Dell Studio XPS 1640 review

[fry7471]

im using a xps 1640 right now its great i love this computer !!!

[vtwzy]

How do I get behind the plastic screen cover to clean?

[dreamazurite]

Oh and aren't the icons too tiny on 1920x1080 resolution? It kinda strains the eyes for me I think. If I get this laptop can i adjust it to a lower resolution without the image looking weird and distorted?

[godwearingblack]

I have this laptop, and he has his icons (I believe) smaller than the default. The only thing that strains my eyes is how bright the display is. However, it works great with the display brightness turned down. It is a little thicker than a MBP, but if you're buying a 16" laptop, you're probably not buying it for portability. This computer has pretty terrible battery life (about 2 hours with 6 cell), and it's pretty heavy at 6.5 pounds. The screen quality is definitely the best part though.

[dreamazurite]

I ordered this laptop already... still waiting for it. It's gonna take Dell freakin' 35 business days to deliver my laptop. WOW.

Re the battery life, I thought about getting upgrade to 9 cell for $40 extra when i built it online. But then I thought I could just get an extra 9 cell batt on ebay for $100, in addition to the 6 cell. So I'm gonna wait until I need the batt. life.

[godwearingblack]

They told me mine would take a while too; it's because this is honestly their best laptop for the money. However, mine came in a good 3 weeks before it was supposed to; they'd rather be way earlier than their prospected time than a little late.

[dreamazurite]

The laptop looks pretty thin here and Bestbuy website advertised it as 2.4cm (closed) thick. I thought it would be a slick machine, but I just checked online and the specs says it's 3.5cm thick (closed), that's actually pretty thick isn't it? Much thicker than macbook pro and HP envy 15.

[AndrewLeet92]

Hey, I just got this laptop and I have 2 questions. Does it have a mic built in it?

Also I've got a problem with the face recognition thing (FastAccess) or so. I set no password on my computer, and when I tried to make a photo to log in with, it required a password.

So basically, when I started FastAccess, it sent me to the login screen, now with 2 users (Me and FastAccess), and it required a password, which, like I said, never put on. It won't log me on with my face either. Can you help?

[godwearingblack]

If you haven't figured it out already, yes there is a mic, and you should be able to just hit enter when it asks for a password, and you should be able to log on. I don't know for sure though. I personally don't use the FastAccess software.

[drmuggins]

The IR port is on the front...

[vighu999]

I am looking for the Blu Ray Drive as I love Hi-Def Movies...and I also Like Games that go into a DVD Drive ...so will the Blu Ray Drive support DVD's also???

[fred2028]

Yes

[silent323213]

how do u turn on the bluetooth?

[fred2028]

Install driver, and it's on by default.

[Danerd9]

how much did this cost.

[catzblu999]

Oleophobic coating...every mfr should use it on gloss

[TravvyG]

Panasonic uses a coating on their Veira Plasma TVs to reduce light reflexion maybe Dell should use it aswell? =). how does Dust get in the screen away cause isn't the front part glued/screwed into the panel?

[fred2028]

@TravvyG The panel is not glued, there is a layer that is just clipped on. For these screens, there are 3 levels:

Screen itself

Some cover that's glued on the screen

The edge-to-edge plastic that is clipped on

I've seen videos of people removing the plastic to clean the screen and just clip it back on. I didn't realize you could do that, or else I wouldn't've tolerated those 2 pieces of dust behind my screen.

[JoeBearPA]

@fred2028 I have searched like hell for the videos to remove the screen to no avail... SIGH I will have to put up with the white dust behind it

[Pilkingtube]

Cutting glass is quite easy due to its brittle quality, and if it isn't brittle, then yes, it will flex when under pressure.

[fred2028]

@Pilkingtube Oh OK. Well it seemed like plastic to me, maybe it isn't.

[Pilkingtube]

I think in my head i just really want it to be glass lol, who knows

[fred2028]

@Pilkingtube Ya, I mean either way I'd rather it not be there since dust can get under the "edge to edge screen" and it's hard to get it out.

