**The Official Studio XPS 1647 Intel Core i5/i7 "Owners' Lounge"**

you could easily order the drive dell uses for their blu-ray and install it yourself.

 

Even when the XPS is slot drive?

 

I don't think it was a matter of "getting rid" of the blu-ray option so much as they have none at the moment and taking orders for a laptop with a part that is currently out-of-stock would cause them to be delayed for quite some time. Best to remove it as an option then to deal with people calling wondering why the delay.

My two cents.

 

So is that a yes on the installing t he bluray when it comes availiable ? Or will it be to much hassle ? Do you think if you ship it back to dell they will do it ?

 

Maybe, maybe, no.

 

The Blu-ray drive rewritable slot-load drive is hella expensive if you buy outside of Dell's configuration. Don't worry, I tried, lol.

Regular Blu-ray may be cheaper.

 

The 1647 does have a backlit keyboard right? I couldn't seem to find anything that says it does.

 

M6500's BD driver cost over $400, not sure if it is the same one. How much was the 1645's?

 

wow ! that is a bit pricey! So even if the option is avaliable then your going to have to pay a premium.

 

'bout $150

 

So it was $150 from DELL and $400 to buy yourself lol ? Thats a huge price jump if I have understood it correctly.

 

you can always buy this...external bluray

http://www.excaliberpc.com/594374/asus-sbr-02e1s-u-slim-external-usb.html

 

Thanks sorry for the double post, it wasnton purpose. Thanks! Ill take a look. But I would prefer the internal.

 

yes, all xps laptops have backlit keyboard

 

I'm starting to lean towards getting an i7-620 (with RGBLED and a solid state HDD) as my reorder for my returned i7-720 (once Dell gets Blu-ray burners back in). I know RGBLED increases the power usage, but I believe the solid state drive decreases it. The main reason for this setup, is it sounds like this might be the most powerful configuration offered for this laptop (when at max load on default power supply with no throttestop). It is more energy efficient (and cooler running) than the 1645 to boot. I have four question topics I'd like to throw out:

1) Is the DDR memory used in the 1647 laptop the 1333 MHz type used in the 1645s? If not, would this laptop be compatible with 1333 MHz memory bought outside of Dell? How much of a performance hit (gaming/video editing) would slower memory cause (assuming it is slower)?

2) Would may proposed configuration of the laptop likely throttle? Does anyone out there have a similar configuration that wouldn't mind testing Throttlestop and a game or two? I see the OP is close, but he lacks the RGBLED screen.

3) How much of step down is the HM55 over the PM55 (in performance and flexibility)? How much memory will each of these boards accept? I know Dell seems to allow a max config of 8GBs right now, but will they accept 16GBs?

4) Does the 1647 have USB 3.0 slots yet? Dell's website still says USB 2.0, but their website isn't always right.

 

I cant answer all of those, but I dont think Dell offers USB 3.0 however there is a link to a USB express card below:

http://www.google.com/products/cata...card&hl=en&cid=2238347444554997138&sa=title#p

And I would like to throw this out there you buy the laptop and make it as future proof as possible, I too was consideringthe 620M over the 720QM however what really sold the 720 was the fact you can upgrade later down the line, were as you have reached the peak with the 620. (Please correct me if im wrong)

I know the 720QM has there throtteling issues but from what I can gather patience if a virtue and hopefully we will see aa fix within the next month MAX.

Hope I wa of some help, im sorry if i wasnt.

 

Answers above.

 

i think you're wrong, afaik pm55 and hm55 support both arrandale and clarksfield so both 1645 and 1647 should be able to use i5/i7-620 and i7-720

 

Ah ok, its just if you look on the DELL site there isnt an option to upgrade to the i720 from the 620, however that said I think they offer that on the Alienware.
Im not an expert just my 2 cents

 

Are you saying that Dell will sell a CPU upgrade for the PM55 in the future (like maybe when 32nm fabs come out)? I wonder if there is any way to convince them to put a 620 in the PM55 (not likely even if it supports it).

Also, thanks rpg-XPS for your responses.

 

Im not sure mate, Im not the best at this stuff im sure rpg will respond with a more accurate answer. Regarding the upgrade I saw on another post that a guy upgraed his i7-720QM to the i7820 without much hassle so all I was saying was that if and when I have the money to upgrade I have the ability to get a faster CPU. This may also be the case with the 620 but im not sure as I didnt see the option on DELL .

 

This might be a stupid question but how does this Dell Studio XPS 1647 compare to the HP Pavilion DV8 series which offers similar specs?

 

Dell doesn't usually offer CPU upgrades. That's a DIY thing.

It's smaller.

