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

That wasn't sarcasm. It's the same resolution as many HDTVs (most until recently), crammed into a tiny screen. It's close to the same resolution as my monitors that are considerably bigger too. (Heck, it's the same resolution as companies were trying to push for movies to replace film (!) a few years back.)

 

Well, there are 3 parts to this equation: the actual resolution, the size of the screen, and the distance from your eyes to the screen. You are taking only one of them (actual resolution) into consideration. A bigger TV with a smaller resolution will look just fine if you view it from a distance, but we are talking about the notebook screens, most likely viewed at 30 cm (1'), and that makes all the difference. Don't compare those to TVs, that's a completely different story.

 

Well, as an added bonus for Dell people not always knowing what the person next to them is saying......I contacted Dell to ask about the max memory supported by the XPS 16. In the Setup Manual for this laptop, it states in the specs on like page 52 that the laptop has two DIMM slots that support a max of 2 GB sticks a piece, totaling 4 GB RAM. However, when buying the laptop, it gives you the option to customize the RAM up to 8 GB. I got on Dell Chat, and asked a rep last nite, and they state that there are actually 4 DIMM slots, 2 are on the bottom as pictured in the review here.....and 2 are under the keyboard! This in turn, allows up to 8 GB of RAM. I mentioned the manual, and they discounted that as it must be wrong. Today, I got on chat again, and this rep told me the laptop has 2 DIMM slots as is stated, but they both support up to 4 GB of RAM totaling 8GB....and again, they just brushed off the manual.

Does anyone have any clue what the XPS 16 does have and how much RAM it will support? Because if 4 GB is all the base model will support, then it is already maxed out when you buy it with the base configuration! Frustrating!

 

It's almost certainly just what the manual says. 2 DIMM slots, for a total of 8GB (though sometimes systems can actually support more, it's just right now the DIMMS top out at 4GB).

 

Anyone has an Idea of possibility of putting 9600M GT into 1340 ? stupid dell, why can't they for once throw some decent GPU in 13.3. LG did it pretty well with 13.3 P310 that score an amazing 6500points in 3Dmark06.
A bit overclocked.

9500M GPU slot can't be much different from the one that holds 9600M GT can it ?? 1340 Looks amazing and its all awesome but lack of 9600GT as an option sucks

 

It's not a 9500. It's the integrated graphics '9400' plus a 9200 in SLI.

 

Yeah, but the issue lies with the manual actually saying that with both DIMMs, that it only seems to support a max of 4 GB. But how is it that possible, as when buying the laptop, you can customize the RAM to up to 8 GB, but this is the only manual on Dells Site for the XPS 16? I'm confused. The specs from the manual are copied below:

Memory

Connectors: two internally-accessible SO-DIMM sockets
Capacities: 512 MB, 1 GB, and 2 GB
Memory type: 1066 MHz DDR3 SODIMM
Memory configuration possible: 1 GB, 2 GB, 3 GB, 4 GB

 

9200m scores around 2k in 3dmark06 and so does the 9400m, does it mean that you could expect score of around 4k on 1340 via SLI? Also is 9200 dedicated or intergrated? Is it possible to overclock both cards or just 9400m ?

 

I wouldn't worry about it, particularly since they sell it with 4GB DIMMs. They probably just hadn't tested it with 4GB DIMMs when they wrote the manual or something.

It would be slower that a real GPU with 32 processors at best. The 9200 is a separate GPU, the 9400 is the chipset. AFAIK they're both super low end 16 processor parts, but I haven't looked super closely.

 

Is that the conclusion you came up with based on one review (NBR) which mentions it "gets a little too hot". A lot of similar-sized notebooks like the MBP also get hot. When you cram all of those powerful heat-producing components into a confined space, you have to expect some areas of the notebook to become hot enough to make touching that area uncomfortable, despite a decent thermal design/envelope.

Basically what you do is keep it off your lap, elevate the back of the unit a little for improved airflow, monitor the temps. and if you want to feel better, get a notebook cooler and/or undervolt. Like one poster said, his older M1530 gets hotter so I don't believe the thermal design of the Studio XPS 16 is a "failure".

