Updates and next iterations of S-XPS 13 and 16?

Hello all! After the issues I've had with my HP Envy that ended with a return, my old standby Asus failing to produce a both thin and powerful laptop, and my continuing reluctance to consider apple, I've come to the Studio XPS line and I'm rather impressed.

Especially the 16" model seems to have some excellent features with the new Core i7, and thankfully everything seems Linux compliant. I just have a few questions before I pull the trigger, as I don't have as much background on Dell products as I do some other manufacturers.

First of all, is there anything new on the horizon? Are there any highly rumored updates with new hardware, new models etc? I hate to buy right at the end of a cycle, but as Dell seems to update faster than Apple and whatnot, I don't want to miss anything.

Any ideas what is going to be in the refresh for the current two S-XPS models? For instance, new graphics cards, Core i7 or i5 in the 13" as well? Perhaps multitouch trackpads (unless they already have them? I've conflicting reports regarding multitouch and to what "degree")? I'd like to see a few little updates, especially on the 13".

I see that Linux is available (ubuntu) installed on a certain version of the XPS 13 and 16. Unfortunately, these seem to be the lower end models (No Core i7). Would there be any way to configure a maxed out configuration and have them put Linux on it? Perhaps over the phone? If I over over the phone, will that negate the special deal pricing from the link here at the forums?

I heard from a colleague that the Studio XPS and Adamo lines are supposed to have dedicated, US based, customer service and tech support. Any truth to this?

Seems that a preliminary build date is not until after Xmas now, for a Core i7 16". Pity it takes so long. Is there any way to have them put your order up in the queue? Perhaps a phone call to the right people and ordering there instead of on line?

Finally, can one combine Bing Cashback with the discount link here on the forums?

Thanks!

 

Usually you cannot combine Bing with a promotion code or discount. Bing with send you a confirmation email, but they tend to catch it and cancel the cash back (it is always worth a try though).

The 1645 is relatively new, so you should be pretty safe with that option. Any potential new graphics update wouldnt be all that significant for the XPS 16.

I would call Dell to see if it can ship w/ Linux

I don't see a Fast track option for the XPS line, but even if they had one, the specs would probably be low end. I doubt you would be able to get bumped up in production. The most they would probably do is give you free next day air once the machine is already built.

You can check out the "multi gesture" from XPS (synaptics) in action on youtube.

 

Yeah there will be a XPS 1647 with Arrandales (Core i3, i5, and more i7s). However, the current Core i7 (Clarksfield) in the 1645s will be the fastest mobile processor for awhile, the next year will bring new processors (Arrandale) that use the same Nehalem architecture but are slower and more power efficient.

Also, yeah XPS supposedly has dedicated technical support. You will get transferred if you call the main support line and have an XPS machine.

 

Thanks guys - the only other thing I'd be really interested in besides a graphical upgrade is a full metal version. I see the magnesium alloy chassis, but I'd love to see a metal lid and palmrest etc... No chance that is coming down the line, huh?

Graphically I would like to see a 4830 or a 5830/57xx/56xx, but I guess it isn't a huge deal. I just don't want to buy a month before these come out.

Returns-wise, what's the policy? The thing that saved me from my HP Envy issue was that they had a 21 day return policy from arrival (not from build), with no restocking fees or other crap like that. Is there something similar for Dell?

 

Dell has similar return policy (21 days). However they will charge you with the restocking fee if the laptop has no problems. The restocking fees are around 15%

 

Dell has never charged me any restock fees, and I have sent back over 30 systems over a 4 year period (I'm picky, ok? lol).

 

Is there a place that restocking fees are codified in writing? It seems people are having far different experiences. I don't think I can buy a laptop that I can't return without penalty, at least within 21 days to a month or so.

 

Yes there is, you can find it on Dell's website under return policy. Dell always reserves the right to charge a restocking fee. Those that usually don't have a problem returning things are those that have a legitimate reason(s) instead of I want to return because I changed my mind.

They try their best to identify window shoppers who buy and try then send it back.

 

Just tell them you are having issues with the system, regardless if you are or not. The restock fee, if added, will be assessed up-front when the return is scheduled (not when the system gets back to Dell).

 

All right. And maybe someone who has spent more time with Dell XPS lines than I will know - in the event there's a new graphics card for the same model in a refresh, is either a card or motherboard upgrade available on the SXPS 16? It would really give me peace of mind if the card was MXM or another "slot" as opposed to being soldered on to the motherboard.

Likewise, is the CPU in a slot, or soldered and unable to be removed like Apple's offerings?

 

I am not as tech savvy as a lot of people on this forum but I can say a Dell technician came to my house and upgraded my p7350 processor with a t9900 processor. Whether this means it was soldered or not I dont know. The tech did put some pasty like material around the t9900 after he set it in its place. Also this could be different on the i7 processors.

 

No, the Studio XPS has the GPU built into the mobo (ie it is not MXM compatible) and can only be changed with a motherboard swap (expensive).

You can change out everything else, though, including CPU, RAM, HDD, etc.

 

1) The paste is thermal paste, they're normally a piece of tape-ish thing that they peel off, however desktop-grade thermal paste like AC5 come in a tube and you squeeze it on and spread it
2) Soldering requires you to melt metal
3) Processor upgrades are super easy, all you do is remove heatsink, twist the circle, replace CPU making sure triangle is on same side, and twist circle, replace heatsink
4) If it were soldered he would've had to melt the solder and resolder, meaning if this was in your house and you closed your doors/windows you would be 1/2 dead by now
5) i7 have diff socket, but same process

 

I don't think solder is gonna kill ya like that. lol

Unless you are flex soldering whole PCB's or something, yeah.

 

Every retailers nightmare.

 

^ Yup!

And you know what? I am just doing what their policy let's me, so no shame in that

 

I think it is good to be a smart consumer, especially on expensive tech goods. A happy customer who returns a few things is not only a sale after the "right" item comes into his hands, but also is a customer in the future because he knows he will be able to get the "right" item. If a company wouldn't accept my return because of a legit issue without a restocking fee (be it technical or otherwise), I wouldn't want to ever buy from them again. (unless it was some bargain basement no returns kinda thing I knew in advance).

 

Absolutely, would not like to have him as a customer!

The only thing I'm really waiting for is Arrandale Core i7's in the SXPS 13; I'm hoping they'll be out early Q1 2010. The problem with this though is that they'll have to change the NVIDIA chipset to an Intel chipset supporting the Arrandales (that I don't think has even be released yet?) which in turn will remove the integrated 9400M and SLI with the current 210M. This leads me to wonder whether they will bother at all, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Ideally they could squeeze a GT 230/240M in there, and along with the new Core i7's, it would make for a very nice machine indeed.

 

Dont think this will happen anytime soon.