Considering a Dell studio 17

Hello All,

So I am in need of a new laptop for school. If configured a studio 17 up as follows

Code:

Components:
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
Intel® Core™ i7-720QM Quad Core Processor @ 1.6GHz (2.8GHz Turbo Mode, 6MB Cache)
1 Year Limited Warranty with 1 Year Return To Depot Service
17.3” Full HD (1080p) B+RG LED Display with TrueLife™ and Camera
8GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz
500GB SATA HDD (7200rpm)
1GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650
8X Slot Load CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
85 Whr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell)
Dell Wireless 1520 802.11n Half Mini-card
High Definition Audio 2.0
NorvusOrdo - Cobaltika by Tweeqim
Essentials
Back-lit Keyboard
Accessories
Mobile Edge Deluxe Backpack - Fits Notebooks of Screen Sizes Up to 17”
Studio 17 Laptop

$2252 CAD before taxes and shipping

Primary use will be for school, running multiple Virtual machines etc. as well as some casual gaming.

I decided to go for the i7-720 rather than the i7-820 and put that money towards the 8gb of ram instead.

Any comments? Suggestions?

 

You will get more responses in the "what notebook should I buy" area of the forum.

That said, what will you be doing that requires 8gb or ram? Solid modeling/video editing?

Good call on the 9cell battery, I love mine

 

Running multiple instances of virtual machines simultaneously.

the other option would to be cut back to 6 gig ram and upgrade to the the i7-820QM. It would only cost $50 more for that configuration.

 

How many VMs, and what are you running in VMs? I mean, with Virtualization the more RAM and CPU the better, but usually memory is the bottleneck. Myself, I got the faster proc. Yeah, it's not huge difference, but once you spread the cost over 3 years or so, it's what, $100/year? Also, you can always upgrade the RAM, while upgrading CPU is much more difficult.

So from that perspective, I recommend getting faster proc and 6GB of RAM. Also, get another HD (not necessarily from Dell). Run your OS/software on one drive and put your vhds on 2nd drive.

 

I configured it with one Hard drive because i was considering using the second one for an SSD drive which i would purchase later.

 

Buy the ram elsewhere. It will cost you half as much. Plus you can sell the chips you take out.

 

So this may be off topic, but I'm really curious - why will you be running multiple virtual machines on a laptop? I could maybe think up reasons on a server, but my curiousity is piqued as I can't think of anything on a laptop. Would love to know.

 

those are some really good suggestions. Go with the best processor, dont bother about the ram or hdd as its cheaper to get them yourself. if you go with 1x2gb ram, you can add another 4gb yourself via the two free slots

 

Taking network engineering and security course at college. There are a couple course where we will be using Virtual Machines. We are in fact required to be able to run multiple versions of VMware. Right now my desktop in ancient. So this laptop will be used exactly how dell markets it, as a desktop replacement.

 

Hey guys, I don't want to hijack this tread but I am about to order mine with a similar configuration. Anyway my question is how easy would it be to upgrade the RAM myself? Also how many free slots are there?, I was only thinking about adding another 2 GB.

As I understand it there should be extra slots and the memory should just 'slide' in, but I was shopping for another laptop earlier and the salesman confused me quite a bit, saying something about RAM needing to be in a certain configuration.

Thanks for any thoughts.

 

is there actually four slots for ram on the Studio 17? I was under the impression there was only 2.

 

So if I configure the laptop with the minimum, 4gb ddr3 1066Mhz it takes $750 off my build price.

I guess then I could order 8 gb of ram after for about $250 less.

***I'm looking for 204 pin right?***

 

no, not 4 slots, i believe there are 3 slots.

2gb sticks are cheap now, so if you fill all 3, you'll have 6gb

 

its very easy. you just buy the correct ram, and slide it in. there is a door specifically to access the ram. if in doubt, google for the service manual

 

Thanks, you are quicker at replying than I am, lol.

 

Oh and what is the correct RAM? I am buying the laptop later today and just want to look up prices.

