Future S-XPS thoughts?

So the Studio XPS 16 is hopefully going to get a revamp sooner or later (unless they drop the entire line), so what sort of things would you like to see in a new model?

My list would include-

Switchable graphics support
Full HD 16:9 display
USB 3.0
A non-glossy palm rest area! I'm not sure how I'd feel about an aluminium (MBP-like) design though!

And I'd like them to keep the cool things that they have in the current model (backlighting, media keys, etc).

What things would you add/drop to make the new model your perfect notebook?

 

It already has a Full HD 16:9 display..

I'd agree with you on the other 3 points though. Instead of offering leather on the monitor lid, they should offer it for the palm rest area.

 

Sorry, I meant keep it as the 16:9 aspect ratio I know gamers hate it but it's perfect for watching blu rays on!

Black leather palm rest would be a neat touch!

 

Soft touch palm rests, not glossy fingerprint magnets. Brighter backlight keyboard with different settings in OS (stop trning it off!!). Seamless face without the battery showing on the front.

Less rounded LCD assembly, give it more masculine straight lines.

Bring back 16 inch displays!!! I don't care if it's RGBLED (it would be nice though) but bring back the 16" screens!

More magnesium alloy construction. The lid should be made of this material as well as the bottom assembly.

More color options.


Better ventilation!

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As for the gamers comment: I doubt the 5730 could support gaming at native 1920x1200... so yeah.

 

16" screen - maybe. Personally, I'd rather they just shrink the laptop by about an inch in each direction. That way it actually fits the screen, instead of putting a 15.6" screen in a 16" chassis.

Metal construction would be nice, but I don't think the increase in price would be worth it.

Better ventilation - yes. They need to fire whatever idiot that put the exhaust in a place where it would be nearly completely covered by the screen...

 

Speakers above keyboard to make room for number pad.

 

5.1 Audio
dual HDD option w/hardware raid
1 or 2 extra USB ports
a lock button for the mutimedia touch pad. i kept hitting the wireless and shutting it off. i had to disable it in the bios

 

It already had 5.1/7.1 audio support. I use it all the time.

Higher-quality built in speakers would be nice though. As much as I hated the Lenovo Y560 I had for a short time, their speakers beat Dell's hands-down.

 

1. MUST produce less heat
2. Instead of plastic use brushed aluminum
3. Option for 16:10 HFD screen ( laptop is meant for work not for blue-ray movies)
4. Switchable graphics
5. USB 3.0
6. price under $1000

Look at Sager NP5125, and justify buying a SXPS 16 over it.

Dell should learn something from Sager, how to pack high end hardware with low price.


Sager NP5125 ( $978.23 - No TAX in most states )
-----------------------------------------------------

• 15.6” FHD 16:9 LED Backlit Wide screen (1920x1080) Super Clear Glare Type Screen
• Intel® Core™ i5-450M, 2.4-2.67GHz, (3MB L3)
• IC Diamond Thermal Compound - CPU + GPU
• nVidia GT 330M 1024MB PCI-Express GDDR3 DX10 with Optimus™ Technology
• 4,096MB DDR3 1066MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 SODIMMS)
• Combo 8x8x6x4x Dual Layer DVD +/-R/RW 5x DVD-RAM 24x CD-R/RW Drive w/Softwares
• 500GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache)
• Internal 4-in-1 Card Reader (SD/MMC/MS/MS PRO)
• Internal Bluetooth + EDR
• Intel® Advanced-N 6200 - 802.11A/B/G/N Wireless LAN Module
• Built in 1.3Megapixel Camera
• Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio
• Integrated Fingerprint Reader
• Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit Installed (64&32-Bit CD Included) w/ Drivers & Utilities CD's
• 3 Year Labor 1 Year Parts, Lifetime Sager Toll Free Tech Support

 

I think dell would probably just ditch the line before doing anything major like changing the internal layout. Cosmetic things such as the leather on the back are pretty easy to change but I doubt dell will do much to the actual system. If the system is still around when the 6000 series of graphics comes out and it turns out they're real toasters then you might be able to expect a revamp of the cooling, however they may just decide not to revamp the graphics at all.

I guess USB 3.0 might be possible since it requires little change to the actual system as a whole, dual hard drives is impossible for a system this size unless you want to opt out of having an optical drive (which would require a revamp in the chasis, which in turn would be more work and probably of less profit as most people still want an optical drive).

 

I meant 5.1 speakers built in

 

Those specs are pretty much equal to an XPS

If you want a work lappy buy an IBM. An XPS is made for gaming/entertainment, hence the word studio. I dont game at all. i bought mine specifically for entertainment. Again the word studio

 

Are you sure the specs are pretty much equal ???

