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

There's a review from pcworld if no one saw it:

http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/product/44034/review/dell_studio_xps_16.html

Only for 1640, no performance test results yet. Did mention that games play rather good on it though.

 

Price-wise comparison to previous generation will most likely result in the current generation winning for price vs screen space. But if we are talking about just 16:9 resolution vs 16:10 resolution without taking price into account, the 16:9 is losing screen space without question. Not enough to make a significant difference, but for the argument's point, we are losing screen space.

 

There is a page on Dell website to upgrade your warranty. Just log into your account, I think it's in the menu. At least I found it in France, and my Dell sales rep confirmed me it's possible with professional hardwares (including after the end of your warranty period). And is Apple's warranty on site D+1? That makes a hell of a difference to me.

Tell me about the infamous Nvidia 8x00 GM problem then I was thinking just like you before buying my XPS 1330, and a few month later, my graphic card died. I don't think Nvidia is really any better than ATI, they have all their problems from time to time.

 

That's not that easy, I'm sorry. You consider you are losing vertical space. What if I say we are in fact gaining horizontal space? Both theories are right and make sense.

You are saying that a 1600x900 16:9 screen is a crippled 1680x1050, more or less right? Then I can say that I consider it as an extended 1440x900! You have to take the price in consideration to see which one is correct. Maybe you are right, maybe they are just cutting costs and making us pay the same! But I don't consider this as obvious and "without question".

 

I´m so confused, i don´t know what buy, because the 16´´ is heavy and the review says that it gets very hot, and i have had a problem with my current laptop with the hot...

And the 13´´ is too small??now I have a Toshiba Satellite 15´.

thanks

 

It's just that if a user is set on using a specific resolution, say the 1680 x 1050 range regardless of price, then the 1600x900 would definitely have less space. I personally prefer the 1680 x 1050 resolution since it's not too "big" or "small" for the mid-range laptop screen size for me. For example, if I go 1920×1080, then I would have trouble reading things on my screen since everything is so small, and if I were to go lower resolutions, I would have less space to work with. So basically 1680 x 1050 is the perfect size for me. I wouldn't even care to get the HD ones even if it is only $5 more since I wouldn't use that much resolution and personally dont like the smaller icons/texts.

So I am basically stuck using only the 1680 x 1050 and if that were to drop to 1600 x 900, then it would be losing screen space for me. I am sure there's a lot of users out there that prefer a particular resolution and wouldnt care to upgrade or get the "extended" space. And for anyone's preferred resolution, screen space decrease with 16:9.

 

No, not really.

A 15.4 screen in 16:10 is 1920 x 1200.

A 15.4 screen in 16:9 is 1920 x 1080.

You lose 120 pixels off the height for the same res at the same size. In fact size is irrelevant, you lose 120 pixels for the same res screen in different formats.

The problem is that it comes off the height, so menus etc eat into the vertical res. For films this isn't important, but for applications you might be looking at a working area of 900 pixels or even less. The menus are always the same size on the same resolution, so for a 16:9 screen you actually lose more in % terms to menus than you do on a 16:10 + you have less to start with.

I've just jumped from 16:10 to 16:9, and comparing the two beside, the difference is noticable. However, if your not used to it, then it wont upset you.

 

i'd like to see a second opinion on the heat thing...

 

Are there really nice sleek 15-16' laptops not running a bit hot under heavy load anyway?

 

Yep, with the highest resolution it's clear. But what if they release a 2130x1200 16:9 screen? I know it does not exist yet, but if it was? And if I follow your theory, we could also say that 16:10 screens are losing space compared to the old 4:3 ones I'm quite sure they could make a 15' 1920x1440 4:3 screen

In the end, it's just a matter of resolution. I don't think a 16' 1920x1080 screen would make anybody complain about the lack of space. Maybe people used to a 15' 1920x1200 will, but we are talking about a very small minority here. 99% of people will find the resolution they need in 16x9 screens, being a small or a big resolution. I don't really mind the screen format as long as I can get a high resolution for the screen size. I don't think that a 16' 1920x1080 screen is a steal, it's still really high res for this screen size. Maybe for high res 17' I can agree with you, I would maybe like to see a 2130x1200 screen there. But except that, I don't think you will find that many people following your complain, it's just not talking enough to the big majority of laptop users. I still see mainly 1280x800 screens on mid range 15' laptops in stores! I can't say I like this, but that's the reality.

 

"What I can tell you in the meantime is that I had no problem playing Fallout 3 and Left 4 Dead at the screen's native resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels"

 

well i dont know about others,but i can confidently say that my XPS M1530 does NOT run very hot,it runs luke warm or warm,kinda like a hot cup of coffee left for 10 mins in a 7-15C environment....

 

Stop playing in the servers' room!

Problem here is when a review just say "it's running hot". How hot is that? In the case of the 1640 review, we have figures. But except by compairing with the same figures measured with the same hardware, it's not really that valuable. The highest temperature measured on the 1640 was 115°F right? How much for the XPS1530? Or other "cooler" comparable laptops?

