Future S-XPS thoughts?

Definitely +1 for more USB ports. Even 1 more would be handy!

When doing field work I have 3G Broadband modem plugged into the USB/eSATA, mouse and USB HDD plugged into the other side. If I need to transfer files to a flash-drive I have to unplug the mouse.

(Before anyone asks, I run a corded mouse because I'm a draftsman and the Dell BT Travel Mouse really hurts your hand after a while.)

 

I'd like to see non glossy palm rest, usb 3.0, Sandy Bridge 4-cores with switchable mid-range graphics from ATI's upcoming 6000 or nvidia's mobile 4xx segment. And no edge-to-edge or at least properly made so that the keyboard doesn't leave marks on it. Of course it should keep all cool features like backlit keyboard.

 

Personally I think most things in this thread are unachievable, adding an extra USB port or something like that is possible but beyond that it's pretty much stuck the way it is. I would liken this to when you're little and you're ranting about all the super amazing gadgets your car will have when you're older and how it can cut through steel like butter and go 40,000mph and how it could drive for you.

 

Changing the heat vent position (to the side would be better). For god's sakes, on the M1330 the vent is also there at the bottom but it isn't covered when you open the screen. The Studio XPS screen is super long (heightwise). It couldn't hurt to LIFT it up a centimetre or two.

The grey screen hinges are just plain ugly.

Colour customisable backlit keys! Even if it was just one tiny option.

Speaker sides, ugly and bad.

Leather on the back of screen, gross.

Weight? For a 15.6 inch this laptop weighs slightly more than some do. Even though everyone is commenting on how "thin" it is for its internal parts - which it isn't. Other 15.6 inch laptops are the same thickness, if not thinner still (with the same hardware).


I really think that if there were any changes to the heat vent, or the chassis, etc, then it wouldn't be an XPS 16 anymore, i.e. they won't be doing any significant changes (there may be minor, useless cosmetic changes). Also, the XPS 16 is not that old, and should still be sold for a while. They are about to update the processors (earliest September?).

For example, the XPS M1330 was sold for a few years all the way up to last year (about 1 year ago). There goes my giant hopes of a new model of Dell laptop that isn't a super-bulky, super-pricey (overseas) Alienware, or a super-overheating, badly designed, with bad leather Studio XPS.

I think the XPS M1330 was nice, in terms of weight, looks, heat design. The XPS 16's screen back cover looks horrible compared to M1330 or the current Studio 14/15s. By the way, though, the M1330's metal gray palmrest is nice (when new), but easily damaged/scratched as well. Black is nice, but only if it's realy black, know what I mean? Like night black, not the semi greyish darkish colour lots of laptops have now. When the battery is removed, the part which is exposed feels very weak, like a circuit board/wafer about to break into bits.

 

You don't have to get the leather lol

 

The current model already has a space for mobile broadband, and for a bluetooth mouse, so maybe you're just not using the USB ports for the right things! I just use the eSATA/USB for my cooling pad and the two on the left are free for whenever I need to place a flash drive in them!
Admittedly I do use a Logitech VX nano occasionally and it looks horrible when it's sticking out of the USB port. We should invest in some fancy bluetooth!

 

I'm confused. Almost everything listed in this thread is realistic. You must have low standards.

Just to name a few realistic items:
USB 3.0- Obviously this will be in future Dell laptops, HP had this for about a year.
Better/fixed speaker grill- it can't be much worse
16 inch (or more) screen- they already did this, so it's possible
Better ventilation- like the speaker grill, this can easily be improved

If you want crazy and unrealistic ideas here you go (but so far there's none of that in the thread):
Same size, 1 pound or less weight
24 hours battery life
Wireless battery charging
Silent fan operation, 40C max operating temperature
Fastest Desktop CPU and GPU built in
$200 price tag, but free for current XPS 16 owners

 

I agree that things like changing the speaker grille would be possible as that's only cosmetic but doing things like improving the cooling would require a complete redesign of the chasis and the motherboard which would be hugely expensive, not really justifiable given that most people probably don't mind too much. Other things which would be a long shot are things like switchable graphics, adding in extra USB ports etc. Although it's possible, usually there are some sacrefices to be made for these things. For example, people have been talking about how the VGA port is "useless" and should be swapped for something else, I for one still have a 1280*1024 monitor which uses VGA exclusively and 1280*1024 is still the most common resolution used with computers (about 20%), a lot of these monitors don't suport anything else apart from VGA.

These things in moderation are feasable but what isn't possible is the number of significant changes people want. While any one change is usually possible, it's when you want something and another change and another change and another change and another change etc.

 

Umm... you only have to redesign the lid to improve ventilation... The SXPS has a decent cooling system. It's definitely adequate. Yes, it could be better, but it doesn't have to be. The lid just needs to stop ruining it.

