference in weight between a 6-cell and 9-cell battery . . .

 

I wasn't aware that half-an-ounce made it such a heavy burden. ; )

 

i just got my 1640 today from best buy. does anyone know what useless programs to uninstall?

 

Just blow it away and reinstall what you want. It's the easiest way.

 

Have you tried converting it to a dynamic disk? Do that and try and expand the W7 volume then.

 

Thanks for the reply, I actually already crashed it trying to use Partition magic, so I blew it away and started over. I have a 50 gig partition for W7 now but I just use the Vista partition for storage and programs run a couple of things from W7.

On a side note, I installed CounterStrike Source on my W7 partition and ran it last night. My frames on the two maps I played quickly, were crazy. I was averaging 150 FPS, where with Vista I was averaging 75. Coincidence? I don't konw, I wouldn't have thought it would make a difference, but I saw it. I'm going to try benchmarking it later and see if there was any difference. Would this be possible or am I just nuts? Well, don't answer that last part.

 

how do you know how many frames per second it is..?? do u have a software to measure that?

 

In game if you go to console, you type net_graph 3 and it will give you in game FPS.

 

^^ cool thanks

 

well my backlit keyboard doesn't work and it won't connect to my wifi. i want to like it, but i think imma exchange it for a macbook.

 

You sure the backlight isn't turned off? I know it sounds stupid, but I'm just checking. Also, I know some people were having issues connecting to certain types of WiFi routers. If you search the thread you can find it, but that could be your issue?

 

First of all to turn on your backlight hold Fn and press the right arrow key. If that dosent work. Go to dell and download the Quickset drivers. As well as your wifi card. Install if it dosen't work call dell and have a tech come replace the keyboard and wifi card

 

I tried hard to like my XPS1640 ,but returned a week later. You might be happier with a Mac. I bought the 2.66 ghz. MBP 15" with the T9550 processor and it runs amazingly cool.

Good Luck,
Thraak

 

If there are defections you should get it fixed. This blows away the Mac, honestly (with the SSD, yes, but still).

 

I finally got my laptop last march 30 and its BEAUTIFUL! its a little heavy though but it doesnt matter. i was able to do all the windows update with cross fingers and it updated fine with no BSOD's etc. reviews about the heat is true though and our weathr doesnt help either so i bought belkin cooling pad and somehow it helpd.. wish i was able to get the 9cell something battery, maybe i can have my aunt get one for me later. Thank you guys for all your insights and help.. i may not be needing it soon or hopefully never! am really loving my laptop more everyday!

P.S. I am using the belkin bag that is offered with the xps1530 unit and it fits fine..

ciao! =)

(my unit comes with t9400 processor by the way)

 

I've looked over many pages here but haven't seen anyone say anything about it - will it be a problem to format the computer and install Fedora on it? I'll probably dual boot WinXP and Linux (of some kind).

I'm assuming there won't be a problem, but I have to be sure...

 

What do you guys think about the audio on the sxps16? After having mine for about 3 weeks, I think they are pretty good; its the best from a laptop that ive heard.

It wont replace my home stereo steup, but, it works great when i dont want to fire it up. Im using them way more than i thought i would.

 

I'm going to test them with my PS3 soon, and see how that works out.

 

I am about to pull the trigger on a new XPS 1640 but have some questions.

What brand of 256gb SSD is Dell using in their systems?

Is the heat issue that bad? I have read a ton of different reviews and forums and there seems to be just as many people saying its not a problem as there are people say it is. (I will be using my laptop over in Iraq for a year)

Are there issues with the Blue Ray drive?

Thanks

 

The 256gb SSD is Samsung. It's an awesome drive. As for the blue ray drive, haven't had any issues with mine.

I don't know how big of a difference the SSD makes heat-wise, but I have the 256gb SSD and heat isn't much of an issue on mine unless I have the laptop on a pillow or something blocking the air intakes. I'm usually using it on a flat, hard surface though and it rarely gets hot, and that's only while gaming.

 

Chimera: Thanks for the reply. After reading that I pulled the trigger.

Heres my specs:


-- Intel® Core蒂 2 Duo T9550 (6MB cache/2.66GHz/1066Mhz FSB)
-----------------------
-- Obsidian Black with Leather Accent
-----------------------
-- 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1067MHz (2 Dimms)
-----------------------
-- Edge-to-Edge FullHD Widescreen 16.0 inch RGBLED LCD (1920x1080) W/2.0 MP
-----------------------
-- ATI Mobility RADEON® HD 3670 - 512MB
-----------------------
-- 256GB Solid State Drive
-----------------------
-- Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate Edition 64-bit
-----------------------
-- BluRay Disc Combo (DVD/CD read/write + BD read) Slot Load Drive
-----------------------
-- High Definition Audio 2.0
-----------------------
-- Intel® 5300 WLAN Wireless-N (3x3) Mini Card
----------------------
-- 6-cell Battery
-----------------------
-- 3 yr In-home Service after remote diagnosis + Complete Care
-----------------------
-- Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Module (2.1+EDR)
-----------------------

All for 2145.00. Not to bad.

 

That's the same one I have, although you have a little bit more than I do (the WLAN is a 5300 vs my 5100, your warranty is better...I'm going to upgrade it.

