Dell Studio XPS 16 Review

I agree General 16.4" laptops make absolutely no sense to me. 15.4" is about the max one can comfortably carry around to class (and it still feels big), and since this is not packing anymore power whats the point?

 

Well, for one thing, at 1920x1080 resolution, a 16" vs 15" screen makes things a little easier to see. I don't have any problems with 1920x1200 but a lot of my friends can't understand how I can read anything at that resolution. I've had both a 17" and a 15" laptop with WUXGA. The 17" was definitely easier to use and I could sit farther back from the laptop and still comfortably read everything. So, if you are buying this as a desktop replacement (which seems to be the intended market), it makes sense to have a larger screen.

 

Studio XPS 16
0.95"-1.34" x 15.15" x 10.02"

XPS M1530
14.06″ x 10.34″ x 0.93″ - 1.38″

The Studio XPS 16 is an inch longer, but a bit less wide. Not much size difference.

(But yes, it is heavier than an M1530.)


Just note that Studio XPS 16 only has a 16" screen, and not 16.4".

It's an "ultimate" multimedia machine. Dell only said that you can game on this machine; that doesn't mean it's a gaming machine. Dell has Alienware for that.

Also, Dell is redefining XPS to mean just a modifier of their various laptop lines. Watch one of the Dell vblogs in youtube that explains this.

Example,

"Studio XPS" - high end laptop of the Studio line

And in the future we might see:
"Inspiron XPS" - high end laptop of the Inspiron line (there were two Inspiron XPS years ago...)
"Adamo XPS"

 

You have a point. I've voted for the Idea on Idea Storm.

Personally, I do want a machine with a dedicated graphics card powerful enough for playing games. The screen is nice but it doesn't make up for the size and weight.

My feelings exactly.

Personally, I've never had that problem (I sometimes find myself wishing for a resolution higher than 1200x800 on my 12"). However, if it is a problem then they could buy the lower-res screen. I understand that a wider screen makes for easier viewing and I can see the point in a 16" screen at 1920x1200, though I believe that such a machine would have absolutely no market. My major complaint is that change in aspect ration and that this is the replacement of the 15" rather than a supplement to it.

1920x1080 trades height for width, and it isn't a good trade. I can already show the full width of the document on my D420, a wider screen means more blank space while a shorter screen means less space for text.

I suppose the market is for people who find 1920x1200 to small but still want to watch movies in 1080p. I can see the market, but it's a relatively small one and I don't think Dell need to make their sole high-end consumer laptop a niche player.

Yes, but it's still a difference and it tips the XPS over the boarderline between "portable" and "luggable". The machine is: Less portable, less practical for work and no more powerful. So what's the point?

Alienware is outdated and overpriced. If this is the replacement for the XPS then Dell are effectively exiting the market for high-performance laptops.

That strategy could work, but this is the wrong way to go about it. If XPS is a modifier then why isn't "Studio XPS" placed as part of the studio line? If this is part of the studio line then where is the replacement for the XPS line? It would be great if Dell made a high-end XPS Inspiron line (similar to how the Inspirons were before Dell neutered them in favour of the XPS). The current lineup has the "standard consumer" Inspirons and "multimedia" Studio XPSs, there are no "high performance consumer" laptops.

Dell seem to be forgetting that most people do not buy a laptop just for multimedia. Students especially, who are a big market for this sort laptop, need something that can be carried around and may not have the money to buy a £700+ multimedia laptop and then a £1000 ultraportable. Dell really don't have much of a target market: It's too expensive and powerful for people who want a cheap family computer; It's not portable enough for people who want a machine that they can carry with them all day; It's not big or powerful enough for people like me who want a desktop replacement to sit on the desk and be moved once a week

 

No more powerful than what? 1530? I'm basing this on Dell Singapore. The 1530's specs here is outdated. 1640 offers better processor, graphics card, and screen. And it's not even as expensive as 1530 once was.

Dell is going where the trend is. It's not like Dell is the first one who offered a laptop around 16" and with 16:9 ratio. Its 1640 is comparable to the size of Sony VAIO FW, and is even a bit smaller than HP's HDX 16t. Gateway, Acer, and everybody else seems to be making 16"-16.4" laptops.

