Remembering the Studio XPS

Its funny if you were to read through forums and news stories you would never come to the conclusion that the Dell SXPS16 is a great laptop. User after user suffering with throttling issues, high heat and Dell's shoddy customer service. Yet today right now, having experienced most of those things I still feel this is the best laptop I have ever used. This is made all the more prevalent by the fact that I only paid $1200 for my model which was completely loaded.

To me that is a testament to the overall quality if this laptop. With the new XPS being released, it is immediately apparent that this is one sleek, slick and stylish laptop. Its almost Audi like in its style. Just on the line of understated and stylish. The only reason I can unequivocally say this is because of the frequent positive comments it gets at school and work. To me the new XPS might as well be a Toyota Camry with a V8.

Performance is a tricky thing to talk about. But the way I look at it is this, what has your laptop enabled you to do? Sure, the SXPS16 does not play games and crunch numbers like an AW, but thats not the point. Dell said it is a multimedia laptop. And as far as the experience of each type of media, audio and visual the SXPS is still a great all around performer. The great screen, loud speakers, plenty of media ports (minus usb), BR drive, and a GPU that can play most modern games at a generally acceptable level. A jack of all trades then.

I was hoping the new SXPS would refine the current model. Instead Dell took 1 step forward and 2 steps back. Better parts does not make a computer better, its the overall package. Maybe the new XPS has great speakers and a good GPU or some other great feature... but thats not what makes a computer "special". In a way it was like an Alfa Romeo. Maybe not the best car on the road, always a headache, but it would put a smile on your face everyday.

 

Thank you, Jeremy Clarkson

 

Lol, exactly. "You don't miss your water till the well runs dry." I'm all the more happier for having put up with the problems that the SXPS 16 had for me. No one can deny that the system is beautiful. I liked your comparison of it to an Audi because it just has that class, that it oozes (with the leather, edge-to-edge, etc.). Technology wise, the new XPS 15 don't really have anything over the system (esp. with 1645 and 1647), only an obvious regression in the looks department. Note: I'm not saying that the XPS 15 is bad either in any way. However IMO, If you have a working SXPS 16, there still is really nothing out there that compares in its specific market. Just take care of the system, despite its flaws .

 

Yeah, I like Top Gear... maybe a bit too much.

 

The new XPS isn't too pretty. But worst of all are the new resolution offerings. 1366x768 (the horror!) or 1920x1080. The former is too low, and the latter is just way too high for a 15.6" screen. No 1600x900 resolution on the new XPS 15? It was almost exclusively because of 1600x900 that I chose my SXPS 16. I'm glad I got it just in time (about 2 weeks ago).

 

You can't be serious. The RGBLED 1920x1080 screen was the SXPS 16's crowning glory.

 

I <3 my 1920x1080 , and am VERY happy to have purchased my SXPS less than a month ago. The new xps line looks WAY too bland and IMO the alienware is to jagged and overstated.

 

1920x1080 is great. The only real disadvantage of it is tiny text size, but Windows 7 handles that nearly flawlessly with display (DPI) scaling. The advantages are obvious.

As for gaming, resolution is just personal preference. I enjoy 1920x1080 for all my games.

 

Dell has broken my heart since all my computers have be dell for the past 10 years. I will keep my studio xps 1645 as long as I can and unless dell comes out with a monster laptop (not alienware crap) I'm gone for good.

 

Oops, I really did intend to say that "for me", it's way too high. I like to use a qualifier like that for just these occasions. My 40 year old eyes have trouble with 1920x1080 on a 15.6" screen, and DPI scaling isn't such a great option for me because sometimes things end up looking strange. For me, 1600x900 is the sweet spot! Fortunately for the 1920x1080ers out there, the new XPS still has that option. No 1600x900 would be a deal breaker for me. Fortunately, my SXPS 16 has it.

 

You never knew how good you had it til it was gone

 

I'm juuuuuuuuuuuuust lovin it ! though it heats up more than others but its still my kid !

