Opinions on Studio XPS 16 build please

Hello,

I recently purchased a Studio 1555 and had some big problems with the screen/lid quality (See http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=408237 for info and a video I made) so I am thinking about getting a Studio XPS 16 and would like some advice. Here is the configuration I built:


SYSTEM COLOR Obsidian Black High Gloss Finish

PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8600 (3MB cache/2.4GHz/1066Mhz FSB)

OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-bit

OFFICE SOFTWARE Microsoft Works

WARRANTY AND SERVICE 2Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis

HD DISPLAY Edge-to-Edge FullHD Widescreen 16.0 inch RGBLED LCD (1920x1080) W/2.0 MP

MEMORY 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1067MHz (2 Dimms)

HARD DRIVE 500GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive

INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE BluRay Disc Combo (DVD/CD read/write + BD read) Slot Load Drive

VIDEO CARD ATI Mobility RADEON™ HD 4670 – 1GB

W IRELESS CARDS Intel® 5300 WLAN Wireless-N (3x3) Mini Card

SOUND OPTIONS High Definition Audio 2.0

BLUETOOTH Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Module (2.1+EDR)
My Accessories

SECURITY SOFTWARE McAfee SecurityCenter, 15-Months

DATASAFE ONLINE BACKUP Dell Online Backup 5GB for 1 year

My Software & Accessories
ALSO INCLUDED WITH YOUR SYSTEM
BATTERY OPTIONS 6-cell Battery

Integrated NETWORK ADAPTERS (NICS) Integrated Gigabit (10/100/1000) Network Card
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 9, Multiple Languages
LCD and Camera Premium FHD RGBLED Display in Obsidian Black with and 2.0 MP Webcam


Total: $1494 (Is this a good price?)

No stores in my area carry a Studio XPS machine so I am unable to check it out in person. I'd like to know your opinions of the build I posted and your general opinions of the machine itself.

Is the lid really cheap and flimsy? Does it have a lot of flex? Is the black lid (without leather) as sturdy as the one with leather? Is there anything you'd change in the above configuration?

Thanks for any help. I just don't want to get another poorly made machine and have to send it back.

 

I forgot to add what I want my laptop for:

Internet (able to open multiple windows at once)
Photoshop CS4
Movie watching
Homework

 

That is probably overkill for what you want to do... but how the hell did you get the price that low? When I configure the same thing it comes out to $1700+. My old but reasonably spec'ed XPS M1530 (out of date by today's standards) does all that you ask with flying colors and its mince meat compared to the SXPS16. I am no expert but I would say you don't really need the ATI 4670. It seems you have the money, but even though the RGB screen is apparently amazing, the WLED is apparently by no means inadequate. Thats a savings of $350 and you still would have more than enough power to handle your specified tasks. But hell if you have the money, go all out.

 

Maybe OP has the EPP pricing? Could save money if went w/out the 4670 based on what the uses are for. Not bad though..

No the lid is not cheap and flimsy..you won't have any prob's in that area.

Cin...

 

Hi paskowitz,

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellst...omm=ecomm2.dell.com&c=us&l=en&cs=19&pg=review

Not sure if that will work for you or not. There were a few promotional sales and I clicked on one to get that price.

I figured it would be overkill but I wanted something I won't have to upgrade for 2-3 years. I usually have a LOT of windows open at once along with Photoshop so I need a machine that can handle that. The graphics card is definitely more than I need but it's the only option available to choose from on that particular promotion.

Same thing with the screen..only option. I am really interested to see the screen as I have heard great things about it. My main concern is the build. Is the lid flimsy and flexible? If you click the link I posted in the original post you'll see a video I uploaded to Youtube of the Studio 1555 (that I sent back 2 days ago). The lid and screen was so crappy I couldn't believe it.

Can anyone tell me about the build quality of the Studio XPS 16?

 

Hi Cin,

Thanks for your reply. Nope, not EPP price, although I am a student and work at my college. I still need to price it out that way but I think the build I currently have will be the cheapest.

 

Oh yes, I would think you could get that EPP pricing then! Being both a student and working for your college!

Are you getting the 25% Promotional discount? It really does look like you got some good pricing though, based on your specs!!
If you don't need the $$ savings, I would keep that build!!! Have you ever considered pricing at the Outlet?

The SXPS Lid on the 1340/1640 Line is not flimsy.

Please see this thread and you will see what the owners have had to say about it, etc:
There are differences between what you owned, and the SXPS line. Yours was an unfortunate incident.
And, a horrible one at that!

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=345445


Cin...

 

For anyone curious about the lid/screen on the Studio 1555 and doesn't want to dig for the video here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asPsYquXyO4

Isn't that awful?! I want to make sure I don't get something like that again.

 

It was $1958 then there was a $464 discount. I'm going to see if I can find a similar deal through EPP..

I've considered the outlet but I haven't been able to find something close enough to what I want. A few friends of mine have purchased from it and haven't had any problems which is nice to know.

For the price ($1500 max..husband's orders ), is there any other model I should be considering? Or is this one pretty nice? I wish I was able to see it in person first!

 

I think the SXPS 1640 is a very nice model..based on the fact that you just had a 15.4". Your going up a bit in size slightly.