 

was 110 near the vent,check it out here http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4135
the only thing missing in the M1530 is a backlit keyboard

Edit:just have a look at the temps on the touchpad youll get an idea

 

The 1640 is a bit hotter then. And the vent located under it does not help, u get all the heat on your lap

I'm mad at the blu ray burner too. I want a bluray player, but I don't need a burner, and that's a 150$ difference. Also, no high end very high resolution screen on the 1530. And I already have a 1330, I would feel like moving to a fatter notebook by buying the 1530 But it's certainly a good laptop, just not fitting my needs perfectly.

 

Well maybe you should wait for the studio XPS 14,maybe it better suits your needs,filling out the faq helps too

 

Well said and agree 100%.

LOL good luck being able to read anything on a mid sized laptop at that rez.

 

I guess I'm wrong. We don't have to wait! Studio XPS available in Canada.
1340

1640

I just have the okay from the boss to order 2

 

I'm sorry I don't get it how it is possible.
You've said the Dell is 2250$ (with 350-450$ in taxes).
MBP starts at 1999$ and to match the specs needs an upgraded ram (150$), hard drive (150$) and warranty (349$ for service inferior to Dells NBD by design) making it a total 2648$ before taxes.
Hows the Dell more expensive then?

 

I need a high res screen. 1440x900 would be better than my current 1280x800. But I'm considering 1680x1050 minimum on a 15, Full HD would be perfect as I intend to buy a Bluray player. A bluray player on a 1440x900 would still look good but would not take advantage of the movie res, and I want the high res too for applications like photo editing or Eclipse.

 

i have the 1440x900 rez and its really good,unfortunately the XPS had a 1680x1050 rez earlier but they removed it due to the extreme "graininess"

 

A 15,4' 1680x1050 screen has a 128.6px/inch resolution
A 16' 1920x1080 screen: 137.7px/inch

That's a 7% increase. Does not sound that different. Sure it would be smaller, but not THAT smaller.

 

And 1440x900 on a 14' or 15' is a smaller px/inch resolution than my XPS 1330. I'm perfectly fine with this resolution, so I'm only considering higher, certainly not smaller. That's why the Full HD screen of the 1640 sounds great to me: higher res (but not too high), with LED display.

 

Well everything comes with its pro's and con's
I bought my M1530 only two months ago,i did about 4 months od research before taking the plunge,and i did foresee these laptops coming out but i knew they would be heavy due to the specs offered in the leaked sides and i wanted portability as i would be taking this laptop with me to college

 

I totally agree, I'm not trying to bash the 1530, I just have very specific needs. I'm sure you are perfectly happy with this screen, and most people would.

 

Don't sweat it. You made the right choice. The M1530 in every way is still better than what they're offering in the Studio XPS lineup. Your only choice would be a 16" that is heavier, thicker and slightly better in performance.

 

DUDE, start an anti 16:9 thread allready!

 

i totally agree,the 3D mark 06 test shows an increase of only 400 marks so i can sacrifice those 400 marks for the sake of portability

whats the point of having an XPS if you cant show off in college???

its already been started by someone,its in their siggy,search for previous posts

i know your not trying to bash it up

 

Intel WiFi Link 5300 Half Mini Card (802.11 a/g/n) (Centrino) [agregar 20,00 € o 1 €/mes1]


Intel WiFi Link 5100 (802.11 a/b/g/n 1X2) 1/2 MiniCard [Incluido en el precio]

Differences between???

 

At first, I was happy to see the xps 1640 at a lower price in Germany than I had expected (EUR 999, I was expecting 1199). But then I realized that in the base config, they are mounting the T5800 with 800 Mhz FSB.

Now that's really mean. Who wants an old CPU like that? So, the base config is a model that is probably only bought by accident, and the real config starts 80 EUR higher (app. $100) at 1079.

 

i would say 200

Edit: ok seriously you have the b band too in the 5100 while in the 5300 you only have the a/g/n bands

 

So...from what i saw on the dell website, 1340 has hybrid SLI graphics, but i don't see a switch anywhere on the laptop...so it's gonna be adjusted by some sort of software?

 

Same question for the 1640. Everbody was talking about switchable/SLi-graphics?? Is it right that the 1640 just got the dedicated ATI?
Since it just works not even 2 hours with 6 Cell i would have loved switchable graphics like apple has...

 

Yes. It will be done within Vista. Which I don't like at all, I wanted it to be like Sony Z.

Oh well.

 

Impressive. I just placed the order. 5% EPP discount. Expected build time is 10 business days.

 

I guess it is time to start watching the 'my new Studio XPS' thread to see how these new machines actually work out for the early buyers. Being as these laptops are not 'rumors' anymore, this thread is pretty much done.

 

cfoo congrats man !!! did you order over phone? what what are your specs and price break down?

 

I have a HDX16 sitting in front of me so it will be a good comparison when the Dell arrived.

