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

Trust me I know exactly how you feel. I was elated to have my laptop ship this morning only for all that excitement to fizzle away once I read the post about the 4670 making it's debut soon. Then I felt a little relieved that I found out soon enough so that I can return this laptop and still get the new one. The extra wait will definitely suck since I'm also without a laptop right now and desperately need it to study but I guess I can make do with a back breaking desktop for now. I really think you should wait it out a bit longer and get the new one. I'm fairly certain it's gonna be released very soon along with the crimson red option for xps 16.

 

Call dell say your seeing lines on your screen and theyll replace the gpu and ask if you they can replace it with the 4670 worth a shot right?

 

you know they do actually test these things before replacing them. i dont know if it was you and i dont feel like going back through the pages, but someone has mentioned multiple times abotu doing stuff like this, but i really dont think it will work

 

There is no test to see if your seeing lines on your screen. See lines is the warning sign that your gpu is on its way out. The test they would do will no show them lines because what your screen sees is not what theres will. So its possible it will work.

 

there is a test. its called turning on the computer and seeing if there are lines on the screen. even if you get dell to send the parts to your house, the tech will come out and see that there is nothing wrong with the computer. idk man, thats a pretty dishonest way to live life.

 

The tech dosent check the computer well the ones that have replaced stuff on mine havent. But you get no where in life being completly honest. You cant say you have never told a lie to benfit yourself? that would be a lie because everyone does and has done it

 

Gah. Just ordered last week and now even before I get it its obsolete.

Ohwell, I can't afford to wait till the 4670 is released, but perhaps I'll send it back well after its released.

 

Actually the 3670 was obsolete even before the 1640 was released

 

Ah, see I don't follow computer parts until I actually need to get one. And I've never purchased a laptop before.

What are the chances that I'll be able to make a switch after the 4670 comes out? If I even get mine by then, its been the longest 3 days of "in production" time ever.

 

Zero, unless the Mobo winds up being identical to what's being used now. Then you could buy a new mobo. The 3670 is soldered to the board.

 

No, I don't mean switching just the GPU. But a return/refund/repurchase type deal.

 

I think you only get 21 days to return it and it starts the day they ship it out to you (before you even receive it). So keep that in mind. I'm calling to arrange for shipping labels to return it the second I receive it..not gonna even bother opening the box.

 

I found this on the Dell terms of Sale or Online policies page:

" If the purchase was made at a distance, via the Internet, mail, telephone or catalogue, the Customer shall have the right to return the Product without justification within five days following delivery or, otherwise, pursuant to the terms and conditions for returns listed at www.dell.com."

interesting. cant find anything about restocking fees yet in this page within that 5 day period. ... still, you gotta wonder just how quickly will these new cards be available. Still thinking about it.

 

I remember reading somewhere on this board about a screen protector for Studio XPS 16 that could also protect against sun/uv, I tried to find where I saw that on the forums but couldn't, looked on ebay but couldn't find one that protects against UV.. Any idea of what I'm talking about ? I know I saw this here

 

You mean protect the screen against UV? I don't think LED lighting should be giving off UV like florescent lighting does (I hope).

 

Has anyone tried out the Zagg Invisible Shield for the 1640?

 

cuteneo in this forum did

here's his post:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=4829657&postcount=34

 

How do you guys check if your hard drives are indeed 7200 RPM?

 

Ordered one for mine. Should arrive here by the end of this week. Will post my experiences on this forum.

 

Since it is already on the way why wouldn't you take the time to try it out and see how it works? I would've spent 2 weeks with it to make sure I liked the configuration and then returned it. All you have to do is tell them that the palm rest is too hot for you to use it and there would be no restocking fee.

But does anyone have an idea of when the new card will be available?

 

They won't do it. The only way to get an upgrade is if the original part is not available anymore. If your motherboard has to be replaced and you want to pay the difference to upgrade to a better video card they will make you pay for both parts!

And please don't lie about problems. It's the same as shoplifting. We all end up paying for it down the line.

 

I received my 1640 2 weeks ago. It was a refurb with a warranty (so pretty cheap), and had no functioning lights on the hinges. Didnt really bother me at first, but then I became curous at other posts on here talking about none functioning hinge lights.

So after a quick search I found the service manual listed here: http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/sxl16/en/sm/index.htm

Now I wouldnt encourage anyone else to pop open their lappy if they are not confident. I used to fix lappy's in a previous job, so I had a quick look, found both battery light cables, reseated them properly (see Display Assembly pics from above link), and hey presto they both now work.

 

ok, correction so that no one is misleaded. under warranty questions i found this:

"How long can I return or exchange my equipment?

If you purchased new products directly from Dell, you have 7 days after receiving your order to return or exchange the equipment for credit or a refund of the purchase price paid, less shipping and handling and applicable restocking fees.
Unless the product is defective or the return is a direct result of a Dell error, a restocking fee of 15% may be charged.

For more information on the General Terms and Conditions of Sale or the Return Policy, please navigate to the following link:
General Terms and Conditions of Sale"

Then, when you follow the Terms and Conditions link, I found the "5 days without justification" quote. Don't know if the restocking fee would still apply to those five days.

 

XPS 16 is going to get the 4670!

http://support.dell.com/support/dow...eid=R220096&formatcnt=1&libid=0&fileid=313333

Bios upgrade to enable support for ATI Radeon HD4670

 

Welcome to yesterday.

