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

Thats the one, take the cover out and i can plug in the portable arial.

 

It is number 4 in the image on page 20 from this Dell manual. I'm from Europe and I have this connector.

 

How sure of this are you? Because I've heard from more than one resource that the GPU was not upgradeable. I haven't taken the back off of mine and don't really plan on it unless I need to. I would definitely look into a 4670 if one were available to swap in.

 

It's hard to judge from these pictures:
http://images.anandtech.com/galleries/433/dell-studio-xps16-disassemble-05-bottom-nopads.jpg

I'll have to open mine to check, if it were interchangable it will have to be released by DELL and be pin-compatible. If it isn't a standard MXM platform(which it isn't) i don't think it's going happen.

 

That was my understanding as well. I would have bought an XPS1730 if I wanted something with a better GPU, but the other hardware in the SXPS was far superior then what was being offered in the 1730's in the outlet and I wasn't paying full price for a 1730. But, if I were able to easily upgrade, then I would do it for sure.

 

I'm of the same opinion, i didn't buy it to be a gaming laptop but if the opportunity to replace the GPU with the new 4xxx series GPUs arises it would be an extra bonus. I'm not holding my breath though as the stars would have to be alligned just right for it to happen(providing that it actually is some kind of interchangable GPU). Also we would need BIOS support from DELL too!

 

well, the 4670(best out of the lot i said would fit) will fit as its the same size, uses same connecters, is made for centrino 2, and has a 128bit bus.

plus, a tech said that it would fit as thats what they did with the studio 15. they just redeigned it and put a new chip in which fits anyway.

although, they said they wont supply you with one and it might (will it think) void your warranty.

when i opened my laptop up, i looked at the GPU and it doesnt seem to be soldered on, so its possible you can change it.

 

Then you have to consider power envelope too. 4670 likely has considerable more drain and I know nothing of the PSU in this unit
OEM's don't normally give you more PSU legroom than you currently need.
PSU's also degrade over time in efficiency, in being able to produce, so that's a sticky issue where it might work for 6 months and then over time not be able to provide what you need.
Having a PSU that can't quite deliver what you need and giving you periodic lock ups is not fun, been there done that.

It would be nice to know what kind of PSU we have, what real leg room is available, that would help one aspect of upgrading concerns (Quads or GPUS).
I haven't seen anything much about it that I can remember.

 

Open it up and find out already then!

 

Give me the necessary equipment to see what it actually draws and I will.
Not as easy as a desktop where it can be tested at the wall plug for it;s actual draw.

Peak draw - (rated watts - 15% efficiency) will tell us the leg room we have to work with.

A simultaneous CPU and GPU intensive bench with full LCD brightness should give a pretty good idea of peak draw if there was a place to attach a meter.

 

power usage

ATI 4670 mobiity- 35W
ATI 3670 mobility- 30W

so a little difference but im pretty sure your power supply can handle it.
considering that the TXXXX series takes 10W more then the PXXXX cpu wise, im sure it can handle 5W more.
also its not at max power until you play games and stuff anyway.

 

What kind of power difference is there between the 4670 and the 3670?

 

I assume you mean how much more powerful the 4670 is vs. the 3670..

Notebookcheck.com shows the 4670's 3dmark06 benchmark was 7620
The 3670 came in at 4700 (that was the max.. ~4400 average)...

 

The HD4670 is currently the most(if not among the most) powerful 128bit GPUs on the market. It bests Nvidia's 9650M GT and I believe can trade blows with the 9700M GT on certain games.

I mean, it's still not a gaming GPU like the 256bit but GPUs such as the 9800M GS, but it provides very solid graphic performance.

It'd be nice fi Dell decides to move this GPU in the SXPS 16 as the Studio 15 just got an upgrade to ATI's HD4xxx series recently

 

I don't know if anybody has noticed this yet, Dell seems to put up an "update" A06 BIOS version on April 27, 2009.

I don't know why they use the same number but the decription sound like an update to the old A06 bios with heat problem.

Fixes and Enhancements
1. Update thermal table to v06.
2. Support PWM panel.