Over the phone order
Components
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9400 (6MB cache/2.53GHz/1066Mhz FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-bit
Microsoft Works
Edge-to-Edge FullHD Widescreen 16.0 inch RGBLED LCD (1920x1080) W/2.0 MP
3GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1067MHz (2 Dimms)
250GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive
8X DVD+/- RW(DVD/CD read/write) Slot Load Drive
Dell Wireless 1515 802.11n Half Mini-Card
3yrs service + loJack

Free accessories:
Belkin Messenger Laptop Case - up to 17" - Black/Gray - Designed for Dell

$1902.85 before taxes.

The free laptop bag is something I usually get with our EPP code.

 

Whoa!!!!!!that was fast

so true!!!

 

I get 10% student discount on the MacBook Pro. On the Dell do not. Also I didn't get more memory as 2 GB of RAM works well in OS X. 2 GB in Vista is very limiting, and 4 GB is ideal (I'm talking about Adobe CS usage). The difference of 250 GB and 320 GB upgrade to dell was only like $25 (from 160 GB), so I went with it.

Okay. But Dell service doesn't have to be better than Apple's. It doesn't matter how long they take to fix the problem if they don't actually fix it.

It's actually 132 pixels on height, or about 17% more comparing 1360x768 and 1440x900. Anyway 1360 is a low resolution for a 16 inch display and 1920 is large one. The gap is too big, it's either the lowest possible resolution or the largest. Would have preferred something in the middle.

I've haven't had a Nvidia card in the 8x00 series, so I can't speak of that. But I have had a 5, 6 and 7 series card, no problems. My friends have had series, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 series card they have worked. Another friend bought a desktop a couple of weeks ago with an Ati card and he has lots of driver problems.

Only one color option (black), only 2 options for screen resolution, no option to only buy 9 cell battery (only 6 + 9).

The review says 2h 50 mins (or so) with 9 cell battery and 2/3 of that with 6 cell (about 2 hours). That's quite a bit lower.

 

I expect nothing but troubles Hey, at least I'm being realistic. It will not be my daily machine. I have a HDX16 at the moment, I love it to death. So we'll see how the new Dell will fair.

 

Just order a loaded studio xps 1340 from dell.ca !!

was going to get a 1640 with the 1080p LED screen, but in the end I didnt want another desktop replacement.

 

As interesting as they look, has anyone else gotten the impression that they could buy a relatively well-equipped Vaio z590 (or z690 shortly, maybe) with specifications to closely match the XPS 13 for almost the same price, AND get a lighter machine to boot?

Hmm.

 

I was reading up on Nvidia's Hybrid SLI tech and it would seem that the IGP and the discrete GPU would operate in SLI when you require 'maximum performance' out of the system. I'm interested in getting a 1340 myself and am wondering if the system will combine the processing power of both of the GPU's when necessary, as well as how that combo would perform.

Linky:
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2008/01/18/nvidia_hybrid_sli_preview/1

Any thoughts?

 

Are you sure?
For a T8400 with 4Go / 320Go 7200tpm / LED display:
Sony Style, 2100$
Dell website, 1450$

Surely the Sony is lighter, but a Sony laptop being less expensive than the competitors with same specs and lighter weight, I don't think it's possible Nice computers for sure, but the price is usually quite high. And the bloatware installed on those computers made me swear never to buy one

 

Dell is not any better. They're all guilty of this unethical practice.

 

Well, itthe Studio XPS 16 is available on the UK EPP website, and due to the config price (to get a decent config) it attracts 10% discount, yet still comes in at £1,444 (Approx $2,190) and no fingerprint reader, no backlit keyboard and only a Blu ray reader.
For £979 I can get a Sony FW 21M with blu ray read/writer (no backlit keyboard)
or even the higher spec FW11Z at around £1,200

Thats not really a good deal from DELL.
Less "goodies" than the Studio 17 it seems, (yes I know it won't play "games" as good, but I have a high performing desktop if I want to do that)

 

My builds:

Studio XPS 13, P8600, Vista Ultimate, LED displays, 320 GB drive, ... ehh, yeah, I take that back. Seems you're right, though I don't think the XPS 13 can match the display resolution of the z590.

I can get a university discount from either manufacturer, but I certainly wouldn't mind seeing the z690 refresh show up sometime soon (or a Studio XPS 13 discount)... any thoughts on either?

 

Oh come on, Sony is the all categories champion in this domain... I don't blaim only the software from third parties companies, but mainly the Sony softwares. Really, I hate them, it's really 'wanna be like Apple' stuffs, but heavy, complicated, and making the machine so slow it's a real shame. A SQL Server to manage the Sony softwares? ? I saw some Sony laptops owned by friends using all the Ram at boot. Dell installed some bloatwares for sure, but nothing comparable. Maybe Sony improved, but I just don't like their commercial policy, despite the high quality of some of their hardware.

 

Quick, somebody tell the guy who likes Turk-Mongol countries!