Dell's Intel Core i7-packing XPS Studio and XPS 730x desktops on sale now

OK, handsome -- we know you've been distracted lately. What's the matter? The economy? Post-election comedown? Do you feel that It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia just hasn't lived up to its potential? Or are you itchin' for one of those new Core i7 desktops? Well, the wait is over -- we've got the skinny here on new Dell systems, and if you feel so moved you can even go over to their website and order one up right this very minute. The XPS Studio desktop's base $949 model boasts 2GB memory, 256MB ATI Radeon HD 3450 graphics, and 500GB storage, while the top-end $1,499 configuration features a 512MB2 ATI Radeon HD 4850, 6GB memory, 750GB storage, and comes bundled with a 24-inch S2409W Flat Panel monitor. For you game-playing types, the XPS 730x updates the popular XPS 730 line with the new processor, up to 6GB DDR3 memory, updated thermal monitoring system and chassis and either ATI Radeon HD 4850 512MB or NVIDIA GeForce GTX280 1024MB graphics -- starting at $2,599. As you'd expect, all systems ship with Vista Home Premium Edition. So, how do you feel? Better? We hoped you would.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Read - Dell Studio XPS Desktop
Read - Dell XPS 730x Gaming System

[Jar @ Nov 17th 2008 12:01PM]

It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia is hilarious. You'd best beware in case the gang concocts an ill-conceived attempt to run a tech website. Mac and Charlie would show up to infiltrate the competition. I'd like that actually, there would be a lot more posts on things that are badass and who knows what Charlie would come up with. Probably anything related to glue. Comedy ensues!

[bob sakamano @ Nov 17th 2008 12:03PM]

the hell are you talking about

[nerdtalker @ Nov 17th 2008 12:12PM]

What the hell? Are you even in the same dimension as us?

[Patriks7 @ Nov 17th 2008 12:14PM]

For those who didn't read the article, he IS kind off on topic!
"Do you feel that It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia just hasn't lived up to its potential?"
Blame Engadget for their randomness :p

[John Miller @ Nov 17th 2008 12:36PM]

And no, Sunny is totally living up to its potential. Without it I never would've learned the benefits of mixing cat food, beer and glue. And I certainly can't picture my life without Night Man or Greenman. If this is all gibberish to you, then you seriously need to watch this show. It's on FX.

[b-man @ Nov 17th 2008 12:12PM]

WTF!?

[Casper42 @ Nov 19th 2008 11:41AM]

First off, credit to SlickDeals.net for this information.

If you are looking at getting the XPS Studio machine, there is a special deal provided here:
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=eep&cs=2236&oc=DXDNZY1

Its basically the same base model $949 machine that the article mentions, however with a few notable exceptions.
1) You get a free upgrade from an included 20" LCD to a 23" LCD
2) Upgrading from a Radeon 3650 to a 4850 is only $50 more
3) It comes with 4GB of RAM (4 x 1GB) which operates in Dual Channel Mode. Personally I would recommend removing 1 stick and running 3GB in Tri-Channel mode for better performance.

After all the deals and discounts, you get the machine for around $975 which means WITH a 23" LCD and a 4850, your only paying $25 more than the basic model mentioned. Can't beat that with a stick!

-Casper42

[Chin-Poh @ Nov 17th 2008 12:12PM]

Now when the flying fuck are the new Dell XPS notebooks going to come out? Still using Santa-Rosa while everyone else has moved onto Centrino 2/Montevina, ridiculous.....

[darcyv @ Nov 17th 2008 1:22PM]

i agree 100% .. i want to give them my money now for new 13' studio xps

[StalematE @ Nov 17th 2008 12:13PM]

No one can trash it's always sunny in philadelphia today as it is danny devito's birthday today and he rules.

[TJ @ Nov 17th 2008 12:16PM]

Sorry, I'm a huge Sunny fan, but this season just hasn't been as good as the previous ones (with the notable exception of the "Who Pooped the Bed" episode).

[BlurMagic @ Nov 17th 2008 12:19PM]

How in the hell did you know it was Danny Devito's birthday today?

[StalematE @ Nov 17th 2008 12:38PM]

the only reason i know that... it's also my birthday.

[BlurMagic @ Nov 17th 2008 12:40PM]

Well, in that case, Happy Birthday!