[Pilkingtube]

I've not had that happen to mine yet, maybe its a manufacturing problem? :o

[HaydenT87]

Hi, I'm not sure if this was mentioned in one of your other reviews or a few pages back -- but where did you get that background from? I didn't see it as a preset available in Vista or Windows 7.

[fred2028]

@HaydenT87 Google Images, it's from a WindowBlinds theme pack.

[Pilkingtube]

Its reinforced glass infront of the screen isn't it?

[fred2028]

@Pilkingtube It's a piece of plastic, not glass.

[Pilkingtube]

The description of it says glass, and mine seems pretty, glass-like 0_o

[fred2028]

@Pilkingtube Glass does not bend. People have also cut the cover off before, and cutting glass is a lot harder than plastic.

Don't trust what advertising says 100% lol.

[m1n054]

You got dust between the plastic and the RGBLED screen? How did you managed to get it out?

[fred2028]

I didn't.

[Danerd9]

crap i'm getting a 9 cell battery cause its big

[Danerd9]

is an HD screen important. does it effect gaming or anything.

[fred2028]

@Danerd9 HD screens would actually negatively affect gaming because you need to play at a higher resolution to get the same clarity. However, it helps a lot for work.

[ChaosMissile]

Between this and the Studio 15, which one would you say is the better laptop?

[thenumberonehazza]

the studio 15 just has a smaller screen, but u can customize the system specs

[samurai165]

how is the camera and built in mic? Good for skype? Tell me how did you find the quality? Oh and how many USB ports does it have? Ty

[fred2028]

Camera is 2 MP and works very well. Never tried Skype but it works for WLM. Quality build is very good, and 3 USB ports, 1 of them a PowerShare USB which doubles as an eSATA port

[samurai165]

Thank you very much. I will probably get it, beautiful laptop.

[acidreign6]

that sreen is beutiful

[fireball2004]

hey, im thinking of buying this laptop.. 1st up, is the speakers any good?? and 2nd, u said ur running win 7.. does it give u any problems so far??

[fred2028]

Speakers are fine, Windows 7 works fine.

[rish000]

yea i thot it would heat up because all the vents are under the laptop rather thatn having one in the side..may be good for some but for me i always use it on my lap

[fred2028]

There are like 2-3 vents on the bottom and 1 blowing at the screen.

[Morgoth3]

did you do a clean install when you got it? did it come with a lot of bloatware?

[fred2028]

Well as you can see I have 7 installed, so yes.

[fred2028]

As for bloatware, i dunno, never saw Vista

[o0ZeluS0o]

Is thier a big difference in color for the RGBLED1080p vs WLED1080p? I still have time to call and change order. Also I got the T550 2.66 6mb L2, would it be worth 200 more for the T9800.

Thanks for any info,

[fred2028]

Dunno about the WLED screen, never seen it.

And I don't think it's worth it for the T9800.

[skrik8]

just odrerd this comp, 2,40 GHZ , 4GB RAM , 1080p screen Edge to edge. 500 GB Hard-drive, 1GB Graphics Card:P Looks like a nice comp tho

[SonyHeadDepartment]

hey i noticed u had a pic from the ride Revenge of the Mummy lol am i right?

[fred2028]

No lol I had Goliath photos from La Ronde.

[fred2028]

I dunno what the requirements are for Street Fighter, but if you're getting crap performance with it then yes.

[spinspermy]

hi, I enjoyed your reviews, and I'm really thinking of getting one but with p8700 cpu, just one question how is ati 3670, I am not that big gamer, but I need a graphic card that can work most of games even without maximum resolution, would that one be ok?!

[fred2028]

3670 is kinda outdated, it would've been an OK card last summer.

The 4670 doesn't play anything at full resolution except for older games; my Crysis is running at 1280x720 whereas my resolution is 1920x1080. The only games I can run at 1080p are HAWX and Counter Strike: Source right now.

