Dell Studio 1555

I think Dell will release the extra options in due course. Many of the options in the US such as high-res screens are available but delay the shipping date. Maybe their stocks are low at the moment? I'd sure like to see the Pentium processor removed as then the prices for the Core 2 Duo ones will hopefully go down.

I think they're just using a higher price to get people all hyped up about it because it's new. It will probably get cheaper after a few weeks.

Edit: Just discovered that the US one is also offering a blu-ray writer which we're not seeing here in the UK.

 

Wow...160 euros for the 256mb video card...

 

No matter what configuration I try on the UK store whenver I add to my basket I get a compatilbility error: "The selection - Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium SP1- English is incompatible with Base" and nothing I do gets rid of it. In fact I tried again just now and I can't get any starting package apart from the cheapest one. Every time I settle on something in the dell store, options disappear from under my feet or something gets in my way. Grrr. I'm getting to the point of going elsewhere. Yes, I've cleaned out my cookies etc, no change.

 

too pricey for my liking in the uk, the 1537 was much cheaper with mostly the same specs, except graphics card and the sound

 

You could order by phone.

 

I can imagine the conversation with someone challenged in the use of English trying to explain to me that "The selection - Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium SP1- English is incompatible with Base" but being clueless as to how to get round it. Or are the order lines manned by more intelligent beings?
p.s. I am not equating non-english speaking with lack of intelligence, just going on previous experience of unqualified poorly trained foreigners with poor communication abilities.

 

Is it possibly a problem with the amount of memory in the system and the edition of Windows (ie 2gb on a 64-bit OS, or 4gb on a 32-bit OS)?

 

That's never been a problem before. Dell always had the 4GB option on the Studio 15, despite only offering 32-bit Vista. And 64-bit versions can still use 2GB just fine, it's not like 4GB is a requirement.

 

Now that I think about it, machines that offer 64-bit it usually asks that before you even start customizing. I do recall seeing the 1555 offered with more than 4gb as an official Dell (and very overpriced) option in one of the countries that got it earlier.

 

Bugger me, its gone up in price!

And thats without speccing it up to the same levels as the 1537 was! Im hugely gutted as it is above my price level now!

edit; Im not gutted, im annoyed now from 1537 -> 1555 for a similar spec would cost me nearly £170 more! All this for a better graphics card and a 0.4inch bigger screen?

All this because i didn't want to buy it now due to exams & was hoping to treat myself after they'd finished.

 

and to top it all off, the fact it clearly says;

''Backlit keyboard (optional)
Maintain the ambience of low-light environments with an illuminated keyboard.''

yet there is no option for it when you spec your (over priced) laptop. I asked dell chat and they said.....

20:00:28 Customer Andehh
it says in the description i can have a backlit keyboard
20:00:36 Customer Andehh
but i cant find any options for it?
20:00:57 Agent Praveen_K_V
I am afraid there's no option to Choose Backlit Keyboard Option in Studio 15.
20:01:10 Customer Andehh
but ti says... ''Backlit keyboard (optional)
Maintain the ambience of low-light environments with an illuminated keyboard.''
20:01:32 Agent Praveen_K_V
Can you send me the link please?
20:01:37 Customer Andehh
http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/p...dio-1555?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs&ref=homepg
20:01:40 Customer Andehh
yep^
20:01:52 Customer Andehh
under ''show your true self''
20:03:07 Agent Praveen_K_V
Yes, there was an Option its no longer available as we change Offers Week on Week Basis.
20:03:32 Customer Andehh
you chnage the build options weekly?
20:03:52 Agent Praveen_K_V
Yes Andrew.
20:04:09 Customer Andehh
right, i see
20:04:14 Customer Andehh
ok then, thank you

erm, so there you go! Glad we cleared that one up.

 

Still being offered in the US. Wouldn't be surprised if they're low on stock or something. Dell seems to be horrible at inventory management.

If you decide a studio 1555 with a back lit keyboard is what you want to get, I'd suggest you wait a couple weeks and see if the option magically reappears, unless you're under some sort of time pressure.

Edit: Hmm... Looks like the Studio 1555's price keeps increasing, in the US, at least. The "Instant Savings" on the default configs dropped today, for the second time since I placed my order. On the positive side, the HD 4570 seems to be available on the main site again.

 

It probably is stock problems then since it's a new model. They've taken the featured systems off the UK site as it simply describes the design and options that are available so they are likely revising the components that are available. Hope thats true since it sounds stupid to see a Pentium processor in a multimedia laptop of this price range

Edit: Also notice the wrong language for the webcam option when you customise it. It says "Webkamera" lol

 

WOW... i was browsing the US dell site and saw all the designs you guys can get on your studio 1555... i wonder if that will ever come to canada (we only have colors, classic designs and product red designs...)

some of the designs are really nice

 

I asked a Dell representative and she told me you can order the backlit keyboard here in Europe (in my case Belgium) for an extra 40 Euros. About the higher resolutions she can't get any info yet.