If you want portability, there's the 1340. If you want a cheap family computer, there's Inspiron. Not that cheap? Studio. Even cheaper? Mini. You can't have everything on a single laptop. Desktop replacement? That you have to wait for. (The 1640 is not even marketed as a desktop replacement.) I'm positive that Dell is readying laptops that will update or replace the aging XPS 1330/1530/1730 lineup.

EDIT: Here's the youtube video I mentioned in my previous post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2HNnHqynns&feature=channel_page

 

For it's day, it is no more powerful than the M1530. The components are simply update equivalents of what was in the 1530. They could make a laptop with identical components in a 15" chassis.

HP's HDX 16t is marketed as a home entertainment system, as are Acer's machines. Those manufacturers are also offering notebooks in more standard screen sizes, they aren't trying to replace their entire notebook line. Dell is simply jumping into the current trend (one which no one was asking for, may I add).

No, they aren't marketing it as a desktop replacement and that's the problem. It's as big as a desktop replacement but it doesn't have the power of a desktop replacement.

I do hope you're right, I will be very happy if Dell does introduce replacements for the 1530 and 1730 (The XPS 13 replaces the M1330)

Thanks, I'll watch it when I get a chance.

 

As I said, 1640 is comparable to HDX 16t, VAIO FW, and Acer 6935, and it's similar to those 16" laptops in terms of specifications, size and weight. None of the other laptops I mentioned are marketed as desktop replacements either.

 

hi there,

i just wonder why my order didn't come with the power dvd's software cd and the camera cd softwarem? did someone buy this laptop and have those software cds?

thank you so much

 

The discs I received with my 1640 are the following:
1. Works 9
2. Dell Drivers and Utilities
3. Windows Vista Home Premium 64BIT SP1
4. McAfee SecurityCenter

 

You ordered from which Dell region?

Mine only came with:

1. Works 9
2. Dell Drivers and Utilities
3. Windows Vista Home Premium 64BIT SP1

I am in the process of contacting Dell and demanding installers for the PowerDVD, facial recognition program and Creative Labs webcam software.

 

order from malaysia, I also come with the some thing :

that is great what you did, so they will post the software at dell website in no time right ?

overall this laptop it's good, but still got bad story with it, it's quite hot when you touch the touchpad area, and easy to get fingerprint on it.

 

looking to buy this laptop but I'm kind of taken away by the heat things. Can you guys please confirm the usability of the laptop? Is it bearable and run smoothly under those heat issues?
I'm looking for a durable laptop because my HP dv9000 died on me after 3 months out of warranty, after I got it fixed, it let out a really disgusting smell (like burning plastic and chemical) when running multi task T_T

 

Dell SG says those three software are only "trial/complimentary", so no CDs will be provided. I suggest you e-mail and bug them too. I replied to them and told them Dell in other regions provide CDs and direct online download for those software, so why can't Dell Singapore / Malaysia do the same?

 

mmmm other regions provide CDs and direct online download for those software , which regions ? so that i can make them approve. thanks AAAA

maybe this laptop still new, something still haven't ready yet to sell to us.

actually i'm thinking to return this laptop, but i still do love the design, great speaker and good performance, it's very hard to make a decision cause it's still a great laptop.

don't know a Laptop Cooling Hub will help a lot or not ?

 

Fascinating, but... yeah, that's hot.

Oh, and the desktop setup in those screenshots looked really nice. Is that a default Dell configuration?

 

hi, does anyone get the Integrated TV Tuner and Antenna with Dell™ Remote Control for TV Tuner in dell xps 16 laptop ?

now i understand why somepeople complain about the speaker, yup it's bad when you turn the volume until 100 %

 

16.4 Screen size doesn't seem to make sense to me !?

 

It doesn't have a 16.4" screen. Just 16".

 

so for all you that have it,i havent heard that much complaining about the temerature this machine reaches,can anyone share with us how hot it gets and is it to the point where its uncomfortable?

 

so just to double check, we all hate the leather, the lack of battery and the finger print magnet of a chasis, but it will run autocad and is a pretty good bang for it's buck regarding the configuration it has to offer compared to other notebooks on the market with similar specifications?

Let's just get over the leather aspect, it's tacky sure, but that's just preference at this point. Not very rational but oh well, the blackberry bold has a leather backplate, and people still seem to enjoy it.

