Dell Studio 15 1558 Thread

Actually I read a guy installed an i7 720qm into his i5 slot on an HP Envy 15. Are you sure it cannot be done?

 

I am planning on something similar. They make caddy's specifically for the optical bay for this purpose. You can get them on ebay for older ones but they chould work fine, if not I am sure updated models will be available shortly. My plan is a 60GB Vertex and use the stock HD in the secondary.

 

I think the specific upgrade would be non existent as they are different (Arrandale for the I3 and Clarksfield for the QM. They both seem to share the µPGA-989 socket thought (according to Wiki).

To tell you the truth, I still ahvent seen a definitive answer on upgrade paths for the Icore processors.....

 

It's also going to depend on BIOS support as well.

 

Bit off the current coversation topic. How's everyone finding theiir 1558's? Haven't seen many complaints on this thread about it. Safe to say that Dell have finally churned out a reasonably functional Studio 15?

 

Dell Studio 1558 Core-i7, 1 GB ATI 5470, 1080 HD screen (loving it )

10/03/2010 - Orderd
14/03/2010 - In production
19/03/2010 - Shipped
23/03/2010 - DELIVERED (10.28 AM)

The laptop is very nice. Running smoothly and very fast as expected. Got WEI of 4.9 and for 4 GB DDR3 (1333 MHz) WEI is 5.9.

Did a clean install and now exploring the laptop . Can't wait for weekends when I can spend all my time with it ..

Will try to get some performance scores and if we can put together Dell 1558 core-i7 scores at one place with specifications then it will be easier to compare.

Overall, very happy with my first Dell purchase

 

Exciting stuff. Don't forget to update the bios.

 

Was BluRay an option for you?

It was not for me ... see my sig below for my configuration. If a BR reader was available this would have been perfect ...

I was thinking about the SXPS 16 ... but it did not have DX11 (ATI 4K (DX10) based video card versus ATI 5K (DX11)).

So I jumped on the Studio 15 because I figured it is a lot easier to add an external BR later versus trying to upgrade a video card in a laptop, if possible at all.

Mind you I rarely use my PC for video ... but to help future proof it a bit more would have been nice.

Just curious ...

 

When my order was cancelled and the guy placed an order over the phone for me, I queried why blu-ray wasn't an option. He said I could have one for the princely sum of £140. I declined his most generous offer.

I think if you're after a particular spec, Dell can sort it out for you but you may be paying through the nose for it.

 

You can pick one up from various e-tailers and swap the internal DVD for a BD. Course don't forget some BD capable software!
I think it is still worth it to upgrade the drive yourself if you really want one. May even be cheaper than a Dell offered upgrade...

 

Alright, just a quick update. After watching UPS roll past twice this morning the Fed Ex truck finally arrived. Ordered 3/18 with EDD of 4/5, then 3/27. Shipped 3/24, arrived today, 3/26 with standard 7 day shipping.

Unboxing, the 1558 is a pretty sleek notebook. A glossy fingerprint magnet, but for the price I'm not feeling like I'm going to be carrying around something that looks five years old.

Initial bootup was quick and painless, and with surprisingly little bloat (I'm talking to you Toshiba <<). None the less I decided to pop in my Win7 Ultimate disk and re-install right away. Fastest install I've ever had. Re-installing the latest drivers was tedious, but worth it.

The 1080p screen is gorgeous. At first glance I was worried things were going to be to small, but after about half an hour of playing with it my eyes have adjusted and I think I'm going to be fine with it. MUCH better than I would have been with the 720p screen at any rate.

I was worried about the i3 processor (350m) at first, but so far it's very responsive. I don't think I'm going to be disappointed not upgrading it.

I was a bit worried about buying another studio. I owned a 1537 (I think, it was an early model Studio 15 at any rate) and the build quality of the case was awful. The entire right hand bezel broke one day while opening it, and I was informed by dell that since the parts were plastic and subject to wear and tear they weren't covered under warranty on a less than six month old notebook. This one is a major upgrade. It feels much sturdier. The keyboard (backlit) is firm, easy and quiet (not silent) to type on.