 

It was addressed a few pages back, I believe that it was concluded to be the same update, but that the description had just been changed.

 

I just ordered my xps from Best buy and I couldn;t find a better deal anywhere. The dell reviews under this particular laptop are saying that they are sending the bluetooth version as well...and werent charging for it. I would have liked to get the better screen, but for $1099...this was just too hard to pass up. They also have a free tv tuner thrown in. I was looking at the hp hdx16t and the sonys, but I just couldnt pass this one up.


Dell Studio XPS 16 Laptop with Intel® Centrino® 2 Processor Technology
6-cell battery
Intel® Centrino® 2 processor technology with interrelated Intel® Core™2 Duo mobile processor P8600

Intel® Cantiga PM45 chipset, Intel® 5100 Wireless-N network connection (802.11b/g/n) and extended battery life.

4GB DDR3 memory

Blu-ray Disc-enabled DVD±RW/CD-RW drive

16" high-definition WLED display
With 1336 x 768 resolution

320GB Serial ATA hard drive (7200 rpm)

ATI Mobility RADEON M86XT graphics

 

I'd say you did good considering I have the same config and paid $1,493.00 for it before tax. A few months ago, but still I think you did well. Welcome!

 

Thank you! I have had really good luck with hp prior to this...as I'm still running a pavillion zv6000 with the amd 64......I tried my hardest to convince myself to get the HDX16t, but for the money...this one is just a no brainer. Even with the $400 off coupon code at HP I couldn't get within 200 bucks of this...and that is with no blue ray and ddr2 vs ddr3...not that it matters that much. I hope I don't regret it.

 

You won't. There have been problems here and there of course, but like others have said, for every one person that comes here to complain there are 100 that don't because they have no problems. After all my research I bought this because the hardware is superior to pretty much everything out there, especially for the money.

 

I'm excited to start using adobe illustrator on it....After using it on this 1gb memory I imagine it will scream on the Dell.

 

figured dell dont have much to celebrate these days.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2346470,00.asp

 

My system won't go into standby. It looks as if it does, but then immediately returns to the logon screen. Anyone else experience this?

 

Sniffle, well I ordered my 1640 on 4/8 and after a few delays I was given the choice to cancel my order. I was looking forward to joining the 1640 owners club but I guess I'm back to searching.....may have to hit up the outlet and see if I can find me a good deal ^^

 

Hi, I'm thinking about changing my Inspiron 1520 with Studio XPS 16 and I have a few questions. I know that there might be an answer here, but also there is a 400 pages thread that I need to read to find them, so I rather ask here and again
First and most important: Will be there in nearly future some graphics card upgrade for XPS 16?? I know that HD3670 is better than my 8600MGT with DDR2, but now there are laptops with ATI's HD 4xxx series graphics and it won't be very good if a week after I buy new laptop will be better card available for it. So, are there any rumours, or maybe comfirmed informations about graphics upgrade??
Second question is about heat and noise level, heat is more important, can I use laptop for i.e. 2 hours on my lap without having it's silouette burned on me??
And last question, are there any known "global" problems with XPS 16?? Like there was troubles with LCD screens on XPS M1530/Inspiron 1520 or something like this.

Thanks a lot for answers!!

 

i had an inspiron 1520 with cpt lcd screen, and cpt is not a well known lcd maker.
that cpt lcd is as good as samsung, i didnt know it isnt samsung until i checked
the hardware id.

 

So, I just completed my order and am very excited! but a couple of pointers for people asking:

I started Dell chat so i could ask a couple of questions about the laptop, and the guy was pretty cool, we exchanged msn contacts and continued the conversation on my messenger. Really good experience, with Dell as usual.

So, I asked him if he had any sort of knowledge about the Studio XPS getting a video card upgrade anytime soon.

I really didnt think he could give me any direct answer about it, and in a sense he didnt, he told me that For now, that was the only configuration available for this laptop.

He said, however, that I could upgrade it on my own, if that was my wish.

