Anyone here who carries an inspiron 1525/studio 15 to college/uni?

Was just wondering if the inspiron 1525 or studio 15 are laptops that are suitable for carrying everywhere with you.

Is it heavy, tiring lugging that ~3kg around with you?
Would it be suitable for a girl?

Laptop should be able to run Guildwars and HD anime, so thats why I can't go for the ultra portables ^^

 

Myself and my girlfriend both carried Inspiron 1520's with 9 cell batteries around campus all last year, which are heavier than the 1525. We had very supportive backpacks which lessened the load (K-Swiss). I hardly noticed it alongside a textbook and notebook, it was a little much for her (5', 100lbs)

 

I had my 1520 with me for a few weeks when my Thinkpad kept dieing. 14.1 is much easier to carry around to classes.

 

Hmm, I think the EEE 1000H would be a better option then, it can also run guild wars albeit a tad slow.
720p Anime should run fine too.

Thanks for the posts

 

I'd consider waiting for the Studio XPS 13, it should have decent graphics, be pretty cheap, and also still be fairly light.

 

Yeah, wait for the Studio XPS 13, or get a 13 in or smaller (netbooks). I love my Studio 15, but it's too big to conveniently carry around campus, I've found.

 

Are the Studio 15 and the Inspiron 1525 about the same or are the 2 totally different machines? Owners of Studio 15's have any of you experienced any touchpad issues or erratic cursor movements with your Studio 15's much like what I've read on Dell's Community board of owners of Inspiron 1525's complaining of such?

 

They are two completely different computers, design wise.

 

Gawd, I can't imagine carrying a 15" around all day.

 

I do, its not that bad.

 

mhh I doubt I'd get any XPS model, cost too much imo >.>

 

Well I carry my Studio 17 around, so a 15 shouldn't be too bad. I'm a girl and its not like I'm a weightlifter or anything. I find it easier to have a separate bag for my laptop, a tote or messenger bag.

 

It isn't that bad carrying a 15 inch around, but if you're buying a new laptop with an intention to carry it around a lot, why not go smaller?

 

I do carry my laptop with me daily around campus. I'm using a backpack. With the laptop only in the bag, it is still okay. With other stuff (folders, stationery, water bottle) in the bag, it will be a bit heavy. But, it is still bearable for me. It's alright if you don't carry it all day.

I guess she wants a laptop with bigger screen because she plans to watch anime on it.

 

yeah, I use mine a lot for shows and movies so I wanted a nice, big screen. Realistically I only carry it from one class to the next then put it down, so not much carrying time. If you have to ride a bus to school for example, and might be standing long periods of time w/ it then it might be harder to do.

 

XPS and Inspirons are being replaced by the Studio XPS line. They'll be around the price of Inspirons but won't be performing like an XPS did.

I did that with an Inspiron 9200 and wanted to kill myself, how do you manage? I find a backpack so much more comfortable.

 

I don't see why you wouldn't see more performance really,
They're hardly going to stick something like a 9400 in a 16 inch laptop, that would just be comical!
I'd imagine they'll go with the 9600 gt at least in the bigger one.

 

I carry a Studio 15 to class every day. It's not that heavy. It's just like having a extra textbook.

 

Okay, yes, they will be of better performance than previous XPS but that's only because this gen's midrange beats last gen's cutting edge. We're not going to see options in the Studio XPS for top of the line mobile CPUs like quad cores, nor will you get any form of high end graphics available - you'll be limited to midrange cards no matter how big you go.... you know, kind of like the last generation of Inspirons? The best you could get in an Inspiron 1720 was an 8600M GT, while a similarly sized XPS 1730 offered dual 8800GTXs... see what I'm saying?

We're getting a merge of the Inspirons and XPS, Inspiron quality with an XPS look - it's called the Studio XPS. XPS kept in there just to make people want to buy it, I mean, after all, look at all the people in this topic alone thinking that a Studio XPS is an XPS.

