---> OFFICIAL: Dell STUDIO 14z Owner's Lounge <---

I bought the same thing, in berry/red, and it looks great. It does fit snugly. I believe I got it for slightly cheaper though - thanks to amazon.

 

Hey guys,, I;ve a problem with my dell 14z..

I got my laptop on 7/29/09
and today,, when I opened firefox and internet explorer it was ok.. and I went to the kitchen,, and when I came back on my screen I saw a vertical yellow line in the right hand side of the screen.. It's a yellow thin line across the screen..

What should I do with it? I just got it like 1 month a go..
I'm thinking of calling the customer service.. is it covered by the warranty or not?

 

I have the worst luck with laptop..my 2 weeks new bestbuy studio 14z #1 key fell off...tried to put it back and fell off again, realize a piece of plastic on the keyboard itself is broke....

1) carry it in bestbuy to have geek squad fix it? (dell warranty card on this says I can carry it in)

2) call dell to send it in?

3) call dell to send me a replacement keyboard? (Anyone can show me how to replace this keyboard? I do not have experience with studio 14z)........

 

I would replace it for a back-lit keyboard. You can order it straight from Dell for around $40 and replace it yourself.

I've been wanting to replace mine, but there's nothing wrong with it really... Replacing the keyboard shouldn't be too difficult, I believe all you have to do is unscrew two screws found under the battery and carefully pop the keyboard out.

 

replacing the keyboard is super easy. all you have to do is pull up the black border around the keyboard and then remove two screws at the top edge of the keyboard holding it in place. Slightly pull the keyboard up, unlatch the data cable and discard the broken keyboard.

If you do get the backlit keyboard when connecting the extra data ribbon it should look like you're connecting it upside down. that's it.

 

okay guys. i want to install xp on 14z but there isn't any drivers on the dell website. where can i download the drivers? thx.

 

As others have said, you can buy a backlit keyboard from Dell, or search eBay - there might or might not be one for this model on there.

As for how to perform the replacement, here is a link to the Dell service manual: http://support.euro.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/studio1440/en/sm/keyboard.htm#wp1179891

regards

 

If you are looking to run some apps which are incompatible with Vista I would suggest that you install Microsoft Virtual PC 2007.

 

Thanks all for the prompt reply and help. Online chatted with dell tech rep, they will send me a replacement keyboard so I can replace it. Should receive it in a couple days....

 

Does anyone know if there's more updated drivers for the GPU outside of Dell's website, I can't seem to play CS 1.6 (but I can play CS:S). I get these flashing lines.

 

no actually i want to run every software on Xp... I prefer Xp to Vista. well, i guess i t doesn't make much sense... but anyways hope you guys can help me with the drivers. thx.

 

Wow I just spoke with Dell regarding my exchange that was supposed to ship Sept. 11/09 but it was still showing in production, now the new ship date is Oct. 19/09 he said that some parts were on backorder but that the ship date could change if they get the parts in sooner, I had to keep asking him to tell me what part was on backorder and he finally told me the cpu 2.4ghz is the part they are waiting for. The only good news is that I can keep the 1st one they sent me but it overheats alot so I haven't been using it

 

OK, I don't know if I should be adding this to this long, long thread or starting a new one.

I have noticed that the screen/lid of my new 14z is not set quite level. When it is closed, it is perfectly square with the body of the laptop. But when it is open, it is slightly higher on the right (that is, the lid/screen is angled slightly counter-clockwise.) No, it isn't the image that needs rotating; it's the actual lid. You can both see and feel that the hinge is higher on the right. (I'm talking about the part of the lid that curves into the body, right where the power button is.) I have also noticed minute scratches in the black plastic here, as if it is scratching against the speaker when opened and closed. This may or may not be related. If this is being caused by the uneven lid, then it will probably get worse over time.

Has anyone else noticed this unevenness? Should I be concerned, or should I just write it off as one of those small imperfections you should probably expect? For those who've taken their laptop apart: Do you think there might be some way for me to adjust this myself?

Thanks, everyone.

 

OK, I take it back: it isn't perfectly square when closed. It is clear to me now that the hinge on the righthand side is set back further and higher than the one on the left. Again - is there some simple means of adjusting the alignment? If I open it up to look, will I void my warranty?

 

why did the price rise to $699 today? did they update it or something. i was gonna buy it but now i might just get the inspiron 14z.

 

The keep changing the packages on offer. It makes it hard to tell whether the price, in real terms, has actually risen or not. If you start with the $699 package and deselect or downgrade certain options (they may have upgraded the basic options included in the package when they set it as $699), you may find that the price, in effect, hasn't changed at all. You really have to be paying close attention to tell.