But it could take a while. Around the world led display manufacturers can't cover the global demand. The popularity of LED-screens has been underestimated.
Dell is affected the first I think, because they work with one of the best just-in-time procedures,... as long as their suppliers can follow off course. Which is clearly not the case lately. On the other hand, thanks to this procedure they are able to offer (most of the time) low-priced notebooks at a great price, because they have almost no need for storage space.

This might also explain the high prices. It's just plain old economics. Suppliers can't cover the demand, in consequence demand is higher than the supply, and prices go up!

 

For gamers:
MotoGP'08 runs perfect with the 1555. The fan cools down the CPU's without problem, the laptop is not overheating. The graphics and motion are flawless.
I just had to install DirectX 9.0 because only DirectX 10 was shipped with the laptop.

 

Anyone tried GTA 4 on 1555 yet? Any insight regarding the frame rates obtained?

 

If my custom desktop with an E8400 overclocked to 4.0GHz, 4GB RAM and an overclocked 8800GT 512MB can't play GTA IV at acceptable frame rates at 800x600, then frankly, there's no way in hell the Studio 1555 will be able to run it. I've even tried it on my friend's barely two-month old powerhouse desktop with an AMD Phenom II quad-core 3.2GHz, 6GB DDR3 RAM, and dual GTX 260 Core 216's in SLI, and GTA IV was an absolute slide show at 1024x768.

Don't get your hopes up. Pick a more reasonable game to test the 1555.

 

I came across some videos in http://www.youtube.com/ highlighting smooth Crysis gameplay in 1555. Hence was curious about GTA 4..

 

GTA IV is miles behind Crysis in terms of hardware optimizations. Very few dual-core processors will run it well, and plenty of quad-cores struggle as well. Playing Crysis well is a reasonable expectation. Playing GTA IV is not.

 

Can anyone please advise me? I want to put an additional 500 GB 7200 rpm HDD in my 1555. Is this possible?

 

You can replace the one that's already there, but you cannot have two hard drives at once. If you want to replace the existing hard drive, then theoretically any 2.5" SATA hard drive or SSD should work.

 

The PC port of GTA4 is embarassingly awful. I'm not trying to be rude but don't waste your time with it. You'll have a much better experience running it on the platform (console) it was designed for.

And YAY, 4570 (256, 512 MB) video cards are back on the US site! Looks like I have to drop my Dell conspiracy theory now, though.

 

Hi,

i'm considering buying a 1555 Studio. the offer in the middle only with 2.40ghz CPU.

My Questions:

- Since it has 4gb of RAM, would you recommend installing Vista 64 or does Vista 32bit work fine?

- Whats so much better in the Studio XPS 16Series? They cost way more, but I was comparing the components and they even seemed less good than of the 1555 Studio

- under normal working conditions (no games etc..), how long can I expect the 6cell battery to last? And how long under maximum battery usage with gaming etc..?

 

Well if youb can, I don't see why you wouldn't. Dell doesn't charge more for 64bit Windows last I checked(at least they don't on the Canadian site) and 64bit has proven itself to be better than 32bit in most regards. unless you're running older applications programs or games, 64bit should be far better.

Well idk about the European version, but a decked out Studio 15 is almost on par with a base SXPS 16.

However, if you want to compare brute specs...
- the XPS 16 has better processor options than the Studio 15(the highest Studio 15 processor available in Canada is the 2nd worst one in on the XPS16).
- the XPS 16 has a much more powerful GPU. The HD3670 is a mid range GPU while the HD4570 is a low end GPU. The HD3670 should run ideally most games out tehre with the exception of Crysis & GTA4 on medium-high settings, while the HD4570 will run most games on low-medium.
- the XPS 16 has a larger screen and the RGB WLED screen, which apparently is one of the prettiest notebook screens available(according to some users)
- the XPS 16 has better speakers than the Studio 15 apparently(at least it was better than the older version)

Apart from that, it's mostly style(seeing as the XPS16 has leather on it) and the premium price of the XPS line which gives it a higher price.

The 6 cell should last between 2 and 3 hours depending on what you're doing. If it's not too intensive, I've heard of battery life going above 3 hours as well.

 

Hi, thx for your answer.

I always thought the HD 3670 would be worse than the HD 4570

Because in this test http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-4570.13885.0.html HD 4570 performs better than the HD3670.
Or is this just in 3D Mark 05 ?

