How would you change Dell's Studio XPS 13 / 16?

Make no mistake -- Dell's Studio XPS 13 and Studio XPS 16 are drastic departures for it in terms of laptop design. Highly stylized, a touch of leather and a bombastic keyboard -- things that were never really associated with Dell prior to its Studio family coming to light. Now that both of these portables have been out for a tick, we're interested to see how your experience has been. Are you feeling the new designs? Is the hardware up to snuff? Tinkered with any alternative OS choices? We know it'll be hard to get honest with a machine you've relied on so heavily for the past few weeks, but trust us, it's good for the soul.

[(Unverified) Posted May 2nd 2009 12:57AM]

Radeon mobility 4650/70
make it a bit thinner
few more USB ports.

[Surfaced Posted May 2nd 2009 1:09AM]

I'm pretty much with this, particularly the upgraded GPU part
Also, when Intel gets around to mobilizing the i7 (if they ever do), Dell should make those an option

[(Unverified) Posted May 6th 2009 10:04PM]

Well... It looks like a pc..... It works like a pc... Its a pc..... The only pc hardware design worth noting would have to be alienware. I'm not so much concerned on how the dell's of the pc world look.. i want to know about that god awful OS that all pc architectures use, and how they are going to make all of the components inside of the computer mesh.... Yes I'm talking about Windows,XP,VIsta,7, whatever..... MAC's are CZAR....... It's just that the wider spectrum of computer users are not knowledgeable enough to switch over... They just don't know how using a mac will make you laugh at everything else. As an avid Mac user and a Mavin of all things mac.. I say this isn't worthy of a str8 answer.. Only an attack on all pc's! "THE PC MAN" Should stop allowing 120 different company's to redefine what pc's look like.. Mac is the template... And everything else is so far off.....

Sincerely,

One of the smartest people in the computing world ;)

[cbizarre Posted May 2nd 2009 3:39PM]

Yeah, uh... buddy, Macs are the "templates" idiots like you.

OH PLEASE, TELL ME WHY I HAVEN'T YET SWITCHED FROM MY CRAPPY PC TO
THE GOD OF ALL COMUPTERS - THE MAC?

Oh yeah, that's right - I actually know something about computers. AND I'm not in the demographic of college sorority girls who want the prettiest computer on the market.

Plus, those of us who are laughing the hardest are the ones who use GNU/Linux OS's. Ah yes, my infinite array of options far out performs your choice-less fashion statement of a machine.

Sincerely,

Someone who wasn't conceived by cousin-parents.

[(Unverified) Posted May 3rd 2009 8:42PM]

Yeah buddy, as a Mac and PC user,

Since I BUILT my pc, I know that Apple computers, namely laptops are severely overpriced. There is no way in HELL you are comparing the design of Alienware computers and Apples. Its like comparing Apples to oranges (no pun intended). Mac's are simplistic, minimalistic, while Alienwares are futuristic, out there. Both are beautiful in their own ways, but you need to open up your mind and see that there are other computers worth being called beautiful.

As far as the whole operating system thing that you were saying, OS X is a decent operating system. XP was amazing performance wise, Vista is beautiful, but chunky. They all have their own unique perks. for instance, Macs are for visual purposes. I know I'll offend every mac fanboy when I say this, but thats all they're good for. A PC will outperform a Mac dollar for dollar any day.

Proof?
Lets do high performance...
Baseline Mac Pro:
2.66 GHz Xeon Processor
3 GB RAM
640 GB HDD
18x Superdrive
nVidia GT 120 512MB
Price: $2,499

Custom Built:
2.66 GHz Q6700 (Overclocked to 3.5)
4GB DDR3 RAM
1.5 TB HDD
Blu Ray Player
Dual Layer DVD Burner (20x I Think)
(2) XFX GTX 260 896MB
Price: $2,100

****************************************POINT TO MY RANT*************************************
As a mac and PC user, I've concluded that:
Macs are nice to look at, but PC's are more practical. If apple had better pricing they'd sell so much more.
So do me a favor, start up your brain and (Command + Q) your attitude.
****************************************************************************************************

[ChaoticLimbs Posted May 4th 2009 9:49AM]

Built in digitizing pad (wacom) and stylus. Use that blank space to the right of the trackpad- or hell, combine a trackpad with a digitizer and just make it about an inch wider on either side.