 

Hey guys,
I am just before buying myself a new computer and I am hesitating between the old Studio XPS 16 and newly release XPS 15. I cannot help the feeling that they are really trying to move the XPS line down a little bit, because the design got definitelly worse.

As of right now I am pretty convinced to prefer the old Studio XPS 16 to the new offer of Dell. So I would like to ask you how long do you think it will be possible to purchase the "old" Studio XPS 16. The official link is out from the Dells web, but my bookmark still takes me to the Studio XPS offers. Any idea, how long it will take for Dell to run off? Because I guess they stopped manufacturing the old models when they released the new ones..
thanks!

 

Dell outlet (ie used Dells) is your best bet.

 

I just received my second Studio XPS 16. This new one (see sig) I got from outlet as refurbished for $1200. There wasn't anything wrong with my old one. But this new one is double the specs. Dual core to a quad core. 4 GB RAM to 8. 512 video to 1GB. etc.

I think it's a fantastic device. If there was one thing I wish I could add it would be a numeric keypad. Other than that, its pretty much perfect for me.

 

I just ordered a Studio XPS 16 from the outlet yesterday to replace the three yr old 1530 in my sig. It was a scratch & dent (hopefully not too scratched or dented). It'll be here Monday.

I got it for $859... Intel Core 2 Duo P8700, FHD Widescreen WLED, 6 GB RAM, 1 GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4670, 500 GB HDD, BD-ROM, 9 Cell battery

 

thats kind of alot.

 

Maybe... I'll have to try it out. I didn't want the new model and there weren't too many left in the outlet. I always consider things like the 9-cell battery sells for $179 new and I got the screen I wanted.

I don't do any gaming so it wasn't too important for me to get a better processor, etc.

 

i totally agree with you Each laptop has its disadvantage and advantages

 

Been building desktops for a while, had an asus and an alienware and just got my xps16 right before they changed over... it is a very well put together machine, definitely refined. It is very refreshing in a world of ugly plastic boxes they call laptops.

 

Agreed! I pay extra for my 1080p and it's worth every penny!

I owned Sony VAIO, HP, and Dell. I only get the top end models, of which I've owned:

m1210 (? forget the model number)
m1330
SXPS 1645

I love my 1645 the best. I don't have an i7, got the 540m, so I don't know of these throttling or heat issues and it still much faster than my T7500 m1330. Love the 1080p display and backlit keyboard. I'm also going to pull out the optical, put it in an ext case and put in a 2nd HDD.

I have a 6 cell and 9 cell battery. I use 6 cell most of the time and use 9 cell on the plane.

I *LOVE* the black leather trim on this thing. Sure AW series is nice, but can't carry that into the board room and be taken seriously.

This is the most versatile, best bang for the buck, best compromise between size and resolution laptop I've ever owned.

Love these forums too cuz I never knew I could put a 2nd HDD in it till I came here. Now, I don't have to worry about a lame ext 2.5" ext hard drive dangling on the side.

What I wish Dell would've done with the new XPS line was to reduce the weight.

BTW, what is up with the design of the new ones? It's like they laid off all their high paid product designers to save money and the ones who were left came out with this crap.

Oh, another thing, I love that the SXPS16 still has multimedia controls. I still use them. Just wished they would work w/o having to bring iTunes to the foreground...anyone find a workaround for that?

I may switch to winAmp cuz that had a plugin where it worked in the bkg.

 

If you use numpad alot, you can just get a bluetooth or usb one.

Congrats on your purchase. Mine is less than a month old too. Glad to have the last gen of the SXPS 16 series.

Listening to Last of the Mohicans while typing this, speakers sound great for a laptop!

 

Windows Media Player almost always works for me even if it's in the background, although I also prefer using iTunes.

 

LOL! I uninstalled WMP11 from my Win7 cuz it's crap and wants to hog file associations and won't let go. I use zoom player for videos now (plays every codec on the planet flawlessly and efficiently) and itunes (and maybe winamp) for music.

 

mmKeys.dll – Use a multimedia keyboard with iTunes at Everything iTunes [Windows Version]

that will let you use your media keys while itunes is not an active window

 

Awesome! Thank you!

