Dell Studio 15 Review

U sure? I have dv5-1030ec - battery life 1h30 max, poor wifi... The sound is great though.

 

Anyone tried testing battery life with HD 3450 or with 9-cell battery? I wonder how big the difference is...;-) Does the 9-cell battery stick out? How much?

 

Some people say it does have eSATA, some that it doesn't - even Dell's website. I read that eSATA port is shared with one of the USB ports on the left hand side. Is that true??

 

I purchased the Dell Studio 15 on sale for $649 and love it!

 

Got mine for 510

Specs in sig

 

I just looked at mine and it is true! Thats really cool!

 

the one esata port (on the left side, bottom port) is designed into the USB 2.0 port as well so they can be used interchangeably.

 

I knew it! That's for you, dv5 fans..

It's weird that this fact is not mentioned in most reviews and even the official web says just 4 USB ports.

 

Is anyone else having issues with the touchpad? My friend is having nothing but trouble with it. It keeps skipping and even decides to stop working here and there. Is it a driver problem or a hardware problem?

 

Have him change the sensitivity on it.

 

I did. Uninstalled the drivers and installed the newest drivers from the dell website and problems went away

 

I think he already installed the latest drivers from Dell, but I'm not sure on this. I will tell him regardless. Thanks for the help guys.

 

I actually really like the access panel. Even for those just wanting to upgrade their RAM, it's still fine. And it makes cleaning easy.

LOL. :laugh:

 

wow. look at that. personally im not a fan on the XPS keyboard, its just so uncomfortable typing with it, i hated the texture of the keyboard..

But the brush metal palmrests and the touchpad is a merit VS HP's stupid touchpad. Why do HP keeps of keeping that pad for a lOOooong time??

 

Just a couple quick questions as I'm looking to pick up a Studio 15 model in a short while:

-Does the sound card have a line-in port on it? Seems like most home/home-office oriented notebooks these days oddly have 2 headphone and 1 mic jack and never feature a line-in. Would be nice to have.

-As far as I can tell, it features 2 1/2 mini-pci-e slots normally attributed for the WLAN card, the bluetooth card, and the optional mobile broadband card. If I decide to opt just for the WLAN card and leave the two full size slots open, will the antenna leads made for the BT and mobile broadband cards remain intact or would I be SOL in that area? Hoping to add those on myself after the fact. Notably go for BT/UWB combo and use the cell card slot for an OTA digital tv tuner with the existing internal antenna.

-What exact chipset does this notebook feature? That way I can be aware of what cpu upgrades I have available to me down the road.

-And most notably, anyone so far know how sturdy the power port is physically? My last notebook was an Inspiron 1200 which had a major design flaw of the power jack only being attached by the cold solder points on the motherboard which eventually brought it to a cataclysmic death in under a year of ownership. Just want to make sure the same thing isn't gonna happen again here.

 

I didn't make it through every page on this thread and I just got my i1535 a week ago, but I wanted to offer a correction...

The HDMI port on my i1535 does do Audio over HDMI.

Also to the post above...

There is 1x Line In, 2x Headphone.

 

I have had one since August which I ordered from dell.com customized. Specs below:
Studio 15;Intel® CoreTM 2 Duo T5750 (2.00GHz/667Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
System Color Option: Midnight Blue
Memory: 2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2
Built-in Keyboard Options: Back-lit Keyboard
LCD Panel: Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch display (1280x800)
Video Card: 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3450
Hard Drive: 160GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1
Combo or DVD+RW Drive: 8X Slot Load CD / DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
Sound Card: High Definition Audio 2.0
Wireless Networking Cards: Dell 1510 Wireless-N Card
Camera Module: Integrated 2.0M Pixel Webcam
Battery Options: 56 Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)
Finger Print Reader Module: Integrated Finger Print Reader
Bluetooth Option: Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Internal (2.0)
LCD and Camera: Glossy, widescreen 15.4 LCD (1280x800) w/ 2.0M pixel Camera
Overall VERY pleased with the product. This is the 2nd laptop/notebook I've owned. Had an HP Pavilion ze2000z for three years which I sold as it was still working fine.
PROS: Backlight keyboard is AWESOME
LOVE the fingerprint log in option cool that it also lets you save pwords for websites and just log in with your fingerprint on the 2nd time.
HDMI output is nice. Haven't had a chance to use the ESata slot but nice to know the option exists
Built in webcam is very convenient.
Slot loading DVD is cool.

CONS: Speakers are useless. Didn't realize just how poor they really are until my bro was here this weekend and got to hear my old ones again. These really are QUIET. But with headphones, I have to turn the volume WAYYY down.