[fataldesain]

Hey I just got one of these for 1000 dollars but it's not the new model with the 4670. I don't play games on laptops just use it for wed design and graphic design.

I wanted to ask you if the palmrest are the same material as the the studio 15.

[fred2028]

I have no clue, this is the 1st Dell I've ever had.

[bigganightmare]

what's the build quality like? Have you noticed any weak spots, hinges for example? Also, what's battery life like?

[fred2028]

Weak spots, the only bad things I think are:

- The edge-to-edge screen seems not the tightest (it's tight, but people say you can get dust under it)

- The battery is the entire thickness of the laptop. This doesn't matter unless you put a cooling pad under it, because then it supports the laptop on just the battery.

[fred2028]

Battery life: on a 6-cell, balanced power plan, Windows 7, 2-3 hours typing and surfing and stuff. Gaming is 1-1.5 hours.

[bigganightmare]

Hey soz to bother again lol, but does the reflectiveness of the screen bother you (in general university use- possible outdoors, in classrooms and such)? Or is it a really good/clear screen?

[fred2028]

Never used it outdoors, so I wouldn't know.

When I turn on the light behind me, I can see it in the screen and that annoys me, so avoid lights that are behind you. Otherwise, it's awesome. The clarity is insane to be honest, and I think it's an awesome screen. The glare is common to all glossy screens.

[asdfaqwerq]

What would give more battery life, the WLED or the RGBLED?

[fred2028]

I'm guessing WLED since RGBLED has 1920x1080 pixels to fill, which is more than 1366x768 or 1600x900, and therefore uses more power to fill all the pixels.

[MandeepGadgetBoy]

You can't get it with the 4670 1GB here in uK...

[fred2028]

I know, but you guys DO have the T9900 as an option.

[MandeepGadgetBoy]

Yeah your right but how much does a 4670 cost is it the same as a T9900 for this laptop? :D

[fred2028]

4670 is $100 USD more when you configure it than the 3670.

I dunno about T9900 since it's not offered in Canada, however I god damn wished it was lol

[MandeepGadgetBoy]

Wow really? Getting the T9900 here in the uK costs more than £700! I prefer getting the 4670 @ 1gB! I hope you get the option for a better CpU and here I get the option for a better GpU! :D

[fred2028]

I know the T9900 isn't much of an upgrade from a T9800, but I'm just saying that each region has its own exclusivities I think, but I'd love to have a T9900 in laptop to max it out completely.

[FichDak]

can you change the icons and everything on the taskbar to normal instead of small just to take a picture and post it? I have 7 now and I'm trying to get a feel for the resolution difference between my current laptop and the sxps16's 1080p one

thanks a ton

[ziggybasket]

How long did it take for your laptop to get delivered to you after you ordered?

[fred2028]

3 weeks.

[fred2028]

No it does not.

[jackbushjohnson]

great review, keep it up

[BlackoutDOTcom]

why didnt you get the 4670 1 gig card? so much better

[fred2028]

I got this a week before the 4670 came out.

I have a 4670 on the way btw.

[Systemofadoan34]

how are you replacing the graphics card. isnt the graphics card hardwired to the motherboard?

[BlackoutDOTcom]

Yeah are you able to swap i out? The 4670 gets about twice the frame rate speed

[fred2028]

I am getting a new SXPS 16 that comes with a 4670 then putting my current processor and HDD into it.

And you cannot swap it out, you have to buy a new mobo ($550) or new laptop.

[zolozan]

i ordered mine yesterday and it comes with M96XT - 1GB ? is it better thank 4670

[fred2028]

That's the same thing as 4670.

[VastFarFlung]

What did you do? I'm also looking to try to get a 4670, but I have a 3670 right now. I'm heartbroken. Help?

[fred2028]

Sell your current laptop and get the new 1 like I did.

[HHH2dahizzle]

I got this laptop too but does your charger get really hot and does it make a crackling/clicking noise?

[jozuman]

you rock.

