SXPS 1645 Discontinued - i7-820QM no longer supported on SXPS

This is interesting... a friend of mine just tried to order the SXPS with the i7-820 processor and got denied by Dell. Apparently, the 1645 has been fully discontinued, and Dell will no longer be placing the i7-820 processor in any SXPS form factor. They quoted that due to hardware and power issues as the reason behind discontinuing the 1645 (and replacing it with the 1647) and killing i7-820 support. The sales rep said the only offering will be the Studio series for the i7-820.

As a 1645 owner with the i7-820, this is kinda scary that this laptop has been discontinued this quickly as well as the offering of the 820 series chip. We ended up calling a second time, and another sales rep confirmed the same story.

Anyone get similar information from Dell on this? I'm also wondering if this is a "Dell Canada" thing...

 

The Dell site says:

Studio XPS 16
Stay Connected with Core i7, Wireless N and Bluetooth

but if you try to configure one, the only options are:

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8600 (3MB cache/2.4GHz/1066Mhz FSB) add $0
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9600 (6MB cache/2.8GHz/1066Mhz FSB) [add $175 or $5/month1]
Dell Recommended
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8700 (3MB cache/2.53GHz/1066Mhz FSB) [Included in Price]
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9900 (6MB cache/3.06GHz/1066Mhz FSB) [add $450 or $13/month1]
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8800 (3MB cache/2.66GHz/1066Mhz FSB) [add $50 or $1/month1]

 

Well, the US, Canada, Australia and Singapore Dell websites still sell the i7-820 1645s.

 

I just checked and I can still configure with the i7. It even recommends the 820QM as the processor of choice for $350 more.

 

I just called and could not get the 820... i smell a rat.

 

You can still order both the 720 and 820 from both the US and Canada sites for dell.

 

Bizarre... It wasn't on the website earlier... that's why we called.

Hmmm... I agree, something strange is going on here...

 

Why would this scare you? It's just discontinued HW, not like your laptop will explode.

And 1645 will not be replaced by the 1647 because the -45 packs more processing power than the -47. It may be the next in line, but definitely not replacement.

 

Sounds like Arrandale to me

 

Most likely is

 

The i7 820 costs 480 euros more as an option on the dell xps 16 here in Belgium. For that price, I can get the 2 ghz core i7 cpu if I chose Kobalt. AND I also have some money left to chose zero dead pixel warranty which alienware/dell doesn't give. No Dell for me thats for sure, let them scam someone else.

 

You have to click on Studio XPS laptops, then click that again on the bottom of the page and you will get all the options, look likes its still there... I wouldn't be worried.

 

I wonder if it has something to do with the throttling issues plaguing the 1645.

 

If what has? We cleared up the fact that the 820QM option is back, yet the throttling issue is still there, so any bit of logic would suggest no it doesn't.

 

You can still order it from the website but if you call CS they will refuse to configure it with the 820 due to hardware issues just like what the other user said. So, instead of spending your energy and whatever brain cells you have on being rude why don't you research and contribute to all.

Some people....

 

Actually, they moved the i7 configuration down to the bottom of the order page before the holidays, when the shipping delays were occurring.

They did this before the throttling issue exploded.

 

Perhaps they are doing a recall soon?

 

Oh, no, I just got mine yesterday!

 

Something's wrong on Dell Website. I tried to order 1645 i7 model through Member Purchase Program site (I'm a graduate student), but I could not even choose this model. When I clicked the i7 model, the system took a while to retrieve the laptop information and ended up saying that system could not retrieve information of the selected laptop. It's like there is no such the laptop existing in this website system anymore. Maybe the solution for the throttle issue could only be the re-design SXPS 1645 just as I thought

This reminds me of this post that I posted few days ago.

"Ok guys, I just talked to my friend, who is a computer engineer (hardware) and one of the team members of HP Envy project. He said getting a 130W and new Bios like uncleweb said is the right way to solve this problem and the system can run at full capability . However, he said doing so will cause so much heat to the system (like 1640 had)that the palmrest might not be able to touch. He said HP Envy 15 suffered this problem too, but the designer decided to put more fans in it and take the optical drive away. Despite doing so, Envy is still hot if the system have been running intensively for a long time due to the design concept, thin and sleek design (just few places where the hot air can flow out of the system)

Basically, if Dell really wants to solve this problem, not only providing the 130W AC and new Bios is enough, but also redesign the SXPS 16. So it's a big deal for them. He also said he knew this throttle and adapter problem long ago because he was curious how Dell could reduce heat on SXPS 1645 compared to 1640 even if 1645 one has i7 processor. "

 

I also think Dell is aware of providing the new bios that cancel the throttle and 130 W adapter could solve the problem but It could harm the system in the certain ways.