So that pretty much answers our question whether the card is soldered or not, so im thinking anybody interested in switching and placing the new 4Xxx series in, can do so.

so here are the specs:

Intel® Core 2 Duo T9800 (6MB cache/2.93GHz/1066Mhz FSB)
4GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1067MHz (2 Dimms)
Edge-to-Edge FullHD Widescreen 16.0 inch RGBLED LCD (1920x1080)
256GB Solid State Drive
Vista Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-bit
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)

so, im all giddy. soon as i get it i'll post my impressions.

Thanks to all of you for your feedback and comments, I've read most of this thread and it's helped a lot.

 

I've had the SXPS 16 for a week (yay!) and I haven't noticed it being very loud when the fan is running but it does get HOT. And I am talking super hot. I use a fan with it and it still gets hot. My old Laptop was an Inspiron 8600 and it only got hot at the back of the computer, but the SXPS gets hot in the front by the mouse pad too. So if you are looking to use it on your lap for hours, you might want to consider something else. But otherwise I'm loving it so far. The screen is great and it plays video very well. I'm not a gamer, so I can't help you there.

 

Anyone know if the T9900 cpu will work in this notebook? It's only 35w.

 

The XPS 16 will most likely get the ATI HD 4670 in the coming weeks. The 4570 is available now for the Studio 15, so common sense dictates that the XPS 16 will also make the transition to a 4xxx card.

 

my touchpad vertical scroll doesnsnt seem to function when i browse on firefox. horizontal scroll works fine. does anyone know how the fix this?

 

I'd say an upgrade is possible for the XPS 16 in terms of hardware, but I wouldn't expect it soon(at least IMO) since Dell STILL hasn't refreshed their regular XPS line with Montevina CPUs and non defective Nvidia GPUs(and they've been talking about it for months now).

However, with the coming of newer technologies, an upgrade is probably on the horizon a few months down.

As for the laptop on your lap, that's a big no-no. While the XPS 16 doesn't have heat issues, it does get hot, especially on the bottom(since it's made of metal) so you can't use it comfortably on your lap for long periods of time nor for any tedious tasks.

As for "known global problems", the only thing I recall is speaker rattle and uneven sound on some machines.

 

Same for me, I think it's a limitation of firefox, works in IE. Could also be a synaptics update that is needed.

 

To fix it uninstall the dell driver and download the one direct from synaptics website

 

this laptop is all ok but the battery life is so crap.
2h 30 min on power saver with lowest brightness, no bluetooth and low backlight

macbook /pro does 5 hours

 

Yea but not everyone wants a mac. And in windows on a macbook pro the battery life is about the same. Windows has poor power settings

 

Should have bought one I guess.

I don't have any need to unplug my laptop for 5 hours at a time. It's pretty much widely accepted that this is a desktop replacement.

 

Nice Nvidia 9400M to the rescue, and we know how great MAC are for gaming.

 

im seriously thinking about returning my laptop to get a macbook 2.00 or 2.4ghz.

the macbook pro has a 9600m gt which is on par/ better then the 3670 and definitly better when you have 9600m GT + 9400m GT. dell should have had a hybrid sli for the studio xps 16 like the studio xps 13 (16" is more expensive aswell...)

i have so far hated dell support (currently, they said they would inform and collect my current laptop after i get my replacement, but i havent got my replacement and a random courier came asking for my laptop when i hadent reinstalled vista or boxed it , thats sonly part of the problem)
i dont mind not having as much speed as all i do is watch movies, use the internet and do a little work on it. so no fancy GPU needed

i just love the dell screen though, 16:9, RGB LED, 1920x1080 and bright. Perfect for movies... unlike a LED, 1200x800, 13.3" and not as bright screen.
but it also looks sooo nice.

the macbook is cheaper for me too witha 3 year apple care warranty

studio xps with 1 year warranty is £920.
macbook 2.0ghz (£800) + 3 year warranty (£46) is £846.
or macbook 2.4ghz for £950 with a 3 year warranty.

 

I thought you already returned the studio XPS once before.
Anyway, go for it.
I'm sure you'll find something wrong with it too, after you get it.

