Dell Studio XPS 13 1340 Review
87dell studio xps 13
Dell XPS 13/1340 cool laptop, but has problems
5/25/2009
The Dell XPS 13, I often over research my purchases, but it wasn't enough in this case. The bottom line, the laptop generates too much heat.
I am starting a new company and needed a laptop. I have a macbook 13" that I bought last year brand new, but my family likes to use it at home so I needed a new one. The mac has been nice, but I needed the Microsoft tools.
I had Toshiba's in the past that were crap. Even IBM back in the day had problems. I always had good experiences with dell until now. The biggest problem I had with my laptops are the hinges and speed. They always wear out before the laptop and I hated that. Dell came out with a studio and xps line of laptops with big sturdy hinges and nice looking laptops. I like the 13" size, perfect for sitting in the rocking chair watching the Biggest Looser and working.
I like the XPS even better. Nice integrated touch pad, leather accents on the case and 512mb graphic cards and DDR3 memory for those videos and games. All this power and nice design comes at a price. This laptop generates so much heat, how could it not. Even my mac generates a lot of heat. The screen design on my mac covers the vent that stretches across the back of the laptop, however it is designed to flow that in front of the screen, but not on it. The dell has a 2" vent on the side that the screen just blocks. Any escape of hot air is directed right on the screen. One review I read said it discolored his screen. Other people say it only blocks half the vent at 90 degree opening. Who in the hell can use a laptop with the screen only opened 90 degrees? Why even let the laptop open more than that.
When I first received the laptop it locked up as soon as it warmed up. This was fixed with a BIOS update to ver A07, and a graphics card update. This told the graphics card to run in integrated graphics mode and not use the full capacity. This reduced the heat quit a bit, but still locks up occasionally and still cannot put the laptop on my lap.
I have lost too much work at this point, so I decided to return it with this design flaw. Here is what happened.
1. called 1-800 number, transferred to tech. I told him I wanted to return it because of issues.
2. after taking a bunch of information, he transferred me to another department that handles xps issues.
3. I told this person the same thing after a long wait on line. He transferred me to customer care.
4. Another long wait on line and he told me I couldn't return it unless I took a 10% restocking hit. After more arguing, the customer service rep from India actually argued back to me. Marlon was his name. I talked to a supervisor who also was very rude. So after 30 min or so, I was transferred back to tech support.
5. Back to the wrong tech support, I was disconnected.
6. Starting over with 1-800 number.
7. Again needed to be transferred to xps line. up to this point I am looking at 2 hrs on the phone.
8. On the xps line he wanted to start disabling features on the laptop that would help it run cooler. That was it, I finally just told him it wouldn't start up anymore.
9. Off to customer care, but first a stop off at some routing person and another long hold time.
10. I made it to customer care, but they couldn't do the return. They sent me to the returns dept.
11. Now I am about 3 hrs into this nightmare. This guy told me no troubleshooting was done on the case number from tech support and that he would have to send me back. I finally had to convince this guy, what troubleshooting do you expect him to do when the laptop won't even turn on. After he left me on hold for a while (probably talking to his supervisor) he came back and said they could send a tech to replace the motherboard. I thought I was talking to returns, not tech support? No I just want to return this laptop, because I need another one right away. another long wait on hold and I was given an RMA number.
This whole process took about 4 hrs out of my day. My time is valuable and so this was unacceptable. I can't say at this point I would buy another dell laptop. Last week I ordered a Levono Y450. It is supposed to arrive sometime in June.
My advise is, if you can live with the heat and venting problems and the occational lock up, then this is a nice laptop. Otherwise buy a HP or Levono.
Case closed, dell xps studio 13
case open 110 degrees, xps studio 13
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Comments
It looks like they released another BIOS update to A08, but was removed off of dell website, see link below. Has anyone else updated and fixed the locking up issue?
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=3
Hi, thanks for the useful information. I bought this laptop about three weeks ago. the heat doesnt bother me, but I'm a little worried about the fact it freezes up occationally. Any advise? I know i can still return it.
p.s. what is the BIOS?