If this cannot-order-i7-model-anymore situation is really happening, I can only think that Dell will not provide the solutions and ask those people who own 1645 to return the system if they want (or just keep the system)since it's just a small group of people owning this model compared to the 1640 one.

To be honest, I m positive that most of 1645's owners will choose to keep it(especially, the ones whose 21-days -policy has passed) since getting throttlestop program and 130W adapter can pretty much solve the problem already. I think Dell doesn't want to deal with a ton of returning costs if they still receiving any i7 order.

I'm grad I have returned my Dell i7 laptop but I'm really hate if it is going to end like this. Shame on you Dell.

** Note that this opinion is based on the situation that Dell has really canceled this model. If not, please ignore it.

 

What's worse is the resale value on these things drop like Chevy the minute you buy them.

I knew I should have stuck with Apple. Why am I so gullible with Dell!!!!

 

For what it is worth, I chatted with an online sales person as was told that the model has been discontinued. The only reason he could provide was that the marketing team told him "there weren't enough orders".

Based on this I decide to return my SXPS 1645 with the i7 720 processor. I called customer care and was transferred to the sales resolution team (I am still within the 21 day window for another 7 days).

The person I reached was very accommodating and he was willing to process the return. However, he said that this was their hottest selling product and they had not discontinued it. He even walked me through the website and showed me that this model and processor was still available.

Obviously there is conflicting information out there. I decided to wait a few days until the dust settles. If it has been discontinued, I will return in within the next 7 days. If not, I will keep it and wait for Dell to fix the throttling issue.

 

What's your basis that the CS reps are denying it due to HW issues? What if it's stock? Or something else? Just because there's a lot of press about the HW issues doesn't automatically make that the reason. i7-720QM throttles also, but they've never removed that before! 820QM is $400 CAD upgrade, something not many people are willing to get.

And I can be rude if I want, especially if you post a message that discusses a topic that's been clearly solved (i7-820QM is available again).

And I've done more research than most here on the throttling issue and the SXPS 16 series' parts, assembly, installation, etc., so do you own research and understand what you are talking about before you tell others what to do. And don't try to act like you know more about this laptop than I do. Judging from your other posts in the throttle thread, you seem to have something against Dell and are very sure that Dell won't fix it, but never present solid verifiable proof.

 

That's been happening for a few days - I chatted into let them know.
I was using the www.delluniversity.com click-through.

page is black, and just keeps refreshing saying it will take you there, right?

I though it was a mozilla/linux browsers issue, until I brought up WinXP in VirtualBoxOSE and it did the same thing in ie7.

You can still reach the i7 1645's via the standard links, the Core i7 ad box, as well as via "as advertised" link, click on catalog, select laptops, and it's the second XPS 16 - starting @ $1349 with i720/1600x900/4GB/500GB/5300-wifi

Tony

 

I hope they fix the issue. I suppose it will all work out, especially if you have a multi-year warranty.

Can always wait until the last month of the warranty and if you have real problems with the system they will replace it.

You want to wait for the series laptop to be done with though, so you get a new series.

 

What a waste of bandwidth. Cant you read the forums? Cant you see that many users are having problems ordering the i7? What basis? When my friend tries to order the xps with i7( although i advised him not to) and gets turned down by Dell due to hardware issues and asked to get the P or T series instead then what proof other than that you need. SOLVED? NO ITS NOT. I really don't know whats your problem/problems. I have nothing against Dell as I own 3 desktops(including Area 51-ALX)
Chill man, take a vacation or something, no one needs your negativity here. This is a technical and very informative forum so lift your standards little bit and try to get along with everybody and stop trashing the forum.

 

I don't think that the i7 SXPS are actually being discontinued. I have now chatted with Dell Sales and called Dell and both agents have told me the same thing, that you can still order both the i7 720 and the i7 820... You can still order them through US Dell.com and Canada Dell.ca. I'm not sure why people are getting different results, but it appears that Dell is not discontinuing these machines.

