Dell Studio 17 Review

Very, nice review! I'm still partial to the 1530 though

 

Correction on the E-Value code: When you go to the page to enter the E-Value code put a "1" in the first field followed by the rest of the code:

1-DNDPVA1

That will work.

 

what confuses me is that in the leak on Engadget, it was stated to have at least an Nvidia 8600gt. but the fact that the ATI 3650 is about the same performance i guess is a no brainer. i kinda WAS hoping for the DDR3 version but then again, that would be creeping toward the XPS lineup, well, in regards to the 15 and 13inch lines.

other than that little quibble, great job dell! love the look and love the options, especially the backlit keyboard and LED option. oh and for those wondering if the 15incher has an LED option, the option is on the site.

 

Like the design but looks insanely thick! Maybe the 15.4" models will be thiner.

 

Once Dell offers better graphics options on both models, I'll definitely consider them. Everything else (quality, design, features) looks very good.

Studio 17: ATI HD 3850/70 or Nvidia 9650M GS/9700M GT
Studio 15: ATI HD 3650 or Nvidia 9600M GT DDR3

Unless, Dell is holding off on the better GPUs for the new XPS models coming out this summer.

 

Exactly. We don't need SLI setups, but I'd like the option for something better than a decidedly middle-of-the-road video card. Especially on the 17" model.

 

Any idea what other changes the new XPS models will have?

I really like what I see in the new Studio line -- a lot -- but I just came from BestBuy where they had an m1330 sitting next to a 1525. I realized that I prefer the smaller footprint of the 13 incher over the 15. Since a Studio 13 is not expected, maybe there's an upgraded 13" XPS in my future?

 

Woah, indeed it seems an intresting laptop. Thanks for the review!
I think I'll sell my Vostro and buy 15" Studio in few months when it'll have better gpu possibilities.

 

So, are they gonna discontinue the Inspiron line ???? Like Lenovo did with their 3000??
I will check one out in person soon, the 1720 was better built compare to its rival Pavilion DV9500, hopefully this one will be the same.

 

What about HP 8710p? I considered it once...

 

How will 256MB (GDDR2) ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650 graphics handle CAD/CAM softwares?

I was just looking at the ASUS M70S earlier today. They pretty much have the same specs, yet in one of those test scores for the GPU... the STUDIO 17 was way under compared to the ASUS M70S.

 

The 1330 has been out for nearly a year now so I think it's a safe bet that a replacement will be coming this summer. Changes should include Centrino 2, new Penryn CPUs like the P9500 (2.53GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 25 watts) and Nvidia's new 9 series video cards which are die shrinks of current 8 series cards (less heat, better battery life, but minimal performance improvements). Last month I read something about a 14" Studio, but it looks like it was canceled. A Studio 13 model would make more sense, but maybe it would be too close to the 12.1" Slim E's specs.

 

I like it!

 

The Asus M70S we reviewed had a full 1GB of GDDR2 versus only 256MB in the Studio 17. Four times the amount of dedicated graphics memory produces a better 3DMark score.

Of course, our review unit of the M70S was priced at $2,400 compared to only $1,600 for this configuration of the Studio 17.

Oh, and unless you're working on the worlds largest 3D CAD/CAM project the 256MB ATI 3650 card should have MORE than enough power for your CAD/CAM requirements.

 

Wouldnt the design of the bottom panel allow someone to swap out the graphics card more easily?

 

Only if the graphics card is modular. Again, as far as I could tell it looks like the design of the Studio 17 uses a motherboard that integrates the dedicated card directly to the main board ... so it doesn't look like the dedicated graphics card is replaceable unless you replace the entire motherboard.

I acknowledge I could be wrong, but I don't think it's possible to replace/upgrade just the graphics card in the Studio 17 despite the fact that the single large bottom panel makes it easy to access the components.

 

Hmm everything looks exciting except for the gpu performance (still below the 8600m gt). It seems that recently manufacturers are competing on the "looks" factor and are pumping out attractive looking consumer notebooks. I am sure this will get a lot of attention at Bestbuy from the average consumer.

 

Why are all video reviews just a video of a stationary laptop with narration? Can you guys please get close up shots, handling shots, comparision shots... you have a video camera why remain static? You barely handle the thing in the clip.

 

the ASUS have a lower resolution screen. was 3dmark performed at the same resolution?