Thank you in advance
Go to http://support.dell.com and enter your service tag. The latest BIOS update is A07, which doesn't fix the locking issue.
BIOS stands for basic input output system. In an over simplified explanation. It controls how everything interacts with the computer.
Hi Viproh,
Just return the laptop. Don't fall for the good looks. There are plenty more issues than just the lockup. Just go to notebookreview.com and look thru the dell discussion forum there. I returned mine the moment the tech suggested it needs a motherboard replacement.
Hello,
I've also bought one, and I have also noticed that there are some strange things about it. First off all, before installing BIOS A7, the screen used to turn off occasionally and there would be nothing I could do. Later another bug appeared - multimedia buttons, especially "wireless" button started no to work properly. In addition, when i turn on the computer, bluetooth and wireless connection starts turning on and off repeatedly. I am also considered about the performance. Have you run into any similar problems and how did you solve them?
I had the same prob of bluetooth and wireless connection starts turning on and off repeatedly. I called Dell, all they asked me to do was to reformat my com. i dunno whether this solved the prob or not cuz it happens randomly...
within 12 days of receiving my studio xps it crashed. It had issues with waking up, often requiring 2-3 power cycles before the HD would engage and then that fateful day it just plain refused to wake up. It booted up past BIOS, 'loaded windows' and then just had a blank screen. Dell tech support suggested system restores and a number of other thing. none of that worked. spoke to a different tech guy who immediately said it was a known problem (although he blamed it on MS X86 (64 bit)version of Vista). He said the only thing I could do was rebuild it. I had to reinstall the OS. After doing so I encountered many freeze issues and also had the heat issue. I recently updated the BIOS to A07 - that seemed to fix the freezing - although the freezing almost always happened most after windows updates. The heat is a little less too after the A07 update. I still have issues with it now hibernating sometimes but have not had a freeze since the A07 update.
Admittedly, I've only used my XPS 1340 for 2 hours, but I have not run into any of the above issues to this point, troublefree performance so far, but I just want to refute what the original poster's major claim was. I don't have the 512mb of graphics, only the 256mb Nvidia GeForce 9500m (which would still likely run hotter than the standard GeForce 9400m shared memory graphics). I don't find the fact that the system fan exhaust flow is partially re-routed (about 80% re-routed, not obstructed at all) by an LCD opened to 110 degrees should be considered a design flaw. My limited knowledge of gas law tells me that this might create some minor turbulence but very little resistance if any at all, to the exhaust flow due to the hinge design. The fact that heat rises means that whether or not the exhaust were re-routed, the LCD would likely experience about the same amount of heat. Perhaps the bugs have been worked out by now, at least witht he 9500m, pluse, I bought a scratch and dent from the outlet (still can't find a blemish either). I'm moving from an XPS M1210 which performed nearly flawlessly for 3 years and I'm hoping this 1340 will provied the same experience. BTW, I'm currently running Vista Premium x64, mine came with BIOS rev A10, apparently there is an A11 available now which I will flash in once I get my Windows 7 CD.
I have just received a refurbished Studio XPS 1340 in the mail from Dell. It is their idea of an acceptable replacement for my new XPS m1330 that I have had for 6 months - but needed its first replacement part right away because it was shipped broken, but they sent the wrong part, then they sent a defective refurbished part, in the end, it took almost 3 weeks for them to install a working replacement. That was the beginning of a 6 month downward spiral. I have now had every piece of the computer replaced (including the motherboard), but it was still overheating - hence the exchange to the 1340. Lest you think it was a simple process, I have 37 pages of documented phone calls to Dell in attempts to fix my problems along the way - so I totally feel for theoneut, who posted this review.
Having now read reviews of my "superior replacement" (as Dell called it), I don't know if I should be more concerned about what I have received or what I am supposed to be sending back. It's a case of "the devil you know..." But even though I told Dell I was displeased and that I was considering returning the replacement, they have already transferred all of the warranty information to the 1340, so according to the "service" rep I called, my original laptop is no longer under warranty and therefore, if I don't keep the replacement, I'm on my own.
