Dell XPS line - refresh imminent?

Tute

Tute

Tute

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I was wondering if anyone has any information on Dell and a possible refresh of their XPS line - the M1330, M1530, and M1730.

Just that with Apple moving to the GF9 series and DDR3 with 45nm C2Ds, I was wondering if Dell was planning on doing the same.

Thanks.
 
Tute said:
I was wondering if anyone has any information on Dell and a possible refresh of their XPS line - the M1330, M1530, and M1730.

Just that with Apple moving to the GF9 series and DDR3 with 45nm C2Ds, I was wondering if Dell was planning on doing the same.

Thanks.
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You can buy the new models now, they have even got a option for 8 gigs of ram and being shipped with Vista 64bit.
 
Do you guys mean the Studio XPS?

I was under the impression they're not part of the same XPS line as the others.
 
Scottland said:
The XPS line is finished now, the Studio XPS is the replacement. :)
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Right, okay.

Can I also ask what the difference is between the two versions of the Studio XPS M1340. One comes with a 9400M and the other a 9500M GS?

I assume the 9400M is similar to the one used in the MB, which calls memory off system RAM?

The 9500M GS appears to have 256MB VRAM with it, is this GDDR3? Or something else? I've also seen people use the term "hybrid SLi" when talking about it, so is the 9500 paired with something else?

Sorry about the vague questions. :)
 
Scottland said:
Hybrid SLi (AFAIK) uses the onboard Intel graphics and then switches to the nVidia chipset when called upon, the thinking being that the Intel chipset is lower power therefore you get a better battery life for less intensive usage.

These links might be useful for you:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Dell-Studio-XPS-13-XPS-16-Hands-On-Test.14064.0.html
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphics-Cards-Benchmark-List.844.0.html
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Looks like I might be due an upgrade :D
 
That Notebookcheck site is really depressing when reviewing laptops.....just about every laptop they review is the European spec model, which is nearly always cheaper and with a better gfx card installed than the same model laptop which is sold in the UK...
 
AFAIK the 9500M GT hybrid SLI thing is basically a 9200MGT paired with a 9400MGT so in a low power mode the laptop will use just the 9200 but in 3D, it will use both. Someone correct me if im wrong
 
Ahh, just found this on Notebookcheck:

"For a surcharge of currently 80.00 Euros you can also acquire the Studio XPS 13 with the so-called GeForce 9500M (GE) graphic solution. This describes an additionally dedicated GeForce 9300M GS or 9200M GS (more likely a 9300M GS subsequent to the specifications) with 256 MB GDDR3 in a Hybrid SLI connection (HybridPower & GeForceBoost) with the 9400M G onboard graphic card. This should improve the performance somewhat and infiltrate the middle class regions (but with the disadvantage of SLI, like micro-studdering and minute gains in some games). According to Dell the Studio XPS 13 with the 9500M solution should reach approx. 3300 points in the 3DMark06. This would be about the level of a 8600M GT!"
 
I'm not sure about the idea of "Hybrid SLI". Also the Studio doesn't really appeal to me in terms of looks, or price. I expect a good flaming for saying that, but also all the other Dell laptops are available on the Outlet site at a big reduction, however I don't see any Studio XPS models on there yet?

I was eyeing up OcUK's own Samsung Q310, it comes with the GF9200M GS (256MB GDDR3). Has anyone got this laptop? If so, what are your thoughts on it? Build quality? Performance? Battery life?

Thanks.
 
Scottland said:
The XPS line is finished now, the Studio XPS is the replacement. :)
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Hmmm, I'm not sure about that myself. The Studio XPS line seem to be competing in the aluminium MacBook territory, whereas the M1330 and M1530 are quite a bit cheaper. They'll be leaving a huge gap in their market if they drop the M1330 and M1530 without putting in a suitable replacement.
 
TheVoice said:
Hmmm, I'm not sure about that myself. The Studio XPS line seem to be competing in the aluminium MacBook territory, whereas the M1330 and M1530 are quite a bit cheaper. They'll be leaving a huge gap in their market if they drop the M1330 and M1530 without putting in a suitable replacement.
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I could be wrong :) But last I heard was that Dell was bringing in the Studio XPS range to replace the M1330 and M1530, I *think* Dell announced something to this effect around May last year.

Price wise, I think the older XPS laptops were higher priced around launch time and have dropped price to make way for the new ones. Hopefully as they remove the older XPS laptops from sale, the newer ones will drop price a little.
 
Tute said:
I'm not sure about the idea of "Hybrid SLI". Also the Studio doesn't really appeal to me in terms of looks, or price. I expect a good flaming for saying that
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i couldnt agree more. i really dislike its looks, i perfer the older XPS 1530 and 1330. Its priced is pretty poor too considering i got my laptop for £636 with a 9600M GT in. I speced up a similar studio XPS 15" and it was £1000.

Also having hybrid SLi will make it very heavily dependant on really good driver support from nvidia.
 
lukext said:
i couldnt agree more. i really dislike its looks, i perfer the older XPS 1530 and 1330. Its priced is pretty poor too considering i got my laptop for £636 with a 9600M GT in. I speced up a similar studio XPS 15" and it was £1000.

Also having hybrid SLi will make it very heavily dependant on really good driver support from nvidia.
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Yeah, and also there are some BIG bargains to be had in the Outlet. I saw an XPS M1330 with a 128MB SSD within my budget just two days ago!

Plus, I can't see it being a huge jump over the 8400GS when driver support and fixes are taken into consideration.

And my final point - I was planning on running XP on it. But you need Vista for Hybrid SLi.
 
yeh, if i were you, id look out for a good M1330 on the outlet and snap it up especially if your going to be running xp. Also there are bound to be plenty of guides and info on getting XP up and running on the 1330 compared to the new studio xps. Have you considered any other makes? HP etc etc
 
lukext said:
yeh, if i were you, id look out for a good M1330 on the outlet and snap it up especially if your going to be running xp. Also there are bound to be plenty of guides and info on getting XP up and running on the 1330 compared to the new studio xps. Have you considered any other makes? HP etc etc
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Not really as i'm not sure which makes are any good. My auntie has a Dell Laptop - admittedly it's an old Inspiron but it's a workhorse and has been reliable in the time she's had it.

I've seen that Sony do some reasonable 13" laptops - the Z series. However the pricing i've seen on these is eyewatering for what they are.

As for the Q310 - well i've had a play with an NC10 and it's a gorgeous little netbook. I'm assuming this is similar in quality?
 
mmm. My only consern about the XPS 1330 is the 8400 GPU and its trank record of High failure rates (as with all nvidia 8000 series GPUs). I have read somewhere that more recent chips are fairing better thou, but its still quite a gamble... just make sure your get the extended warranty! Its something Id ask dell about if I called to buy it. The Sony Z series looks awesome, but as ever you do pay for the name. Not really sure about the netbooks, but now I have my lovely HP DV5, I do kinda want a tiny netbook too! hehe. I wouldnt discount other makes thou. Lenovo (IBM) are meant to be the best.
 
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