INDIF: Odd to not have a CLICK/LOCK shut on the cover. However, I haven't had any issues with it opening when carrying it around.
Battery life has been a little dissapointing but I had a 12cell on my old one so was spoiled with how long I could use it. Would definitely pay the extra for a 9cell next time instead of the standard 6cell it came with.

 

My neice brought her Studio home from school for Thanksgiving and handed to me and said, "My speakers aren't working anymore!"

I said, "And that is a problem, why? Consider yourself lucky."

 

I prefer the brush metal palmrests myself !

 

Actually, it depends on what graphics card you opted for. The lower end intel as far as I have seen all over the web will not do audio over HDMI. But the ATI card will.

Well if that's the case, it's more likely a mic-in rather than line-in which is a totally different ballgame and really depressing. I can do without 2 headphone jacks in lieu of a line-in. ><

Also another thing that came up: Has anyone ever opened their studio yet and know the size and dimensions of the speakers and what kind of room is in the case for them? Been thinking about swapping them out when I get mine with a pair out of an old Inspiron 7500 I have which are GREAT quality and even kick a little bass out but they are a little larger than a half dollar coin in size and about twice the thickness.

 

I'm getting a Dell Studio 15 laptop for xmas. I have a question about the operating system. I've read somewhere that the Studio comes with a Windows Vista disc. Is this bloatware free as in just the operating system or is it loaded with free trials and other things I'd want to get rid of? If the vista disc is just the basic operating system, how hard is it to wipe the hard drive and do a clean install, anything to keep an eye on? I'd assume you'd download all the drivers off the dell website, are there drivers which are not on this site that you will need? Any help would be most appreciated.

 

The disk is a real Windows Vista CD. No bloatware, no drivers, which means a clean, fresh install of windows. Actually that's the first thing I did when I got my studio 15

 

Where did you get the drivers from, Dell website? Did you have to install them in any particular order and have you experienced any problems since the clean install?

 

I downloaded everything from Dell website. The order doesn't bother, but to be sure, begin by chipset, video card, sound card, etc.

I had absolutely no problems with the clean install, and everythings works fine

Good luck

 

Thanks Weaver. How do you like your laptop so far? I saw a black dell studio 15 at Future Shop and I can't get over how nice that screen is, so vibrant. There was some flex in the keyboard but 4 other brands had the same amount of flex. I like the style better than the xps, the brushed metal actually look very rough on it. The swirls on the palm rests didn't bother me, didn't really notice it. I like the black lid but from the one I saw in the store the backs really scratched up. I wish there was a plain black gel skin out there?

 

Is the Studio 15 a good alternative to consider instead of an Inspiron 1525? All I would use the computer for is web surfing and email, possibly some Quicken. I noticed in the close ups of the touchpad area lines on top of the grey color, the reviewer described the effect as "spilled milk".

Does that paint affect come with all Studio 15's? I'd like to purchase a "Midnight Blue" color. Would the "Midnight Blue" on a Studio 15 be the same "Midnight Blue" on an Inspiron 1525 or would it look more like Dell's "Pacific Blue" offered on another model? If I purchased a Studio 15 in "Midnight Blue" would it come with the same grey keyboard with the spilled milk effect as was shown in the model in the review?

 

If you're not looking for aesthetics, the inspiron 1525 would do the same.

 

Stevoreno:

I've seen the Studio 15 at a local store and the spilled milk effect is very minor IMO. I actually prefer the look to the XPS, that has what I take is aluminum palm rests but there appears to be no finishing on it and it looks very raw. Studio 15 actually looks pretty elegant and has a gorgeous screen. I've got one coming on Dec25 so I'll post pics when I get it.

 

I did not see any gel skin, but I use mine since september and I have no scratches.

Of course it is : it is just the following model in term of performance, you can have bigger CPUs and a more powerful Graphic card. However, if you don't need this, the Inspiron 1525 will do the job.

Midnight blue is the very same than midnight blue of the inspiron, so you not have to worry about that. Yes, you will have the same keyboard with the spilled milk effect

I also prefer the look of the XPS, plus the XPS is a bit thinner. But the studio was cheaper, which was a point for me. In the final, I'm very happy with my studio 15 and have no problem to recommend it.

 

any chance of getting the studio 15 review updated to reflect the new processors. im curious how the new centrino 2 processors in the studio match up against the 1530 XPS.

 

do you think the dell inspiron 1420 specs on t7250 and nvidia geforce 8400 m gs as the same power with dell inspiron 1520

 

If the two computers have the same components, then yes, they should perform the same. This question is better asked in the Dell forum, though: http://forum.notebookreview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1050

And welcome to NBR!

 

Hello
could you tell me please, what are the best e-stores for buying dell studio 1537 or 1737 in London? Thank you.