 

Sorry but I think Dell can afford to improve the design of the chassis! It's not like they've stuck with the M1730 design forever! They design again from scratch every so often!

New system = new motherboard + new components
I want a complete redesign so they can add the switchable graphics which isn't possible with the current setup.

 

The lid doesn't really make much difference, I've gamed on a seperate moniter before with the lid closed and the temperatures were only a degree or so lower. Apparently taking the mesh on the bottom vent off helps a fair bit though.

 

I agree that it's time for a complete system redesign. However, a completely new design is not needed for switchable graphics. All they'd need to do is take the 1647, and switch the PM55 chipset for a HM55 one. And add a switch for it. That's it. The dual-core CPUs and the 5730 are both switchable graphics capable.

 

Just a thought.... Is it worth to discuss these things here ??? Are the Dell's decision taking ppl are watching this thread and will take the suggestions seriously ??? So whatever we say here, is of no worth. We HAVE TO buy the best laptop available in market, that suits for our needs/requirements.

 

No need to take the fun away from it!

It's just a discussion! Lighten up!

 

You're right. It's pointless to discuss things here... Maybe you should leave!

 

About 8 months to be precise.

According to this article: Long delay expected for Intel support of USB 3.0 | Nanotech - The Circuits Blog - CNET News

Intel doesn't plan to add USB 3.0 controllers to its intial Huron River (Sandy Bridge) chipsets. If USB 3.0 makes it into Huron River refresh, that's Q3 of 2011. The article quotes an intel spokeman saying that they're waiting until Windows 8 is released to start supporting USB 3.0. Other analysts think Intel is buying more time for its own standard, lightpeak.

OEM's are free to add USB 3.0 controllers to the motherboard, but that's an extra design and manufacturing cost that they have to incur. This means manufacturers will only add this support where it makes sense financially. Everyone will get USB 3.0 for free once intel adds it to their chipsets.

 

I wouldn't put USB 3.0 as an absolute priority. If it had it, it would be nice.
I would however put switchable graphics as a priority. I won't be getting a new S-XPS if it doesn't support it!

 

To be honest, I wouldn't put either as a priority. Switchable graphics would probably bring up the price a bit (just because they can) and the XPS 16 isn't exactly a great laptop for traveling due to it's size.

 

Well if they bring out a 14inch version then that should definitely support it!
If it has equal specifications as the larger model then I'd get that one instead. I wasn't tempted by the S-XPS 13 thought because of the lack of quality options (Core i, blu ray, full HD screen etc).

 

Everybody please ignore this dude. He's been trolling it up in several threads lately.

 

I wish someone would bring out a 15" laptop. Not a 14.5 (too small) not a 15.6 (almost too big), but a good sized high-performance 15".

 

I guess they won't, because then they would have too many models for that line.
Inspiron 15 | Studio 15 | XPS 15 | AW 15
I dont think they would add anything on that list.

And i have heard off reports that they are going to replace SXPS 13 with some 14" model.

And for the 16" version update, I defenately think better cooling is must.
Anything else would be add-on for me.

Slightly off-topic, but can any1 here help me with heating issues of current XPS 1645.
I have posted a new thread but no-one was replying so i thaught off gving it a try here.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/dell-xps-studio-xps/512641-studio-xps-1645-heating-issue.html

 

+1 on that.
This guy URPradhan is messing around numerous thread now.
Such an anti-SXPS and pro-SAGER guy.

I wonder do SAGER pay anything to him for marketing SAGER products and anti-market others (sxps in particular).

 

You are absolutely wrong. I'm not a blind fold fan of any brand. if a model has issue then why to hesitate to accept it ? Even Sager NP5125 has new driver issue for graphics. You may not believe, I love the build and looks of SXPS, but worried to put my hard earning $s with my luck, as I may or may not get a issue free laptop like yours.

Again, it would have better if you could have replied sticking to the topic. I know TRUTH always BITEs. Again at the end "Consumer Is The King". grow up.

 

If dell could make the next bios release let the screen go dimmer then that would be good. Even on minimum brightness, the RGBLED is still more than enough for computing in the dark, the LED backlight chews through power like a rampaging super dinosaur so making it go a little darker might save another ten minutes.

It's not exactly as if they have to put in any work to implement this.

 

oh by separate button, i mean a dedicated one. i know about the Fn keys but i'd rather just press one button on the top or side to control brightness rather than hold down a key and press another.

also know about the 9 cell (my old laptop had a 9 cell), but was wondering if they could include a high capacity 6 cell instead, for those who don't want the extra weight and size of a 9 cell. i think the stock 6 cell doesn't provide enough juice but then again, this is a pretty high performance laptop. hitting 3 hours or more would be great though from a 6 cell.

trackpad might be the same texture throughout the 3 different series, though i'm not 100%. but yes, the 1640 also features a multitouch gesture trackpad.