---> OFFICIAL: Dell STUDIO 14z Owner's Lounge <---

Ok, this may be a dumb question, but after installing W7, should I install the drivers from the CD that came in the box or should I download them from Dell? I ask because the CD only has OS options for Vista 32 and 64 and not W7. Also, if anyone could help me out with a list of all the drivers I need, that would be greatly appreciated. For example, I've noticed that after installing W7, the max resolution is 1280x800, so I assume I need to install a display or graphics driver. Sorry if this is remedial - there are some things that I'm really technically proficient at, but Windows OS installs isn't one of them.

 

For me I didn't need to re-install any drivers from Dell at all, Windows 7 found them all on the first update.

 

Windows 7 uses the same drivers as Vista, so everything on the CD should work. When I installed Windows 7, some of the main drivers were detected and installed off the bat. You should go to the Dell support section and download the following: ethernet, quickset, touchpad, and video.

 

W7 downloaded some whack chipset drivers, so I reinstalled and just used the dell cd, and all is good.

 

Do you mean that they were all automatically installed with the windows update?

 

How did you know they were the wrong drivers?

Anyone else have this problem?

 

Yes. 10 char

 

installed them, internet, normal usage was obnoxiously slow (DLing speeds from multiple sources was in the bytes), then I couldnt boot, and couldn't even access safe mode.

 

Does anybody with the 900P have an issue where the screen will turn off for a very small fraction of a second once in a while (it's a long enough period where it doesn't really bother me)? I'm not sure if this is the flicker that others are referring to, but it happens at brightnesses other than the lowest

 

I haven't had that happen to me.

 

Hi guys, I received mine today, and in 1 word it's GREAT. The design, touch and feel, the screen, sound, keyboard, everything is excellent. Got everything that I ordered No screen flicker, no wobble, battery sits tight. Reformatted and installed Windows 7 RC1 (7100) 64-bit. I could write a lot how amazing this laptop is, but here are a couple of bad points:
- the fan is ON almost all of the time. The CPU load is only 1%, but the fan is constantly on, that's very weird, i haven't figured out why yet. The fan is very quite and the laptop runs cool, barely warm, but the fan being on bothers me.
- the battery under Windows 7 is indeed showing ~3:30 hrs.

I will try to find solutions for those tomorrow. I'll post some comparison pics with XPS m1330.

 

Is that with all settings at minimum power consumption, like lowest screen brightness? Or is that under regular use (internet browsing, etc) conditions. I feel bad for 6-cell owners running W7.

 

That's an 8-cell, but running under default settings, I haven't changed anything yet. I will be doing some tweaking and optimizing tomorrow and see how much I can squeeze from it.

 

How is your ambient Lexus?

 

I left mine on all night (at least a good eight hours) constantly streaming youtube videos and it didn't get hot at all. It kept this warm feeling that it always has.

 

That doesn't sound like the flicker problem. On the lowest brightness, it quickly switched between the 1/15th and 2/15th brightness setting. Perhaps reinstalling the video drivers would solve that.

Maybe after undervolting you'll receive more battery life. 3:30 seems a bit low in Windows 7. I wonder if downloading this file would allow it to last longer: http://support.dell.com/support/dow...-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=7&fileid=248262

Or perhaps the 900p screen just makes a big difference in battery life. I've been really blown away about how mine lasts..

 

I'm glad to see it seems everyone else is getting their "toys", too, and is liking them for the most part.

Just a couple of quick updates. I'm completely happy with my machine so far. The only quirk I've found so far is that, contrary to my initial report, I do, indeed, have the wobble. Oddly, when sitting on the blotter on my office desk, I don't notice it at all. But, when sitting on the granite island in my kitchen (where I frequently work), it's there. Not enough to bug me overmuch, but it's there.

I've also noticed the fan is on a lot, but it's not loud at all and does not get hot, so I'm not overly concerned about that (should I be?) And, I can also report some quirks with the chiral scrolling. On the other hand, I didn't really like it all that much anyway, when it was working, so turned it off. One thing I sort of like (but have had to get used to) is that I have to press somewhat hard along the right and bottom edges of the touchpad to get regular scrolling to work. One of the complaints I had about my IBM in this regard is that it was so overly sensitive that I was constantly accidentally scrolling when I didn't want to. Ideally, I'd love if the 14z's pad was a tad more sensitive but, given the choice between too sensitive and less sensitive, I'll gladly take less (could be just me, of course.)

