Dell Studio 15 1558 Thread

Wow ... cool ... our setup is essentially identical (see my sig for details) ...

I was hoping I could get 5 hours out of this thing ... it looks like I will.

Thanks for the report.

 

lirp, what if you try the new HTML5 with Youtube. Think it will change anything? Just curious.

Man am I getting impatient waiting for my Studio 15... My status still says, "In Production". I know it wasn't supposed to ship until 4/22, but I was secretly holding my breath hoping it would ship sooner. Wonder why it takes so long?

 

I just picked up an OCZ 64GB SSD at Newegg tonight for $134 after $30 rebate and a $20 instant coupon with free shipping! My plan is coming together... hehe

Coupon code for the extra $20 off is EMCYRYT22 . You have to sign up to receive their email specials for the coupon to work, but it is free... It all expires 04/12...

 

Source video was in AVCHD (which is H264) format from Sony HD cam.

Yes I have tried HTML5 Youtube but I'm just curious why flash doesn't use my GPU for playing back Flash. All the spec in ATI website ( http://goo.gl/1Wxd) says that Mobility Radeon 5470 supports latest flash hardware playback.

 

Delete this post please

 

They already have with Flash 10.1, that is why he wants to know why it isn't working.

My suggestion would be to download the latest drivers directly from ATI and not Dell. Then install the Flash 10.1 RC.

 

What power saving settings are you using? The reason I ask is that I formatted my laptop so don't have all the various default power saving settings.

I haven't run the laptop off the 9 cell battery until today and it is advising that I have around 3.5hrs left from a 100% battery. I'm running it on lowest brightness as that is plenty bright and also getting the screen to dim after 2 mins of non-use.

So, I could probably squeeze a bit more out of it so would appreciate what settings you have on yours.

 

I suppose it is possible that the source video, when edited and re-encoded in adobe encoder for web deployment was encoded in flv or f4v. Maybe? I am pretty family with Flash, but I do not know how to tell if a flash video you are watching is an h264 video or not.

I guess if you know the source of the video then you probably know for sure already.

Try it in full screen mode. I don't know for sure, but I read from a somewhat unreliable post that hardware acceleration only works in full screen mode.

Let us all know if that works, please.

 

Has there been a review of this laptop yet, can't seem to find one. Any links will be appreciated.

 

You don't need to get a review. Just ask the people here who own the 1558!

Plenty of very positive feedback on the laptop. Only downside is the delay in getting your mits on one once you've placed the order!

 

http://laptops-reviewed.com/2010/01/05/dell-studio-15-laptop-review/

http://www.electricpig.co.uk/2010/02/04/dell-studio-15-review/

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Dell-Studio-1558-HD4570-Notebook.25411.0.html

 

I noticed the delay for the 1080P screens has dropped from 13 days to 4 days ... here's to hoping that ups my delivery a week or two ...

 

Hehe guess You were right It DOES use GPU instead of CPU when playing content in full screen. GPU usage peaked at 30% when Youtube video window was in full screen and 0% when it wasn't.

Unfortunately ATI driver stopped responding in like 1 minute after playing 1080p Youtube video in full screen, but I think it's Adobe's Flash player fault (it's release candidate)

Strange that Adobe hasn't said this in any of their press releases... Or maybe it is just ATI card's "speciality". Where did You hear about it? Anyway thank You rmw82 for helping me sorting this thing out!

 

Cool. Good to know it actually kicks in!

 

I am glad it is figured out and works in full screen. Now I'll know what to expect when I install 10.1. It is strange that Adobe isn't specific that it only works in full screen mode, though. I don't recall where I read that it must be in full screen mode, but it was on some forum and you never know what to believe .

 

And don't get me wrong Core i5 520m is more than capable of running flash in 1080p and in full screen I'm just a perfectionist and want all to work as it should and as promised

 

Replying to myself regarding squeezing as much out of the 9cell as possible.

I thought I was being smart by setting my own power saving options. This gave me around 3 hrs of battery. I did some experimentation and have left it at the default windows 7 "balanced power" and now get 4.5hrs out of it.

 

Believe it or not, Windows 7 is very capable in the power saving arena. Not at all like earlier Windows.
My boss also runs Ubuntu and has noticed a shorter battery life with it as well.

 

lol. I must admit I did go diving in thinking I knew better than Windows.

That'll teach me huh!

 

After weeks of debating between Studio 15 and SXPS 16, I decided to buy Studio (and ordered on 4/10), which seemed to be the most bang for the buck considering my usages.