The only other review I've seen, on PC Magazine, doesn't even mention a heat problem. In fact, PC Mag gave the Studio XPS 16 an "editor's choice".

Then I wonder what you think of 1368x768 (standard resolution) on a 13" Sony VAIO Z.

Personally, 1600x900 would be my choice which will probably become available on the XPS 16 in the next few weeks.

 

Both XPS 13 and 16 can support more than 4 GB of RAM, regardless of what the manual says. So, on the hardware side it's not a problem, just stick 2 modules 4 GB each and you get a total of 8 GB. It has to do with the chipset, not the manuals that are normally written once and hardly ever updated.

The real issue is the operating system. With 32-bit systems, you can only utilize up to 4 GB of RAM, even if you have more installed. If you want the system to use all 8 GB of RAM, you must install a 64-bit OS.

 

Is this a rumor or a fact? I just ordered the 720p screen for my XPS16 and I'd cancel this in a hearbeat if Dell will offer another med res in the near future.

 

Or move to Canada and live in an igloo. That's probably why the new XPS is available in Canada the same week as the US.

 

So for the 16, what is a good res? Too high and the text is going to be smaller, too low and you don't get the crispness you want watching movies up close. I'm curious what is a good compromise. I don't need it to look just as good as my HDTV, but I want it to look good.
for work, I usually have 2-4 separate windows, but lengthy reports would be killer if too small.

 

I think it's very likely that Dell will offer a medium resolution option or even upgrade the current low-resolution option to 1600x900. That's the standard resolution on Sony's FW.

 

They offer the p9500 on the 1340 but not the 1640. Does anybody have a reason for that ?

 

I've noticed that Sony doesn't offer the P9500 on the FW either.

 

It's the same as the T9400 except more power conscious. For a smaller laptop, you want more efficient hardware.

 

Exactly what I was thinking...

 

Does anyone know the exact SDD drive Dell would put in the XPS 16? Basically, the specs.

 

They most likely use the Samsung SSDs.

 

The Sony offers the P8700 which a lot of people actually like. It is the same 2.53 as the T9400, but it has 3MB cache instead of the T9400's 6MB. The P-series is much more power efficient...

 

is it 3.0gigabit transfer or 2.0?

 

Thats the rez on my 11.1 inch TZ.. a 16 inch should be 1080p min

 

Wow. Uh...wow.

 

I wonder about that, how big of a difference it would actually make.

 

No, it should not.

 

The above few posts ARE THE REASON WHY DELL SHOULD HAVE OPTIONED A MED RES TO ACCOMMODATE THE COMMUNITY!! Sorry to type in caps.

 

The SATA bus is 3 gigabits, but the drives aren't maxing it out yet.

 

U think it will be possible to play COD4 on 1340 on 1024x800 everything high ?

 

I think they will, the problem is that they didn't do it right away for early adopters. Maybe there's a shortage of 1600x900 displays or Dell didn't decide which company to supply their med. resolution screens.

Also according to the PC Mag review, a blu-ray writer should be available.

 

quick question for HD savy peeps.....im going to be buying the 1640 with the 1368x768 resolution and bluray because i think the other res is way to high for me. Question is, im going to be watching hd movies on this thing, so will that make it 720p? Cuz i thought that 720p started at 1440x900 but thats 16:10 form factor and 1368x768 is 16:9, so Im confused, lost and mesmerized as to how this all works.

i just want to be able to watch hd movies in hd if you catch my drift. it would be pretty pointless to purchase bluray on the lappy and not being able to actually watch it HD. ;-)

 

You mean, for 1640 or 1340 as well?

 

As for now its only an option on 1640 just BR reader.. no writer for a long time probably..

