Any rumbles on a XPS 13 refresh?

Maybe I missed it? Since I'm sending my 1645 back and my wife likes her 1340 a lot I was curious if anyone heard anything at CES or otherwise about a refresh of the XPS 13 line.

Would really like to see one with an i3 or an i5 and a 335nvidia ro better with 1gb... but i sort of wonder if they'll wait until after the Alienware m11x is out and loses hype so that it doesn't have any competition.

one can dream though right?

 

I have the same thought as you. I saw so many SXPS 16 refreshes...but SXPS13 only got one which is unfair. If the new SXPS 13 got i3/i5 with 335 nvidia then it is the same configuration as the new sony z.

 

A refresh is more than expected. With Dell currently updating their lines to the Core i3/i5 processors, it'll eventually make its way to the SXPS 13. I'd love to see a 335M (Or even just the 330M) though, but the cooling might not be able to take it.

 

Though I don't believe there's been any announcements, I highly doubt Dell would keep their Inspiron series more powerful than their Studio XPS series for long. Core i-series CPU's, DX11-compatible GPU's, and USB 3.0 are all I'd want..... With the integrated GPU in Arrandale (and death of Nvidia's IGP market), I'd expect them to abandon Hybrid SLI and hope they'd add an ATI 5xxx option. Nvidia is taking WAY too long to release DX11-compatible GPU's....

 

Hurry up Dell, your Studio XPS 13 is looking WEAK!

 

+1. I mean Alienware/Dell's M11x "netbook" is rivaling it in performance.

 

completely agree... I plan to buy a premium laptop and XPS 13 was my first choice.

But even Studio 14 are more powerful than XPS 13 ...

 

I've been stalking Dells site for the past few weeks... and I think today is the day they are going to release the 13 with i5s. As of this morning there is no option to click to configure/purchase an XPS13 on the home page, nor on the EPP page. So maybe by tonight it will be up??? I've needed a laptop for a month now and have been patiently waiting. Don't let me down Dell! And please don't charge too much!

 

Yes, the XPS 13 Website is gone - you cannot order it currently!
w00t!

 

BTW does anyone know what happened to 15" XPS ? Is the XPS 16" supposed to replace it completely ?

 

is there words that the xps 13 is being updated or discontinued? theres nothing on their website

 

The Studio XPS 16 is supposed to have replaced the 15". It offers either a standard 15.6" screen or the larger 16" in the same case. Doubt they'd make another 15" XPS.

 

Very interesting... literally just a day or two before I shelled out for an m11x too.


Do I really want to give Dell another chance though? I know Alienware = Dell, but as far as I can tell they're still somewhat-seperate companies, just the sales departments are shared... I dunno.

Dell is the only company shoveling any money into life-style specific systems, that is, an 11.6" gaming computer, a 13" computer with (maybe) an i3/i5 that can still pull its weight in games.... i hope..

All the other offerings out there under 15" at the moment are really stale.

 

Still on the business website if you poke around a bit... but all of the easy-to-find links are gone, so definitely seems to be something going on.

 

I think we will be seeing some update on XPS Studio 13 soon. Maybe tonight? I hope so... If the specs got i3/i5 I am so IN !

I just hope, the cooling would be good enough... I returned SXPS13 a while ago, because it was running extremely hot!

lets see what happens

 

Thanks! So I guess it's either the XPS 13 or the throttled XPS 16

 

You're absolutely right! Studio XPS 13 choice gone, no links for shopping at all on the US site, lets me dream about a refresh in the near future.

Still available though in Canada, and in Europe.

 

Was it that bad? Did it run hot only under load, or even during web browsing?

I think a laptop with a discrete GPU can only be held on your lap while websurfing or texting, if one wishes to use the power of the GPU, the notebook screams for a decent cooler.

Switchable graphics might help a lot regarding heat issues.

I too hope for at least a core i5 CPU, with discrete GPU, and switching feature of course.

Hope DELL dosen't make us and this thread wait too much.

 

Errm, the SXPS 13 already featured Hybrid SLI between a 9400M G and a 9200M GS or G 210M. That said, the heat produced is definitely bearable to me while on my lap when on a power saving mode (though it runs warm) though it is somewhat hot when both the CPU and GPU are on load and the discrete GPU is enabled along with the IGP (though I've still used it on my lap with either a tray or book in between).

It's good to see Dell seems to be finally pulling out a Core i* replacement. I somewhat hope they would use/offer a Core i5/i7 UM CPU along with a Radeon 5xxx GPU option while utilizing Arrandale's IGP. I wasn't expecting them to take the SXPS 13 off their website so soon though. The XPS 1330 and XPS 1530 stayed around for months after the release of the SXPS 1340 and SXPS 1640 despite the defective GPU issue present in the 1330/1530.