My configuration is:
Core i5-520M
4GB RAM
Back-lit keyboard
1080p screen
ATI HD5470 1GB
320GB 7200rpm
Midnight Blue
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
Intel WiFi Advanced-N 6200
Bluetooth
9-cell battery
1 Yr basic warranty

I actually used EPP and couldn't find anything cheaper than that at Dell Home.
Pricing is in USD:
Unit Price 1,498
EPP Discount: -459
EPP Discount2: -50
Tax in NY: 89.47
3-5 Shipping: 19
Total: 1097.47

Does this seem like a good deal? Hope Dell doesn't come out with something better during the remainder of the Signature Event. And is there any way I could get shipping upgraded to next day free of charge, and/or free accessories like Dell used to give out years ago?

Would greatly appreciate any comments/feedbacks.

 

Can't comment on the deal as us UK residents always get a raw deal when it comes to technology pricing.

Your spec is hot tho. The backlit keyboard is just brilliant especially if you're lounging on the couch and can't be bothered to turn up the lighting. The 1080p screen is beautiful.

What was your estimated delivery date?

 

EDD is currently 4/29. So tech pricing in UK is in general better than in US? What would be the reasoning behind? Koreans are crazy about tech gadgets, so companies may release newest products in Korea first (not to mention domestic ones like Samsung and LG), but they do not get the best pricing, due to market size and all that. With 48 million population, it's substantially smaller than the US market.

 

SK2609, that is the same deal I got and found it to be the best at the time. I think the only difference is you opted for the 1GB video (see my sig). I think it is a good deal, like you said, considering the bang for the buck ratio...

 

Tech pricing is worse in the UK. Generally speaking, they just replace the $ with a £ sign. Given that £1=$1.52 ish, we end up paying a lot more for items.

We just have to live with it as importing is not economical due to customs.

Anyway, hopefully your laptop will arrive sooner than the end of the month. You may want to consider formatting it once you get it so it's a good time to collect all the latest drivers in preparation. I found my Dell to be a lot more performant once I loaded up a clean version of windows 7 on it. Eitherway, your laptop will be plenty quick!

 

I agree. My friends tend to go on holiday to the US every 2 years just to update their electrical goods. You basically get the holiday part free when you break it down. If you're going to splash out on £2000 or £2500 on electricals every 2 years upgrading (laptop/camera/phone/gadgets).. you might as well hit New York and get the same gadgets for £1500 and bag yourself the plane tickets and accommodation using the remaining £1000... it works out the same

There's a little tip you should consider thinking about next time you upgrade your stuff

 

hehe, there's a lot of empty suitcases flying out of Heathrow filled to the brim on the return journey!

 

if anyone gets theirs early in the USA let me know, I am scheduled for May 4th. But i need a laptop bad

 

Has anyone gotten a Studio 1558 with a Core i3? I am looking at getting one from the outlet. My current Studio is getting a bit slow these days.

 

There are a bunch listed in the Dell Outlet, I just got a great deal on one.

 

Can somone comment on Studio who just got one from the outlet?
I see there are over 300 of Studio 1558 there but only 25 or so with dedicated card.

I have used a Vostro 1400 and XPS 1340 so just wondering how does studio stackup and how big does it look against a 1400. Any idea on the weight with 6 cell battery?

 

I ordered April 2 with an EDD of May 4. There was a part delay on the monitors of 13 days. Last week it dropped to 4 days. When I ordered, really re-ordered, I was told there was a 20 day wait on the monitors. With the delays dropping, I am hoping I won't have to wait as long ... I will post if my dates change ...

There is also a part delay on the video cards of 3 days. Those dates have not changed for a long time though.

According to Dell if you have one part with a delay of 10 days and another with a delay of 5 days, the most you should have to wait is the maximum versus the sum; hence here in this example it would be 10 days.

We'll see ...

 

I ordered on 03/29 (see sig for build) and I just checked the status. It is still set at, "In Production" with the same EDD of 04/22...

Hehe, I bet I could custom order a car out of Detroit faster...

 

Yah, but which one would crash the most!?!

 

the thing I am worried about is they are going to put our stuff on second priority because they know we already ordered with the idea that shipping is going to take forever. They would rather lower the shipping for prospect costumers.

 

LOL They also depreciate at the same rate...