Now disregarding the aesthetics, can we say this is a decent computer for it's price and for what it has to offer? The only reason is becaue i want to get it and probably will get it. It was either this, the HP HDX 16t or the MBP. I looked into Asus and although it's amazing for what it has to offer i just wasn't that pleased with its aesthetics; very galvanized just like HP. I just want a simple matte notebook. and this studio xps seems to hit the nail on the head. Running autocad it is preferrered to have a large screen so the 16" does fend fairly well, my only concern is if if can run autocad. From a post left earler, it is very similar in performace to the 9600M GT, this card seen in the new MBP and seen in almost every HP notebook. So my question to everyone, and please help me out, is if this sucker will run CAD. that is all, will the ati HD3670 work with cad or will it hold me back. Just working on 2D now but intend on getting into 3D be mid to end of this year. Hope you guys can help! and yeah what's with this 9 cell deal, is it legit or not?

 

oh and also did anyone figure out what happened with that heat issue? and also would it be possible to replace the vid card in the future?

 

Very nice notebook except for a few things missing:
* 1080p res on 16-inch screen makes everything really small, and using non-native resolutions is a non starter. Would rather have the RGB option with 720p res.
* No proper docking option... looks like Dell only wants the Latitude & workstations to get this.
* Onboard graphics would be better for affordability and longer battery life, the Intel 4500 series is more than enough nowadays for anything not CAD or gaming.
* Why not 9-cell or 12-cell base battery instead of 6 cell? That plus another 9-12 cell additional would give much better battery life
* Looking forward = Intel Arrandale + Windows 7

I love:
* the look
* solid build
* speakers w/ integrated subwoofer
* RGD LED quality

... I hope Dell gets this right on the upcoming models. The new laptops are real progress, almost there for meaningful replacement time if they offer the right combo to customers.

 

Tell you what, as soon as it comes in better colours than black, I'm having one.

 

Hey guys, long time reader, first time poster and so on and so forth


Can someone with this laptop check if Speedfan or any other fan control programs works with this laptop? It seems heat is the only outstanding issue, and controlling the fan manually may be a quick fix.

EDIT: P.s, do you guys think that this would be too heavy to lug around from class to class? I mean, its about a pound lighter than my sisters 3 1/2 year old Gateway 7330gz, that doesn't seem too bad to me, but i want some user opinions.

 

Anyone?

 

This is two days old, your question may have been answered by now, but I'll throw in my opinion.

I don't have the XPS 16, but I do have a 16 inch notebook with a similar weight and I carry it with me most days. It takes me about 10-15 minutes to walk to class in the mornings and then general walking around campus between classes and I don't really notice how heavy my laptop is unless I'm walking around for over half an hour at a time. Even then, it still isn't a problem and I'm definately not the strongest person.

I carry it in a backpack with a notebook(the paper kind) or two, and some other
school supplies like a calculator, pens, and pencils as well as the power supply in my backpack. Still not too heavy. Definately isn't light though - I think this one is about the limit to how heavy a notebook I would carry. Sometimes I think it would be nice to have a smaller computer just for conveniece, but in the end, I can carry this one around just fine.

 

Thanks for the input...I'm still having a hard time deciding between the 13 and the 16. The additional graphics horsepower of the 16, vs the additional portability of the 13, to be specific.



Can someone check out the fan control apps i mentioned and see if it fixes the heat issue?

 

i dont think studio 13 is that portable, its quite heavy for its size, close to 5lbs in a 13.3' body. e4300 weights only 3.3lbs.

 

Well its meant for media, and its certainly lighter than the 16.

 

Hm, how much weight does the SSD option knock off?

 

I think your best bet regarding this question specifically, and if you wanted a detailed factual user response would be to post your question here: at the Dell XPS part of the forum...where you will lot's of Dell XPS 16 owners :cool!

Cin

 

This is general information, from this review this notebook got on the 3DMark05, in the 6000 range, that was with a 2.4ghz CPU, if you go to the next step of CPUs 2.53ghz, the score goes to upper end of the 7000 range. So if your looking to get this computer I would recommend getting it with anything above 2.4 ghz. IMO

 

Not enough to justify the price, thats for sure.

 

Hey, i see you have the SXPS16...Can you test if speedfan (or another program of your choosing) can control its fan speed? And if that helps the heat problem?

 

I downloaded it but could not get access to the fans. It's a nice app to see the temperature for the notebook. I probably don't know how to use it.