 

From a purely semantic point of view, ATI uses this name scheme:
- the 1st digit is the GPU's generation(3 series vs 4 series)
- the 2nd digit indicates the GPU's hierrachy within the generation
- the 3rd digit usually shows core clocks(ex: an HD3670 is an overclocked HD3650)

As for which is stronger we can compare if you want:
- the HD3670 has 120 unified shaders vs the HD4570's 80(so 50% more for the HD3670)

- the HD3670 has the same clock speeds as the HD4570.

- the HD3670 has 378 Million transistors vs the HD4570's 242 Million

- the HD3670 has a 128bit bus GPU while the HD4570 has a 64bit bus. This severely limits a GPU's capacities since it directly affects how efficiently it can write on its memory within one cycle(i.e. the HD3670 can write twice as much info in one shot on its VRAM than the HD4570). Usually, by general concessus, most NBR users agree that the bus size limits the amount of VRAM used properly(doesn't mean a GPU can't, but means it rarely will). In general, a GPU will actively and effectively use twice its bus width until we get to 256vit bus GPUs which are more efficient and can use up to 1Gb of VRAM.

So yes, the HD3670 is more powerful than the HD4570. I wouldn't trust one benchmark to say one is more powerful than the other, especially not 3dmark as 3dmark tends to be CPU bound as well as GPU bound.

If you're goign to compare 3dmark, you should always always always check the entire specs of the computers which are used to benchmark. Other specs can sometimes severely influence 3dmark and notebookcheck doesn't always put all these factors in bold.

 

Defintley Vista 64. it's the only version of Vista that i think runs half way decent. Which isn't saying much.

 

Alright. Only the weird thing is that they dont offer the 1555 with Vista 64, at least in Germany. I dont know why

 

Ask Dell to send you a copy of the 64-bit installation disk afterwards, then. Just make sure it's the same version, i.e. Home Premium 32-bit and Home Premium 64-bit.

 

It is ok, i understand ... thanks

Was just being curious !!

 

Can anyone advise a good and cheap laptop bag for the Studio 1555?

I dont want to pay the 60EUR for the Dell bag..

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=17

 

Another question:

Does the Studio 1555 support Memory Remapping? Is such an Option in the BIOS available?

 

Has anyone gotten hands-on with this notebook to write a review for NBR?

I am still waiting to see a well-written review here for it.

 

I pretty much have the exact same machine as you: e8400 running at 4.0ghz 3.2gig ram (4gig but 32 bit), 8000gts overclocked to 850mhz, and I get great frame rates running at 1920x1200...But I was once like you...if you are running vista you need to put your system on maximum performance, it's a GTA4 bug does not speed any of the power saving components up. I would also turn off speed step just to be safe.

GTA4 is a great system test since it is the first game that actually utilizes the full potential of any system. Tons of ram, full multi processors, and eats up graphic memory where as you need 1 gig card to enjoy the full beauty. I have never seen another game actually peg out dual cores or most of quads!

Oh and to be on topic I am ordering my 1555 soon with the with the P8600, 4 gig, 512mb card, 1920x1080 screen, and 7200rpm drive. I am setting it up for performance. If I get it before a decent review is up here I will post some nice pics and a short review. My real excitement is a 15.6in screen with the resolution, does anyone else on the market offer something similar in under 16in?

 

Can anyone tell me, how good i can play NFS Undercover on it. Will it run fine?

 

Hello, can anyone here comment on the difference between the High Definition Audio 2.0 vs the High Definition Audio 2.2 on the new Studio 1555? The system design review & tech specs on Dells website boast “and when designing the new Studio 15, Dell was listening to you — and in return your ears will be amazed by the all-new surround sound audio, including a subwoofer for intense listening” , and in the specs, it is referred to as “High Definition Audio 2.2”. BUT when configuring a system to order, it only says 2.0. What’s up with this? Is the new sound system in the Studio 15 available or what??? Are they being built with the old sound system or the new one with the better speakers & sub? I'd really like to know because I ordered it yesterday...

 

The 1555 does not have a no-subwoofer option. If there is any difference at all between the 2.2 and 2.0 audio (which I believe is just a typo anyway), then it's probably in software/drivers, not the actual hardware.

 

DiRT and GRID run fine on my Studio 1555(P8600), I think NFS:Undercover is OK.

 

ken1986, Thanks for that info.

 

Thinking about buying this config. Thanks to all who have posted in these forums. It's been very helpful! I'm currently thinking of buying this as a portable semi-desktop replacement with moderate media and gaming capabilities to last me a while.
One thing that I'm still not 100% sure on is the screen: 1080p vs. 900p. Probably going to stick with the 1080p since I've been known to suffer from screen envy in the past. More emotional than rational.

