Dell Studio XPS 1340/1640 now available for purchase on Dell's site !!!

wow! that looks sleek!!!

 

It states on the original slides that they plan on using Hybrid SLI. So why do people keep saying it will instead use Montevina (Centrino 2) chipsets. According to NVIDIA, Hybrid SLI is "when an NVIDIA® motherboard GPU is combined with an NVIDIA discrete GPU". So which is it?

Also, if they do decide to go with NVIDIA, I hope that they use the MCP79 (9400M) chipset, as I am aware that it is currently in the works for a debut on the PC platform (already released in the new Macbooks/Pro), according to sites like this.

As for the discrete graphics card (SLI), I hope that it's optional as I know many people (as in me) would rather have a cheaper option which is less likely to overheat, within the 13" chassis, and will consider this heavily before buying.

With the discrete GPU, you will only be able to choose amongst a select few. As these are the only ones which support GeforceBoost and HybridPower (b/c high-end, performance cards don't get much benefit and only feature HybridPower i.e. switchable graphics). Note that there are currently only two 9-series notebook motherboards, the 9100M G and the 9400M G. GPUs with dedicated memory:

64-bit bus - 9200M GS, 9300M GS, 9300M G (entry level)
128-bit bus - 9500M G (only mid-range card)

The performance will be nearer to the 9600M GT, with the 9500M G the only card (running in SLI) more capable. But it's likely we'll only end up with a 64-bit card. Either way, I'll wait and see.

Although, the 9300M G is basically a die-shrink and rebranded 8400M GS, which the XPS M1330 currently uses. So this seems more likely as it will run cooler then in the M1330, but offer exactly the same performance.

 

LG managed to build in a geforce 9600 graphics card in a very thin 13" laptop, with quite good heat absorbation and a quiet fan (LG P310 Tarsia). and i don't believe that LG will stay very long on the 13" gaming throne, i think the new studio xps might beat that performance...it has to beat it, or else it shouldn't be called a "xps"!

@ jayson: sorry, you were right all the time! we will never question your authority again!

 

I seriosuly hope that this isnt the case.

 

The LG could afford to put a 9650M GT in their 13" with its 55nm process as it draws the same power as the 9600M GT. Too bad Dell would never do the 9400M G + 9650M GT... that would be too 1337 for its 13".

 

the 13" is going for how much again i take it its per pound

 

Does anyone have any idea if the Studio XPS 16 will be also released during the beginning of the next year (January, Fabruary), or will it take about half a year - as was the case witht the XPS1530?

 

LG are releasing a gaming 13in, aimed at those wanting to squeeze power out of something relativly portable. Dell are releasing a consumer/home user 13in, aimed at those who don't play games that much (though a lot of buyers will).

Big Difference there.

9400M + 9500M does not equal 9600M performance. No-one has official Hybrid-SLI benchmarks on anything besides some Desktops, where performance was either relatively the same or even less.

And the original slides have changed ALOT. Has the notebook been released in November? NO. How do we know Dell might have scrapped Hybrid SLI?

 

i think the hybrid SLI is the future of every computer, it jus tmakes so much sense.

 

Studio XPS appears in email adverts (attached pic).

 

omg now I cannot wait for fulllllll details

 

I'm so sick of this waiting ... Glad the holidays are coming up.

I certainly wish that DELL would do the unthinkable and (apart from releasing the Studio XPS to the public soon) offer the 13" version with a higher resolution than 1280x800. I know it can't be done. At least not under $2000 so far. But you know, it's Christmas...

 

This soon was just too long.

 

How can I reward myself if it isn't out yet? I hate 'Coming Soon', just give me a date or don't say anything.

 

I wonder if the 16" model will get more ports than the 13" one.

 

Where did you get that email from?
I'm subscribed to Dell UK and didn't receive that one yet.

 

I got one this morning too

 

The LG does not have a DVD/CD drive! Its external! They could have used the extra space to dissipate the heat!

 

Any time now, Dell.

 

I never really got into the leather Asus laptops. I wonder how popular these Dell laptops become.

 

was there something else mentioned in the mail from dell?

I'm sure there was some text in this email.
would be nice if somebody can post it.

i think it is the 1640 in the picture, beside the keyboard is something.

