The DELL Studio XPS 13 horror thread

Yeah thanks for your feedback - for sure someone reading this is going to find what you wrote useful. Not a fix for the DPC latency spikes issue but good work none the less.

 

Your information might be helpful to others with network problems - I know there have been some, especially with connecting to 802.11n networks. But to be clear, DPC latency and network latency aren't different terminology, they're different things. Also as he says, the DPC latency isn't a "program issue compatability with vista", we've worked out it's something fairly low level (but this isn't the problem you were having). If anyone's having audio drop-outs etc check out the latency issues thread (no solution yet :/).

 

hey all im new to the forums (and the whole laptop thing ^^) and was wondering if you guys can point out how should i "test" out my dell studio xps 13 so i know its not one of the ones that breaks down every month or more frequently so i can return it before the 15days ^^

the pictures of the laptop look so nice
any tips would be awesome and greatly appreciated

 

I think you are thinking of the XPS 1330 with the bad GPUs. AFAIK the XPS 13 does not have a problem GPU.

 

Hi,

Any news about the 2301Mb RAM issue ?
Did anyone install Vista 64bits ? Do all the drivers work with this Windows ? I need everything to work: wifi, bluetooth etc...
Should I ask a Vista 64bits serial to Dell ? From 4Gb to 2,3Gb RAM...maybe if i call the liars i can get something out of it xD.

Thank you.

 

Liars? More like lack of knowledge on your part. Any 32-bit operating system has a MAXIMUM of 4gb address space. Clearly this laptop uses 1.7GB for the other parts and features on the motherboard, leaving 2.3GB of Memory for use.

I have 64-bit on mine, which Dell actually offer, so yes, all functions do work as dell provide the drivers for everything - 32 and 64 bit.

 

Did you read the topic's previous pages ?
A 32bit has a maximum of 3Gb of RAM, thats fine. But the question is where are the 700Mb left ? Even if the 2 hybrid graphic cards use 256Mb each, its 512Mb and not 700Mb as it has already been said before in this thread.
When I bought my laptop, the 64bits OS wasnt available, so I think its my right to ask it. I read before in this thread that someone had the 4Gb available with the 64bits, its another mystery.

Sry for my english (dont hesitate to correct it ).

 

No, I'm afraid you're wrong. 32-bit OS's have 4GB of address space

Look in your device manager list and you will see that every device as a memory address assigned to it. It is not just the Graphics Card that uses up address space.

Here are some calculations for you.

32 bit OS allows 2^32 bytes of address space. (That is 2x2....2x2x2 32 times)

This equals 4294967296 bytes. If we divide this by 1024^2 then we see it is 4096MB, or divide by 1024 again and we see it is 4GB.

For a 64-bit OS there is 2^64 bytes of address space (2x2x2...2x2 64 times)
This equals 18336744073709551616 bytes (its alot!) and if we divide this by 1024^3 then that means it allows up to 17179869184 GB of address space!!

So, what I'm saying is all of the devices in the SXPS must use 1.7GB of ADDRESS SPACE which is why you are left with 2.3GB of RAM. Of course in a 64-bit OS you have much much more space that can be used for RAM and addressing hardware.

You should be able to call dell and get a 64-bit CD for installation though, for me the option for 32-bit and 64-bit was free. It should be free to get them to send you one.

 

So what's the story about Vista 32-bit and only 3Gb available max ? I read it everywhere:
http://blogs.msdn.com/hiltonl/archive/2007/04/13/the-3gb-not-4gb-ram-problem.aspx
I think im not wrong when I say that a 32-bit OS only allows 3Gb of RAM.

 

You would only be right in saying people will not be able to have the full 4GB of RAM. 3GB is not the limit.

The limit depends on what other hardware you have, graphics cards, add in cards and all the I/O's on the motherboard itself.

As you can see here http://www.vistaclues.com/reader-question-maximum-memory-in-32-bit-windows-vista/

let me draw your attention to the bullet points:

As you can see 3GB is by no means the limit of a 32-bit OS.