I can also understand some of the other comments I've read, about some flex in the keyboard, backlight leaking, etc. But, for me these are non-issues. Doesn't really detract for me at all. Like others, I was looking seriously at the MacBook Pro when I decided to buy the 14z. I concede that the build quality of the 14z may not be quite on a par with the MBP ... but it's half the price, so I'm okay with that. Personally, for what I paid, I'm perfectly happy with the quality of this machine, and feel it compares favorably with the MBP.

Finally (I think), though I haven't kept a stopwatch on it, I can report that I am getting something over 4 hours on a full battery charge (8-cell), and that's fine with me. The only times I've used any laptop for that long or longer on battery is on a plane, and I've found that on a coast-to-coast (US) flight, 4 hours of work time is usually sufficient. Oh, and this is on default settings. When I'm on a plane, I always switch to power saving mode (haven't tested that out yet.)

Oh, and sorry there are no pic's (though there are probably plenty already posted), but my camera developed an issue a week or so ago and I had to send it in for repairs, coincidentally, the day my lappie arrived.

Happy Z'ing, folks!

 

@trekkie
see if you can increase the sensitivity by decreasing the pressure required in mouse settings. Maybe that'll work?

 

What? I'm not sure what you mean.

 

Mine doesn't get hot at all either, i'm just saying that despite of that, the fan is often ON most of the time. I believe it's a BIOS revision bug or something, and will be fixed in the next revision.

 

Doesn't happen to me - runs cool and quiet.

 

Err, I meant ambient temperature . (room temperature) I havent thought about it much, but I think there are 4 fan speeds. 1 being off. To me 2 and 3 are barely noticable, and 4 is there more noticable (but what laptop would be silent under load? The air coming out isn't that hot, but if you leave like a pen there for 15 minutes, you can definitely feel how hot it gets. I'm not sure if its "supposed" to be on all the time, but as of now, I have no complaints (from what I read about the m1330, this is nothing)

 

Yeah, I happen to have m1330 too, so I will write more later today

 

This is an annoying inconvenience. My dell delivered to my front door 6 days earlier than estimated and I was all ready and excited, too bad I didn't realize that the smart folks at Purolator deliver things early in the morning when everybody's asleep.

Now I have to go pick it up in the afternoon ...

 

The comparison pics with the XPS M1330 would be good as I have the same notebook and am looking at getting the 14z as soon as they have the backlit keyboard available in Canada. Look forward to seeing the pics.

 

I managed to get to 4 hours on Windows 7 with audio and wireless definitely on and in use, but with the laptop undervolted.

 

Fedex Delivery got denied at my house saying no one was home... which is odd seeing how both my brothers are at the house today. Gona leave the door tag for them tomorow. Stinks that i have to wait an extra day now though, ah well...

 

LOL, I love the delivery attempt lies. The day mine was delivered the post office claimed they made a delivery attempt of something else I'd ordered, but I was definitely home. And as I live in an apartment building and the doorbell/intercom rings my phone. Anyone could not hear a knock or a doorbell even when at home, but phones keep a record of who called and when!

 

Just curious - have you or anyone else phoned Dell to find out if they have an answer as to why it's no longer available here? I'm used to them not making most of the Studio lid designs available here, which I assume may involve artist copyright issues, but not basic hardware components.

And I have to say the backlit keyboard is awesome! I don't keep the lights on very bright at home at night and it's very handy. While I'm at it, a moment of praise for the layout. The Home, End, Page Up, etc. keys along the right side are great for websurfing instead of trying to scroll with the dodgy touchpad. Better layout than on the Studio 17 where I still find myself hunting for keys.

 

Hey Michael, how's your computer? Has it arrived? I'm curious about the performance with 5GB of RAM.

