Studio XPS 16 - Please Suggest

Hello all,

I am planning to buy a Dell Studio XPS 16 as configured below for $1,762.62 including taxes:

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SYSTEM COLOR: Obsidian Black High Gloss Finish

PROCESSOR: Intel® Core™ i7-720QM Quad Core Processor 1.6GHz (2.8GHz Turbo Mode, 6MB Cache)

OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® 7 Professional with XP Mode, 64bit, English

WARRANTY AND SERVICE: 3 Year Advanced Service Plan ($50 Promo GiftCard)

MEMORY: 8GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz

HD DISPLAY: Full HD Widescreen 15.6 inch WLED LCD (1920x1080) W/2.0 MP

GRAPHICS: ATI Mobility RADEON® HD 4670 – 1GB

BATTERY: 85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery

WIRELESS CARD: Intel® 5300 WLAN Wireless-N (3x3) Mini Card

HARD DRIVE: 500GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive

BLUETOOTH: Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Module (2.1+EDR)

INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE: 8X Slot Load CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
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Please answer my questions:

1. I saw a lot of discussion all over the net regarding issues with Studio XPS 16 such as throttling, over heating, crashes etc... Are these issues fixed now? If not, is it worth spending $1800 bucks despite this issues?

2. What would be a better alternative around the same range i.e., $1500 - $1800? (I want i7 Quad Core for sure).

3. Dell Studio XPS 16 vs Dell Studio 15 - Which is a better option? (Dell Studio 15 seems to be better and safer in terms of risk - crashes, over heating etc?? A similar configured Dell Studio 15 with 512 MB ATI and 4 GB RAM is $1,628.54 - Please find below the config for Dell Studio 15)

4. I am going to install Linux (and use it mostly instead of Win 7).. are there any issues with dual-booting on this machine?

5. Finally, the important question - Is the above a good deal?

Please advice. Thank you very very much in advance.



- Bane




PS:

Here is the Dell Studio 15 configuration:
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COLORS: Black Chainlink

PROCESSORS: Intel® Core™ i7-720QM Quad Core Processor 1.6GHz (2.8GHz Turbo Mode, 6MB Cache)

OPERATING SYSTEM: Genuine Windows® 7 Professional with XP Mode, 64bit, English

MEMORY: 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 at 1066MHz

HARD DRIVE: 500GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)

WARRANTY AND SERVICE: 3 Year Advanced Service Plan ( $50 Promo GiftCard)

HD DISPLAY 15.6” Full High Definition (1080p) High Brightness LED Display with TrueLife™ and Camera/Facial Reco

WIRELESS CARDS Intel© Centrino© Advanced-N + WiMAX 6250

KEYBOARD Back-lit Keyboard

BATTERY OPTIONS 85 Whr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell)

MOBILE CONNECTIVITY Internal Mobile Broadband not included

OPTICAL DRIVE 8X Slot Load CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
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I would personnally go with the i5-540M over the i7-720QM. Unless they offer i7-620M, then go for that. With gaming or certain apps that can't take advantage of multiple core, the single higher clock core does help. Also heat and battery life is better.

 

1. Throttling is almost fixed, 99% fixed some users say.

2. I would look for a HP Envy 15, or Asus G73 if the bigger size is no problem for you.

3. It depends on what are you using this laptop for, if its gaming then dont buy the Studio 15. If you are not going to game, that may be an option, but for that money I would still stay with the SXPS 16.

4. No problems at all. I am running Windows 7 and Ubuntu.

5. Its an excellent machine on paper but has some issues for extreme demanding users. Im a loving mine but I got this configuration for $999.

Tell us the main tasks that you are going to run on the laptop and maybe I can help a little more.

 

@fmac: Thank you very much for your suggestions. I am a developer and am going to run pretty resource intensive applications like database servers, application servers and IDEs (for developing code) such as eclipse, intellij etc at the same time. I am not going to carry it to my office often (probably once or twice a week) I don't have much time for gaming

Based on my above requirements, please let me know which machine makes more sense. Also, I just noticed that Studio 14 could also be configured with Core i7 Quad. What is your opinion on that one? Finally, could you please be clear on whether the above deal is a good deal?

Thank you very much


@smilepak: Thanks for your response man. I am looking for Core i7 Quad.