My 1530 is a 15.4"...my next lappy is going to be a 13", that being the SXPS 1340!

I understand, the Outlet has been a *hit or miss* lately on finding the right now..they either are overflowing with inventory..or having zilch.

HAHA..yes stay within your hubby's orders! (Just go over a few Dollars). lulz. If you were near a Best Buy, then you would be able to see it in person

Cin....

 

The tax is $89 (Michigan) so I am already over the budget! Haha. Not by much though.

I checked out the same model under the EPP pricing and it was more, with less features. Funny how that works sometimes.

I wish we had a Best Buy! I have to drive 3 hours round-trip to get to any major stores so that is a little much. It makes me feel better that others have had good luck with theirs.

I was thinking about the 1340 also but wasn't really sure how that would look. This will be replacing my desktop and laptop so I think it would be best for me to stick with the 1640.

Thanks for being so helpful.

 

Yeah, sometimes EPP is that way..but EPP is supposed to match & beat Dell home pricing.

Honestly, I think you will have great luck with the 1640! If it doesn't work, you always have the *21 days from date of invoice for return for refund or/replacement w/new. But we won't think that way. We will think that this is going to be the *one* that works for you!

No problem...we all try to help one another out here on Dell forum, as much as we can!

Cin...

 

I got a similar configuration from the outlet (minus Blu-Ray and with 5400rpm 500gb drive) for $1149. For a new build yes that is a pretty good price. Although I tried to follow the link posted but it forwarded me to the Dell error page.

Only thing missing is the 9 cell battery. Maybe wait until you can get it for $80-100 though, it's too expensive at the current $180 unless you find a Dell deal that includes it.

Maybe pick up an Intel SSD in a few weeks too, then use the 500gb externally for mass storage and backup. I'd recommend the Dell 256GB (Samsung) drive but they just jacked up the price to $790 (from $480) and they are still out of stock.

 

This is in the outlet:
Studio XPS 16 (1640) Laptop: Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 (3MB cache/2.53GHz/1066Mhz FSB) w/2.0MP Integrated Webcam
4 GB DDR3 SDRAM 1066MHz (2 DIMMs)
500 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) with Free Fall Sensor
512MB ATI Mobility RADEON HD 3670
8X DVD+/- RW(DVD/CD read/write) Slot Load Drive
Obsidian Black with Leather Accent
16 inch Edge-to-Edge FullHD Widescreen RGBLED LCD (1920x1080))
Previously Ordered New

System Price : $1,319.00
Add then add on the 15% outlet coupon

 

That's a great deal! I just checked the outlet and there were a few that were similar to what I want but most missing 1 thing I really don't want to do without.

I don't really need a 9 cell battery as I will keep it plugged in most of the time. Can you tell me the advantages the SSD drive has over a regular 7200 RPM hard drive? That's a huge price jump so I doubt I would get that any time soon. Thanks for the advice.

 

I saw that and was really tempted! It's such a great price but doesn't include the blu-ray player. Hmm...just need to decide if I can do without it. Thanks!

ETA: Adding another year on the warranty brings it to $1291 (after 15% discount). It says previously ordered new but the outlet scares me! Is the warranty/customer service any different because it was ordered from the outlet?

 

The link does not work... whatever.

Since you said you have to money, yeah, go for it. I do not have my SXPS16 yet but I have heard only positive things. The XPS/SXPS lines are really well made. Despite the GPU issue on my M1530 the thing has lasted me through 2 years of high school a ok. I had an opportunity to get some hands on time with the SXPS16 at my local Best Buy and it feels even more solid than my M1530 (chassis wise). About the only thing I would say I didn't like about it, or at least at first, was the key board but after about 10 minutes of typing random crap for the employees to scratch their heads at, I got used to it.

 

Thanks everyone for your comments. I decided to go with my original configuration. After Ebates rebate it came to $1519 and I also qualified for a $25 Dell gift card.

 

I saw your video and the SXPS 16 is not at all like that. The screen has a very small amount of flex but you have to press into the case with some pressure to get a similar effect. It's corners do not move around when you put pressure on them like your previous laptop. The keyboard also has very minimal to no flex, it's pretty solid. Stick with the build you have, it's going to work out great.

 

Thanks, I can't wait to get it!

 

Grat's, you will surely enjoy it! Now the joy's of the *waiting for arrival game* begin! lulz!


Cin....

 

Congrats on your purchase, I think you'll be very happy with it.

SSD is a helluva lot faster than a 7200rpm drive with nearly instant access to everything! They're expensive but once you use one, you'll never go back to a HDD for your main drive. Technology is improving and prices are falling, so keep it in mind for a future upgrade. Dell's 256gb SSD was a great deal at $480 minus EPP discount, coupons, etc but they just jacked up the price to $790 which is more in line with the competition in terms of $/GB.

 

Thanks for the information. Maybe in the future (the very distant future if my husband had his way ) I will check that out. I'm upgrading from a 5400 RPM hard drive so I will be happy to even get to a 7200 right now.

 

Forgot to add this link, since my first one didn't work:

http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/note...d.aspx?refid=laptop-studio-xps-16&s=dhs&cs=19

I clicked the very last option on the right and just added bluetooth and upgraded the processor to the 8600. Hope this can help someone.