Dell Refreshes Studio 15 Notebook

Today Dell refreshed the Studio 15 notebook, offering faster processors and the new ATI Mobility Radeon 4570 graphics card as upgrade options. The ATI 4570 will be offered in 256 and 512MB configurations, paired with 720p, 900p, or 1080p LED-backlit HD displays. The Studio 15 will be available in six color options including Black Chainlink, Ruby Red, Midnight Blue, Plum Purple, Spring Green, and Promise Pink.

Dell Studio 15 notebooks are equipped with builtin WiFi, Gigabit Ethernet, optional BlueTooth, and optional WWAN. Standard ports include two USB, one USB/eSATA Combo, HDMI, and an 8-in-1 media card reader. For low visibility typing Dell offers an optional backlit keyboard. The Dell Studio 15 starts at $649, and is available now through Dell.com.

To find out what we think about the Dell Studio 15, check out our official review.

 

How does the ATI 4570 compare to what you can get in a T500?

 

Now does this laptop ranges have any coupons?

When i tried with the available dell coupon for the Studio 15, it is not accepting it


@ eaadams, you can check yourself here,

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

 

dont forget the "5.1 surround sound with subwoofer" option.

 

Because of the 4570's weak 64-bit bus, the T500's 3650 will outperform it by a large margin.

 

If the first Centrino 2 generation the Studio 15 had the model number 1537, then this would be what? 1539?
Wasn't unexpected that 16:9 displays made it to Dell`s low/mid-range models, luckily aren't constricted to only 1366x768 resolution

 

Oh I didn't even notice that 1600x900 is being offered. Finally someone other than Sony wakes up. Good job Dell! They desperately need to add this option to the XPS 16.

 

Hopefully the Intel T9600 & P9700 and ATI Mobility 4670 are in the works for the Studio 17.

 

Note to potential buyers: don't get suckered into spending $50 for the 512MB 4570, the extra memory is worthless to a 64-bit GPU.

 

No. The new 4570's are the upgrades to the old 3470's, and are only around 5-10% worse.

 

This new model is designated 1555. To confuse things more, Dell also have a new 1537 "special edition", which is basically the regular 1537 with a 16:9 display.

I'm really not a huge fan of 16:9 in computer displays, but since the Studio series is meant to be used for multimedia, I can understand, but I think Dell is going a bit overboard with it. They've got the new Studio XPS series with 16:9 displays, the Studio 1537 special edition with 16:9, and now this new Studio 1555, also with 16:9. Honestly, even though it's a media machine, I enjoy the fact that my 1535 has a standard 16:10 display. I'm really not too bothered by half an inch of horizontal black bars if I'm watching a movie, and it's certainly not enough to justify just getting rid of that entire bit of vertical space.

I also feel I should point out that the 1555 does not have the touch-sensitive media buttons present on the 1535-1537 and 1735-1737 models. Instead, all their functions are present on the F1-F12 keys, in conjunction with the Fn key. This is because Dell has not figured out what's wrong with the existing media panel, which causes the common "sticky eject button" issue in the Studio 1535 and 1537, so they decided to scrap the whole design altogether and use keyboard shortcuts instead.

 

maybe this will inspire HP to stick better rez panels in there laptops

 

Why am I only seeing the option for a crappy Intel 4500MHD video card?

 

80 shaders vs 120 shaders
64 bit bus vs 128 bit bus.

i have to say you're way off.

 

Seems like some temporary error with the portal..should be back with the correct info shortly

 

Agreed, HP should offer nicer resolutions in their Pavilion line. The dv5t, which I have, was offered with a 1680x1050 panel, but it is now discontinued. Even though the refreshed Studio 15 has a 16:9 screen (which is unfortunate but inevitable), it is offered with 1600x900 and 1920x1080 resolution screens, which are a huge step up from HP's and most other manufacturer's 1366x768 panels.
Unfortunately the vast majority of computer users don't know what screen resolution is . . . which is the real problem. Proficient technological users like us are few and far between.

On another topic, I was never impressed with the Studio line of notebooks; when I was in the market last summer it came down to my dv5t or a Studio 15. After seeing both, the dv5t was the easy choice. Of course HP doesn't offer anything like the dv5t anymore - at least near its price point - so I guess if I was in the market now that the Studio 15 would be my pick for a decent notebook under $900.