[pizzaman @ Nov 17th 2008 1:58PM]

you forgot Martin Scorsese who is having his 66th birthday!

[StalematE @ Nov 17th 2008 3:34PM]

@pizzaman - what does that have to do with Dell's new Core i7 computers?

[Christopher @ Nov 17th 2008 12:22PM]

Why is it that no manufacture ever ships out a computer with Vista Ultimate. When will people leran its so much cheaper to build a computer yourself.

[schmitty338 @ Nov 17th 2008 12:31PM]

People will learn that when they learn something about computers, or even something about using computers.

I have friends/family that call me ALLLLL the time asking how to attach pictures to an email, whether $80 for a 2GB SD-card is a 'good deal' or not, and to tell me that they are worried all those flash games and email are going to fill their 2GB of 'memory' (because they think they onlt have one type of memory in a computer).

I hardly think people like this would be able to purchase the correct parts without getting ripped off, put it together correctly, and install an OS and drivers and appz when they cannot send attachments properly. It's also a matter of time, many people do not enjoy or do not have the time to built a computer from scratch and would rather pay a premium (usually small for low-end computers) for some company to do it.

Think about eating out, I could argue that "WHY WOULD ANYBODY BUY A STEAK AT A RESTAURANT, IT'S SO MUCH CHEAPER TO MAKE YOUR OWN" --- If people want to learn, they can quite easily make restaurant-quality meals in their homes for a fraction of the price, but again, it comes down to enjoyment, time, laziness and know-how.

I have built many many computers for myself and friends/family and I definitely can see why so many people would rather just pay somebody else to worry about it.

What can I say, we are lazy creatures.

[holycow @ Nov 17th 2008 12:31PM]

Not everyone knows how to build one. For them it's rocket science!

[y3k.nik @ Nov 17th 2008 1:45PM]

mmmmm Steak...

[brewer @ Nov 17th 2008 2:16PM]

Probably has to do with no one wanting Vista to begin with.

[Kimleng @ Nov 17th 2008 12:46PM]

Building a computer yourself is no longer "cheaper". It costs me time, and I simply can't get the parts as cheap as a big manufacturer can get it. The only time I'd build a computer now is if I ABSOLUTELY had to have x brand parts in my config or if I'm planning on OC'ing the crap out of it. But for ordinary uses, buying is cheaper than building.

[FishingB @ Nov 17th 2008 1:35PM]

I totally agree with you. I have been setting up systems for a long time, but it is no always cheaper to get all the parts and spend time getting the drivers right or whatnot. I have a Dell XPS 410 where I've upgraded the HD's and Video card. With the i7 finally out, I will get the base unit here and then do the video and HD upgrades that I want.

I'm kinda wondering why they are only sticking Vista 64 bit on these.

[why not the LS2LS7? @ Nov 17th 2008 1:23PM]

I agree. I passed over that point a few years ago. Especially since if your machine doesn't work the first time it can easily take 20 hours of labor to figure out what is wrong.

But I have to have the particular parts. So I still do it from time to time.

[MioTheGreat @ Nov 17th 2008 2:13PM]

>I'm kinda wondering why they are only sticking Vista 64 bit on these.

Why would you bother with 32-bit support? We're dealing with triple channel memory now, and the smallest amount of memory you can get is 3gb on these machines.

At 3gb, you're already at the upper bound of where 32-bit works without PAE (Which is unreliable with peripheral drivers, IME)

[thatrotierkid @ Nov 17th 2008 5:14PM]

this isnt a porno. you dont have to fill every slot.

[Manu @ Nov 17th 2008 1:10PM]

It seems you are2 busy2 proofread.

[ethana2 @ Nov 17th 2008 1:16PM]

Ohhhhhh.....
"Excellent service is standard with XPS products."

That'll explain my support experiences with my Inspiron..

[Oli D @ Nov 17th 2008 1:23PM]

just doesnt excite me...

[kal326 @ Nov 17th 2008 1:24PM]

Huh so why is dell using DDR3 1066? They overclock the CPU to 3.73, but they can't get any decent ram to go with it? For the price I would expect some 1600 DDR3.

[jaw04005 @ Nov 17th 2008 1:28PM]

Where's the mid-range XPS 630-like i7 tower? The low-end XPS Studio has a cheap case, underpowered power supply and only one x16 PCIe slot ($1000+). The high-end XPS 730x rectifies the problems of the low-end XPS Studio, yet includes an over-the-top illuminated case that drives up the cost of the product ($2599+).