[battousai10k]

thanks for the help. Great review!

[battousai10k]

I have a question. When playing games I know the 1920x1080 resolution is not particularly best for it. So can the resolution be adjusted to the 1366x768 in games? Or even just normally if I have significant typing to do?

[fred2028]

For games, it depends. If not 1366x768 then 1280x720 is doable.

Typing definitely yes.

[battousai10k]

so if I natively change my resolution to 1366x768 when working on a word doc, and 1280x720 in games, nothing is cut-off right? meaning everything looks clean?

[fred2028]

Yes since all these resolutions are 16:9.

[amerind2007]

yea Windows 7

[israeld5]

so umm are you getting that 1 gb video card upgrade or not cuz u said u were b4

[fred2028]

Yes I am, since it's finally in Canada. I should be getting my new laptop at the end of July.

[israeld5]

alright what games you gonna test on it?

[fred2028]

Probably Crysis Warhead, CoD 4, NFS Undercover, GTA 4 (not high hopes), HAWX, any I dunno what else.

[fred2028]

ATi 4670 has similar performance to a nVidia GeForce 9700m GT DDR3 so it might be helpful to read upon that.

[heiffson]

great review thank you. i have a question

so would you say that it's better for the screen to be WLED LCD (1366x768) then RGBLED LCD (1920x1080)?

[FichDak]

heiffson.. uhh that's exactly the opposite of what he said.

way to pay attention

[fred2028]

Lol true. I said that 1080p is definitely a necessary upgrade if you have the money.

[jackpfree]

go for RGBLED for sure, if anything

[fred2028]

Didn't know what?

[aspilicious]

graphic card or win 7?

[fred2028]

GFX is ATi Mobility Radeon HD 3670 (512 MB DDR3) and Windows 7 Ultimate x64 build 7100.

[FrankyFiguro]

What's up bro? Hey you may not have the answer but I will ask it anyway. Is the lower resolution screen option still the RGB type display? I know the higher res. is and I hear it looks amazing, just wondering if I can still get it with the other option.

[fred2028]

Yes, both are RGBLED.

[fatcow2222]

actually the 720p is only a white LED screen and not the RGB screen

[fred2028]

Oh OK. What's the difference?

[JkaliJ]

RGB using Red Green and Blue LEDs for backlighting instead of just white LEDs to help with color replication.

[TheGotoxy]

Is it very loud?

[fred2028]

Average.

[Pandavampire]

hey, is it true that these laptop fakes the colors?'(for example the true color is red and you see a color kinda orange), and also gets so hot in the right side????

i searched 'cuz i wanna buy the laptop, and i found that "problems"

[fred2028]

My colours look fine.

Your heat question is addressed in the video.

[fred2028]

That's interesting when is the 4670 coming out?

[arunvx]

ati 4670 is now finally available for a $100 upgade....

[BH7697]

unfortunatly not in canada as of yet...sucks.

[dan185z]

I heard a lot of mixed reviews about this laptop. what kind of games can it handle?

How is the build quality? Is windows 7 worth waiting for?

[fred2028]

And as for the slot drive, no it does not, it's like a normal drive but quieter.

Games it can handle are basically anything at medium or higher:

- CoD 4

- GRID

- NFS Undercover + Carbon

- CS: S

- HAWX

- Crysis (medium)

[aspilicious]

If you can wait till saturday then you get (probably) a free win 7 upgrade when you buy the laptop. So when win 7 comes out, you get a code to download win 7 legaly from the website of microsoft! And they going to put the ati 4670 in it to replace the older 3670 soon.

[aspilicious]

Hi i wonna buy one in august, i use my current laptop A LOT as i am a computer science student. So i got some questions... Does the slot drive makes a lot of noice? Did you got a cd with the facial recognition software? And gives dell you a "clean" windows vista dvd for reinstallation or is it packed with (to much) dell rubish on the vista dvd? Thats it i guess...

[fred2028]

Dell does not give you a clean disc. I had to install Windows 7 on my own.