Switchable Optimus, USB 3.0, under $1000, etc ... are not available in XPS

 

sure is. those are 3 options out of15 you listed. looks pretty much equal to me

 

The three year labour is nice, however does that cover components that fail do to a lack of proper cooling? I agree that the switchable graphics is great.

The XPS 16 has a 2.0MP webcam instead of 1.3MP and the graphics chipset is a 5730 which is superior to the 330M. The XPS also has a microphone array (2), which can make voice recognition and isolation more clear, whereas the Sager has one.

I would say it all depends on what you want to get out of the laptop.

 

How about dropping the display port and VGA and keeping the HDMI, leaving extra space for another USB.

In terms of the vent location - where would you put a vent? If you were having the hinge design that the current model has (which I love!) where would you place the vent?
Personally I don't mind the vent location, but a fan control application would be nice next time!

 

Optimus- In theory this sounds like a great thing, but it's not as great as nVIDIA makes it out to be. Still, it's an upgrade over the XPS 1645.

USB 3.0- Doubtful most people will use this in the laptop's lifetime.

XPS 1645:
Powerful GPU- The Sager's GPU is the nVIDIA 330m, the same card that the Sony F series and MacBook Pro uses which doesn't perform on the same level as the Dell's 5730 or 4670.

Quad-core- Multimedia applications run better in quad core, and the XPS 1645 is a multimedia laptop.

Name you've heard of and can "trust"- I know Sager, but most people can't justify buying a "no name" laptop in fear that it has shoddy parts and build quality. That's why it's not more popular.

 

I guess those answers "justify" the XPS over the Sager.

Will Sager come to your house to fix the lappy under warranty? Did not think so. That alone is enough to justify Dell over Sager

 

As locutus said, this is a multimedia laptop, not one for work. So a number pad would make it look terrible in my opinion. There would be no space for the well-placed speakers (which I again love) and the laptop would look like the S-XPS 13 ie. a bit squashed together!
Would a number pad be better for heavy gamers? It's not designed to be a gamers machine.

Please don't add a number pad to the next line up!

 

Here are my ideas:

2 quieter fans & Better ventilation, have the vent go across the ENTIRE back of the laptop if necessary
choice of 6 or 9 cell battery
Matte Screen option instead of glossy
Matte everything else (no more fingerprints)
Option to upgrade the GPU
Remove the speaker grill. It collects crap and serves no purpose.
Bigger screen. The base is large enough enough to support at least 16 inches but more in the same size would be nice.
Higher wattage power supply/Fix Throttling this time

 

Some good ideas gpig
I like the idea about the vents because then you could keep the hinge design!
If you removed the speaker grill then I'd like to see it replaced with something similar that didn't collect all the dirt. I love the symmetry of the design, but the dirt is annoying!
The speakers are good in that position too. I don't want them moved to the top or the bottom or the laptop. The top ones would probably need a larger screen (verticle) and I love the 16:9 aspect ratio. Bottom ones would be blocked by your hands when typing, which is something my old laptop had!

 

To be much cooler
to have 5.1 sound
to have usb 3.0
to have full keyboard
and ofcourse to have vga card with directx 11 (here in Greece we dont have)

 

Well. If Dell comes to your house to fix the problem why still people return it. Search the owners section and you will find everyday a new problem is poping out with this model. Its simply a waste of money with lower configuration. I can understand your emotion as you have spend a good amount. Again its known to sell faulty components, so better luck to you

 

I just keep feeling like the XPS branding on laptops is going to vanish all together and we may see something like a studio premium edition. Feeling aside though...

-As someone else mentioned, either drop a 16" screen in this thing or decrease the chasis size to decrease bulk.
- drop the edge to edge. Sure it's nice looking but adds to overall weight and screen thickness.
- do something with those bloody aweful speaker grills.
- brushed aluminum would be nice. Loved my m1530 palmrest.
-swithable graphics a must.
- cheesy but I would like to be able to change the color of the backlit keys. ;-)

 

thanks for the concern about my well being. I dont really need luck from you. The message you are spouting is troll like. Be gone

 

I have to agree that I'd rather there NOT be a numpad. I love the XPS keyboard, and just moving the speakers will not provide enough room to add a numpad without shrinking the rest of the keys. I'd much rather they just put larger and better speakers under the existing grills. Having those huge grills with the tiny little speakers is kind of silly.

Putting 5.1 speakers inside the laptop chassis is also kind of silly. They'd be WAY to close to each other to make any sort of difference. Besides, the surround speakers are supposed to be at the sides of the listening position, no way to do that in a laptop. I could almost see doing a 3.1 setup, but still, quality 2.1 speakers would be a much better and more realistic improvement.

