That beautiful 13.3-inch Dell XPS M1330 laptop we reviewed back in 2007 just got a couple of potential successors -- the Studio XPS 1340 and Studio XPS 1640, the latter being a 16-inch version.
Base specifications for both models start with an Intel Core 2 Duo 2.26GHz P8400 CPU, 4GB of DDR3 RAM, 320GB hard drive running at a decent 7,200rpm, LED-backlit display, slot-loading DVD burner, integrated 2-megapixel webcam and 64-bit Windows Vista Home Premium.
The 16-inch 1640 model offers an option, however, to upgrade the RGB LED LCD display to a true 16:9-format version, rocking 1,920x1,080-pixel resolution. And instead of the 1340's Nvidia 9400M or 9500M graphics, it offers ATI's Mobility Radeon M86XT card, featuring 512MB of graphics memory.
In the 1640, you can also opt for up to 8GB of DRR3 RAM (the 1340 is limited to a maximum of 4GB), and the option to add a Blu-ray/DVD combo drive (Blu-ray is read-only).
Currently the models are only on sale in the US, and both start at $1,199 (£800). We'll bring you an update regarding UK availability when we have it, but they're not yet on Dell's Web site.
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Anonymous 22 July, 2010 14:35
Had this laptop for a while now. Not a great laptop. I agree with all the other comments. The battery life is abysmal, the graphics are rubbish, my keyboard fell apart and Dell wont fix it under warrenty, so like the others say, dont buy a Dell, ever!!
Anonymous 14 January, 2011 20:49
I'd just like to say to all these dell knockers that don't know how to use a PC and then blame Dell, all these problems you guys had all sound like SOFTWARE ISSUES, you've probably been stuffing it with games and internet pr0n m@lware and totally screwed it up. I bought my XPS 1340 in July 09 and its still running as sweet today as the day I bought it, I've upgraded it to Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit so that I can utilise the processing power for Autocad 2010 64-bit and its brilliant, quick and powerful. I used to work in IT a few years ago fixing peoples home computers and I know about all the pitfalls. So the fact that I haven't fallen into them and my software is all intact and regularly checked and maintained means my XPS1340 will continue to run sweet as a nut for years to come....or until I decide to upgrade. This laptop has been the best I've ever had, the nice small size, the ample wrist rest area, backlit keyboard and quality screen are a few of the reasons I get many questions about it when people see it, even though, in the computer world, its quite old now. I guess they'd only be available on the second hand market now, but if anyones thinking of buying one I'd totally recommend it. Oh and the battery life is only short if you play games and the nvidia graphics card kicks in, this is only to be expected from the greater power required to run the graphics card, but gamers probably don't understand this as their usually spoilt thick kids. Had to laugh at one of the comments above, the only one not to totally slag of the laptop was the guy with 'funny sounds coming from the hard drive'. This guy was the only one who actually did have a hardware fault, I'd be surprised if his hard drive lasted another week after posting that! Here endeth the rant, go forth and buy a 1340 with confidence that your buying one of the all time great laptops.