 

It ran hot on normal usage. No game playing, or cpu intensive video editing softwares etc. I had so many Blue Screen of Deaths on that thing, even after the BIOS update, i decided to return it.

Maybe I had a faulty one?

 

I returned my SXPS 13 a few weeks ago, and have been waiting for a 13" refreash or for ASUS to come out with something soon as well. I wonder how long we'll have to wait?

 

They revised the BIOS at one point that allowed the fan to run a little bit faster during idle and lower temps to keep it from heating up, it didn't increase the noise from it at all, but it definitely helped. I think they also adjusted when the fan speeds up to keep it from getting as hot as it was.

 

interesting thread. I have only had my XPS 1340 since 1/11/10 didn't think they would can it so soon. During Christmas I constanly was looking at the refurbs before I actually placed my order. During Chritsmas Dell unloaded tons of these refurbs, where as now you only see a couple available if that. So, far this machine is Ok. I only use for word processing, internet. I don't game but I have the g210m with a 500gb hard drive and it seems to work just fine. Even though today, my machine is working good, I do wish I would have known the XPS M1340 was coming to it's production end prior to placing my order. I guess if my machine ever decides to self destruct Dell will offer something comparable since I have a three year warranty and complete care.

 

it has been removed from dells website. Possibly a new lineup??!!

 

I doubt the GPU would be anything more than a 310M, which means super weak. I have hopes, but their low ones

 

the 310 is actually weaker then the 210 i think... I think if anything it would be a 330m, or an ATI since they run cooler which this laptop needs.

 

lol i wonder if they will wait 21+ days to release a new XPS 13 so people can't return theirs.

I don't know why I had that thought, but you gotta wonder.

 

hahahaha. yes its a dell way of thinking.

 

well, I just talked with somebody from tech support, and all they would tell me was that the XPS13 was discontinued and he knows of no plans to introduce a 13inch model/ any replacement. of course he just directed me to the studio 14. I hope/assume this is just the usual cover story that they use.

 

Yeah, same old BS. I remember asking them about when the HD 4670 was due to come out on the SXPS 16 last year, and he told me that there were no plans for a graphics card update... it came out the following week.

That's even more ridiculous though because if they were to do that, they'd have absolutely zero high performance 13" laptops for sale, (as you probably know, Alienware doesn't even have a 13" model FS) which would drastically limit their potential market. If you wanted a high performance laptop from Dell then, you'd have to go 16", which doesn't appeal to people requiring a portable. The direction to the Studio 14 was the giveaway though!

The i3/i5/i7 update is long overdue and I hope they put a nice graphics card with the new build. I very much doubt it, but I'd love if they put the same card that they have in the M11x, in this (GT 335M). In doing this though, they'd take away sales of the M11x, so that's why I think it's unlikely.

 

Do you think it's gonna be just a CPU change (like the XPS 16) or a complete laptop change (like from the XPS 1330 to xps 1340)?

 

Thanks for the info, I thought they're pretty much the same regarding their potential - according to notebookcheck's benchmark list.

A also think that although they could fit a GT330 as a refresh, they definetly won't, but they might adopt something better than the g310, maybe a GT2xxM or a GT1xxM - if I may wish.

 

They must change the GPU a well, they can't stick to Hybrid SLI no more as they do now.

 

Exactly, the chipset used was the nVidia MCP79MX (IGP - 9400M), which is not compatible with the new Core i* processors.

I very much doubt a complete laptop change. The SXPS 1340 has barely been out a year. I imagine it's going to be called the SXPS 1345.

 

I second that. The design is only a year old, plus I think it wouldn't make sense if they didn't keep the Studio XPS line together, and the SXPS 16 had no "desing" refresh.

Although they might switch to a 14" chassis, though I'd prefer the 13" screen size for its portability.

 

I'm catchin up in the throttling investigation thread, see DELL is finally opening the proper line of communication, hope they learn a lot from their flaws, and benefit from their knowledge/experience and don't mess the SXPS 1340's refresh, and by this I mean they'd apply non throttling CPUs. That would be nice.

 

i wanted to get the 1340 initially, but a c2d vs the 1645's i7 was the deal breaker
the xps 13's hopefully getting a needed upgrade

 

I wonder if they took it off the site to promote the sales of the Alienware M11x, give it the spotlight for a few weeks maybe? It was the same day I think.

Perhaps a refresh is on the way out, but they may wait for the M11x sales to wind down a bit... who knows.

 

That makes sense.

But then again, the m11x offers a SU7300 on tops. As for me, that's no alternative compared to the SXPS 1340 we know, not to talk about a refreshed 1340 with core iX CPU - by this I mean, the refreshed 1340 would not be a competitor of the m11x in my eyes, I need a faster CPU and a optical drive.