 

i think he is right about it being 204 pin, but im not 100% sure.

 

after some shopping around here is one place with 8gb(2x 4gb) and at a decent price

http://www.memorydepot.com/details.asp?id=MDD3-13S4GS

 

Aaaaaaaaaah, that makes so much sense! Thanks.

 

yea that price is decent, but 4gb sticks are still pretty pricey

 

I believe this laptop only has 2 memory slots. It would be really awesome to have 4 memory slots ala HP Envy or some Dell Precision models, but that's just not there.

 

Upgrading the ram is super easy. When you get your laptop there won't be any free slots available so you will have to remove one to replace it.

Here's what the 1745/1747 manual says:

Your computer has two user-accessible SODIMM sockets, DDR III A and DDR III B, that can be accessed from the bottom of the computer.

So they are easy to access.

You do get a slight advantage if you keep your memory in a matched pair. But it isn't really important anymore. You should make sure they are the same speed. It will work if they aren't, but both chips will run at the slower speed.

Dell wants you to upgrade your ram through them since they make a huge profit on the sale.

Check the prices at newegg.com .. they usually have the best price.

 

Yeah no kidding! I do not see how they justify the $250 CAD markup ($750 from base price of 4gb) in ram price when going with the 8gb (2x4gb) Way better to just get it aftermarket and put that extra money into a better screen or other upgrades!

 

I should be able to tell you with absolute certainty how many memory slots there are tomorrow or the next day. I ordered a Dell 17" with 1080p, 1920x1080 B+RG screen, and according to FedEx customer service I can pick it up tomorrow or the next day (Thursday or Friday).

 

Code:

Components:
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English

Intel® Core™ i7-820QM Quad Core Processor @ 1.73GHz (3.06GHz Turbo Mode, 6MB Cache)

2 Year Ltd Warranty w/2 Year Return To Depot Service,Lojack+CompleteCare

17.3” Full HD (1080p) B+RG LED Display with TrueLife™ and Camera

4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz

500GB SATA HDD (7200rpm)

1GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650

8X Slot Load CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)

85 Whr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell)

Dell Wireless 1520 802.11n Half Mini-card

High Definition Audio 2.0

NorvusOrdo - Cobaltika by Tweeqim

Essentials

Back-lit Keyboard

Mobile Edge Deluxe Backpack - Fits Notebooks of Screen Sizes Up to 17”

and the Dell V105 AIO Printer since it was cheap and i don't have one.

$2,527.25 CAD

That is after the taxes and fees.

12/25/2009 estimated delivery date

Merry Christmas to me!

I also already have 2x4g of RAM on order to replace whats in it when it arrives. Going to format it right away to remove any software and install my on version of Windows 7 Professional 64 bit instead of home.

Can't wait!

 

Sounds good, but you should have gotten the 1066MHz ram if you were just going to replace it!

Also, jealous of your delivery date. I placed my order on Nov. 23 and my EDD is Jan. 1 . Would love to have this laptop when i go home for Christmas, hoping for an early delivery!

 

I have a fiend who is going to buy the stock ram. Other wise i would have.

 

i got all my upgrades on my precision from dell, i negotiated $722 off the price, so it was a good deal, better than if i had upgraded myself.

 

RB420,

As you are Canadian, well, let me tell you that I ordered (for a friend) a STUDIO 17 from COSTCO.CA (Club Price) on sale for $1149.99 -2 weeks ago. Might want to loo at COSTCO.CA's web page!

It's pretty much the same setup as the one you're showing (same i7 720, 7200rpm HDD and hd4650), but with 4 GB of RAM and wireless G. Also ,you don't get the few little extras DELL put in their deal . COSTCO.CA adds an extra year in the warranty part of the deal tho, so 2 years.

 

Man, they have 1080p Studio 17 with i7 in Costco over in the Northern hinterlands? We don't even have Studio 17 period in Costco here. You got a heck of a deal.