 

Yeah I get you, better than the current, but still ultimately low-mid range.

I seriously hope they don't cut the quality. Its hardly amazing as is, and given that a decent one is probably going to be costing around the same as the xps at the moment (at least at the release) it'd want to have a pretty good finish.

Thats assuming they actually decide to release it!

 

I agree.. A 13" is the sweetest size/performance trade off.. Now if only there were a decent 13" tablet.. with dedicated graphics.. And intel processors....

 

I can say for certain that we will see decreased quality (but not likely farther than its gone with the latest stuff; at least, for now). I said it was gonna happen for the Studio 15 based on my observations and comparisons of the Inspiron 1520 vs the Inspiron 1525, and it has... the Studios are lower quality than the Inspiron 1520/1521. The demand for cheap laptops has driven companies to cut more and more corners to deliver... unfortunately enthusiasts who are willing to pay for quality and performance are backed into a corner buying a high end thinkpad, latitude, sager...

 

I actually find the Studios of a higher quality than the Inspirons. That screen looks better than the Inspiron's screens.

 

Hmm.. One of the guys in my course has a black studio-15
I was looking at it (very) briefly the other day, and I've got to be honest, it looked hot, a lot nicer than my xps 1530.

If only it had a better graphics card. Obviously I didn't examine it in great detail, but if the studio 16 comes out with a decent graphics card and that matt black lid and case , then this xps will certainly be taking a shelf seat.

 

i think something that is under rated or under emphasized is the importance of a good backpack. seriously, with a good one you hardly feel the weight. my girlfriend has a light 14 inch acer, and he complains about the weight in her backpack (she takes the bus and often has to stand and walk a lot)

she was shocked when she put on my backpack, with my dell precision m4400 in it, which weighs more. she said it felt much lighter than hers

 

The plastic is unarguably of cheaper quality.

 

Wow, thanks for all the replies guys/girls, much appreciated ^^

Yeah, I think if you have a good backpack then the weight should be less noticeable.
Anyone here tried the Targus XL backpack? Can it carry a 15 inch laptop and a few textbooks + is it waterproof ;_; ?

 

Although I believe and respect the personal decision to buy a 15 inch laptop, the rationale that I'm reading is somewhat weird. For example, if you have a good backpack, a 13 inch notebook would be even less noticeable. On that note, if I'm King Leonidas, and I dig up boulders and bench-press them to work out, then the weight difference between a 15 in and a 13 in notebook would be almost non-existent - hence, the logical extension would be to hit the weight room as well as getting a backpack.

Or draw attention to your bosom with low cut tops. One could also strap a notebook to a boyfriend/guy who's interested. Then the weight of the laptop would not be noticeable at all, cause you're not carrying it. Of course, you have to be pretty hot for that to work.

 

Very good!

Though really, I carry the 1530 with a 9-cell and the adapter, pretty much everywhere, 10/11 hours a day, 5 days a week I honestly don't notice it and I mean I walk everywhere, and I'm not a body building type(I wish )

Unless you're petite or you detest carrying a backpack, I wouldn't see most people having a problem carrying a 15 inch'er, But maybe thats just me.

 

Some interesting ideas here

Well the real problem is that my budget is £600 at the very most, including all accessories/carry case etc, and so getting a small form factor laptop, which accommodates my needs would be pretty hard with that budget.

I'm not exactly weak, but the weight of a studio 15 laptop would be easier to cope with if I had a half decent backpack. (and hitting the gym of course )

From the posts, it seems that it's not "out of the question" to lug a 15 incher around, so I think I'll just go for the studio + Targus XL backpack.

2.77 kg: 15.4" WXGA TL display, 6 cell battery, DVD +/- RW, integrated graphics.

