Buying a Studio 1340 for College

Alright, let's cut to the chase. I'm buying a 1340 for college because it is considered the latest technology, has a nice build, and will surely last me 4 years of my entire undergrad. Other than that, it is a nice portable system with tons of multi media options. I do, however, have a few questions to some owners out there. Before I start I would just like to say that I WILL NOT be using this laptop for gaming, but mostly for work and streaming videos/movies.

(P.S - Bear with me here, I'm what the call laptop retarded.)

1. I can't really find this information anywhere- Does the 1340 come with a TV Tuner?

2. What the hell is power saving mode? I've done some reseach on the 1340 and people tell me that it runs cooler and gets more battery in that mode but not a single website will tell me what it is :[ Can I web surf in this mode and such?

3. When not in power saving mode, how hot does it actually run on the lap while doing:

-Web Surfing
-Watching Streaming videos for 30-1hour
-Playing a DvD

I know this question has been asked a LOT, but I get answers that vary way too much. Many say it's not that bad and others say you can burn your fingers. I really just want a good, direct answer: Does it really run as hot as it is hyped up to be? Unbearably hot on the lap?

Most importantly: Are the palm rests extremely hot?

3b. Whatever the hell a BIOS update is, does it really cool the system down?

3c. I'm planning on getting the 320 GB 7200 RPM because I heard it runs the laptop cooler; will any other spec change make it run cooler?

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That's about it, thanks for reading and any information you may be able to provide.

 

. I can't really find this information anywhere- Does the 1340 come with a TV Tuner? not to my knowledge

2. What the hell is power saving mode? I've done some reseach on the 1340 and people tell me that it runs cooler and gets more battery in that mode but not a single website will tell me what it is :[ Can I web surf in this mode and such? It's simple a reduced power state eg. your processor will run at 1Ghz to save power, it slows your preformance but increase battery life. switching between the two is only a couple clicks... you can browse the web in powersaver mode
3c. I'm planning on getting the 320 GB 7200 RPM because I heard it runs the laptop cooler; will any other spec change make it run cooler?

no, I'd get a 320GB 5400 rpm if you want less heat.

 

1) you can order a tv tuner with the 1340, or wait for a good TV Tuner deal
i have the AverTV VOlar Max that could be found between $40 and $75
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=327241

2) power saving mode is to limit the voltage and current of the processor, so that less heat will be produced... less power of course, but enough for web browsing...

3b) BIOS update is like a firmware update for laptops... it gives whatever updates the computer motherboard needs... and also the temperature threshold for fan levels etc... you should update everything to the highest version (unless posts on this forum warn you that it sucks, then no)

3c) if you want cool, i think SSD are cooler(they have no moving parts),... but that's my opinion

you are looking at dell.com/epp right?

 

It gets silly hot when the system is put to any form of what I would say is light work like playing a film, gaming really makes it hot I found. The Bios update which is basically a downloadable update you install to "update the bios" is meant to address this issue of heat. What it does is basically turns the fan on more often. Make what you want of this but that is my experience of the 13, not good

 

That computer can be configured with a hybrid SLI video card system. On Dell's site it's the 9500m option. It's actually an integrated video card (9400m) and a dedicated video card (9200m). When in power saving mode it runs off the integrated card, otherwise it runs off of both in a setup similar to SLI.

 

you may be better off with studio 16, it has rgb led screen option and the heat issue is more tolerable than studio 13.

 

I wouldn't get the Studio XPS 16...that's a lot of computer to be lugging around. I'd stick with a 13" or 14" for school. I actually ordered a SXPS 13 for myself today. I looked at lots of options and it fit my needs the best. I don't know about the leather though, not big on it. Check with your school, they might be part of Dell Premier which will give you 7% off of a computer purchase.

 

Best buy has a promotion where you get a free usb tv tuner with the purchase of any laptop. They also have a good price on the 1340 ($899).

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9150624&type=product&id=1218036666917

 

Well if you are weak then you should carry a 13 or 14 inch laptop, I carry my 16" inch laptop is around 3.5KG and thats not a problem for me btw I carry it on my back the whole day...

Honestly it depends of the person who carries the laptop.

 

Hey guys,

Just want to say, thanks for all the responses, they're much appreciated. I think I understand pretty much everything now but quick question:

Can I only get power saving mode with the 9500 graphics card option?

Also, if any owner could tell me if the palm rests get unbearably hot?

OH! And one more thing I'm sketchy about. Are you sure 5400RPM runs cooler? I heard from other sources that "the 7200RPM runs surprising cooler although it uses more power."

Thanks again!

Oh, and yes, I am using Dell.com/epp or dell university, whatever it is, I'm getting a 7% discount

 

I've carried an E1505 around with me for the last 3 years, it's just bulky and does add a considerable amount of weight when you're already carrying a bag full of books around. I just don't recommend anything bigger than 14" due to personal experience/preference.

Power saving is available without the hybrid SLI graphics, it'll just be the normal power saving (dim screen, underclock CPU, etc.). I was just throwing that out about the running off only the integrated card out there for more info.

 

The dell outlet can save you half off a new 1340 if you want. The best thing you can do about heat is get the latest bios update and you can also undervolt your cpu's

The laptop still runs a little hot if you are okay with that.

Which means instead of spending 1200 bucks or so on dell.com
you can get the same pc for around 650-700 bucks on the outlet
and then use the rest of the money to buy whatever you want
Like a laptop case, new hdtv.. wahtever =D