 

I wonder if the 4670 will be standard or as an option with the 3670 as base. I have the 3670 and have no need for anything better.. my other laptop as Intel integrated graphics, so, the 3670 is already way more than what i need.

Also, if the 4670 is an option, then its a good chance that the mobo is the same and you can desolder the 3670 and replace it with the 4670.

 

No you won't be able to desolder it, that's not how it works. The only upgrade path will be to change out the motherboard if that's even possible.

 

Just applied my Zagg shield last night. So far, so good. I am happy about losing the fingerprints. Feels rubbery to the touch. I did find that the LCD screen touches the interior Zagg shield when the lid is closed. I don't think it will be a big deal. I did not apply the touchpad shield or button pieces. Personal preference, I like to glide over the touch pad and buttons.

 

zagg's are for people who also like plastic on their couch.

 

I'm a noob, I bought an xps 1640, and I have been trying to get my wireless speed up to N standards, but my connection is sitting @ 65 Mbits/sec. I am using an N router, although its just a 2.4ghz router with wpa2 eas encryption. It was my understanding that I should be able to get around 300Mbits/sec speed with an n card and router, but am I missing something? The router is a Netgear WRN2000. Any suggestions?

 

Zaggs might also be for the people that like to sell their laptops after a year.

When you advertise the notebook as like new and it looks shiney and new, it will sell for more.

 

Got my Studio XPS 16 yesterday and I've been really enjoying it, tis a great piece of equipment. Bit disappointed that it looks like the GPU upgrade has come sooner than expected, but hopefully we'll be able to nag Dell into upgrading the mobo + GPU.

 

Can someone who has installed the Zagg kit comment on changes in temperature? I am a little concerned that adding the plastic will decrease the heat transfer capablilities of the computer and increase temps slightly.

 

Hardware monitor from CPUID will report the model number. Should be in your BIOS too. Then you can just Google that and should be able to find the specs.

 

No Zagg's are for people who love their notebook (too much)

 

Blu-Ray drive owners: are your drives fairly quiet? Mine seems to be a bit noisy and I'm wondering if I should have it replaced. Thanks!

 

Mine seems loud and annoying. I think it's made that way

 

Mine seems kind of loud in the beginning when it's loading, but after that it's fine. Doesn't really bother me much.

 

One thing that helped me is to change the "Channel Width" value to "Auto" in wireless card properties.

 

Mine came with that setting on there by default. From what I have been reading I have to enable channel bonding to get the full speed of N, but IDK how to enable it. Is it something that I have to do on the router config page, on the laptop itself, or both?

 

Just ordered and I have a question. How many RAM slots are available because there is clearly a huge price jump between upgrading to 6gb through 2-2-2 or having to buy a stick of 4gb RAM

 

Two RAM slots, like almost all laptops. (You'd want 2 identical DIMMS anyway to keep the RAM in dual channel mode)

 

It has 2 slots so you need 2 4gb sticks for 8gb

 

anyone knows if studio 16 suports mobile quad q9100 2.26?

 

Hi Guys I am getting my SXPS 16 in about a week or 2
Could anyone tell me if the heat vents at the bottom of the laptop suck or blow out hot air?
This may sound like a stupid question but the reason behind it is cause that I am buying a Cooling pad and I need to know what direction of the hot air.
Basically if the bottom vents suck or blow out air....

If i get the wrong type of cooler, I would actually end up heating up the lap a bit more....

Regarding the new graphics card they are thinking of upgrading to.. its already super hot with the 3670, wonder what an 4670 would end up doiing.

Oh I read thru the first 10 pages but reading thru 400+ pages is kinda hart atm , so could neone tell me if the heating issue or any other main issues got fixed via driver updates..? I think I read somewhere that Dell released a new driver to reduce the Thermal heating...

Thanks in advance!!!!!

 

Okay, Thanks for the help, not a big deal anyway because I believe 8gb of RAM would be overkill anyway

 

The vents blow out.

The A06 or 7 Bios, I forget which one, helped with cooling a bit. The thing is, the heat is all perception. I sat on my bed the last two nights with the laptop in my comforter watching DVD's with my kids. My computer was smothered in the comforter and was still only running about 45 on the cores, 55 on the GPU and 50 on the HDD.

It's a great computer, you won't be sorry.

 

Thanks a lot!!!.
Cant wait to have some fun with the Gravity gun in HL2, I know its old but I cant stop playing HL ^^

Oh Btw does neone use a cooler or know any good ones to use for the SXPS 16?
This is what I am looking atm and it seems alright
http://www.coolermaster.com/products/product.php?language=in&act=detail&id=6101
but since this is my first laptop I am completely freaked out on what to get and what not to lol,
So any tips on how to not blow up the laptop would be really appreciated... cause Im kinda of a rough user.

 

Source games run great at full everything. I just got done playing CS:Source.

*This seems to be the cooler of choice.

http://www.zalman.co.kr/eng/product/Product_Read.asp?Idx=280

 

The problem with this cooler is that it blows cool air into the heat vents at the bottom, using this wnt help the SXPS since the bottom vents of the SXPS blow out air. so this would result in this
hot air from lap --> | <-- cool air from cooler, it may cool the other areas but effective cooling wnt be possible.

IF the vents of the XPS sucked in air instead this would be quite good.