I also agree that there is nothing about the Sager that beats the dell. Optimus is OK, but it has it's share of problems, mostly with drivers. I'm sure they will all be worked out eventually, but for now... Also, the 330M has no DirectX11, and is nowhere near as powerful as the 5730. Not gaming worthy by modern standards.

USB 3.0 should be a simple upgrade to make. I also agree dropping the VGA port, kinda useless for the most part.

Also, please keep the expresscard and firewire support. Too many laptops have dropped them recently. The slot-load for DVD/BR is also a nice touch that's not too common.

I could also do without the edge-to-edge thing.

 

I honestly thing that the XPS line is dead. They dropped all variations other then the '16' and I honestly do think they will revamp anything. From a business standpoint there is no need to have a middle man device between the studio and alienware lines. Sure it makes sense for alot of us that dont want an alienware pricetag but want more oomph and better build quality then the studio line. But that group doesnt make up enough reason to keep the XPS around. The XPS brand was created as a competitor to such brands as alienware, but now with aleinware under the same company why compete within the same company (GM?). What they did is smart business and IMHO the XPS line will be done by 2011. I sure hope I am wrong.

 

1. Display chassis: Firstly, the next-generation of SXPS laptops should be built with thinner+lighter displays. The display chassis is the main reason why the SXPS is so much thicker than other media laptops like the Macbook Pro. With the SXPS, there is a 2mm gap between the LCD and the "edge to edge" transparent layer. There is also another 2-3mm of hollow space in the display chassis as well. Secondly, it would be nice to have a matte finish or an optional VAIO-like carbon fiber lid, as opposed to the glossy finish and leather accent which is pretty tacky IMO.

2. Ventilation: I really like the hinge design, so I'm okay with the exhaust vent in its current location, but I really don't like the intake vent on the bottom...I can't rest the laptop on my lap without awkwardly positioning it so that my leg doesn't block the vent. I also have to prop up the laptop with a book or use the 9-cell battery in order to improve circulation. The intake vent on the bottom also creates a dust issue...Sorry for comparing it to the Macbook Pro design again, but the dudes at Apple found a pretty effective way of placing both vents (and speakers) behind the display. I performed gaming temperature benchmarks on my SXPS 1645 and Core i5 Macbook Pro, and I can say that the MBP temperatures were significantly lower than the SXPS.

3. Palm rest area and lower assembly: I was much happier with the brushed aluminum palm rest of the XPS M1530. The SXPS would be sexier if it had a black brushed metal for the palm rest area, or something similar. It would also be great if the media buttons and keyboard were shifted up one inch to create space for a larger trackpad. As a result of the "shift", the express card slot area would be much bigger, and I think that the expanded space should be replaced by the battery. I also agree with gpig about the speaker grill.

If Dell isn't willing to make any major design adjustments, they should at least replace the cheap glossy plastic with something of better quality.

 

Why is everyone so confused as to where to put vents other than the back. Hello, the sides maybe? That would be too obvious and simple though. And there is no need to eliminate ports to add more USB ports, there is plenty of room on the sides of these computers to add more ports.

 

Side vents work, yes, but they're ugly and waste valuable port space. The 2010 macbook pro, for example, has both intake and exhaust vents hidden in the back and they work great. The only thing that should be replaced is the express card slot, which has very little importance for most users (see #3 in my other post).

 

Lets hope they will come with new models when Intel sandy bridge will be declared in Q4, 2010

 

in a perfect world, i'd love to see next dell xps gaming laptop with ageia physics acelerator and RGB led screen (those 400 nits on precision m6400) and the latest nvidia mobile gpu; next generation ssd for hard drive and whatever intel m processor maybe if it even matters. i had 1 dell m1730 in 2008, 2 dell 1640 and 1 1647 since 2009, its hard to go backwards after you had the best.
my guess is the replacement of studio16 is coming soon, dell usually started a new product line after the model has been on the market for 2 years. studio 16 came out in 11/2009, likely a new model will replace it this coming November.

 

They should point the exhaust directly at the consumer's face, that way it doesn't get cold. Comfort first.

And they should add a cup holder so we don't spill our drinks on it.

 

In case anyone is wondering the reason why I want to remove the battery from its current location (mentioned in #3), it is because it would allow the entire hinge side of the chassis to accomodate a large intake/exhaust ventilation space (solution for #2)...I know some diagrammatic drawings would help explain everything more thoroughly, but I hope it at least makes sense.

 

Lots of unused ports look a bit messy too though! Surely there won't be a need for VGA when a future S-XPS comes out?

I use the express card slot for my travel remote, but if it wasn't there, I wouldn't buy one!
I just hope that Dell can try and be a little bit innovative with its placement of the intake/exhaust vents if they did a new one!

 

And don't forget that Dell markets the XPS as a business laptop as well, and many business users need the express card slot.