Thanks for the heads-up about the 1340, at least now I have some idea of what I am in for.
I just want to add this for anyone considering buying any Dell: I have 3 siblings - in the last year all 4 of us have purchased Dell laptops. Of the 4, 3 of us have experienced major problems within the first 3 months after buying, and none of us have gotten anything remotely resembling an acceptable solution.
One has already given up and bought a new computer (his Dell wouldn't turn on), since they wouldn't do anything for him, he now uses it as a door-stop.
If you are going to spend money on a computer - and value your sanity (not to mention want a working product) - shop somewhere else.
The 9 Cell battery makes a huge difference to the temp, and the airflow is much better, also the hang issues are due to Nvidia drivers as it doesn't freeze or lock up in safe mode. all in all a great laptop once you have a 9cell battery, an up to date bios and a dell certified Nvidia driver.
My dell studio XPS 13 keeps dropping the internet connection at random. Eircom support no use-they feel its a dell problem. My side by side basic XP machine is going fine on all issues.
was just looking around on web to see what others are doing with their xps 1340's, saw a list of problems i have also had. for the wifi issue, dell dropped the ball with this, somehow the crappy card they decided to use requires this driver:atheros_v7.6.1.204_v1.26. as far as i know, dell doesn't even know about how to fix this issue, it's a workaround people figured out on their own.
the heat issue is still a pain, though i have the 9-cell battery. i literally have only the barebones of this system running, and while using open office and mozilla, it can get up to 64C.
The hybrid video is a joke, seems like with it turned onto high performance, my video may in fact be choppier and freeze more than when it's in power save mode.
dell support blows. after numerous calls and several "india(n)" employees later, i was told i could have someone replace my mother board. after a week playing phone tag, we set up a date/time for him to come by, he cancelled 30 min after our appt should have been. he passed my issue to a fellow emp who, after i spoke with him the first time to ONLY call during certain hours when i was available, called every other hour that i told him not. Basically i'm stuck with a laptop that runs worse than my old 6 YO athlon desktop with 1gb ram 5700rpm hd, and 128mb vidcard.
BTW, i am running the 2.66ghz L6 cache, LED LCD/1.3 mb camera, 256mb hybrid video, 4gb ram running the crap 64bit vista(worse OS EVER).
Guys, here's a great way to reduce the operating temps on your 1340. I know, you shouldn't have to do this, but the temp decreases can be significant just by replacing the crappy thermal paste that Dell uses on their laptops. On this particular machine it makes a big difference. http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=4
Hi PC,
I have the same problems with my internet connection - it keeps dropping it and then is unable to reconnect to it for up to hours. Did you find any solutions?
SS, I am not happy to hear of your issues. I too had a xps 1330 which began with a multitude of problems in the first 3 months including the heat issue.
I just learned they are replacing my xps 1330 with the 1340 but it took 2 YEARS to get to this point. During that 2 years I had 4 hard drive replacements, 3 mother board replacements, the 3rd mother board lasted only 10 days. I had 3 fan replacements and multiple, almost constant, issues with reinstalling the software and computer tech online supports. Of course they always blamed Vista.
The tech finally told me to demand they "escalate" the issue. Which I did, and they finally agreed to replace the 1330, but this is great, same issues with the 1340.
I just got off the phone with Tech support and after waiting 4 weeks my "replacement computer" is "being built" but will not arrive for another 2 weeks! This is unbelievable! It appears I am back to square one but my warrenty is almost gone!
I purchased a second battery for my 1330 to ensure long life when I travel, but never used it because the computer was always down, now I hear the battery is worthless on the 1340 so I have a battery that is worthless and a computer replacement that is also a piece of "trouble". I am SO EXCITED to hear I waited 6 weeks for another piece of junk from Dell...they lost my future business just 3 months into my 1330.
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jyow says:
8 months ago
The bios upgrade has fixed the heating issue. This laptop is now shipped with the updated bios. All others should have the bios flashed.