 

Here is how 14z compares to XPS m1330

First, note the size of the packaging! The XPS m1330, being a 13" notebook arrived in a box almost twice the size of the 14z box! Dell is definitely doing a great job here, reducing the materials and waste, and it makes me happy



Next, both machines side by side. Note that 14z seems smaller, because it's wide screen, and therefore XPS m1330 is higher (about 1 cm). However, 14z is wider (about 2 cm):





Now another side by side shot, comparing their thickness. The XPS m1330 is slightly thicker, but it's not a fair comparison, as it's not LED screen:



And finally, a couple of pics showing both machines with their lids open, so you can compare the keyboards and touchpads. Again, note that XPS m1330 seems a bit bigger, even being a 13" notebook:





The only thing that XPS m1330 has that I would LOVE to see on 14z is that super sexy cover finish, that amazing material they put on the cover, which I haven't seen on any other notebook. It's the most pleasant to touch and would definitely make 14z even sexier. But well, even Studio XPS doesn't have that, so I shouldn't complian

 

Thanks, Karan, I'll give that a try. I'm looking forward to having time to sit with my new toy this weekend and familiarize myself with it more fully.

 

I was wondering how did everyone install windows 7 on their studio 14z? I have an external optical drive but im not sure if the computer would recognize it when install it =[

 

I installed it from an USB flash drive. Your external optical drive will also be recognized as an USB drive and will appear in the list of boot devices on the startup. Just hit F12 after you start the computer, and you'll see it listed there.

 

Just hit f2 at startup to get into the bios. from there change the boot sequence and bring the optical drive to the top of the list, so it boots from the cd. that is, if trying to upgrade it from within the OS doesn't work.

 

Anyone using an iGo or other third party power adapter with their 14z? I have an iGo 85Wall power adapter with a tip that will fit the 14z, but when I called iGo to check compatability, they said the 14z isn't in their system so they can't tell me if it will be compatible. My primary concern/question is whether or not the iGo could actually damage my 14z if it turns out that it's not compatible. Any thoughts?

 

Check voltages and amperage on the thing, and compare that to the requirements for the 14z. I think so long as those are equivalent, it should work.

 

Well, 14z adapter is 65W, so if iGo can do a proper conversion then it's ok, otherwise, I wouldn't risk.

 

does the windows 7 upgrade install like how a person would would reformat their computer or just like a regular upgrade with out wiping files. Im wondering because i want to be ready when i recieve the free windows 7 upgrade thanks in advance =]

 

Most likely you will be able to pop the disc in, and upgrade from there without loss of data, though programs might be a different story.

 

ok so it wont matter my optical drive needs a driver for it to run?

 

not as long as the bios recognizes it. Also, since your optical drive is external, it may be recognized as a USB device and not a disk drive, so you may have to have it boot from USB devices first, but yeah.

 

I got my zeroshock today. It's a tight fit vertically, but there's about 2" extra space in the back, but what can ya do? The absorbency of the material is nice, and the outside is like a synthetic leathery type material. I like it, although the other pocket is really small (thin) and probably could fit maybe 1-2 cd cases on top of eachother. I'll post pics when I get the chance.

 

I know my external DVD drive isn't recognised by the BIOS, but this may be different with the BIOS for a machine that doesn't have an optical drive built in. You'd have thought the person / people programming the BIOS would think "hold on a second........"

 

I haven't called yet as I am not ordering until the end of the month but I will be asking about it if it is not available when I am ready to buy, I really want the backlit keyboard. Does anyone know if you can add it later and install it yourself?

 

I used a samsung external dvdrw and BIOS recognized it. W7 clean install was a snap

 

Yes, you can add it later, and you can install it yourself, it's very easy. And yes, a backlit keyboard is a must! I always thought that the light from the screen would be enough to see the keys, but no, and once you use a backlit keyboard, it's difficult to use a regular one

 

Thanks for the info. I do want a backlit keyboard that is why I have put off ordering the 14z right now. I saw your comparison pictures and the 14z looks really nice and also smaller than the 1330. Is the case on the 14z quite a bit different from the XPS M1330? How does it compare weight wise?

 

The texture is not drastically different, but the m1330 has kind of a velvet touch to it, while 14z is a more straight-forward rubberized material. I don't know how to explain, and maybe for you it wouldn't even matter. Anyways, the good thing about color lids is that they leave absolutely no fingerprints, you can touch it all over and it stays clean, which I think is super great

 

Unless you have a spot of margarine on your fingers from just making your sandwiches.....as I discovered.

OK, not likely to happen to many people, but in reality they can also get a little grubby if you have greasy fingers. It's not really that noticable though, and can very easily be cleaned. Not like those glossy lids that show everything.