- Bane

 

I would go with the 1647 (dual core i processors), all of the quad core xps 16's are 1645's.

I use visual studio 08 with this i7-620M and everything is pretty much instant.

So if you can find one with an i7-620M go with that, or the highest i5 you can find.

 

OK. Although you are going to run intensive applications you will not run any graphic intensive application (correct me if Im wrong) so you could go with the Studio 15. However, due to build quality and the extra ram I would go with the Studio XPS 16, considering the $100 dollar difference between those too. Plus the fact of future-proof, maybe someday you might run any graphic intensive application, the difference in graphic performance between the Studio 15 and SXPS 16 is huge, SXPS 16 being better obviously.

The Studio 14 is a nice option also, if you can boost it with 8 GB of Ram. Also, the graphics performance of the Studio 14 is pretty weak.

I think its a good deal, I mean, its expensive but its an excellent machine and will suit your needs. But before you purchase check the HP Envy 15 and see what you think, maybe you like it.

Edit: I forgot to mention this, you should go definitely with the quad, the i7-720 that you mentioned, it will be the best option for you.

 

@fmac: Thanks once again for your suggestions. You are correct in that I am not going to run any graphic intensive applications (at least in the near future) but as you said I might in the future. I looked at Envy 15 and it is getting really expensive for almost the same config ($2200+). So, I will better stick with Studio XPS 16. And to your knowledge, the current (and past) issues with Studio XPS 16 are fixable (or either fixed) - correct? (The reason I am asking this is because I don't wanna risk $1800 ) Once I get your response, I will (by the end of the day today to get the advertised 30% discount) pull the trigger on Studio XPS 16. So, should I pull the trigger on Studio XPS 16?

Thanks man!!



@JoshGlzBrk: I will be running many applications/processes in parallel and therefore Quad might be a better option. Thanks for your response.

 

Yes, the throttling issue is almost fixed, 99% fixed. For you it is 100% fixed because the system only throttles in extreme synthetic benchmarks, when the GPU and CPU is loaded at 100%, that is not going to happen for you.
But make sure to update the BIOS once you get the system, and check if it came with the 130 watt adapter, if not, you can call Dell and they will deliver it for free.

So yeah, I would say that you can pull the trigger. But first check the link, I wouldnt buy it because is bigger than the SXPS 16, and it has a bulkier, gamer design, but check it out I just want make sure you are checking all possibilities for that price range.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220704&Tpk=asus g73

 

Thanks for your reply man!! You are right man - Asus model is too bulky. Pulling the trigger on Studio XPS 16!! Will keep you updated (if you don't mind)

 

Sure that would be great

 

Sorry to break it to everybody, but

the Studio 1640, 1645 and 1647 still throttle and do not run at advertised specs.

 

I pulled the trigger man!! (and repped )

Here are the specs:

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Studio XPS 16 Notebook
Intel Core i7 720QM 1.6GHz (2.8 GHz Turbo Mode, 6MB Cache)
8GB, DDR3, 1333MHz 2 Dimm
15.6 inch Wide Screen 16:9 1080p Full HD WLED LCD, W/2.0 MP
ATI Mobility RADEON HD 4670 1GB
500GB 7200RPM Free Fall SensorSeagate Hard Drive
Obsidian Black High Gloss Finish
Genuine Windows 7 Ultimate, 64 bit, English
Intel 6250 Wireless-N w/WiMAX (2x2) Mini Card
9-cell Battery
Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Module (2.1+EDR)
3 Year Limited Warranty + CompleteCare Accidental DamageProtection, Inspiron, 3 Year
-------------------------------------------------------------

Final price including taxes: $1790!!

Estimated Shipping date: 04/08/10


Thanks for your suggestions once again! I appreciate your help.

- Bane

 

Thanks for the response man! I pulled the trigger anyways. Hope it gets fixed by the time I get it.

 

Your welcome. I Hope you like it

 

@fmac: Got my SXPS-16 today!!! I absolutely love this bad boy!! (for now atleast). However, I didn't get the 130W charger.. Do I have to call Dell and request a new one? Also, if possible, could you please list out the things I have to do (i.e., enable/disable/install/uninstall) on my new SXPS-16.

Thanks once again dude!!

-Bane