Buy Studio XPS 1647 or wait? I've heard so much bad stuff about it :(

Hey,

I am thinking of getting a notebook for business/private use.
The performance of the Studio XPS 1647 is great for me and everything else fits perfectly too.

I've been browsing this forum and others and I've seen the problems with the heat/throttling issues and I've also overheard that dell is coming up with a CPU update for the the Studio XPS 1647.

Is the XPS really THAT bad, would you recommend it for me or should I wait until dell has fixed the issues? what alternatives can your recommend ?

Also, I've been looking at the dell precision and I must say I like it but I don't like that it has no DVI or HDMI port. Is that much of an issue if I work a lot with external screens? Do i loose screen quality because of the VGA use?

thanks for helping me!

 

I can tell you one thing, my new 1645 is a sexy beast. Very fast, no throttling, and actually doesn't get too hot. It's a much nicer beast than the 1640 was. Dell seems to have done a good job with the 130watt adapter and new Bios update. I say get it!

 

Doesn't the Icore 7 suck more power. I would get the 1647 then but I heard that this one cannot be recommended as it still does throttle and has heat problems.

I just want to buy a dell and this dell is the only one that I consider

 

I have the 1647, and I can tell you that it does not throttle, nor do I have any heat problems on it (currently).

It has been a great lappy

Cin...

 

should I wait for the next GPU Upgrade ?

 

Same here... no probs..and you will always be waiting ..if you want the next best thing...take the plunge and score one....

 

I just got a 1645 and have had no issues to date. It is a well built, great looking, powerful machine. It does get warm, but no throttling issues yet...

 

How do you know you're not throttling?

Have you run prime95+furmark and logged it with throttlestop?

For everyone who thinks they are not throttling, you will under max load (i dont throttle in any games or any normal functions, but I do throttle in prime 95+furmark)

 

Can you tell me config of 1645 which don't have issues ?
i7 740 + 4670 or
i7 740 + 5370 or
i7 840 + 5370 ??? thanks

Exactly, same in my case also. People who think their laptop isn't throttling should test it once.

 

I've tested my laptop many times with Prime 95 +Furmark while watching in Throttle stop... it isn't absolutely perfect, but my multiplier never drops below 11.5 (max is 12 when utilizing all cores). When playing games, even for days at a time, I never have throttling.

 

Good to know that all replies are +ve about Dell and SXPS. So those who are reporting the defects/issues almost daily are telling lie ??? If yes go for it else why to put your hard earning $s in to risk ?

Anyway the configurations what you are getting with SXPS currently, you will get better hardware with lower price. But Dell gives more flexibility to build your system starting from A-Z (more customizable), even you can opt for Full HD screen with Intel GMA HD which is quite impossible with other brands/models.

Its high time Dell should come with COMPLETE refresh of SXPS series without upgrading few components. This baby needs more care.

 

I don't think anyone is lying, it's just that some people experience problems and others do not. If I push my laptop as hard as I can, I can make it throttle a small amount, so I fully believe that depending on some unknown combination of variables that more severe throttling can happen. These variables are the real mystery at this point and are the cause of much frustration. Some obvious design flaws can easily be pointed out, but clearly some XPS laptops continue to function fine even with these flaws. Anyways, the XPS design clearly isn't fantastic and could use a redo, but for those of us fortunate enough to have laptops that don't have problems, this truly is a fantastic laptop.

 

Thanks for the good advice. I do agree that the XPS is a good machine compared to others and most of all it is great in terms of cost - performance. The question remains if it is worth the risk investing in it or maybe choose an alternative. A simple question arises here:

For those who are put in my position - would you invest in it or would you opt for something else and if you do opt for something else what machine would it be ?

I think that the throttling issue depends on the processor configuration chosen. What is an advisable configuration for the XPS ? moreover, is it worth waiting for the GPU upgrade or is the difference not all that big? Do users report throttling issues with the new GPU built in ?

Thanks for the expert advise folks !

 

^If you are not a serious gamer or you have any serious computing task its worth to choose for DUAL CORE processors like i5/i7. Do not go for QUAD CORE processors as they generate more heat. Yes you are right SXPS is still using 10yr old ATI GPU. No switchable graphics, no USB 3.0, etc ... But their Full HD screens are really good.

 

Well I was in same spot on to buy or not, couldn't decide between xps16, M15x or M17x, dont game alot on laptop mainly for work and normal home use. Used 15% off coupon and got a refurbished 1645 for $850. then added one year complete care. Hopefully i did good.

i7 720
500 gb
16 rgb-led
ati 4670

Had 2 issues with it right off, nothing major but they sent 90 watt adapter and the cord that plugs into the charger from wall wasnt the right one, they sent a 130 watt over night to me. just got. I did ask for the 130watt after reading these forums and they said

"With that being said how come it didn't come with the 130 instead of the 90 if it is known to be better?"

07/21/2010 11:08:03AM Agent (Sup_Shaikh_18393): "There is nothing wrong width he current 90w adapter shipped with your system. The issue being addressed is strictly related to maximizing the performance of your system. You may continue to use the 90W adapter and power cord originally provided with your"



And the speakers sounded horrible, took bottom of and found a screw in the middle of what i believe is the sub woofer. Sounds much better now.

 

See that is just plain silly. There is NO reason to run both of those at the same time, let alone run prime95 at all. Sure running both those at the same time will throttle the machine, hell it will throttle any laptop with similar specs. Running those two programs is brutal enough for a desktop, let alone a laptop.

For even the most demanding user, like me even, it doesn't throttle while gaming, video editing, etc. Synthetic testing is pointless in my opinion for a laptop unless your trying to narrow down a problem, not create one. Prior to the BIOS fix and 130watt adapter was a different story however. But after the new BIOS and adapter it's a rock solid machine. I had the same throttle issue with my old 1640, but the BIOS fix for that and 130watt adapter fixed that issue for me as well.

 

Sorry, I havn't had time to change my sig yet. i7 720 and 5730.

 

Ya, the i7-740 with the 5370 is probably your best bet. Guaranteed not to throttle? No, but it is certainly the least likely out of those three options.

 

Agree completely.