 

The poll says it all: http://www.anandtech.com/weblog/showpost.aspx?i=569

 

The old card in the Studio 15 is the 3450, not 3470.

Some say it's just a website error, but other say they've called Dell sales specialists, and they say that they're no longer offering dedicated graphics for the Studio 15, possibly because it would take away sales from the XPS, Studio XPS, and Alienware laptops. Nobody's really sure if that's true or not, but the ATi card option has been missing for over a day.

"Unfortunate but inevitable". I couldn't agree more.

Certainly a shame. I know way too many people who buy laptops with underpowered hardware because "lol where else am i going to get a laptop that looks this cool for $400?". :/

Out of curiosity, what didn't impress you about the Studio series? I gotta say I've been pretty happy with mine, for $750.

That's not even talking about the Studio 15, that's the Studio XPS 16. Different series.

 

HP does the same thing with the Pavilion line; ever since the introduction of the premium HDX series they have intentionally crippled the Pavilions. For example, to get a higher-res screen you must go with a higher-priced HDX model, and for a better graphics card you must do the same. There is nothing inherently wrong with that - it's business - but it is depressing because you aren't getting as good of a value as before. The HDX16 is nice, but the dv5t offered almost everything it does (hardware-wise, at least; the HDX has some design advantages) in a smaller and less expensive package.

For starters I found the quality to be below par relative to the HP; the HP feels like a much more solid machine. The quality of the plastics and the finish are superior on the dv5t. Next, from a design standpoint there is no contest; the Studio 15 looks boring (not necessarily a bad thing for some). HP put way more into design than Dell, it is much sleeker and far more interesting. Next item - keyboard. I could not stand the Studio 15s keyboard, it felt lifeless and lacked tactile feedback. The HP dv5t has an excellent keyboard relative to any notebook I have tested. I'll refer you to the dv5t review link in my signature for the full details.

The Studio 15 isn't a bad notebook by any means. I almost bought one solely for the 1920x1200 screen (so nice), but after seeing both the HP and Dell in person I was willing to go with the HPs lesser 1680x1050 res in exchange for the items I mentioned above. I gave fair consideration to both machines.

I haven't done budget notebook research in a while, but if I were in the market today for a sub-$1,000 notebook good for some games and everyday stuff (my criteria when I bought the HP), then the Studio 15 would probably be my choice. The sole buying factor for me would be that 1920x1080 res, but the notebook itself does have other merits as well relative to the competition.

 

Poll - I said poll. The poll is about display preferences in general. The number of participants is pretty high, but maybe they don't reflect John Q. Public.

 

That's fair enough, and inevitable I suppose, but I still don't think Dell is intentionally scrapping the ATi card on the Studio 15. For one thing, it's still there on the Studio 17. And offering a multimedia laptop, with optional Blu-Ray reader and HDMI connectivity without any option for a dedicated graphics card? That would be very dumb if that's what Dell is actually trying to do. The Studio 15 review here on NBR specified that as one of the main criticisms: HDMI + Intel integrated chipset graphics = not good. If I remember what I read correctly, HDMI on the Intel GMA doesn't even transfer sound, just video.

I grant you that. The Studio 15 is pretty plain to look at (although the new artistic lid designs do alleviate that somewhat), and certainly not as sturdy as the HP dv5t. The Studio does have much better cooling, though. I know a friend who literally can't keep his hands on the palmrest of his dv5t after a couple of hours because it gets so hot, and the heat transfers through the palmrest. He never uses it on his lap either for the same reason. That's one issue I've never had with my Studio 15; heat. And that's with the hotter dedicated graphics card, and an older 65nm Merom processor before I upgraded.

You know, I've heard so many horror stories about the Studio 15's keyboard, and I really don't see it. And I've had two different keyboards on this thing; the original standard keyboard that shipped with the system, and a backlit keyboard I installed myself later on (which, by the way, is an absolutely necessary feature to me. Does the dv5t have a backlit keyboard option?). Both are sturdy, and I think the tactile feedback is great. Not to brag, but I am an avid touch-typer, and I simply cannot do that on a keyboard with poor tactile response, which is luckily something I have no issues with on this machine.