 

Just ordered one on 4/10/10, EDD 4/29/10

Dell Studio 15 Midnight Blue* i7-720QM * 4GB DDR3 1066 * ATI 5470 1GB * Backlit Keyboard * FHD 1080p * Centrino Advanced-N 6200 * 2x 9 Cell battery * Bluetooth * SoundBlaster X-Fi HD Sound * 3 year warranty

I read some positive comments here about this laptop...really hope it lives up to the hype

 

I ordered mine on Friday and the configuration is as follows:

Midnight Blue Colour with Black U-Trim
Intel® Core™ i7-720QM
15.6 " Full HD(1080p)
4GB (2GBx2) 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM
500GB 7200RPM
ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 5470 - 1GB
Dell 1520 Wireless-N Card
9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Dell(TM) Backlit Keyboard

I live in India so the laptop is priced at INR 69,000, that works out to $ 1,500 but i know a dell employee and I am getting it at a cost of INR 53,000 which $ 1,188. I think this is a pretty sweet deal! Needless to say I am very excited! My previous laptops had the specs: AMD Sempron 1.7 Ghz, 190 MB RAM, 40gb HDD..I had it for 4 years!

And the best part is that I live close to the place of assembly and will be getting it in a week or less. i hope it lives up to its expectation!

 

I read lots of people getting replacements for their 2-4 yr old laptops with Dell warranty. I've been using my e1505 since June 2007 and just ordered 1558 last weekend, but with only 1-yr basic warranty.

Which warranties are those people using? Premium or Advanced? Which is comparable to "Complete Care"? Also, would it be cheaper to buy more expensive warranty at the checkout or buy extension once I receive the system?

Warranties cost only a few hundred dollars and people just seem to be getting amazing replacement laptops, like e1505 to SXPS 16.

 

Guys, How do you managed to get 4.5 hrs of battery life??? I've got a 9 cell battery too and the maximum i get is 3.2 hrs at 98%!! (power balance).
Now for example the battery is at 82% and its saying 2.33 hrs! I dont understand. do you have your wireless on or off?
Thanks

 

Just a guess (as I dont have one yet and cant compare my batter life with yours) but maybe it is due to the fact that you have 8gb of ram, compared to most people with the i7 here who have 4gb...maybe that could be the cause of your reduced battery life?

I will test mine out (i7 4gb of ram) as soon as I get it (should be the 29th or earlier) and will post my results.

 

Most folks I think also have the 320GB drive. Also you have a 5300 versus 6200 ...

 

Also check your BIOS settings. I remember reading about it somewhere up higher in this monster tread.

 

I tend to knock out my wireless if I'm not using it - usually when I'm at work with it. Apart from that, I'm using the w7 power balance option with no modifications to the settings.

btw, there's a new version of Dell System Software for those that use that sort of thing.

System Utilities : System Software A01/7.0.1 available from http://support.euro.dell.com/suppor...servicetag=&os=W764 &osl=en&catid=-1&impid=-1

 

I checked the BIOS settings and I couldnt find anything to improve the batery life

 

I'm using too w7 balance option and the maximum I get with the wireless on is 3 hrs at 98%. Im starting to think that my battery is faulty, dont know. Dude, how much you get with wireless on and the battery at 100%?

 

New Ricoh chipset driver ver. 2.10.01.01

Ricoh card reader

 

I tend to plug the laptop in if I've got a power source handy. I bought a spare genuine Dell charger from ebay for £20 which I leave at work.

I've only run the battery down once to flat and that was when I was using my own not-so-intelligent power saving settings. I managed 3hrs out of it then.

I'll do some experimentation the next time I use it.

Jako, cheers for the new ricoh card reader info.

 

With your current set up I think you are seeing about the max youll get, until Dell turns on the switchable graphics.....You have a battery killer as far as specs go....The 8GB of RAM, i7 and the 1GB Graphics Card spell death to all batteries......Its mostly the i7 and the 1GB graphics card IMO that are probably causing the battery drain in your situation......You may also want to try Power Saver instead of Balanced as that will give you the most battery life....

EDIT: You also have the Bluetooth and the 6300 which are probably killing the battery as well...I am hoping you didnt expect great battery life out of the specs you picked as they are going towards a true desktop replacement rather than a balanced system which would give you better battery life....

 

New Realtek LAN driver ver. 7.17.304.2010

Realtek

 

If you don't use bluetooth ... you can turn it off via the BIOS.

When I had an I7-720 (XPS 16), I just got over 2 hours with it. I had the RGB screen too though. The screen died on me however so I sent it back. The 720 I have a feeling though is going to be your major culprit.

You could also try dropping the brightness on your monitor.