Discussion about
Looking for an owner's perspective
I'm about to pull the trigger on one of these, with the new 4670 graphics. Anything owners think I should know about it before buying? Are you satisfied with yours?
The undeniable note about this laptop is the heat issue. I have been using this laptop for several hours at a time and every time it heats up within 30 minutes to where it gets annoying. The laptop is pretty, and the graphics card can handle many games, but I would not say there is NOT much else to it.
What specifically would you like to know more about? I can go into more detail, but these are my initial thoughts. BTW: I was helping a friend in the market for a new computer and recommended a macbook.
What specifically would you like to know more about? I can go into more detail, but these are my initial thoughts. BTW: I was helping a friend in the market for a new computer and recommended a macbook.
I guess I just wanted general impressions. I've heard about the heat, but I'll probably not be using it on my lap that often, and I'm getting the 9-cell, which I've heard helps with the ventilation by propping it up a bit.
Portability wise, I know its no lightweight, but how would you say it compares to 15-inchers? Or more cumbersome?
Portability wise, I know its no lightweight, but how would you say it compares to 15-inchers? Or more cumbersome?
Great question. But first, the laptop gets hot fairly quickly....actually, it doesn't take any level of heavy lifting for this machine to get going with the heat & fan. So even though you don't plan to use it on your lap directly, it still becomes bothersome because the entire area underneath the keys gets hot (so when you type etc).
When considering that some call this a desktop replacement (16 inch), it is lightweight. It is important to get a great case that has proper padding for it because I don't think it is meant to handle jolt movements etc.
Hope you don't mind some fingerprint issues because the laptop is all softs of glossy. Even on areas where it is not necessary for it to be glossy. So when you open the laptop, it leaves fingerprints ALL OVER, which in turn takes away that polished clean look that glossy is meant to look like.
The last thing is to note that the system ships w Vista. I have seen Win7 installs, but it is not in official release, to bear that in mind.
When considering that some call this a desktop replacement (16 inch), it is lightweight. It is important to get a great case that has proper padding for it because I don't think it is meant to handle jolt movements etc.
Hope you don't mind some fingerprint issues because the laptop is all softs of glossy. Even on areas where it is not necessary for it to be glossy. So when you open the laptop, it leaves fingerprints ALL OVER, which in turn takes away that polished clean look that glossy is meant to look like.
The last thing is to note that the system ships w Vista. I have seen Win7 installs, but it is not in official release, to bear that in mind.
Actually the Win7rc is an official realease. You can get it from Microsoft. It isn't the final release but it is official and it works perfectly.
I have seen a couple of these XPS 16s and they seem to compare favorably with, say, the Studio 15. It is not a small machine, especially with the 9 cell battery but you knew that so I think you've made the right choice. All computers with that thin of a design (like my MacBook Pro) get pretty warm, there just isn't a lot of space for all of the components. Shouldn't cause any problems. Some people are just more annoyed by heat problems.
I have seen a couple of these XPS 16s and they seem to compare favorably with, say, the Studio 15. It is not a small machine, especially with the 9 cell battery but you knew that so I think you've made the right choice. All computers with that thin of a design (like my MacBook Pro) get pretty warm, there just isn't a lot of space for all of the components. Shouldn't cause any problems. Some people are just more annoyed by heat problems.
I've had mine for quite almost 5 months now and overall I am pleased with the machine. Spec wise it is great, love the screen (paid a little extra to get the resolution I wanted). Personally, I have two minor issues with it. Battery life is subpar, I understand it's more of a desktop replacement but around an hour or so and the battery is done (6-cell). Also, the oils and what not this thing picks up is out of control. Take a good look at it when you pull it out of the box, because it will never look that shiny and clean again.
Overall, good machine and has plenty of power. Decent build quality when compared to the Studio 15 (which I initially bought).
Overall, good machine and has plenty of power. Decent build quality when compared to the Studio 15 (which I initially bought).