I've also heard about the supposedly awful keyboard flex particular to the Studio 15. Once again, not an issue on mine. To get mine to bend in the center, I have to push the keys way harder than I ever would in the normal process of typing. If I have to try and put effort in to get the keyboard to flex, then I don't think there's a flex issue. Any keyboard will bend with enough brute force. I have never experienced flex with the normal pressure of typing or gaming.

And I will check out that dv5t review.

Heh, and look at me sitting here with my 1280x800. Pathetic!

Although I do plan on buying the 1920x1200 display panel from a reseller sometime in the future and installing it myself. For the most part, 1280x800 is just fine for my needs, but I do a lot of programming, and I would really like to see more of my code without having to scroll.

I agree with you there. For a 15.4" modest performer with some gaming capability, sub-$1,000, the Studio 15 is great, especially with the new 1555 with the upgraded ATi graphics (although I abhor 16:9, it would be something I could live with considering what it offers for the price).

Touché.

 

Heat is the primary issue with the dv5t and a lot of HPs; their choice of cooling system is not very efficient. As I noted here, mine gets unbearably hot (literally) while gaming.
Unfortunately I could not have known about this before I bought it; I purchased the machine less than 24 hours after it was available and was one of the first to get it. I have a hefty cooling pad to tame the heat but it would be nice not to have to use that.

I'm not referring to horror stories or flex, even - I'm referring to the inherent qualities of the Studio 15's keyboard. The one I used at Best Buy last year felt mushy and lifeless relative to the dv5t and other notebooks I tested. It lacked a solid feel. It's been a while since I typed on it and I cannot locate the post I made about it last year. Maybe they changed the keyboard since then; it sounds like it based on your post. It's a mute point for me now.

Keyboard backlighting is not a feature I care for or would opt for; I never look down at the keyboard while typing. My desktop's keyboard is 100% devoid of all markings. HP has only started offering backlit keyboards (dv3 has it).

 

When did they drop the Tangerine Orange color availability?
Or, is it now part of the Studio line of colors to choose from?


Cin

 

Yeah, sometimes these things just don't have enough time to get out there before you buy one. Same thing with my Studio 15 and the eject button. To be fair, I bought a cooling pad with my laptop and I've used it all of twice.

Yeah, I think they must have revised the keyboard design, then. Mine is just great. No "mush" to speak of.

 

thing is with studio 15 you can get blu-ray, a high res screen, and a not-intel-4500 graphics card. for like $1000

 

The HD3470 is a 64bit bus GPU as well >.>

I'm pretty sure the HD4570 is supposed to be the HD4xxx series' equivalent to the low-end HD3450/3470.

I'm kinda sad, they upped the price of the new Studio 25 on the Canadian website. Now to get a same config I got for 100$CAD, I have to pay 1500$CAD which is the same price as a starting XPS16 -_-

 

That's probably more suited to the 4330, as found in the new Inspirons. It ranks just slightly below the 3450. The 4570 is considerably more powerful. Not an equivalent, though it is being used as a replacement.

 

Well if it's being used as a replacement, it should ideally be somewhat better since you're hoping one generation improves upon the last, not just that it equals performance. Even AMD/ATI used the HD3470 in their marketing to compare their new HD4570 to so I'm supposing that's what they want to replace the lower end standard with.

Oh well, it's still a nice improvement for Dell ot take ATI's new HD4xxx series. Now only the Studio 17 and the XPS 16 need a new 4xxx GPU

 

Yes they do; the XPS 16 looks like a fantastic machine and we gave it a great review here, but the 3670 GPU is quite outdated . . . if they stepped it up to a 4670, that would be one sweet notebook.

 

I'm guessing it if does happen, that Dell will refresh the SXPS line along with the other major technology updates coming at the end of the year/beginning of next year such as Windows 7, Intel Capella and the HD4xxx series.

I mean, the SXPS 13/16 is a relatively new notebook so they won't have a refresh tomorrow(took quite a bit of time to refresh the Studio 15 and the Studio 17 line still isn't altered), but it seems a refresh might happen as some SXPS16s have already found their way to the Dell outlet.

Is there any plans to change the Studio 17 along with the Studio 15??

 

Supposedly there are support pages for some previously unmentioned Studio 17 models on the Dell site, but nothing's been released or announced yet.

I don't think there's going to be a Studio XPS refresh any time soon. The XPS series still doesn't have a Montevina refresh, although you could argue that's because the Studio XPS series is replacing the older XPS models.