 

And dont you think its weird to have 1,7Gb used by hardware ? and not with the 64-bit OS ?
There must be some kind of bug here...

 

UHH!!

Look, I'll put this as simply as possible.

Your hardware NEEDS 1.7GB of address space before it starts addressing RAM.

32-BIT OS's ALL have UPTO 4GB of address space. THEREFORE, you are left with 2.3GB for the RAM.

64-BIT OS's ALL have UPTO 17179869184GB of address space. THEREFORE, you are left with 17179869182.3GB for the RAM.

Understand?

The 1.7GB is used up on both systems, it's just 64-bit operating systems can address much more.

 

so i was wondering, do people still have alot of problems with their studio xps13? cuz im trying to decide between the sxps 13 and e6400

 

The only problem I still have is the DPC latency issue that all of them have. Not a major problem.

 

I was trying to decide between these two systems as well. Even though my 1340 is absolutely amazing, so is the e6400. If you want the 1340 but are settling for the e6400 because of some problems people have reported, that wouldn't be wise. If you really want the e6400 you will be happy.

I just showed picture galleries of both laptops to a bunch of friends, everyone said the e6400 looked like a corporate machine while the 1340 looked more stylish and powerful. Both laptops are really great, to me it seemed like people who work for big companies in cubicles get e6400's, people who make their own rules get whatever they want. I just made that up

 

Problem solved: I installed Vista 64bit and I now have my 4096-256Mb RAM available.

 

So Just make sure I do not buy a studio xps 13 with the 1510 wifi card.. I should buy the 1515 card b/g/n??

 

The 1510 card is Broadcom module which is used in most Dell laptops. The 1515 is an Atheros chip. My Outlet SXPS 13 had the 1515 card and although my wireless network was detected, I absolutely could not use the Dell drivers to connect to the internet no matter what settings I changed. If you wind up with the 1515 and have connection problems, try these drivers at: http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=15297 They worked for me perfectly.

 

Thanks!. I usually turn the dell crap off.. dell controlpoint piece of junk

 

And it's about 400mb too...a complete waste of space

 

So my Studio XPS 13 should be coming next week, I went on Dell's website and downloaded the driver and firmware updates from their site.. I see the A06 BIOS update.. I do not see the A02.. is this A06 update safe? it is ok? does it fix the heat issue to some extent?

 

Sadly yes, the fan spins faster now and its louder, but yes, cooler.

 

Not the best fix but better than no fix I guess.. Does that mean we have to replace our fans more often

 

Yeah, just get the latest BIOS. This thread is just old and Dell likes churning out BIOS updates.

 

Hmm... are there more optical drive types used in SXPS 1340? I can't install the latest firmware update for it.

Also, I know it's a weird question, but...

Has anyone with Windows 7 tried playing Starcraft with the latest patch? If so, is it OK (no colour problems)? The popular "solution" regarding this game and W7 that's available on the Net isn't working for me...

 

Check your device manger to see what drive you have. There are different versions in the 1340. The one I have is not the same as what the update is for on the support site.

 

gotta love my 2009 macbook with Nvidia 9400M, absolutely cool, not even warm, makes zero noise

 

The fan is on more often but it is not loud.. it is not an issue

 

My computer used to freeze before the a06 bios and I am almost certain it was a problem with the fan alogrithm. Now it's stable, so I highly recommend A06

 

Is that bait? Heh, the new macs aren't the coolest bunch either.

 

Oh i totally agree its not that cool but at least its completely silent

Question for the guys that got A06 , im thinking to also get a 13 also, spec is crazy, I hear that A06 makes the fan spin faster, how loud does it get, like say.. compare with M1530...M1330.. or any comparison other than just its loud or its quiet...thanks..

 

Havent had a M1530 or M1330.. but the sound like I said before is not loud and not an issue at all

 

Heh, you also have the pleasure of having only integrated graphics XD. Thus far my unit seems to be rather cool/quiet (unless I enable the 9200M GS) though I haven't done any BIOS updates...I should probably check up on that XD.