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8600 (2.4GHz/1066Mhz FSB/3MB cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-Bit
No Microsoft Office
2Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis
15.6” Full High Definition (1080p) High Brightness LED Display with TrueLife™ and Camera
4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 800MHz
Size: 320GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570
6X Slot Load Bluray (BD) Combo Drive (BD Read Only)
Intel® WiFi Link 5100 802.11agn Half Mini-Card
Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Internal (2.1)
85 WHr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell)
High Definition Audio 2.0
Back-lit Keyboard

Current price (incl. tax, discounts, etc.): $1,350.83

For anyone else who's thinking about this, here are some posts/links that have been useful to me:

Reviews:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=4795145#post4795145
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies-archive.cfm/1173869.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=4594463#post4594463
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=4616320#post4616320
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUQOV24lwnc

GPU info:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-4570.13885.0.html

Comments on HD 3760 vs 4570:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=4815113#post4815113

vRAM rec:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=4824779#post4824779

Approximate gaming performance chart
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Computer-Games-on-Laptop-Graphic-Cards.13849.0.html

Screen resolution questions
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=4766825#post4766825
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=4768316#post4768316

Resolution and vRAM rec:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=4777817#post4777817

Keyboard thoughts:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=4742716#post4742716

Photos:
http://www.erodov.com/forums/studio-1555-laptop-photo-review/19955.html
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=1555&w=32398343@N00

Video flicker issue (seemed to be solved by newer BIOS):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIGD8WbkoVo

Other:
Battery life, 1555 vs. xps 16, vista 32/64
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=4815042#post4815042

 

Anyone mind making a youtube video review of this notebook for those who own it?

 

What a great post! I'm reading all the links and I have one for you.
http://www.synaptics.com/solutions/technology/gestures/touchpad
The 1555 has the Synaptics touchpad which is really innovative.

I ordered a new 1555 from Dell on Wednesday during a pretty good sale that ended the next day. Just $679 for the 320GB with Vista 64 bit. I added a better WiFi connection, 2 yr warranty, back lit and changed the color. I met my budget of under $1000.00 USD. Supposed to be delivered on May 27th. Can't wait! Tuesday night is going to be Christmas eve all over again.

1 Studio 15 Notebook

1 Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T6400 (2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)

1 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 800MHz

1 Back-lit Keyboard

1 15.6” High Definition (720p) LED Display with TrueLife™ and Camera

1 Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD

1 Size: 320GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)

1 Plum Purple

1 Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-Bit

1 Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 9, English/French/Spanish

1 8X Slot Load Super Multi (DL DVD+/-R Drive + RAM support)

1 High Definition Audio 2.0

1 Intel® WiFi Link 5100 802.11agn Half Mini-Card

1 Microsoft Works

1 McAfee Security Center with VirusScan, Firewall, Spyware Removal, 15-Months

1 56 Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)

1 2Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis

1 Intel® Centrino® Processor

1 Dell Remote Access, free basic service



Save $199 off this Dell Studio 15! - $0.00

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Save $199 off this Dell Studio 15! - $199.00

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Order Subtotal: $884.00
Shipping and Handling Total: $29.00

Shipping Discount: -$29.00

Tax Total: $52.43
Total Amount: $936.43

 

Great purchase!

I hope you will enjoy your system just as much as I will when I get mine. Good choice for going with a quality build machine, not to mention free 2nd day shipping!

 

I got this "problem" now:

I ordered 3 Days ago via Phone. The status page says my payment is being processed.

BUT, I now regret not having ordered the 1080p Display AND I regret having ordered the 4570 wit 512 instead of 256.
I wrote an e-mail to my salesperson and I will call her on monday, asking if it is possible.

Do you think it will work? I know I will know on monday, but what do you think I cant wait

 

You can edit your parts since it's still being in pre-production. Go to your status page and click on your configuration. Under those parts, choose edit.

Let us know if you need more help. I am almost sure you can do this, since my status page says this.

 

In my status page (from Dell Germany) I can only the see the phases of my order. Now it states "Phase 1 - Order processing". I cant do anything there, no editing parts or something like that..

Maybe it differs from country to country. I hope it will be possible per phone on monday.
Only thing is that I already transfered the money for my order. If the price changes now, could that be the problem?

 

Yeah give the phone a try. I'm ordering from the US site, so...

I think that when you phone them, you can change parts while it's still under production. As what I see in your status now, the factory hasn't begun building it. You can change or cancel anything as long as the notebook hasn't shipped yet.

And strangely enough, the US site only has "processing" for the credit card, then goes directly to "pre-production", when the factory starts building. I see either it is different per country, or your status is because of the phone order. My processing took less than 24 hours.

Nonetheless, ask to change the parts. I'm sure they can work something out with you.

 

Alright. I'll see how it goes on monday..

Maybe a stupid question: Will it be possible to choose a 720p resolution with the 1080p Display, for games for example to get more fps?