 

OMG... That keyboard is absolutely priceless... this thing is gonna be revolutionary

 

I don't know about the leather though. Doubt it will be an option either. I preferred the XPS M1x30s soft matte finish *sigh*

 

good point.
does it say anything else, peeps?

 

I'm not sure how I feel about it myself. Wouldn't mind an M1330 with some Montevina goodness, though...

 

I just got an email today with the attached image

Looks like it's coming!

 

I am kinda disappointed over the weight and the thickness. Looks like it's topping an inch in the front. With dimensions like this, and being this heavy, it better have monster graphics with an equally monstrous cooling system. It is too bad really. I thought the XPS 13 would be be revolutionary.

 

Where have you seen any weight or other specs? The Adamo is the one that is geared to be small and revolutionary.

 

If you look at the picture of the Studio XPS 13, you'll see that there is not a gap between the keyboard and the edge of the notebook.


In the banner image there is definitely a large gap between the keyboard and the edge of the notebook.


So at least we know that they are making a larger model and it looks pretty much the same.

 

I have a bad feeling they're destroying the XPS line on purpose to make room for the Adamo. Thin, modern, sleek, sexy...those were the words reserved for the first generation of XPS.

The new generation of Studio XPS? fat, tacky leather, heavy and potentially shoddy keyboard.

 

I think, we will have to see the final results!

I am actually looking forward to it, now! As, it seems like it won't be soon before long!

I am hoping for the sleek and sexy look


Cin

 

That black leather and metal trim remind me of the interior of my Audi which is anything but tacky. What makes you think the keyboard has the potential to be 'shoddy'? I think the keyboard looks like it has the potential to be the best I have ever used.

 

Actually if you take a good look at the keyboard, it is a conventional one (not like the ones used in Macs and Sony) but the central part of the key is 1mm(?) higher than the rest. We will have to wait and see how this will be in real in order to judge it. My guess? Nice looking but it will be judged by the usal attributes of the keyboards. (flex, cushion, "feeling" etc)

About the leather... bah, I dont know. It will look ok at the begining but after a few months? a few years? If it is indeed leather and not leather-like plastic, my feeling is that DELL is taking a nice big bet here.

I can already see the posts in this and other forums with ppl loving it and others hating it...

Yet like always, we will have to wait in order to see how it goes!

 

Audi's = sweet! That's a good way to pair the attributes! :yes:

And, I like the looks of the keyboard!


Cin

 

USA.

Yes. Regular advert for Mini 12, Studi Hybrid, XPS Desktop, Design Studio and at the very end - teaser banner.

 

I disagree the keyboard looks almost identical to the Macbook keyboard which I hate. 1737 has one of the best feeling and sounding keyboards I've ever used.

 

It looks similar to a Sony/Apple keyboard, however it's clearly not the same. In fact, it probably will feel very similar to the current keyboards that Dell has been using for several years now. I've used recent Dell (Latitude E6400) and Apple (MacBook) keyboards and I didn't like the way the Apple keyboard felt at first. However, the only reason was because I was so accustomed to my Dell keyboard, which is a bad reason to dislike something. Just because it takes a little getting used to (about 10 minutes in my case) doesn't make it a bad keyboard design. I actually wish Dell would adopt the Sony/Apple keyboard fully because I like the way it looks, but this still looks very nice and will probably feel very familiar to old Dell keyboards.

 

These pictures show that the keyboards are not like the MacBook's or the Sony's. Their keyboards are made up of completely individual keys whereas the new Studio XPS's keyboard has them all together even though there is a grove between the keys.

MacBook


Sony FW


Dell Studio XPS 1340


I actually don't know of any other notebook that has a keyboard like this, its either the keys are all together and there is no "stair stepping" or the keys are individual.

 

Exactly.

Sony SZ keyboard looks similar as Studio 13.
http://www.notebookreview.com/assets/10852.jpg

 

Yeah after I said that I was curious and I found notebooks that had that same "stair step" look....oh well

 

Here is another article hinting that the new laptops will be announced at CES 2009.

..."enterprising news outlets have dug up hints at new products from the likes of Dell and Lenovo weeks before the big gadget exhibition"...

http://ces.cnet.com/8301-19167_1-10128049-100.html?tag=mncol;txt

It also talks about Sony's "revolutionary" new VAIO lineup.