[Brian @ Nov 17th 2008 2:22PM]

@Mio the clueless

Can the new chip make windows or linux run as fast as they do on the Mac? Can it make them run Mac OS? Does it make you able to hack your registry faster? Can you find a file in less than 10 minutes? Boot in less than 20 minutes? Yeah, I didn't think so.

[MioTheGreat @ Nov 17th 2008 2:27PM]

>Can the new chip make windows or linux run as fast as they do on the Mac?

What?

>Can it make them run Mac OS?

Why would I want to?

>Does it make you able to hack your registry faster?
Do you even know what you're talking about?

>Can you find a file in less than 10 minutes?

Oh my yes. It took me approx 1/2 of a second for the start menu to find a book I was looking for, but my laptop is in power saver, so it's a little slow right now (It throttles the processor for me, so I get cooler operation and better battery life. I only turn it off when I'm doing real work or gaming)

>Boot in less than 20 minutes?
A) My computer boots very quickly.
B) Who reboots?

[Ian @ Nov 17th 2008 3:15PM]

These units are way way overpriced by DEll IMHO.
The prior 420/430, with say a Quad 6600, has been doscounted by Dell down to under $500with more RAM and more HD storage and similar graphics card. There is NO way the new MB and CPU are worth the extra $450/500 IMHO. Now if Dell priced it to go for the holiday season they would sell many more units and make a profit IMHO.

[brewer @ Nov 17th 2008 3:42PM]

>What?

Ignore this as always, but the Mac boots and runs windows or Linux faster than your generic Dell. BIOS? How quaint.

I find the search facilities on Windows to be painfully slow after using spotlight on the Mac.

I know your computer boots 'very quickly' but not as fast as a Mac.

WIndows XP users still reboot a lot. Vista, maybe not quite as much, but still a lot more than Mac users these days.

You don't know what the registry is, but I am the one that doesn't know what he is talking about. Typical PC fanboy... :-)

[MioTheGreat @ Nov 17th 2008 4:02PM]

>I find the search facilities on Windows to be painfully slow after using spotlight on the Mac.

Windows Search 4 is on par with Spotlight in terms of performance, and until the release of Leopard, Windows Search was actually much more powerful in terms of query syntax.

>You don't know what the registry is, but I am the one that doesn't know what he is talking about. Typical PC fanboy...

Actually, I know full well what the registry is, most likely much better than you do. It's a database whose primary purpose is (was, really) for storing COM registrations and system settings. That said, I don't have any need to edit it any more often than you need to edit config files. The last time I opened regedit was when I had to manually remove a COM extension that I wrote a few weeks ago.

>BIOS? How quaint.
Vista x64 supports EFI.

[Brewer @ Nov 17th 2008 5:09PM]

> Vista x64 supports EFI.

That is so LAME. The DELL does NOT have EFI. THIS IS WHY IT IS SO SLOW.

Congrats on your command of the registry, BTW. :-)

[Brewer @ Nov 17th 2008 5:19PM]

If only there was a decent supported OS. Windows? Linux? Uh, no thanks. If you've used OS X, you'd know what I mean.

And, yeah, if I were running a generic box like this, I would assemble it myself. It's not difficult. If Dell can do it, anyone can.

TIme to sell the company and refund the money to the shareholders. Before the Dell stock ends up on the penny stock market...

[MioTheGreat @ Nov 17th 2008 2:14PM]

>If only there was a decent supported OS. Windows? Linux? Uh, no thanks. If you've used OS X, you'd know what I mean.

These are COMPUTERS. Not children's toys.

[Mark Anderson @ Nov 17th 2008 2:41PM]

@Brewer

I have. I didn't have much use for it.

Next stupid argument please.

[Mark Anderson @ Nov 18th 2008 6:28PM]

No seriously, OSX doesn't run the apps I use. Not saying it's bad just of no use to me.

[Boards of Canada @ Nov 17th 2008 6:05PM]

Holy cow that was fast! wouhouuu! Im just waiting i7 price to drop a bit and I buy my annual Dell new computer! it will be a good upgrade over my current duo2core 3ghz...

[LonnieDvD @ Nov 17th 2008 7:23PM]

I like this one, if only I could afford it.