Though I haven't been able to load any games yet, playing full HD movies is smooth with the 5470 1GB card and the i3.

I live for music. There have been a lot of laptops in the past that I have felt compelled to carry headphones with just to enjoy the music. While the speakers in the 1558 aren't up to my surround sound system at home I could easily listen to music on them. Out of all the laptops I've owned this one has the most listenable speakers I've come across.

That's all for now. Just figured I'd give first impression to anyone wondering.

 

Stop writing glowing reviews like that or you are going to get me killed by my wife. I am dieing for a new notebook but every time my wife sees browsing the Dell site I get the evil look! Tempting, so tempting.

 

No. When I configured my system BR option was not there. However, I was already made my mind to go with DVD drive. I would wait for some time till BR writers get cheap and then I can replace dvd drive with BR writer. I was more concern with things which cannot be upgraded namely processor and graphics card ..

Very nice system btw

 

I've already. However I ran A03 bios for few hours with HD video and games. No problems what so ever.

 

do ittttt

 

Yours came with A03? I checked mine that I got this week and it was already loaded with A04....

 

Well tested some HD MKVs today and I must say the screen was outstanding....Even without the dedicated GC the movies played smoothly and with no jitters...I tested both 1080p and 720p files.....No gaming yet as I really wont be doing any on this laptop, maybe Civ4 and Medieval Total War 2 , but that would be the extent of it....

 

Thank you for the quick review.

If possible please post some snaps of your new 1558. And also mention the price you paid for your configuration.

Also I had a chat with Dell, USA sales agent @ www.dell.com but he said currently we are offering Studio 1558 in USA. Then from where you bought it. Even I'm not able to see Studio 1558 mentioned at www.dell.com ???

 

See my sig for the price I paid ($USD).

Dell is really having a screaming deal on the 1558's right now.

A month back I was looking at $1500+ without the OS upgrade, without the ATI 5470 and only 1 year advanced warranty.

 

I think I mentioned this before, but the 1558 is not shown officially on the US page. Even though you configure a 1558, it shows under the 1555. When you go through final checkout and see your invoice youll see it is actually a 1558.

 

Yup, UK says 1558 clearly. It's been mentioned before.

 

Mine came with A03 and was delivered on Monday. It's good to know they are shipping stuff out with the latest bios.

coolguy20k6, it's interesting that you had no issues with your machine on A03. I was kinda paranoid as I didn't want that sinking feeling you get when buy something and it just doesn't work right. So, once I was up and running, I installed A04.

 

I was also hoping that mine would come with updated A04. But I think they have now updated it as your came with A04..

 

Well you are correct. I also wanted to update the bios. Then I thought to check it by myself if A03 is really an issue. I ran my laptop all evening till early morning doing gaming and encoding videos. When nothing happened, I *happily* upgraded my bios to A04 . I think the fault was more than of bios itself , it might be a combination of 1 or more reasons. We have to wait till more people receive their 1558's and check it.

 

@rta01 or any other 1558 owner

Can You please check if You get hiss when You connect headset to headphone output jacks?

 

Is there an option to dim the display after some time in power options? Mine does not have one, I have two other computers with W7 and they both have it. Maybe 1558 does not support it.

 

@lirp: My sister is on a trip and I loaned her my only pair of remaining headphones (she's at the age where she goes through hers awful quick), so I'll see if I can dig up a pair somewhere and check, but as now can't help on that front.

@Jako: My 1558 has the option to dim, however I'm not using a Dell install, I'm using a clean Win7 install. Maybe Dell removed it for some reason?

@bios: Mine (shipped 3/24) had the A03

 

That is correct, so Dell oem windows is not 100% same as retail, some other options could be removed.

 

How do you know when the Studio is throttling? How can you test for throttling?

 

What's the battery life on your system. It's the Dell signature laptop right now for a good price. Sorry, off topic.

 

Also, would you suggest the i5-520, or the i7-720. Both are currently the same price as a result of this sig. sale.