 

Lets assume for a second that CES 09' will usher in the new Dell Studio XPS line. How long do you think it will take before you can customize and order one? Also how long do you think it will take Dell to build and delivery such a laptop if you build and order one the first month they are out?

 

Well if Dell already has started the production phase of the new notebooks, I don't see why they can't be released soon after their announced. I'm pretty sure that the notebooks will be ready to be shipped soon after CES because of the numerous reports of people talking to sales reps online and them telling that they will be available in late January or early February and also because of the accidental appearance of the Studio XPS 13 on Dell's website where the XPS 1530 should have been.

 

Here's another Dell support article that refers to upcoming Studio XPS 1640.
http://support.dell.com/support/top...4FB60DB41F8C22E040AE0AB7E13224&doclang=en&cs=

 

Yes, somebody posted that already on this thread before you did.


I think whenever the XPS 13/16 appears officially on Dell's site for configuring, it will be possible to order them right away. It's not this week for sure. So, next week? First week of January? Shouldn't necessarily be at the same time as CES, can be earlier i think.

I looked at different alternatives (MacBook, Sony Z, LG, etc.) -- none of them has what I see in this XPS 13 (I don't care about 16). I hope the price is right, 'coz spec-wise this will be a killer.

 

I think they look very nice.
Perhaps Dell should have started a new line entirely though instead of combining two existing product lines. I foresee confusion on the parts of consumers.

 

As far as I know, there are no official specs, just the ones in the slide, that aren´t sure yet. Until I hear them from Dell...

 

I agree about official specs, but even looking at the pictures, it is clear that this system has advantages. This is what i'm looking for in my new notebook:

- slot loading Blu-ray drive (Macs have no Blu-ray at all even though slot-loading; Sony has Blu-ray, but it's not slot, but tray loading and i hate those trays sticking out)
- hard disk drive 7200rpm (most others bundle a slower 5400rpm; and SSD is still too expensive, so i need 7200rpm)
- dedicated graphic card (well, most have it, but Hybrid SLI would be pretty cool, although not essential)
- two (2) audio out ports. Yes, me and my gf wanna watch movies on the train, etc. No, i don't want an adapter/splitter. This is minor, i know, just like everything else.
- well, of course, the latest Centrino 2 ("Montevina") platform with Penryn processor, gigabit ethernet, wireless N, Bluetooth, FireWire, eSata/USB, HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, 2Mpx web cam, 12"-13" screen, illuminated/backlit keyboard, premium finish/materials. We can agree that almost any system out there has either all or most of these.

However, as far as I know, no other system satisfies ALL of those requirements, only some/most of them and i need all. And I think that currently only XPS 13 has what I want (this is personally for me, your needs might be totally different).

And most importantly: I want to be able to select every single option, and not get a pre-packaged stuff that Sony or LG or ANY other manufacturer thinks I want (e.g. one system is $1400 and the next available is $1600, things like that). I think only Dell allows this type of maximum fine-tuned customization of almost every single component.

Honestly, there are things that i don't like in this new XPS 13:
- those silver bars on the bottom of the screen on both sides, i think that's not elegant. if they were on the back of the screen and ended on the sides, fine, but not wrapped to the front of the screen.
- the increased weight, compared to m1330, slightly heavier to carry around

 

So like, there is a lot of talk about the new keyboard, the point of this keyboard is mostly for the looks i believe. Sony's keyboard use to be EXACTLY like the Studio XPS's but they took their design to another level. It is important to realize that these keyboards allow for maximum key distance (the chiclet design gives every key a wider surface area) AND it is a lot cleaner. Things don't get trapped between the keys and even if it does, you can hardly see it. They took this design to another level by fusing the keyboard with the actual bezel, which made it even easier to clean. It's all about the design. It seems to me that dell is always a bit behind the times. Slot loading has been around forever on the apple.

BTW, the only reason why tray loading is popular is because it can be removed to stick something else inside. Plus it's easier to fix/upgrade, which for a professional notebook like the SZ, will bring its advantages. I think one of the things about my slotloading drive on my xps1530 is that it's louder than construction outside my office, and yet I don't want to replace it because it'll be a pain in the butt.

 

Replacing HDDs in a laptop is one of the easiest things you'll do. You could easily replace a 320GB 7200rpm HDD into the Sony Z if you were unhappy with 5400rpm.