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    Is the Dell Studio XPS 13 a good idea? (versus Latitude E6500)

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by maverick280857, Mar 12, 2009.

  1. maverick280857

    maverick280857 Notebook Consultant

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    Hi,

    I've been doing a lot of research lately and I have come to the conclusion that as far as the specifications go, the Dell Studio XPS 13 is what I want.

    However, I am concerned about the overheating in the laptop, as reported by some reviewers on the net. I don't mind if I can't keep it on my lap (my dv6137tx couldn't be kept on the lap for too long either!), but I am concerned about failure rate increasing due to heating.

    Also, I am wondering if its a good value for money given that it is costlier than the Studio XPS 16, 17, etc and still comes with only a 13.3" screen. I would be happy to hear from other Dell users, Studio XPS 13 owners in particular.

    The rough configuration I was looking for before coming across the Studio XPS 13 was:

    1. CPU = Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 (or better), [1066 Mhz FSB with 6 MB L2
    Cache preferable]
    2. Memory = 3GB DDR3 at 1066 MHz
    3. Graphics card = nVidia GeForce 9500 or higher
    4. Hard disk = 250 GB, 7200 RPM
    5. Screen size = 15.4" or higher
    6. 8x DVD ± RW Drive
    7. Internal Modem
    8. Integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet card
    9. Integrated Wireless adapter

    Oh and I am interested in running Linux.

    The Latitude E6500 cannot be shipped with the GeForce 9500 card and I am getting it only with an nVidia Quadro NVS160, which I understand is as fast as the GeForce 9200.

    Inputs of all kinds are appreciated!

    Thanks.
    vivek
     
    maverick280857, Mar 12, 2009
    #1
  2. Mr.High-Pinger

    Mr.High-Pinger Notebook Consultant

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    Can not say that overheating is any issuefor me atleast, and not to others according to the studio xps 13 temp thread.

    I max out at 70c, which i would say is fairly low?
     
    Mr.High-Pinger, Mar 12, 2009
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  3. maverick280857

    maverick280857 Notebook Consultant

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    Yes, but I've read the following on reviews and even on a forum thread here:

    a) screen discoloration due to heating
    b) lid hinders air flow from some vent
    c) laptop freezes very often

    What is your take on this?

    This is the ONLY dell laptop in India which seems to fit my specs exactly :(
     
    maverick280857, Mar 12, 2009
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  4. zakarydoks

    zakarydoks Notebook Guru

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    Screen discoloration is probably not due to heat, but screen defect. Check out the thread where people posted their temps. My cpu is at 43 C right now on performance mode, I just finished installing office 2007 and installing the updates right now.

    Freezing can be easily fixed with reinstall of Vista which should be done anyways. With Dell, they make it easier by actually including the OS disk.
     
    zakarydoks, Mar 12, 2009
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  5. maverick280857

    maverick280857 Notebook Consultant

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    Sounds encouraging, I've been feeling down due to all the other threads :eek:

    Dell tells me there's some power saver option to reduce the chances of heating. Also, what is your experience with the Studio XPS 13, while using graphics intensive applications and/or playing games? How does it shape up?
     
    maverick280857, Mar 12, 2009
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  6. zakarydoks

    zakarydoks Notebook Guru

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    Well I've only had it for around 1 week and I normally do not do a lot of graphics intensive work. I play Warcraft III on it and it does get warm but not more so than other 13 inchers I've seen.

    If you install the Dell Power Management patch, it adds one more option in addtion to the 3 defaults from Vista.
     
    zakarydoks, Mar 12, 2009
    #6