 

Be careful in buying this model from Best Buy (if you haven't already done so). I had to return the first one as a bug was encountered on first loading (automatically) the updates right after the initial install. It could not "auto repair" itself. Best Buy was nice and took the return without hassle and gave me a replacement. However, same problem with the replacement which I am taking back today. I think it might be better to order the unit directly from Dell which I am also going to do today.

 

Hey, my dad ordered me a Studio 15 yesterday, but he did it without the back-lit keyboard and without the ati ingegrated graphics. is it too late to make changes on the order? If the answer is yes, could I add a graphics card later on? thanx

 

Hi,

I'm thinking about buying the Studio 15. Which configuration will be faster?(and obviously which will be the better purchase?)


Both options would have:
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium, 64-bit edition
HARD DRIVE Size: 320GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
GRAPHICS CARD 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3450
LCD Bright, glossy widescreen 15.4 WLED display (1280x800)
BATTERY OPTIONS 56 Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)


Option A:

PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T6400 (2.00GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
MEMORY 6GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 800MHz

Option B:

PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8700 (2.530GHz/1066Mhz FSB/3MB cache)
MEMORY 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 800MHz


Dell gives option B for $50 cheaper. (they also say that the option B system is worth $100 more than option A).

Option A or Option B?

 

I'd pick Option B. Can you not get a higher-res screen?

Maybe save $50 or whatever Dell charges and downgrade to a 250 GB HDD, then purchase a good 7200RPM 320 Gb drive. I'd pick the WD Scorpio Black, but apparently the Hitachi ones are going for very cheap now, though people are having problems with rebates.

 

Hello Everyone,

I am in big confusion of choosing the rite laptop for my work.

I found Dell Studio 15 is what comes to the rescue for me at the moment. But I really like if you guys can clear certain doubts I have.

I mainly work on Web Development. ( Photoshop / Illustrator will be used very rarely, but I will use them as an hobby ).

Spec

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.40Ghz, 3MB, 1066MHz)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium SP1 - English
15.4" Wide Screen WXGA WLED (1280 x 800) Display with TrueLife™
256MB ATI Mobility RADEON HD 3450
4096MB 800MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x2048]
320GB (5.400rpm) SATA Hard Drive
Fixed Internal DVD+/-RW Slot Load Drive including Software


I am also purchasing a desktop display for more room. The spec for my monitor is

Samsung
Display

* Screen size: 23" Wide
* Brightness(Typical): 300 cd/m2
* Contrast Ratio(Typical): DC 20000:1(1000:1) (Typ.)
* Resolution: 1920x1080
* Response Time(Typical): 5ms
* Viewing Angle(Horizontal/Vertical): 170˚/160˚
* Color Supported: 16.7M
resolution 1920x1080

Signal Input

* Video Signal: Analog RGB, DVI
* Sync. Signal: Separate H/V, Composite, SOG
* Connector: 15pin D-SUB, DVI-D

Will it be possible to extend this Laptop (Dell Studio 15) to the monitor with the above spec.

Does this laptop with 256 MB ATI graphic card can handle monitor of 1920x1080 screen?

Please help...

many thanks in advance

 

Bump, i have the same drive in my Dell Studio Hybrid.

In regards to:
The Optiarc AD-7640S Slim Slot-Load DVD±R/RW Drive has the following features:

* 12.7 mm Height, Internal Type DVD±R/RW Drive
* Slot-Load Mechanism
* Support only 12 cm discs
* SATA interface (compliant to ATA/ATAPI-7)

http://support.dell.com/support/systemsinfo/documentation.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&~subcat=162&~cat=7


I want to add this table since this is what I was originally looking for:
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/storage/P167985/en/spec.htm

 

vaaz,

I'm plugging my viewsonic 20" ( 1680 x 1050 ) to dell studio 1537 via the analog rgb port. No problem so far, except calibrating both displays to get the same colors, gamma, etc. which is a pain in the butt.

If I'm not mistaken, radeon hd 3450 can handle up to 2048x1536. I don't have 22" monitor, though.

 

is there a dell or hp equivalent that doesn't weigh 6lbs? perhaps something closer to 5? 14" screen is ok. they do make 15" that are 5lbs, right?

 

I have a Dell Studio 15 and use it as a mobile DJ. It runs Torq completely smooth and allows me to do some fairly complex mixes using the effects, loops and hot cues. Before I moved onto the laptop platform I was using a PC on the gigs. It was heavy and took a long time to setup.
I like the smaller size of the Studio 15 as opposed to the 17 for my application. The graphics in the aforementioned posts don't relate to what I do but everything looks clear and crisp to me. Processing the audio requires the dual core and 4 gigs of ram. I'm completely satisfied with it.