 

Lol im sure he will he seems to be very picky

 

LOL

+1

 

GUYS, I DID IT! I OPENED THE SCREEN AND REMOVED THE TRAPPED DUST!
It was just now... The edge to edge plastic came out (partially - just enough to clean the screen) pretty easily and I had no problems putting it right back. I dont now if dust is going to come more intensely now, but one thing is for sure: I can finally enjoy this 1080p screen completely!
As much as I want to keep writing about it, I have to go. I have a important test tomorrow, but after that I'll be back with details.
For those of you with the same issue that I HAD, DONT LOSE HOPE!

 

I think you're right...I'm getting the same problem with FF.

As for heat, I haven't had any noticable heat yet. It gets warm under the track pad, but that's about it...but I'm sure the SSD and the A06 bios helps. But compared to my Asus W3J, this thing is much quieter and not nearly as hot as that laptop got!!! So I'm not sure why everyone keeps complaining about heat when it isn't nearly as bad as it can be.

 

Please update us with details when you have time.. I have one spec of dust under the e2e screen.. it doesnt bother me.. but its something that WOULD bother me if it got worse.. granted, I could also call Dell.. but I prefer to avoid calling Dell if at all possible..

 

The video card was bad on my first 1640 and tech support said they would have to replace the motherboard since there was no way to replace the video card. So I don't believe you can update it. When the video card went out on my 1705 they sent me a new one and I changed it. That's what I wanted to do with the 1640.

As for using it on your lap... it depends on what you will be doing. Checking email, web browsing and light tasks are no problem. Gaming, no. Mine gets too hot on the left palm rest and the front of the trackpade when gaming. A good laptop cooler helps a lot.

 

yeh, i had returned my old studio xps too because it wasa a WLED, the screen was broken and i had a dent in the palmrest.

I should be getting a replcament for this which "should" come today hopefully my current has 2 dents on the screen and a messed keyboard. dells service is shocking, they sent they would collect my curent system once the replacement has come on the 6th (TODAY), but yesterday, the courier came askin for my laptop and now they are saying i wont receive the laptop till they have mine.

dells service is pissing me off and they cant be bothered to build a £900 laptop properly.

thats why im "considering" apple, as iv had no problems with them, and if anything goes wrong, il just take it to the apple shop which is easier. plus i get a 3 year warranty for £46 instead of £200.

i just hope my replacement comes today, and id keep that, but if dell start taking the p*ss , then im going to give it back.

 

Thanks a lot for answers. For that heat problem, I think that browsing the net, writing e-mails shouldn't be so big heat-problem, that I couldn't use laptop on my lap. I travel to college like two hours or so, so when I want to write some homeworks or so it shouldn't be a problem. I'm considering configuration with an Intel P8600, 4GB RAM, 250 or 320GB hard-drive, DVD burner (since there is no Blu-ray burner option, DVD is better now), and I hope that Dell come with some new graphics like ATI HD4650 or HD4670 (but some nVidia would be better, I'm more nVidia's fan, than ATI's). And of course I want FullHD RGBLED screen - that's the thing that I can't wait to get it

My second alternative is Precision M4400, but it's not so good-looking laptop (I know that design doesn't make laptop better, but when I pull out of backpack that grey brick - Precision, no one notice that it's a great laptop, but with nice glossy (and full of fingerprints ) Studio XPS 16 with leather I will make a good impresion ) and there are more details that turns me more to S-XPS...maybe I should wait a bit longer for refresh of XPS line, it should bring some nice models too.

 

Well if you are looking for something that is impressive then don't look any further. The 1640 is one gorgeous laptop. The only time the laptop heated up for me was during gaming. I held it on my lap for a couple of hours while installing software and setting up applications. It didn't get warm enough to bother me at all.

You may want to get a spare battery since it sounds like you have a long trip to school. Your battery will be dead by the time you arrive.

 

I'm not so sure about this, as when i ordered my laptop over the phone 2 days ago the support guy told me that I always had the option to update the card on my own if i wanted to, when i asked if the studio xps was going to get any card upgrade soon.

That said, however, I havent found a place online that sells or offers ati mobility video cards....so even if we can change it, it seems to be pretty hard to find a card to replace it