 

It's normal for certain models or configurations to periodcally disappear from the web site for a few hours, as Dell reconfigures its pricing and/or discount offers. I've seen the 1645 i7 disappear for a few hours each time from the Dell.ca site on several occasions, as I've been checking them. A few hours later they reappear with new pricing/discount details. So, there's no point fretting that a product has been withdrawn until it disappears from the site for a day or more.

 

Yes, it's just like that. But If i do like your suggestion. Can i get the same discount as buying through Member Purchase Program? I could not find any i7 model on Member Purchase Program site.

 

Daraj,

I have returned my Dell i7 model like you did. I would like to have a question if dont mind.

Did you get the refund already? If not, Do you know how long will it be?

Sorry to ask but I pay cash for it ,$2,400. I'm waiting for the refund and might use it for buying a new model of Sony Vaio, coming out on Jan 9. I hope they have i7 laptops for me to buy.

I hope i get my refund before then

Thanks

 

This is false and fearmongering.
I JUST went on Dell's site and can absolutely choose the 820 processor.
Here is the cut and paste from the page:

Why Core i7? Watch a video on Turbo Boost.
<input name="m_2" id='m_2' value="I7720QM" checked="checked" onclick="if(onIconOptionClick(event)){setSelectedImage(this);}else{return false;};" option_image="http://i.dell.com/das/dih.ashx/314x314/images/global/products/314x314/con_m_i7_720QM.jpg" onkeydown="validateKeyDown(event);" type="radio">	<sup> </sup>Intel® Core™ i7-720QM Quad Core Processor @ 1.6GHz (2.8GHz Turbo Mode, 6MB Cache) [subtract $350]
<input name="m_2" id='m_2' value="I7820QM" onclick="if(onIconOptionClick(event)){setSelectedImage(this);}else{return false;};" option_image="http://i.dell.com/das/dih.ashx/314x314/images/global/products/314x314/con_m_i7_820QM.jpg" onkeydown="validateKeyDown(event);" type="radio">	<sup> </sup>Intel® Core™ i7-820QM Quad Core Processor @ 1.73GHz (3.06GHz Turbo Mode, 6MB Cache) [Included in Price] [SIZE=-1]Dell Recommended[/SIZE]

 

You havent read the thread... several people have posted this allready. We will have to wait and see what dell does however i called myself and had a rep advise me the 1645 will no longer be offered shortly with an i7 and possibaly all together. In speaking with a 3rd level tech rep he advised the same however several csr reps have said this is false... wait and see is the order of the day, same as allways with dell.

 

My full refund was issued last week but yet still to hit my account. The RS that I deal with from Headquarters told me it will take couple more days before I see the refund on my DFS. I would wait for the i3 or i5 CPU's as supposedly they generate less heat and consume less power.

 

Thats how it should read......

 

You said it...

 

You'd be surprised how crappy the dell Member Purchase program actually is.
M company has had it with Dell for about 5-6 years. We've purchased on the order of about 8K-12K systems, going back to the even the Optiplex GX270/280, a couple thousand Latitudes (D600/D610/D620/D630) and NEVER have I found a price lower through the member "discount" than just going directly to Home and Home Office.

Usually, the "member price" is about 4-7% higher than just straight going to Home and Home Office.

I just order the Samsung 50" Plasma from Dell Home Electronics, and it was less than using the EPP discount!!

T

 

Really, I have been stupid for a while then. Thanks for letting me know.

 

Yeah, I've noticed this too. I'm a grad student, so I figured that the EEP discount would be the way to go, but for the same laptop configuration it was going to be ~$200 cheaper using the Home and Home Office selection.

I asked one of the Dell sales reps about it and they said it had to do with whatever promotions were going on at the time. That didn't make much sense to me, but whatever...I'm going to go with the cheapest option available.

 

The other issue, is with our Enterprise agreement with them (10K+ employees), I could literally surf to their website, and for example, buy a latitude for $100-200 less than under our agreement.

No wonder our company switched to HP (EliteBook line, dunno the desktops...).

T

 

Dell sucks. The biggest mistake I've made in a long time was buying Dell again. I swore them off, and was talked into it by a friend who got an XPS13. My wife got an XPS13 and loves it, but these 1645 are a pain in the .