Dell XPS 14 L401x Thread

Hi there! Would xps 14 refresh by some time? Is the LG screen mentioned in the other posts would possibly be the best for xps14?

 

Haha, just completed the screen swap. It really was as easy as everybody said it was. Ran into a little trouble when the camera connector fell off and was trying to guess where it went (right next to the camera >.<, took be a while to figure that out).

The hardest part might just be getting those black screws to go back in =|.

Edit: I got my screen at papatek.com. I'm really satisfied their service. I ordered the screen Jan 6th, 2010 Thursday for $73 (+$9.90 for S&H, still cheaper than HooToo.com that sells it for $87) It arrived today Jan 8th, 2010 Saturday (really strange, didn't think mail was delivered on weekends). I'm currently living in NYC and papatek is based in California.
LG LP140WD1-TLA1

 

Thoughts on the new screen? Is it worth it? Viewing angle? Resolution?

 

Compared to the stock screen and the screen on my Asus G51JX, this LG screen is amazing, simply fantastic.
This is my first time experiencing any sort of clear picture from an angle, so it's a bit much to take in at the very least.
I don't know how much I can say about the 1600 x 900 resolution ... but I love it, and it's a perfect resolution to run CAD and Unigraphics for my college courses.

I have to admit, I really didn't think too poorly of the stock screen when I was looking at it head on (my eyes adjusted quite nicely to the incredibly crappy screen of the G51JX), but after I made the switch, all I could think was what a change!
It is worth it (imo), that $83 you spend ... will be very nicely spent. You paid for an expensive, premium, top of the line laptop so you really do deserve to have the best.

I can't say too much about the effect on the battery life as I only had a full day to play with it (it arrived about 2 pm in the afternoon on the 6th and I proceeded to give it that 12 hour charge, it's not Ni batteries, but I was just being cautious), but while using this thing on the 7th, I enjoyed a good 7 hours and 45 minutes before it hit 3%. Now the window's battery indicator is saying it will run for 7 hours and 10 minutes (@98% currently).

 

Anybody having problems with beeps on startup or return from hibernation?

When I first got my system, it was beeping a lot on startup but did boot into windows and NO issues running. I flashed the BIOS to a6 and assumed all OK.

Today, started getting 8 beeps on startup and dead screen, no boot, nothing. A little google work says may be video (GPU) issue. I pushed on top of the keys and towards the screen in case the video cable is loose inside--and it booted. But it still beeps on suspend and resume. Anyone have any ideas or can comment on the beeps I got at first?

Update: Dell Diagnostics found issues in the Cabling section--not surprisingly, the lcd cable which it says "was not detected" (error code: 0600:5127). I think it might be a HW issue. I did get this through the outlet and it just arrived on Friday. I assume they will treat this as a DOA issue and not a "mail back and wait." We'll see.

 

Just wondering if anyone has found a mini dp to vga adapter that works. I'm needing to hook up to projectors at school.

Does anyone know if the apple mini dp to vga adapter works on xps models?

 

Juniper- Dell has one for $19.99 now, as soon as I find it again I will post the link on here.

 

I don't know if it is because of the country, but I got my XPS already with the mini DP to VGA adapter. It's working and is a pretty good dell adapter, with black piano finish.

 

DELL DisplayPort to VGA Adapter for Dell Latitude Laptops / Optiplex/ Vostro Desktops / Precision Mobile WorkStations / Precision WorkStations : Desktop Accessories | Dell

There's the link for the dp to vga adapter, it's $23.99.

 

I'm one of those "partially" lucky ones that have swapped out to the 1600X900 LG. (partially, only because I neglected to remove one of the palm rest hold down screws in the battery compartment!)

The new screen booted immediately, no reinstalls, no problems whatsoever.

Just wondering why a "techie" would tell you a particular graphics chip couldn't handle a particular resolution........

 

So sorry: I was incorrect. (took it back apart to see....) It is only the ONE plug in cable-- not 2 or 3.

John

 

Our XPS computer has a miniDP port, not a regular DisplayPort.

 

Sorry didn't notice that, I know Dell has one as it's offered as an acessory when you order a new one, I'd just call and ask for help from a sales rep.

 

Thanks - now why couldn't Dell tell me that when I rang them last Friday??

 

No idea, my opinion of 90% of Dell's employees is something I won't share on the boards. Decent products(most of the time), horrible support.

 

I agree most heartedly - they don't know much really, they can't even tell me why the EDD on my laptop is 11 March - like I'm going to wait 2 months....

 

I'm waiting for a replacement that was promised to me by last Thursday, last Monday they called to tell me they had all the parts and it was being built. Friday their executive office called to tell me that they didn't have all the parts and didn't know when I would have a computer to replace the one their tech damaged. This is 1 in a long chain of Dell/Alienware screwups so honestly I don't even talk to tech support anymore I go straight to a manager or their executive office any time something gets messed up.

 

So i just decided to cancel my m11x order and went for the XPS14, i am still replacing my late 2008 MBP (not happy with ) I am a gamer but will also use it for Virtualization (VMWARE), so one thing is that i order the i7 option and not sure if it supports optimus or not or there is no need for it. And how it performs with games such as Starcraft II or WoW.

This are some of the specs:

1 224-9430 XPS L401X
1 317-5396 Intel Core i7-740QM 1.73GHz / up to SC 2.93GHz / 6M
1 317-5392 8GB,DDR3,2 DIMM
1 331-0410 Standard Keyboard - English (Internal)
1 320-1633 NVIDIA GeForce GT 425M 2GB graphics
1 342-1649 500GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive
1 318-0127 Metalloid Anodized Aluminum (WWAN) L401X
1 320-1636 14.0 HD (720p) LED Display L401X

and this is what i had on the AlienWare:

1 224-8847 Alienware M11x, Soft Touch Stealth Black
1 313-9774 Overclockable Intel Core i7 640UM (4M Cache, 2.266 GHz Max Turbo Frequency)
1 317-4700 8GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 800MHz
1 330-9945 Alienware M11x 90W A/C Adapter
1 320-1467 11.6-inch WideHD 1366x768 (720p) WLED, no WWAN Antenna
1 320-9857 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 335M
1 342-1324 320GB SATAII 7,200RPM

 

I guess this answers why there is no optimus on the i7 option since the CPU doesn't have integrated video.