 

The option to control the fan speed should be visible right when you open the program, as a percent.

 

It is not for me.

 

that's what i wanted; there is just the heat that disappoint me. Are all those degrees when the notebook is running full? what would be the cpu percent with this heat?

if the cpu is at near 100%, there shouldn't be a problem because this will not last long. I'm curious what would be the temperature at 50% cpu usage.

Also i'd like to know the temperature with a 5400rpm HDD.

One more thing: how these notebooks support a high temperature? Is it really damaging to the component? If not i don't really care because I'm not going to use it on my lap!

nalooti

 

Higher temperatures reduce the lifespan of any computer component, but laptops only last about 3-5 years so it shouldn't really matter in the end.


If you have money to blow the SSD option should reduce heat quite a but though. I dont reccomend it since the cost per gigabyte is magnitudes higher than a standard hard drive.

 

Congrats for review.

However, I just bought one and I am extremely disapointed:
Even though i spent the extra cash to have an SSD Hdrive to reduce noise,
after a few minutes of use, the fan is (almost) always on and is indeed quite noisy (at least on my machine, and compared with several other Portables that i own) .

Just can't stand using the machine as is because of the noise...

 

Hi, JMDH I have the same experience. It is very loud even when idle. I was wondering if this is the case for everyone's xps 16?? I really can't stand it. What can I do to reduce the noise when the system is idle?

I tried Speedfan but the programme isn't configured to recognise the xps16 motherboard, so that's useless. Any help please!?

 

Mine isn't even audible when I just surf the web. At its loudest its a dull hum, but nothing I can't hear the TV over.

 

Man, reading this thorough review, I was excited that I finally found my laptop.
Then came the bad news. First heat, then battery life.
Good writing, save the worst for last! (no sarcasm actually)
That's a huge bummer for me, 2 > hours of battery without upgrading is quite.... horrific. That's actually bad not okay.
Except for those two factors, Dell seems to have found the way to appeal to customers.

 

Not everyone needs battery life. With one of the best displays available on a laptop, it doesn't sell because it gets long battery life. Its battery life is short of the average for its size, but not many 16 inch multimedia/gaming laptops can get more than 3-4 hours while keeping the weight under 7 lbs and ~1 inch thin.

The SXPS 16 doesn't get warm on top of a cooling pad or when its propped up in the back. That means its great for a desk, but not ideal for carrying around an airport.

 

Hey everyone, just received my Dell Studio XPS 16 with the HD RGBLED display about a week ago. I love it, the screen is wonderful and displays very accurate colors. My only concern is when the screen is displaying all blacks or darker colors (say if you go into paint and bucket the whole screen black) there seems to be some backlight bleeding on the left side of the screen. This is really only visible if you look at the screen from the right side. Not only that but it looks like the bleading is a vertical line that starts about two inches away from the left most side of the screen. so overall the bleeding is not very uniform throughout the whole screen. When you look straight at the screen the bleeding is non existant, but still im a bit concerned that it may be a defect in my new work tool. Can anyone check their screen looking at it from the right, at a decent angle, with a black background? Thanks for any help. I will try to post some pics later tonight.

 

I think all LCD screens exhibit a certain amount of bleeding, especially with all black. How much warranty do you have on your laptop? If it only shows the bleeding at an extreme right angle, I wouldn't worry about it too much and the warranty will cover you if the screen does crap out.

 

I just got the standard two year warranty. I wouldnt even say that you have to view it from an extreme angle to notice the bleeding. Im just curious to know if all the XPS 16s have this issue or is it just mine? Also if your head is slightly off center than the colors on that part of the screen seem to be brighter. My main reason for getting this notebook was for its screen so it would be nice to know that it is not defected.

 

I wonder how it performs with the 4670HD...

 

According to the new SXPS 16 owner's lounge, the screen issue sounds like it might be a defect that other users have experienced.

The 4670 is good, but the heat is a little worse with the upgraded gpu I've read.

 

Hello Everyone
I have been using my dell XPS 16 for a while and now something really bothering me.
Every 1 min or more sometimes 5 min i hear a beep sound from left hand side of laptop?
anyone have any idea?

I think this laptop is great but only 2 usb port very close to front of the laptop for me who is left handed is really annoying or the terrible fan noise and heat issue,i have no problem with glossy screen as my room is always dark.

Thanks