Core i5-520 or Core i7-720
4GB Ram
1GB Ati 5470
1080p LCD

 

If You need processing power for encoding, picture editing, CAD then go for the i7. If you are avarage user then go for the i5 - it is very fast processor and generates less heat than i7

 

That is why I went for the I5 ... it generates less heat and I think uses a little less power than the I7. That is another reason why I went with the ATI 5740 ... a little less power ... hence should generate less heat ... with more bang and DirectX 11 capabilities.

The I7 is great too ... it is totally cool to see 8 cores in your task manager (4 real - 4 virtual) ... you are just going to get more heat.

 

That's the thing. I will be using it a lot for photo editing. I really would prefer the i5 although if the i7 will be a lot better for the editing I guess I could deal with the heat / increased battery usage.

 

I don't quite get what you've said here. Battery life I havent fully tested yet. Will do a full test on Wed and report back. What are you saying about a signature laptop, I don't quite comprendé

 

I can't advise AGAINST the i5 as I haven't tried it for long periods of time. I used an i5 Studio in the shop for a good 15 minutes and it was ok but not perfect. My i7 is nice, I haven't stress tested it fully (Only ran intel burn test, 3d mark 06, futuremark) for about an hour and the fan never hit full speed at all. It didn't really get hot either, the warmest part of the laptop was the touchpad but it was very acceptable. Its a new system though, so its dust-free, which may be why its running so well. Also, I left it on my desk so it was reasonably ventilated; that said i had a 2kw heater on my my room at the same time and it held up well.

Obviously I'd say get the i7, it's futureproof at the end of the day, but it depends how you're going to use it. Im using mine as a desktop replacement so I need it for both big and small tasks...

 

You were asking about throttling, didn't want to thread jack. The Studio 15 w/ i7 is on Dells Signature Sale right now so it's the same price as the i5.

 

Ahh right, haha no worres

 

Link? I don't see it on sale.

 

Agree, but how come we will be guaranteed for 1558 as the Dell sales person saying they do not offer 1558 now ? Again choosing a i5 dual core along with quad core i7 is seems awkward to me. Does the both can share same chipset HM55 ?

 

Mine headset is working fine . No distortion with both of the output jacks.

 

I have the i5 520 model and I have headphone hiss from both of the jacks. Only can hear it if nothing is playing Have tried both IDT drivers and windows HD audio drivers. Guess there's some EM interference from other computer parts - which is not good news at all.

 

I have no Idea how to guarantee that youll get a 1558, all I can tell you is what I did. I just selected the Studio 15 with I5-520 and got the 1558.....You can always call and order your laptop as well....

 

http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/xps_signature_event?c=ca&l=en&s=dhs&ref=hbn

Can anyone confirm this for me. Studio 15 w/ i7 = 1557, Studio 15 w/ i5 = 1558?

 

I disagree. Only on the basis that the Dell handbook I got with my 1558 (i7) says the 1557 = i7 / ATi 4570 whilst the 1558 = i3 / i5 / i7 / 4570 / 5470.

1558 allows for more configurations, and an updated chipset(? i think?)

 

You'll get what's on the receipt. Dell are very modular like that, so if it says 1557 you'll get a 1557, if it says 1558 you'll get that. Whatever it says in the product specification when you configure your Dell order is what you'll get, theres no hidden messages or chances of getting other stuff.

IF, however, your order sayd 1558 and your receipt says 1557 (it wont, but hypothetically.. IF it did).. you can call Dell up and request a refund/exchange on the basis of you didn't get what you ordered.

 

Ah, Canada. That's why I didn't see it.

 

Canada only???
That is sooo unfair! Come on dell! We want the same deals in the UK!!!

 

So for even money would you go with a i5-520 or the i7-720. I think I'll probably end up with the i5-520, it apparantly uses a better chipset HM55 vs. the PM55 thats with the i7-720. The only think I'm concerned with is the temp.

 

@lirp no hiss on my headphones. I've just tried it and just noticed that there's actually 2 headphone sockets!