 

Yes good deal,but that was a 1 week-long promo (automatic -200$ coupon) wit h the ???900P HD screen.
The regular price for that laptop is $1349.99/w 2 years warranty.
Of course, you can go on HELL's website and get the i7 720/bluray/free 1TB WD external deal/wireless N for $1500.00.

But all in all, told my buds to scr3w the bluray and get the $1149 deal. I can't wait until he gets it, I really want to take a look, and run a 3Dmarks06 benchie on it, to see how it compares with my puny Turion Ultra CPU to feed a HD4650.

 

Like the topic starter, I will also buy a Studio 17 very soon, and will order it with 4GB of RAM and buy another stick from the link provided in this thread, thank you very much.

I called DELL to confirm that I could get 1 stick of 4GB instead of 2 sticks of 2GB, I only need to mentioned it I was told, I hope its accurate for when I buy mine in about a month or so.

With the money I will be saving I am considering getting the better CPU, but I am not sure its worth it for 400$ extra and considering I will have 8GB of RAM, any toughts ?

 

Are you sure that one stick of 4GB RAM is going to be less than 2 x 2 GB of RAM?
I'd guess that it will cost you more, knowing how Dell like to do things. Just make sure to check.
Earlier today in Australia I was customising a build and 1x4GB was actually more than 6GB (1x4GB + 1x2GB)

 

yea, 4gb sticks are much more expensive than 2x2gb.

 

Well I came home to a delivery notice of my printer and bag that i ordered had been dilvered yesterday, but held at the puralator store since i wasn't home. The Dell site said the wouldn't ship until next week. I hope my computer is early as well!


***edit***
Especially since my current desktop is struggling to live. My prmary hard drive crapped out last night and i had to reinstall my OS on my secondary drive. I hate this machine.

 

That is my assumption as well, I will just have to ask again when I am ready to order, I also have someone who might be able to help on the inside, so who knows.

 

no, this is a fact. also, RAM is a commodity, so even if you have someone on the inside you wont be able to get it below a certain price, and e-tailers will be very close to this price.

 

Oh silly, silly Dell.

So I got the bag that i ordered with my laptop yesterday. Puralator came, I wasn't home. They left the typical "pick up your order" slip. No problem, i got the depot and pick it up. show my health card as ID, all is well.

Today, the printer comes. same thing. I wasn't home. go to the depot and they refuse to release it because my ID doesn't have my address on it.

Well in canada, the only common piece of ID with your address on it is a Drivers License. I do not drive. Never have had my license ever. So I raised a fuss about how they gave me my package yesterday no problem. All i got was, "well they shouldn't have done that. call dell."

Ok so I call dell. Explain the situation to my Indian friend on the other line and....surprise! no help. After trying to explain to him how our ID works here in Canada with no progress being made I finally say to him either figure out away to resolve this or Cancel my order and refund all $2500 immediately. "Oh well we cannot cancel your order sir" -- typical. I then tell him I will hang up and call visa immediately, explain that they are refusing to allow my to pick up the goods I have paid for and request a full refund. To which his response is "well if you do that you will not get your computer sir" FACE PALM! I pause for a moment and wonder what i have done to anger the gods for this to be such and issue...."Can you please put me on the phone with someone from Canada who actually understands what I am saying" i requested

"sorry sir, we do not have a call centre in Canada"

"an American then please?"

"The American call centre does not handle Canadian orders" he replies

"Okay, well then how about someone who is mildly competent?"

"Excuse me sir?"

"Please put your supervisor on."

"blah blah blah...."

I didn't listen, I didn't even give him time to finish. "No, put your supervisor on immediately"

"ok sir i will transfer you"

Finally when the supervisor comes on, with even worse English, we run through the same loops as before. Only this time I get asked questions like "why can you not have it redelivered to you house?" Ummm well let's see, because maybe, just maybe I have a School, work and family commitments that require me to do something other than wait for puralator to show up.

Finally, 45 mins after I initially call them they tell me I can pick it up with my photo ID without an address on it.

I would have understood if I only had once piece of ID, but I had three pieces of photo ID, my SIN card, Birth Certificate etc...really..W.T.F.!!!?