[(Unverified) Posted May 2nd 2009 12:58AM]

Make it thinner and lighter! It is wayyy too heavy for a modern day 13" laptop.

[(Unverified) Posted May 2nd 2009 10:06AM]

0.35 pound more than the macbook... not bad really.

[CJ Posted May 2nd 2009 10:12PM]

Bobsley:

The Macbook is no lightweight, to be fair.

[Locuus Posted May 2nd 2009 1:00AM]

Make the screen open in a way as not to cover the vents on the back.

[Templarian Posted May 2nd 2009 1:14AM]

I have the old M1330, and 100% agree with this comment.

[Jacob1 Posted May 2nd 2009 1:15AM]

Totally this. These laptops have huge problems with heat. Hopefully next time around they can make cooler running laptops.

[tophat Posted May 2nd 2009 3:22AM]

My MacBook Pro has this too. I'm not sure how this could possibly be a good design move.

[MioTheGreat Posted May 2nd 2009 10:44AM]

I never liked the "open behind the back of the laptop" hinge design that the MB has always used, and can't imagine why others started using it, too. Vent-blocking issues aside, it limits how far back you can push the screen, which I don't like when you walk up to it on a table and don't want to sit down, but need to see what's on the screen.

[littlefreak Posted May 2nd 2009 1:24PM]

I was gonna buy one... This is the exact reason I didn't. I heard of discoloration of the screen from the vent blowing directly on the screen and the high heat of the system itself. I dont think the limitation of the screen going back would bother me. I normaly sit with my monitor at a 90* with my keyboard anyway. I rather like the steal hinge accent.

[(Unverified) Posted May 2nd 2009 11:46AM]

@locuus

Install the latest BIOS update from Dell's website. A06 I think. It drastically helps thermal performance. You will definitely notice a difference.

... and as an aside, I have never felt a snappier laptop than this one with Windows 7 (running the RC now) installed. This thing never seems to get bogged down. I am really glad I got this laptop for only $899 at BestBuy.

[(Unverified) Posted May 2nd 2009 2:01PM]

You would think that this would cause sever heating problems the moment the machine is turned on. I'm surprised that this is not the case.

[(Unverified) Posted May 5th 2009 4:41AM]

The cooling is terrible at the 13 model, atleast make the vent ways a bit more conviniet. and the keyboard back to standard smoothred.

[Adamd21 Posted May 2nd 2009 1:01AM]

Can always make it thinner and lighter.

Also load up Windows 7 64 bit with 4gigs+ of ram as a standard

Better video card options.

[rodneyha Posted May 2nd 2009 1:02AM]

4GB ram is already standard for it. The lowest end model has 4GB.

[(Unverified) Posted May 2nd 2009 9:23AM]

make it DDR3 then

[hastings Posted May 2nd 2009 10:10AM]

It already uses DDR3.

[(Unverified) Posted May 2nd 2009 1:01AM]

Make it look less ugly and able to run OS X so that I can write iPhone apps without having to buy a Mac....

[roach Posted May 2nd 2009 1:36AM]

I needed a super portable pocket rocket laptop to do 3D work (Maya) and games. And I was ready to buy this 13 inch with 9500 GPU, but found the LG 310. The LG was a 13 lappy with 9600 GT. Its ugly and only available in Germany and Korea, but the right fit!

So, put a 9600GT or higher and I will buy the 13 XPS.

[Thunderbuck Posted May 3rd 2009 6:19PM]

Really? You needed a 13" that would run Maya?

[Nex2k7 Posted May 2nd 2009 1:02AM]

Got one of these back when they first came out
-More USB ports
-Better audio
-Larger trackpad
-Better heat exhaust (only one exhaust port?)

Overall i'd give it an 7.5/10 myself
My previous XPS M1210 would be a 8/10 for comparison

[rodneyha Posted May 2nd 2009 1:03AM]

I'd replace the leather strip with metal, increase the trackpad's size, and have the hardware buttons built into the trackpad like the unibody macbooks.

[Steve B Posted May 2nd 2009 1:44AM]

I agree...I think the leather is a very stupid design choice. It doesn't look that great and I am sure it isn't particularly durable.