 

No problem. If you order a Studio XPS 16 with a i7-620M (or i7-720QM/i7-820QM), you will get a PM55 chipset. The i7-620M is an "embedded" processor which means it is soldered to the motherboard, and therefore not easily replaced. As fluffy mentioned below, someone upgraded their i7-720QM to the i7-820QM. These processors are not embedded, making them easier to replace.

It's only the i5 SXPS 16's that have the "mainstream" HM55 chipset. Even though the HM55 is classed as a mainstream chipset, many people see it as an advantage as it supports switchable graphics, where the PM55 does not.

When you say 32nm fabs, are you referring to quad-core 32nm mobile CPU's? If so, then there is no mention of when these will be available. Most predict we won't even see these until 2011. So, at this stage, it's impossible to say whether the notebook you buy will allow future upgrades to a 32nm quad CPU. I guess the only thing to you could do to at least give you a chance, is buy a notebook with a non-embedded CPU.

BTW, you do know that the i5-520M, i5-540M and the i7-620M are 32nm Arrandale CPU's? FYI, the i5-520M and the i7-620M are embedded, the i5-540M is not.

 

Well I know that obviously, I just thought I'd ask as this notebook has been so incredibly popular for the past 6 months. The HP quad notebooks offer very similar configurations... so why this notebook?

 

There's no embedded 540M.

 

If I don't get the RGB screen and stay with the default is the screen 1080p?

 

On the Dell ? They offer 3 screens:

15.6 HD+ 900p (1600x900)
15.6 Full HD 1080p (1920x1080)
16 Full HD RGB 1080p (1920x1080)

 

Only if you choose the 1080P screen In otherwords 1920X1080 resolution.

 

No. Cheapest option is 1600x900 WLED. Middle option is 1920x1080 WLED. Most expensive option is 1920x1080 RGBLED

 

As I posted above

 

Here is my order info, I ordered on the 17th, when they had the $400 off studio xps 16" with i7-620M processor.

Main Stats:

i7-620M (2.66ghz - 3.33ghz)
6GB DDR3
1080p RGBLED
256GB SSD
ATI-4670

Total Price before taxes: $2234.00


EDD: 2/3/2010.


Current Status': Pre Production, In Production, Work in Progress.

I do not know why it shows three different status's but I hope it comes soon!


Also, does anyone know which brand of SSD dell uses?

 

But on this link on $1,099.00 option it says 1920x1080 screen and thats not the Rgbled screen?



*nevermind I seen deathwalks post*

 

Wow.

I got my M17x with i7-620, 4GB, RGBLED, and CF 4870's for $2000 shipped. That's like $400 less than your SXPS (you did get the SSD, though).

 

Nice hope you enjoy dude wish I could have spent the extra cash and got the SSD and 6GB but im reluctant to sacrifise 250GB in space just to gst a faster drive. Plus the rep gave me discount or so I believe.

 

Nice one mate those CF ATI's should be lush! Think the alienware on the outside are too ostentatious for me.

 

Yeah, I have had 2 SXPS 16's and they weren't that great.

Just can't imagine spending more for that than the AW...

 

Samsung PM800 / PB-22JS3

 

Ye your right why spend more money on a system which isnt the top brand. What didnt you like about the SXPS ? I think they look gorgeous, granted they arent as i your face as the AW but they are certainly understated in the beauty dept.

 

Yea, It's worth it though.

The 256GB SSD, was a $445 addon from the standard 500GB it was on when you start customizing. But since Dell uses Samsung's SSD drives (which i just learned), they are some of the fastest available. 230MB/s read, 200MB/s write.

 

Dont you feel you will fill that in two second though ? I mean im all for faster loading times. But at a $445 extra I draw the line.

 

Not really. This laptop im on right now is only a 250GB, and I have over half available. I use my desktop for storing HD movies, music and stuff on laptops.

I did think 128 was a not enough, hence why I chose 256.

 

Cool sounds like a nice machine either way

 

Yea hopefully it won't get delayed like a lot of other people's systems have. Coming early wouldn't be that bad

 

Keep us posted

 

Is the 256gb solid state drive really worth it over the 500gb?

 

Depends what you want out of it, if you nee storage space like myself as my laptop will be my main system then 500GB is crucial over the 256GB SSD. However if you require faster loading times and quicker file transferinf and have alternate storage like Josh then the SSD is perferred.

 

I don't like the OEM Samsung drives for the lack of fw support.

My money is going to go to Intel or maybe a Sandforce based SSD

 

Are OCZ producing any laptop based SSD's ?

 

Most laptops use a 2.5in hard drive. So the Vertex, Agility, Solid and Solid 2 should work.