// I tried running around with three 1 kg bags of sugar in my bag just now, and its not too bad ^^

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

£590.11

BASE Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P8400 (2.26 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB, 3 MB L2 cache) edit
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium SP1 - English edit
MICROSOFT APPLICATION SOFTWARE Microsoft® Works 9.0 / English - (Does not include Microsoft® Word) edit
HARDWARE SUPPORT 1 Year Limited Warranty - Collect & Return edit
COLORS, PATTERNS, & ARTIST DESIGNS Jet Black Colour with Matte Finish edit
LCD 15.4" Wide Screen WXGA WLED (1280 x 800) Display with TrueLife™ edit
WEBCAM 2.0 Mega pixel Integrated Web Camera NOT included edit
MEMORY 2048MB 800MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x1024] edit
HARD DRIVE 160GB (5400RPM) SATA Hard Drive edit
GRAPHICS CARD 256MB ATI Mobility RADEON HD 3450 edit
OPTICAL DRIVE Fixed Internal DVD+/-RW Slot Load Drive including Software edit
PRIMARY BATTERY Primary 6-cell 56 WHr Lithium Ion battery edit
KEYBOARD Internal UK English Qwerty Keyboard edit
BIOMETRIC IDENTIFICATION No Biometric Fingerprint Reader edit
Accessories
CARRY CASES Targus Campus XL Backpack for laptops up to 17" - Black edit
WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY Dell Wireless 1397 Mini Card (802.11 b/g) edit
Services & Software
ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE SUPPORT No Accidental Damage Support edit
PROTECT YOUR NEW PC No Security/Anti-Virus Protection - English edit
Also included with your system
Cables 1 Meter Power Cord (3 Wire) - UK
Shipping Documents English - Documentation Studio 1537
Gedis Bundle Reference N1153502
Standard Warranty 1Yr Limited Warranty - Collect & Return
Order Information Studio 1537 Order - UK
Dell System Media Kit Studio 1537 Resource DVD (Diagnostic & Drivers)
Power Supply 90W AC Adaptor
Labels Wireless Label (Dell Wireless Cards)- Core 2 Duo

A bit overkill imo, but its within my budget

 

You could always consider a Vostro 1310 with Intel X3100 as well, if you don't feel like waiting and preferred 13"

 

i think you're missing the point. she needs a 15 inch screen, so arguing that a 13 inch would be even lighter in a backpack is a moot point. i was giving a suggestion on how to make the weight of a 15 incher more well, acceptable.

the whole point of her starting the thread was to find out from other owners how "livable" it is with a 15 inch 2.5-3kg laptop.

not to mention that the unit she's looking at is not too heavy for a 15 incher.

 

It was never said that a 15 inch screen was needed. In fact, Yuumoya also suggested that the EEE 1000H was an option (her second post) even though it was said that ultraportables/netbooks were not really desirable.

Whatever. As far as I'm concerned, discussion WAS open to non-15 inch notebooks. I guess you "conveniently" ignored that fact just so you can say my point is moot.

 

I have the studio 15 for 3 months now. I carry it every day about me in my backpack...when it is there it is OK to carry but i feel alittle uncomfortable while carrying it by hand (that might be due to the lack of grip due to the smooth surface of the lid).

With a back pack, it is quiet manageable.

 

chill dude, not everyones out to get you

if you want to clarify your argument or point of view, next time do it in a more mature manner

 

This thread has gotten a lil crazy, but I'll drop my 2 cents in anyways.

I think it depends heavily on the backpack you're using as well as your weight tolerance in general. I have lugged 15" screens around for too many years to feel they are too heavy, but I can say the 1535 is probably the lightest 15" I've ever lugged around.

My previous notebook was the 1520 with the 9 cell battery which had a fair bit of heft (currently my 1535 has a 6 cell, but Dell is sending the 9 cell as we speak), but the machine I had before that was probably the worst of them all. The i5160 + 130W adaptor was an insane load to carry around on a regular basis...

If you get a really good backpack with proper back cushioning and shoulder padding you should be good. It will feel like another textbook. If you can end up in a way where you don't need the AC with you that will shave off another 2lbs or so.