For example, the place I work uses smartcard based authentication. I need an expresscard slot for a smartcard reader, or I can't have access to my work e-mail or logon to my work network.

 

Dell's pretty funny. They market the SXPS as an everything kind of laptop (especially multimedia) but they really want businesses to spend 40% more to get their Precision, and gamers to spend 40% more to get their Alienware. When they kill off the SXPS Dell will make a ton of money if they are somehow able to convince people that they want/need a Dell.

 

I love my SXPS, as it is a powerful, quality laptop for the price with great customer service. But you're right, if they get rid of the XPS, I'd never buy another Dell laptop. The Studio and Inspiron lines are way too underpowered, and the Alienware line is way too overpriced. ASUS has too many competitive offerings to justify buying an Alienware.

 

I'm assuming they're just going to update the hardware and leave the cosemetics like they did from core2duos to core i's.

Sandy Bridge mainsteam and mobiles launch this fall/xmas. I'm sure whatever new xps they come out with will have these:

 

if it's marketed as a business laptop, I would love to see it more lightweight with some sort of metal chassis for durability, much like the IBM Thinkpads. I agree, fitting a 15.4" screen on a 16" sized notebook is a waste. Weight could definitely be lighter, seeing it under 6lbs would be great. 6-cell battery life could use a small boost in power, probably a high capacity 6-cell. metal palm rest would be awesome as well. trackpad needs to be redesigned with more user tactile feedback, it's too smooth. separate button for keyboard brightness would be nice. needs more than 3 USB ports.

curious to see what the next intel and AMD graphics will be.

 

The current SXPS16 is a pain in the to open. Lifting the lid causes the bottom assembly to tilt up. You need both hands to open it.

I foresee DELL taking this feature further and making a laptop that is even more difficult to use. There's a growing market in parents who don't want their kids to waste time on the computer, and DELL will tap into this lucrative niche with the only laptop that kids will have to call their father to use.

THINK ABOUT IT: they need a grown man or a crowbar to open it in the first place. Brilliant!

 

Is it really that big an issue?!
I don't get annoyed by the fact that I have to use two hands just to open it!

And as for the marketing it as a business laptop - I'd prefer it if they keep it as strictly multimedia as it is now! It's marketed as the premium version of the studio, hence the name!
If it was marketed for the business sector then would it really come with the 16:9 aspect ratio, media lights, backlit keyboard, leather accents, decent speaker system? No!
It's marketed for those people who want to spend a bit more money than the Studio, and a lot less than an Alienware to get a machine that they can be proud of!

 

I don't like the Alienware style. It doesn't fit into my life. Yes... I'd go as far as to say that. It's like buying an SUV over a sedan. Some people can live with it, others are turned off by giant, ugly things.

Not to say that there isn't anything to love about an Alienware. The looks have panache for sure. It's just too much, too loud. A different kind of good looks that I'll never identify with.

As for the hinge torque, it bugs me quite a bit, especially when I have books or papers in one hand.

 

I don't know about the 1640, but the 1645 comes with a 9-cell, and it's optional with the 1647. Also, both 1645/7 have a button for the keyboard brightness, it's Fn+Right Arrow. I think they have a nice textured trackpad as well, probably upgraded from the 1640 series, as the 1645/7 also has multitouch gestures which I think the 1640 doesn't.

 

fyi, 1640 also has multitouch gestures

i never use 1645 or 1647, but yeah the the texture of the trackpad is just okay for me, but usually i will connect my external mouse to this laptop.

 

Cool, thanks. I wasn't sure if it did or not. My only real complaint with the trackpad is that it's so small. They could expand it by about .5" diagonal or so without having to change the frame too much.

 

I'd like to think that they've gone back to the drawing board with a new design. I think it would be necessary to solve the heat issues and to utilize the switchable graphics on the CPU!
The design is nice on the current model, but I'd love to see something different, and something innovative like Dell has been in the past.
I could live with the bigger trackpad idea too. Maybe just a whole rethink of the palm rest area and hopefully for something either a lot less glossy or something like aluminium to keep it nice and cool!
What do you think?

 

I don't think the SXPS 16 was ever marketed as a business laptop, due to its weight (~7.5 lbs w/ adapter and 9-cell battery) and subpar battery life. Dell definitely markets the SXPS 16 as a multimedia laptop that competes with the HP Envy, VAIO F, Macbook Pro, etc. Unless the mini remote or TV tuner option is a major selling point for most multimedia users, Dell should replace the expresscard slot area with the battery, in order to create space for a better ventilation system and larger trackpad.

 

I hope DELL doesn't discontinue the line! I mean, how could they? It's their most popular system for good reason.

 

It's their most popular buggy system for good reason.