Compare Intel® Products,

 

sorry for the n00b questions, being using mac for a while now, got my questions answered by reading the early posts.

I assume the games I run such as WoW or SCII are going to run very good since they are more CPU intensive I think going for the XPS14 was a wise choice,and the i7 better with no sec vid card.

I been reading some issues with the nvdia optimus feature with games such as WoW and other.

 

is it better to have 420m optimus or 425m?

 

depends on what you are going to do. In my case I took the 420 with optimus because of the battery life and it's very nice. I could play the new NFS on a Full HD TV with all details and no lag.

 

and if you want to use intels WIDI you cant do that with the 425

 

does the xps14 have the hinge issue of the m11x?

 

The sandy bridge upgrades for 17in are coming. We also hear rumours of 15in soon being upgraded. Does anyone know when the 14inch will get the SB upgrades?

I am about to order one right now and sell my mbp 13in. The last question is, how's the screen for xps 14? compared to the mbp 13in

In Canada, where can I order the 1600x900 screen that everyone seems to be replacing it with?

 

I am not sure what the issue with the m11x is but I have had the XPS 14 for about 2 weeks and have not had any hinge problems. It is much better than the old Latitude I used to lug around. If you can elaborate on the exact hinge issue I will try to give you some more feedback.

 

oh btw, would the xps series refresh again? like new models or parts in the future?

 

I'm sure this has be asked before but search is broken. I just got my XPS 14 today with the i7 processor. What's the battery life supposed to be like? I haven't pushed it yet, but Battery Bar is saying that it only has about an hour and half, is this normal?

Also I got it from the outlet and the Windows 7 install is pretty basic, no XPS branding, no Dell Dock, could it be that it's not set up right? (I planed on formatting anyway)

 

Battery life on i7 laptops is usually a lot less than stated on the specs, Dell says the XPS14 will have a battery life (6 cell battery) of up to 5hr 23min but that won't be on an i7 processor.

You will be lucky to get 2-2.5 hours on 6 cell battery with i7 processor. That all depends on what you are doing - if you are gaming or such it will be less, but for standard word processing/light internet usage you should be able to coax out 2 hours or so, just tinker with the display and power settings to minimise the power usage (avoid unnecessary processes in the background)

...otherwise order the 9 cell battery. I got a 9cell for my xps 1530 a few years ago, and the first thing I upgraded when ordering my XPS14 a few days ago was the battery, for a few extra dollars you add battery life and a nice incline for typing at desks!

(ps. if you check at the front of this thread you might find some more info about battery life too)

 

hey people, just got a refurbed 401x and hw monitor only shows cpu temp. can soone help. Is my laptop broken??

 

Huh? What hardware monitor?

 

hey people, just got a refurbed 401x and hw monitor only shows cpu temp. can soone help. Is my laptop broken??

Hw moniter by CPUID, the program that show temps of cpu and gpu and hd..anyone else have this problem with their xps 14

 

Its got
i5 460
420m gt
samsung 256 ssd
4gb ddr3
windows 7 64bit

 

I think that this program will only show you the GPU temperatures when you is using it. Because you have the i5, the Optimus technology will make that the nVidia GPU only be turned on if necessary. Try playing a game and look at the CPUID.

 

only the cpu shows up, ok so the gpu may not show up because of optimus, but what about the ssd hard drive and battery not show up either.....????Is my computer a lemon???

 

Now I don't know what it can be... Maybe some driver issue or some problem with the software. Have you tried with another monitor, like aida64?

 

Need help

My xps has 43C CPU temp and 46C GPU temp at idle, the fan runs at start, I wouldn't say it's quiet but it's clearly audible

However, a few light tasking, the fan runs 3 times louder.
If I play any games, it spins much faster and make annoying noise.

Is it normal? I am thinking either exchange or return.
Thanks

 

k, after I turned off the stupid Intel VT which was on in BIOS

The system runs quiet now, it's still audible in gaming but much less noise

 

I just put 8gb of OCZ 1333 memory in mine and the windows score went up from 5.9 to 7.4

 

Alot of ssd do not have temp sensors, so that probably explains that.
Try reinstalling the intel chipset drivers.

 

Hey Everyone,
I have the Dell XPS 14. I am pretty sure it is supposed to have an N wireless card. I am wondering why my new N-Router's SSID for the N 5Ghz network is not showing up?

Do I have to change something on my laptop?

Thanks for any help.

 

Which card do you have? I'm not sure if the 1000 supports 5GHz. The 6200, 6250 and 6300 will.

 

This is what the part was listed as under my order:

1 430-3876 Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1000 (L401X)

 

The N 1000 doesn't do 5ghz

Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 1000 &ndash; Overview

Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6200 &ndash; Overview

 

Ok thanks.
Why is it listed as a Wireless-N card then?

 

It is wireless N. Wireless N and Dual Band are different technologies.

 

Oh ok, I'm not informed about all the differences of wireless bands and stuff. Thanks for the answer though.

 

Never mind. Putting my question in its own thread.

 

Another official "LG Screen Swapper" here--did it today when my new machine arrived. VERY happy customer. The new screen is very nice.

 

Hey, how did you pull out the two corner on the bottom?

I tried to do it, but fail. all other spots were out