 

Thanks both of you for the update, one last question if you don't mind. How's the battery life? say.. only use the 9400M integrated, with power on power save and screen at 50 or lower brightness? I ordered mine at bestbuy for pkup, just got the confirmation email, last one at over 20 miles radius, worth getting it or the cons outweigh the pros..?
THx again

 

Not worth buying new.. buy a dell outlet studio xps 13
....... My battery lasts about 2 hours with full brightness and wifi (but I have on-board video) Not dedicated graphics card

Unless you would like it new.. then go for it

 

The best buy studio xps 13 is only $899 but it does not have the WLED screen

 

Mine seems to last about 3 hours with ~80% brightness with the optional WLED monitor on power saving but I have yet to do a full drain.

 

yea it makes sense to buy refurb ones. 779 + tax free ship to be 860 for los angeles...my only thought is those are probably ,good chance the ones that were BSOD, overheat, repeat problems.. is it wise to buy them..

 

Outlet models typically are going to have a higher chance of having problems than new ones. Though, being bought from Best Buy, who knows...plus now you have to deal with GeekSquad. ICK.

 

TOOK THE PLUNGE! someone on slickdealz posted a limited 15% off dell outlet coupon and I jumped on one! all gone now I think
Studio xps 13
P8600 cpu
4 GB DDR 3 ram
320gb 7200rpm HD
Bluetooth
Nvidia 9400m (enough for me, less heat, I game on my GTX video on desktop)
and!!!! WLED!!!!!!!!!!! screen!!!
got it for 742 shipped!!!!! cant wait to install windows 7 on it.

Since it came from dell, hopefully it has bios A06 already....greatest part is no restocking fee return if anything's not right! I shall report back!

 

Congrats! It's a great system!

 

All these purchases from outlet are almost making me regret my decision of purchasing new. I better get good usage out of that 4 year warranty on my system XD.

 

hahaha well ur is new, so peace of mine.

Question, I read some people that installed windows 7 on it and runs fine, but nobody mentioned whether windows 7 will still allow the use of controls such as the touch activated control strip just below the screen and other default functions... anyone have any experience or know if the dell control functions under win 7?

 

You shouldn't feel too bad about it. The first SXPS13 system I got from the outlet had a lot of issues - wobbling legs, gap space in the screen where the camera is, extreme heat, and part of the hinge barrel had a gap with the screen like it was pulled apart and reassembled. Dell wouldn't send a replacement system so I returned it. Got another refurbished SXPS13 from the outlet and this one had black pieces of dirt between the screen and plastic. Also computer wasn't completely level on a desk. The third time was a charm - found a loaded system which was listed as previously ordered new. This one seems to be perfect. Bottom line is that you can almost expect some kind of problem or defect from the refurbished computers.

 

ordered over 10 laptops from dell outlet, only had 1 with fit/finish problems, 9 were in PERFECT working conditions, ranged from old inspiron 9000, original XPS. inspiraon 1330 1530 1420, all were perfect~ Guess I been lucky~

 

As long as you reinstall the Quickset drivers from Dell, you will be fine. Quickset is what enables and controls the media buttons.

 

OUTSTANDING! SO QUICKSET WORKS IN 7? thanks so much for the response, I see from your signature you have just about every laptop known to man..how is the heat, and battery life on windows 7 vs vista?

 

I haven't done extensive testing to compare the two. I do use Windows 7 full time on most of my computers because I like it so much though. I'd put money on the fact that the battery is longer and that its faster to use though.

 

Thank! appreciate your response, I shall post back here after I receive it firday~

 

Im having serious issues with Windows 7 and a dual screen.
When I had Vista, I had nVidia 179.48 drivers, working very well. I used to control the display settings with the nVidia control panel and it was easy to use (choosing the main monitor etc) and it was fine when I switched the power settings (normal/low perf).
Now it seems that Seven takes all the display settings control, the new nVidia 181.71 sucks, the control panel is now useless. Of course Windows 7 is giving me lots of issues when going to sleep mode (no display when wake up), rebooting when i choose to display only on the big monitor etc...
If you have an idea...
Thanks.