 

I don't have a copy of windows 7 and now my exchange system is delayed until Oct. 19/09 because of the cpu not available. Is there somewhere I can get a copy of windows 7 to try until it is released?

 

I got my this laptop 14z for about 1 month, recently I accidently touched the power cord then found it's really hot. Is this normal? or someone have the same concern? Thanks.

 

i bought 2 14z's and i'm exchanging one. since i have 2 power supplies i found that one gets really hot and the other one doesn't. i bet there is a batch manufacturing problem with the hot power supplies since they have different number codes printed on them.

 

What problems did you have with the one you are exchanging?

 

Hey all, I was wondering if you feel the Dell 14z is a good replacement for my XPS M1330. I bought this thing when it was the "best of the best"--now one optical drive and a motherboard later I've learned otherwise. My GPU warranty is up in a few months and I'm going to sell this one and get a replacement.

I have an external optical drive, and apparently adapters exist for the lack of a VGA port. Are there any other noticeable downsides to the 14z?

I have Windows 7 through school but I think I'll wait until October so it's all compatible and preinstalled.

I've gotten my choices down to the Toshiba M500 or this. I want that backlit keyboard, and apparently Toshiba's gets too "greasy."

I've read the reviews and I'd like to know what you guys think, especially if anyone came from a problematic M1330. Thanks!

 

You used to be able to download it here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/download.aspx

The downloads are unavailable now, but you can still get a key...I see no problem with downloading a torrent copy and using your own key

 

Dell shipped the keyboard overnight, arrived today by 3pm. The package even included a sharp instrument to remove the plastic molding around the keyboard and a philips screw driver! Keyboard was replaced in 5 mins, fast and easy thanks to everyone's help. Ordering the backlit keyboard will have to wait, just bought a house with 2500 payment a month lol......

 

Thanks, I did look at the usual places so I will have to get a key and see if I can get a copy. The 14z that I have right now runs very hot but someone suggested Windows 7 should fix the problems, I wasn't going to bother with it but now that I have to wait so long for the replacement I will load windows 7.

 

i'm coming from an m1330 which i regretfully sold and i couldn't get myself to buy another one just because it's EOL and i was bored of it even though it was a great machine and ran cool with the x3100. i think the 14z is a great replacement but the features that i like the best are the backlit keyboard and the 900p screen. the 900p screen really helps because the screen is vertically short with the 16:9 aspect ratio. it's cool for movies though

jabbock - i actually bought 2 scratch and dents from the outlet. one, which is almost the same as your config, came perfect and the other one was a totally base config. the base was scratched, had an uneven bottom, the power supply runs hot and the hard drive makes noise and is about to die. i'm surprised yours runs hot with the p8600, have u tried undervolting?

 

So my 14z came today and I've installed windows 7 on it. Thought I'd throw some words up with the countless others. My first impressions are:
LOVE the screen - bright, crisp, clear
VERY snappy running Win7 with all drivers from dells site (just drivers, none of their additional software or utilities.)
Excellent size and weight
REALLY good battery life and heat control.
The keyboard seems a little difficult to type quickly on, I don't feel like its an issue with the oft-mentioned flex, but more about the keys not "giving" as easy under the finger's push. I'll see how well I can adapt to it.

Also, thought I'd mention - In Win7 x64 the chipset drivers (Win Vista x64, from Dell's site) don't seem to resolve issues with the card reader, so it shows up as having an issue in the device manager. (Represented as two entries called "base system device.") Otherwise, I'm loving the RTM version of Win 7 on it and recommend to everyone.

For ~$900, after student discount, this computer is undoubtedly one of the best values in laptops for students.

 

I haven't tried undervolting, but I am going to put windows 7 on it to see if that helps with the system running so hot and the cpu at max too much of the time. The trackpad and left mouse button only works properly about 10% of the time, the keyboard has too much flex in it, these are some of the reasons that I requested an exchange considering this was hppening right out of the box.

 

Quick question, Does the Studio 14z have one of the memory chips soldered to the mobo?

 

It has 1 GB soldered to the mobo and one slot that's usually installed with a 2 or 4 GB card.

 

Gotcha, Thanks +1

 

i've had that happen with a new dell laptop before. i reinstalled vista myself and it worked fine. my guess is that a program is throttling the cpu making everything else slow.

 

you exchanged one is because of hot power supply, is that right? and what number code do you have? And did Dell agree to exchange? I really appreciate your help. When I use my laptop to surf online or do some simple word, the power supply is really hot, and several times it goes to blue screen and shut down unexpectly. Deeply frustrated.

 

I will to the reinstall of vista to see if that makes a difference, I was having problems with playing movies today so it could be a program that is causing the cpu to run high. I will also undervolt it to see if that makes a difference. Thanks for the advice.