Mine was about the same cost as you, minus taxes. So you either got a good deal, or I bought mine too early. ; )

By the way, I have zero heat issues. I spent the entire way home from New Hampshire watching The Office DVD...no heat anywhere. Running intensive programs on my machine...zero problems. It's fantastic.

 

I've been away for a while, a bit too long to read a couple hundred pages. It seems I missed the 2 day sale too.

I wanted to ask some of the dedicated thread watchers if anything recently changed with the laptop?

Is Dell including the fingerprint software or the PowerDVD software yet?
Anything on TV tuner being available for USA?

Any other major changes good or bad in the last month or so from Dell on this laptop?
I know about the Samsung 256GB SSD being available, that was the last big change before I disappeared.

 

I didn't know the fingerprint was available on this. I'm assuming you mean facial recognition. That nor PowerDVD come with it, you still have to download Fast Access from the download store and you have to ask them to send you PowerDVD for some reason. If anyone needs it let me know, I'll rip it and sent it. I think it's rediculous that you have to ask for a program that your BluRay depends on you having to be able to use.

 

Is that the default sound card or the Sound Blaster add on?

 

Thx, yes I meant facial recog. not fingerprinting. If you could ISO the PowerDVD and up it somewhere that would be a big help for some of us, I just want the disc I should get from Dell when I get the lappy. I will be reimaging the OS and would like to use PowerDVD. It's funny you can get a powerdvd disc with just about any hardware you buy today, just can't get it with the Dell laptop. It's easier to steal it off the internet than get a supported disc that you are entitled to with purchase.

Any word on if TV tuner will make it's way to USA?

 

My machine included both FastAccess and PowerDVD. They were preloaded. Perhaps you mean that you wish to have a hard copy sent. I'm not sure, though.

 

I wasn't clear enough in my question again. I meant the physical CD's. if people reimage their PC's (to just windows, not just the dell re-image) they lose the software since it's not on any CD's, so I was wondering if dell started including them yet, and it appears they still have not. I guess they haven't had enough complaints on it.
Sorry for the confusion.

 

I'll rip it tonight and I'll pm you. I don't have a place to upload it, but I'll be glad to DC with you on AIM or something and send it to you.

 

Appreciated, I look forward to hearing from you.

 

I think you were clear in your question. I think the answer I quoted wasn't clear enough. ; )

 

Actually my answer was quite clear. He didn't physicaly get the software that was preloaded on his machine. I understood it, he understood it.

Boris, you have a PM, your ISO of PowerDVD awaits.

 

I was wondering if someone without the RGB screen could tell me there battery life with just surfing the web and msn or something on balanced setting and screen on lowest setting and backlight of keyboard on 2. Im getting 2:40 min but i saw one person who got 3:30 im thinking its due to the powering of my beautiful RGB screen

 

Fine. And when this becomes a two-man forum, that would be perfectly sufficient. ; )

 

He/she might have been using the 9 cell battery.

The weird thing is that the brightness on the LCD doesnt go very low; even at the lowest setting, its still fairly bright. On my TZ, the lowest setting is almost like a monochrome display.

 

Actually they were using 6 cell and had the other screen so im thinking the RGB drinks the battery

 

Guys,

I have uploaded the zipped Dell version of Sensible Vision's FastAccess Facial Recognition software for the Studio XPS 16. Once you have installed it, you'll be able to update it to the latest version using the built-in update software.

http://www.4shared.com/file/97034885/f5706568/FastAccessFacialRecognition.html


Enjoy!!!

 

Thx for the uploads. Got it.

 

Just a heads up, a new 2 day sale on the XPS 16 starts tomorrow. Who knows, this may be the one that has me pull the trigger.

Specifics unknown, but I imagine it will be like the $363 off from the other day.

Starts 6AM, April 7th.

http://www.dell.com/xpsevent

 

Is there a problem installing WinXP and/or Linux on this laptop? Any missing drivers or other problems?

 

There are a few users that have successfully installed Windows XP on the SXPS16. Here is a guide that someone posted on installing Windows XP

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=363446

With regards to Linux. I don't see why you should be able to install Linux. The only problem I see that you might run into is driver support.

Here is some more information on installing Ubuntu Linux on SXPS 16:
http://en.community.dell.com/forums/t/19255154.aspx

 

Thanks a lot!

 

Yeah, I managed a little over 3 hours w/ the six cell on my last flight with everything on low, and I was watching a movie.

Anyway, my dad's been wondering if there's any way to use the 1640 as an external display via the hdmi port. Anybody know?

 

It's HDMI out only AFAIK.

 

The techbargains deal right now is pretty killer (IMHO):

$1249 w/ free shipping

16" 1920x1080 LED-Backlit; Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 @ 2.4GHz; 4GB RAM; 500GB 7200RPM HDD; DVD burner; 802.11n + bluetooth; Vista Home Premium; Radeon HD 3670 512MB; webcam; 6-cell; 1yr warranty

I upgraded the wireless card to the 3x3 version and it's still under $1300. I think that's a pretty nice deal right now, for the overall specs.

 

Yes, this looks like a great deal! Is this the same deal as the one that will begin tomorrow at 6am?