 

When looking at resolution, like 1368x768 you can see that 768 is more than 720, so yes, you are getting a little bit more than 720. Well, High Definition, or sometimes called Full HD is 1080p, not 720p, but for DVD quality video, 720 is enough. If you want to experience Blu-ray in all its details, you'll definitely want 1920x1200 screen, as it will include the 1920x1080 range. That's all assuming you'll watch your videos directly on the notebook screen. However, the HDMI output is specifically put there to connect your notebook to larger screens. So, even if you order yours with a lower resolution (1368x768), but connect it through HDMI to a TV or external monitor (say, monitor's resolution is 1920x1200), then you'll get full 1920x1200 on the monitor, regardless of your notebook's screen resolution.

 

Does anyone know how long the batteries will last in the 1340?

 

720p=1280X720
1080p=1920×1080

The base res on the XPS16 is more than 720p. And here's the truth, on a 16" screen, video differences between 1080p and 720p are not that huge.

Same goes for TV's.....on a 32" TV, one can hardly tell the differences between 720p and 1080p. Of course on a 61" TV, the differences will be visible. And I'm talking about video differences (e.g. BR movies), not Photoshop editing, etc.

 

you cannot see a difference in 1080p in movies until a screen goes over 40" so unless you are connecting via HDMI real world wise you're not seeing the difference.

 

I have a 40 inch TV and can easily tell the difference between 1080p and 720p; i tried it once forcing my ps3 to output at 720p from the Ironman BD. I dont know how you couldnt tell the difference.. one is blurry the other tack sharp.

 

Hey!
For all those the couldn't access the Order Status section on Dell's site earlier ~ it is now accessible. I just tried it, and it worked for me!


Cin

 

720p is HD, and WAAAAAAAAAAY better than DVD.

I can still access the thing on the side (which tells me I have no orders) but the part in the center where you type in two pieces of info still doesn't work for me

 

Ok..try putting in your Order Number (usually starts with a 5) in the first part.

And, then try the drop down w/Zip code..enter your zip code for the 2nd part. That's how I normally do it.

Oh gosh, you can also try automated dial...1-800-433-9014, and put your Order Number in, that way.


Cin

 

Except in a PC you're sitting 10 inches away from the screen, not 10 feet.

 

Well, that's weird too. I don't have an order number, just a Purchase ID. This may all be a sign

I haven't decided if this means they're going to charge me but not ship me a computer, or they're going to ship a computer and not charge me

 

Ohh if you call the Automated Dial..you can also put in your 13 Digit Purchase ID. Try it that way!

Well..I think it will most definitely be the latter...they will ship you your computer, and not charge you! That would be the best way to do it! YEAH


Cin

 

This time I've been laughing out loud. I called that number you gave me (thanks!) and it said I could give them my 9 digit order number, or the 13 digit purchase ID. I give them that, and it goes "Hmm, I can't find that order number". (Even though it's a purchase ID, and it said I could give it.)

Then it asks if I want to give another number, and if I say yes, it says 'next time, you can check your status directly from <number I called>, good bye!' and hangs up

I did it twice, and then tried the "I don't have the order number" option, which also hung up on me

 

So u saying 720p is 'blurry' compared to 1080p? U do realize that the majority of the HD shows on the air are actually 720p/1080i and still look fantastic. The Discovery HD feeds that u see being displayed on 1080p TV's in retail stores are only 720p/1080i. While 1080p is better than 720p, the differences aren't huge unless viewed on a really large screen (think projectors) or sitting way too close.

This is a shot of "Crank" (BR) off my Marantz 720p projector on a 120" screen. I wouldn't call this blurry at all




PS: WolfPup....that's weird...I ordered after u and while mine was missing from the Dell website this morning, it now shows up fine ...status says "in production" and scheduled for "Jan 30".

 

NOOO!!!!! It's so blurry! 720p is only appropriate for 3" screens.

Oooookay. Did you get multiple emails? I got the one with the purchase number, but haven't gotten anything since. That was probably 36 hours ago at this point.

 

My status is still "in production" so they should stop trying to fix the website and keep building my darn laptop!

 

Absolutely! I noticed an improvement on my 134" going from a panny AX100 to a panny AE3000 but on my 52" TV I couldn't tell the different switching between 720p to 1080p. It's not really worth ponying up for 1080p unless you're planning to blow it up -- the image.