 

dell agreed to exchange because of the hard drive problem. it's because i have 2 of the 14z's that i noticed that it's probably not normal for the power supplies to run hot. the one that's hot is uncomfortably hot to hold and the other one only gets slightly warm. the one that's hot is cn-0u680f-47890-8c1-b30e-a01. the one that's ok is cn-0u680f-47890-8bn-d4sw-a01. i don't know why you're bluescreening though. does it also bluescreen when you're only running on battery?

 

I'm sorry for my laziness, but I just installed Windows 7 and don't know where to download drivers.

I used to have a desktop s3100n and when I downgraded, I just googled "s3100n drivers" and got a forum link where all the drivers where listed.

However, I'm having trouble locating the drivers for the 14z and I've never had to look for them. I don't know what reliable sites are and what I need.

I assume I need drivers for:
Graphic cards
Webcam
Wireless card

 

Anyone know a really good sleeve for the 14z? I looked at the 14.1 sleeves and they're too big. Looked at some 13" ones and they're too small. Any help is appreciated! Thanks

 

I didn't read all 200 pages, but how do you tell if you have bluetooth under Vista? I ordered from the outlet and forgot to print out the specs. Everything seems good, but I am unsure about bluetooth. Thanks.

 

At the Dell Drivers & Downloads page. Just select Windows 7 under Operating System and you're set:
http://support.dell.com/support/dow...stemID=STUDIO1440&os=WLH&osl=en&catid=&impid=

Most 13.3" neoprene sleeves should work. This one is great:
http://www.amazon.com/Case-Logic-Sl...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1253292693&sr=8-1

 

does anyone know where to get compatible Windows 7 64 Bit drivers for the 14z? All the ones I try wont install, no matter what

 

My Studio 14z BBY version S1440 is running the fan all the time and very hot. I can also hear the hard drive making some noise...Is this sign of trouble. I just i have 1 browser and IM client running and no video or audio streaming going one. The fan is constantly running & blowing hot air...

Anyone facing the same issues..Should i try getting an exchange from BBY ...I would appreciate any tweaks which may be needed to make it work cooler. It is hot to the extent of uncomfortable on lap.

 

I had he same problem with the 1st one I received from Dell, I had them exchange it. Did you just get it from best buy? If you are within the first 14 days you should be able to exchange it. Also some people said to install windows 7 and that may take care of the problem.

 

Is your replacement working fine, is the fan only running occasionally.... Yes i am within 14 days ...i will try to find a store to replace this laptop..

 

So far the cpu is not running hot, the mouse button is more responsive, there is still some keyboard flex but my main concern was the system running hot.

 

I tried the CaseLogic sleeve that someone else mentioned and there is no way my 14z was going to get in there unless I really forced it. Otherwise, these CaseLogic sleeves really are very good. They just don't make one that's the right size for a 14z. Their 14" sleeve is the right width but it's about 2" too tall.

I have looked everywhere for a sleeve and the ONLY company I have found that actually makes one that is designed to fit the 14z is WaterField Designs ( www.sfbags.com). You can customize the sleeve, too (flap/no flap, strap/no strap etc). I haven't bought one yet but I'm going to. They are neoprene on the inside and ballistic nylon on the outside - tough enough to work as a stand-alone bag if you want to put a strap on it. They are a bit expensive, though; $45 for a standard sleeve, $60 with a flap, $78 with a strap, $100 with a clip-on "piggyback" accessory bag. But there are some very impressive testimonials on their website.

Hope that helps.

 

PS - I wish someone could help me with my question about adjusting the lid. Has anyone taken their 14z apart? Does anyone know anything about how the hinge is assembled? Is it possible to adjust the hinge to change the alignment between the lid and the base?

Thanks.

 

The caselogic sleeve works fine. It's tight but not means difficult to get the 14z to fit in it.

Also I would avoid messing with the hinge. I had a tech come out to replace the lid and he ended up bricking the whole unit.

 

As far as the hinge goes, I have taken the screen off a few times, I believe there are a total of three screws holding each side on (including the ones that come out from the bottom). It didn't seem as if there was room for adjustment though, and I would suggest making sure the plastic trim is pushed all in place, and if that's all good, then have a technician come over and replace it.

 

It does help a lot thanks. Ive been searching and you're right theres not a single one out there that fits the 14z snugly. I guess ill go with the waterfield. You get what you pay for right?

 

I bought the 14-15" sleeve from Built and it fits perfectly! It's slightly loose in the corners, but because of the shape, it fits perfectly both in width and length.
It was only 30$ at university coop.


http://www.builtny.com/showPage.php?pageID=1563

 

Thanks for that. So dis-assembly isn't a crazy scary procedure to get into then? I don't want to make things worse!