After spending so much time reading reviews and issues that the dell studio xps 16 have, i have finally decided to take the plunge and i must say its the best purchase i have made in ages.
Yes - The laptop heats up pretty quickly but since most of us are getting this as more of a desktop replacement, it doesn't really matter to me.
The RGBLED screen is just a beauty to look at. =)
Anyway hows the laptop treating you? any problems so far? I think it will be good to post it here for prospective buyers who are looking to get it. I found this tread and it was really useful. Havn't tried the underclocking yet.
Yes - The laptop heats up pretty quickly but since most of us are getting this as more of a desktop replacement, it doesn't really matter to me.
The RGBLED screen is just a beauty to look at. =)
Anyway hows the laptop treating you? any problems so far? I think it will be good to post it here for prospective buyers who are looking to get it. I found this tread and it was really useful. Havn't tried the underclocking yet.
I have had this computer for about 3 months now and I love it. Mine has a 2.66Ghz Centrino 2, 4GB ram, RGB screen, and the 6 cell battery. I have Windows 7 7100 build on it and it works great for everything I use it for ( school, email, few games). As others have said the battery life is pretty bad (and the white rings on the side turn red when it's low, but I'm never looking at the side of my computer) and it does have some heating problems.
The main problem with the heat is not that the vents are blocked (it doesn't help the problem though) but that the cpu really enjoys sitting on max anytime something needs high FPS. I downloaded RightMark CPU clock utility to under-volt and under-clock the CPU at it seems to work a lot cooler. Even without changing anything the computer runs pretty cool under normal internet surfing (it's sitting at 48C right now), and when it does heat up (round 70-75C when gaming) the palm rest stays the same temp, its just right under the touch pad and the metal trim that heats up.
As far as add-ons, the backlit keyboard is nice, it has 3 settings off, low, and high. The webcam looks nice and the Fast Access facial recognition is really fast since its latest update. The speakers on the computer are pretty crap so you may want to invest in a pair of earbuds (I got some crap ones from walmart and they sound great). The media controls on the top are really sensitive and will activate when you put any small amount of pressure on them (wither it be a finger or just a stack of papers, I have the wi-fi button deactivated because I turn it off on accident way to much). And probably the one thing that makes this computer is the RGB screen. Wow, pictures look extremely vibrant and crisp on this thing. Even the default screen for Server 03 looks like art compared to my old inspiron .
Overall I love the computer, it looks great and performs even better. I will be buying Windows 7 for it and hope to use it for quite a few years.
The main problem with the heat is not that the vents are blocked (it doesn't help the problem though) but that the cpu really enjoys sitting on max anytime something needs high FPS. I downloaded RightMark CPU clock utility to under-volt and under-clock the CPU at it seems to work a lot cooler. Even without changing anything the computer runs pretty cool under normal internet surfing (it's sitting at 48C right now), and when it does heat up (round 70-75C when gaming) the palm rest stays the same temp, its just right under the touch pad and the metal trim that heats up.
As far as add-ons, the backlit keyboard is nice, it has 3 settings off, low, and high. The webcam looks nice and the Fast Access facial recognition is really fast since its latest update. The speakers on the computer are pretty crap so you may want to invest in a pair of earbuds (I got some crap ones from walmart and they sound great). The media controls on the top are really sensitive and will activate when you put any small amount of pressure on them (wither it be a finger or just a stack of papers, I have the wi-fi button deactivated because I turn it off on accident way to much). And probably the one thing that makes this computer is the RGB screen. Wow, pictures look extremely vibrant and crisp on this thing. Even the default screen for Server 03 looks like art compared to my old inspiron .
Overall I love the computer, it looks great and performs even better. I will be buying Windows 7 for it and hope to use it for quite a few years.
No problem bud, here is the page that I used to help find myself around in the undervolting world
forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=235824
If you have any problems with the computer send me a message and I'll be glad to help, or be confused about it right along with ya xD
forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=235824
If you have any problems with the computer send me a message and I'll be glad to help, or be confused about it right along with ya xD