 

With the introduction of the new XPS 15, do you guys think the Studio XPS 16 will decrease in price soon? In Canada it's still sitting at $1100 (a bit expensive considering its average specs), I guess it's sort of justified by its superior screen. Anyone know of the screen resolution and type in Canada? I know the US version is 1920x1080, RBGLED, but I'm suspicious the Canadian version might be different). Also does it have a better build quality than the XPS 15? Is it plastic?
Thanks.

 

If the reception of the new XPS line here is any indication, the value of the SXPS line will stay the same or go up. Personally, I agree with most people here and think the new XPS line is ugly. I'm so glad I bought the latest generation of this design. I have the i5-540M so I don't have any heating issues.

Dell is still selling the SXPS line in America but the link is hidden, but search on here cuz I posted where it is.

 

It's been a while since I've monitored these forums... but can you elaborate? I've always heard good things about the i5. I just received my SXPS a week ago (see sig), should I watch out for heating issues?

 

The i5 tends (as in not always but most of the time) runs cooler than the i7 and obviously the C2D. For some reason it is also less prone to throttling. I have an i5 540m and have had no noticeable throttling to speak of. My temps are in the high 30c's during idle and high 40c's during web browsing. Many users with other CPU's have seen significantly higher temps during these tasks.

I think I am going to keep this laptop for at least 3-4 years. If I want to more modern games as they come out I will just invest in a desktop. But for normal computing this computer will be able to run just about anything for quite some time.

 

I enjoy my 1647 very much : ) I enjoy the backlit keyboard, the RGBLED, well most all! At times I still miss my XPS 1530, I really liked the brushed aluminum palmrest on that & just about most everything (cept' for the faulty GPU).



Cin...

 

Ah, thanks! This SXPS replaced a previous SXPS with a C2D T9550. I didn't think it ran particularly hot but sure, it got warm. I'm guessing that until something comes around that really strikes me as beautiful, this machine will be all I could ever need. The new XPS line certainly isn't it, in terms of design. I thought the Envy 14 would be it, but the 1366x768 resolution just stinks.

I had one of those, too! I had two actually. They sure were pretty but them suckahs got HOT! Left palm. Way too hot. SXPS was been a relief.

 

I got the "scratch & dent" one today... it's going back. I was all prepared for a scratched lid or something but the left rubber screen bumper is all melted and the speaker cover is kind of melted too.

I ordered a new one today though and I got the i5 processor instead.

 

I love my 1645 and don't need to worry about remembering it, because I'm sure I'll be using it for years

Great laptop, works flawlessly...only throttles when the vent dust-filter is completely clogged, which is easy to clean out. Amazing performance... looks great... does everything I want and more

 

I missed the Al palmrest too but the seam on the mouse pad was too sharp, it didn't feel as smooth of a transition as the SXPS 16, felt like it could almost cut your hand.

 

You know, I didn't really notice that, much (or could be just the way I typed on the keyboard/m.pad as whole)

Sometimes, I found the keys would get fussy.."sticky" (no, food or foreign material caught underneath).. ...coulda been my typin!

Cin...

 

100% share these feelings about my '47 too!

 

I actually do miss my M1530! It was my first laptop, and I loved it. It went everywhere with me, and I always got compliments on the design. It did get hot! thats for sure. I kept running into issues with the palm rest. The Aliumnum finish would actually rub off due to the heat. Dell was constantly replacing my palm rest every 2 months. Sadly after a cpu issue, dell came to fix it, and stripped a heatsink screw, they wanted to send it off to a depo for 10 days... I told them no, instead they sent me a SXPS 16!

I love this baby! sleek, beautiful, well built. The back lit keyboard is amazing! The multi-touch mouse pad was very responsive. The screen! omg loved the screen and the leather finish on the back! Despite the throttling issues, it was a damn good laptop.

R.I.P SXPS 16, you've been a good friend.

 

I wish the touchpad was bigger, there's at least a 3/8" -/2" border around this thing.

One thing I wish Windows laptop builders would do is to give us bigger mouse pads.