 

agreed...they are geared at completely different types of users. and it would make no sense for Dell to permanently eliminate the 13" class...it covers allllllll the other ranges. what I dont understand is that the XPS16 didn't get removed from the site when they switched over to i5 and i7, they just simply added the new processors as an option. so what gives?

 

LOL...nice AVATAR BTW

 

Still any refresh to this system would pull sales from the M11x, its close enough in size and the CPU speed difference would make a huge impact if it had a 335 GPU.

Granted, the size IS different, but people on the fence with the M11x would probably go to the XPS 13's refresh... this way they can hope to sell M11x to all the people looking for super-small performance, and then those who passed on the M11x will be roped in by the XPS 13... they just dont want to take away sales from the M11x who would have otherwise gone to the XPS 13 refresh if it was out.....

make sense? lol

 

The SXPS 13 can be sold for more than the Alienware though (or at the same profit margin). I don't see why Dell would care if someone buys a SXPS 13 with a better CPU for $1,400 over an M11x at $1,000. This only hurts them as there are plenty of people who don't want an 11" machine, do want a stronger CPU, or simply aren't fond of the Alienware's aesthetics. It's not in Dell's interests for these people to turn to HP, Apple, Acer, Asus, etc.

 

It does makes sense, but the average business consumer looking for a high performance portable would not choose the M11x. It's a fabulous gaming machine but it's CPU performance is poor and most laptop consumers feel that the Alienware brand is associated with teenage gamers. My 14 year old cousin just got a M17x for Xmas.

With the business I work in, I can guarantee you I would not see a rep come in to my workplace with a M11x to demonstrate new products. I see your point but I can guarantee Dell are losing sales not having the SXPS 13 as an option.

 

Funny, the only thing preventing me from ordering the M11x is its looks. I need a small/powerful laptop that has serious graphics capability. I would prefer an I3/I5/I7 but could live with the SU7300 (oc'd of course) to get the 335M GT in a 12" frame. The problem is that I need a laptop that looks professional. I could just imagine pulling out my laptop in a conference room and brandshing the silver alien head top.

My business has used Dells for 10 years. A refreshed Studio 13 with an I5/I7 & 330M GT would keep me buying Dell.

Bronsky

 

SXPS 13 will definitely have an updated model. Since their studio 14 lineup is superior now, and SXPS models are dell's premium product!
However I doubt they will have a gpu that is better than M11X! after all dell and alienware are affiliated and not just sales partners! Dell provides Alienware with parts or cheaper deals on parts.

Alienware being a gaming boutique, that means sxps 13 wont have a better gpu!

But!!!! sxps 1340 will have updated i series processors, since core 2 duos are outdated now. And it will have a different gpu 100% since the current chipset is not supported by new i series processors!

With that said expect SXPS 13 with i3, or i5 processors, and a better gpu, possibly even an ATI!

 

I hope they’ll adopt i5 CPUs as well, since as far as I know i3 CPUs aren’t that powerfull compared to the outdated P8700 or higher CPUs the SXPS 1340 is available with right now (tell me if I’m wrong, I’ve learned this from benchmarks)

Anyways, I second that on the GPU speculation/wishlist, hopefully they’ll have a medium Class 2 GPU.

 

I'd be surprised if they adopted solely i3 CPU's let alone even offered it on the SXPS due to their relatively poor performance (compared to previous high-end CPU options found on the SXPS 13) as well as increased TDP not to mention such a CPU would only encourage much cheaper Inspiron sales.

I'd expect them to offer either low voltage Core i7's (such as the 620LM) or ultra-low voltage Core i7 CPU options (such as the 620UM). That said, I wouldn't be surprised if Core i5 CPU's appeared.

 

Well, You never know with Dell, but I too think only the core i3 option by itself would be true lame. I have like 2-3 months to pull the trigger, and would be pleased to see a core i5 540m with some class2 GPU (looks like all of us in this thread agree Dell would probably apply something slower than the GT330) perhaps a GT240M would be fine.
As for the low voltage core i7, I know it's me, but I simply can't believe in ULV processors, maybe for reallly light office work but don't think any SXPS owner would be fitting in that shoe.

 

There's no reason for Dell to offer only low-voltage options for the SXPS 13. The current P8600 and Nvidia chipset draws about 40W total TDP. So it would be no problem for them to offer standard voltage i5's and i7's (quad-cores excluded) in the refresh. For example, a 2.66GHz i7-620M and compatible chipset would draw a total of 38.5W.

But, they could very well offer the i7-620LM/640LM for people looking for increased battery life - theoretically you could get about 25% more battery from this setup compared to the old C2D setup. The ULV CPU's I very much doubt as they're just too slow (as kiskapu alluded to above).

We'll just have to wait and see!