[BookishOwl Posted May 2nd 2009 5:31AM]

maybe its just - But I like the fact that some cow died for my mobile computing needs.

[(Unverified) Posted May 2nd 2009 6:22PM]

I agree.

also, center the trackpad with the laptop and if they dont go with the macbook style buttons, to give the buttons less travel time. a solid click with the cursor would be nice.

[theRise Posted May 2nd 2009 7:30PM]

more metal would weigh it down

[(Unverified) Posted May 4th 2009 7:40PM]

Having worked with the XPS M1330s in the past (first gen, at least), its fairly heavy on the metal and at least out here in CO where it's dry, it means you get shocked a lot more than you would like. If it were grounded well, the metal would be a better option, if not, keep it plastic!

[EpsilonNot Posted May 2nd 2009 1:04AM]

Nipple. Gotta have the nipple...

[Phys1c5 Posted May 2nd 2009 3:59PM]

I agree with this 100%. The trackpoint/stick/eraserhead is the single thing that keeps me away from any notebook other than the Dell Latitude/Precision Line, the Lenovo Thinkpads, and the HP business laptops. The inclusion of such pointing devices are an absolute must. I would love a 13" notebook, and the only thing that seems to fit what I need is the Lenovo SL300. Please, Dell, put the nipple back in all your notebooks!

[(Unverified) Posted May 3rd 2009 5:52AM]

Whats so special about the nipple/pointer? I never use it. None of my friends ever use it.

[rpahk Posted May 3rd 2009 5:52AM]

I used to feel the same way about the eraser head pointing device until I went with a Toshiba with a scratchpad. The Toshiba I bought is a 13" lightweight machine (Portege M600 in Asia, a Satellite model in the States). It's the best Toshiba I have had (out of 8 or so).

[(Unverified) Posted May 2nd 2009 1:06AM]

it is way to thick and gaudy

it is the wesley snipes of laptops


-------------------

i think this is a step backwards from the XPS m1330
and before you go screaming "teh 1330 br34kz!!!!", i ask why do you have faith in the studio xps 13's reliability?

[Templarian Posted May 2nd 2009 1:20AM]

I love mine and it runs great. I beat the heck out of it. Not going to lie I bought it right when it came out and mine had the GPU heat-sync problem so I got a new laptop, but this one I believe it is an awesome laptop.

The new 13's are a complete improvement upon the version I have. The weak hing was one of the main issues in the one I have and that was fixed. With a 9 cell battery I get 5.5 hours of battery life (I turned my laptop in with a 6 cell that I had ordered afterward, so I have 2 9cells).

I have no idea what your talking about. Have you even used both of these laptops?

[(Unverified) Posted May 2nd 2009 1:30AM]

it is the westley snipes of laptops

i love my m1330, it is was thinner and lighter than the xps13
and i am sure with enough time, the xps13 will have a ton of problems

dell is still dell

[Templarian Posted May 2nd 2009 1:34AM]

@evilbillcosby, I think I came off to positive there, yea.

Ever use yours to melt chocolate chip cookies. That back fan can basically cook them.

[(Unverified) Posted May 2nd 2009 1:37AM]

my m1330 doesnt run nearly as hot as my mini 9

and laptop heat is no big deal

laptops get hot, deal with it

[oz13ms Posted May 2nd 2009 4:10AM]

I decided to buy the m1330 over the studio xps 13 because it's lighter, thinner, and better looking. Dell should also get rid of the "Studio" in the xps and the useless leather in the back.

[(Unverified) Posted May 2nd 2009 1:06AM]

Make it out of titanium.

[albin2189 Posted May 2nd 2009 3:16AM]

make it out of Adamantium

[superhobo Posted May 2nd 2009 6:15AM]

Yeah, it already has the sideburns.

[(Unverified) Posted May 2nd 2009 10:56AM]

Or unobtainium?

[MioTheGreat Posted May 2nd 2009 1:20PM]

Wonderflonium?

[albin2189 Posted May 2nd 2009 4:04PM]

or just weirdnamedmetalonium

[CJ Posted May 2nd 2009 10:15PM]

Dellaminium

[(Unverified) Posted May 2nd 2009 1:08AM]

How about a working eSata port? The current one works only with some drives, and will completely ignore others that work perfectly on other systems (I have an XPS Studio 13).