 

the only problems I see with this laptop are as follows:

SLOT LOADED OPTICAL DRIVE.....like the ones in your car its bound to scratch up your disks, havent met a slot loader that doesnt scratch em up, OUCH BAD CHOICE.

BUILD QUALITY: like the 1720 inspirons, not a very inspiring build quality missing the duability of the inspiron 9300 9400 laptops and not alot of ventilation going on there either. Lets see a squeeze on that laptop lid, does it dimple the lcd screen?? Flex in the body?? IM guessing LOTS

VIDEO: hurrah dell you did something right here the ati radeon 3650 is a pretty formidable dedicated graphics card, ati has lots of experience in mobile video and this one performs quit well okay so this is not really an issues consider this a PLUS

Im all about function and duability like my old 9300 which was a great design as well though most didnt like it, twas built like a tank and spacious, anyhow the slot loading optical drive is definitely a deal killer for me, there's a reason you dont see these on many laptops ( they scratch your disks). so this was purely an aesthetic choice,

When it comes to laptops choosing aesthetics over quality is never a good choice nor is it cost effective

 

Impressed at how fast NBR is to review the newest stuff.

Regarding the actual machine, I'm pretty impressed. Lots of performance at low prices. I'm not in love with the design, but it's a step up from the old ones.

I've owned tons of Dell machines and never had to go through some of the hell a lot of people describe on forums. Once my dimension desktop's hard drive died and a guy from Dell actually came to my house the next day and replaced it!

 

Actually, the ASUS had the same resolution display (1920 x 1200) and both 3DMark06 benchmarks were performed at the same resolution. The 800 point difference has to to with the fact that the ASUS system had more GDDR2 for the graphics card.

That's certainly something in the plus column for the M70S if you're making a purchasing choice on benchmarks alone. Still, in terms of the overall package (design, build quality, performance, and price) I think the Dell Studio 17 will be more attractive to consumers (particularly in the area of price).

 

Great review.

I am somewhat disappointed by the short battery life of 2hr 38 min for a 9 cell. Maybe the T9300 is not power efficient as it seems.

 

Most 17-inch notebooks don't have amazing battery life. Also, factor in that dedicated graphics suck more juice than integrated graphics. We reviewed a 17" Fujitsu notebook earlier this year that only managed 42 minutes before the notebook shut down due to low battery power!

That said, the battery life may have been impacted by the "pre-production" nature of this system or all the bloatware running in the background. We don't do what I consider "hard core" laboratory testing of battery life (we don't disassemble the batteries and use volt meters on the cells or the power bricks, we don't measure each watt that each internal component uses, etc.). Our provided battery life information is meant simply to give you a baseline idea of what to expect in terms of normal battery life for the notebook in question. I'm sure some users will get better battery life and it's likewise safe to say that some users may get worse battery life depending on the system configuration and use.

 

Huh? This video card performs worse than the mid-range card I got in my 1705 two years ago (the 7900GS). It's a weak video card.

 

Same here, I've had lots of Dells. In fact I've still got 3 of 'em in the house (all working fine, thank you).

 

I have been in the market for a new laptop to replace my 3.6 year old I9300. I am a long time Dell fan, we also currently have 3. Dell's service is stellar! (example: My XPS 710 had a faulty USB port. Unknowing, I plugged in my iPod, sparks flew everywhere. They had a tech out the next day to replace the panel, and Dell sent me a check for a new iPod. But, I digress.

I ordered the Studio 17 yesterday. I like the design and the many configuration options. The *only* thing I am concerned about is the ATI card. I have always been partial to nvidia for the clarity and brightness of graphics and have never had much luck with ATI.

Will post my opinions around mid-July

 

Any chance you can upload the wallpaper from the studio Jerry?

 

The graphics card has nothing to do with clarity and brightness.

 

Jerry,

A few of the reviews that I have been reading mentioned a con about this system. They talk about how close it is to being released right before the Centrino 2 chipsets. In your opinion, do you think that this system is worth getting or should I wait for other laptops that have the Centrino 2 chipset in them? The studio series is already much more powerful that my current notebook, so I wont go wrong with it either way, but I was wondering if I should wait till Centrino 2 is released in July (and spend more money) on a notebook that has it.


Also does anyone know what local stores would carry this laptop? Several press releases and reviews mentioned that it will be in stores shortly I wanted to look at it personally before I bought it. I know best buy carries the XPS M1530, so does that mean they might carry the Studio 15 and 17?

How about some shots of the M1530 and the Studio 15 and 17 side by side so we all can see the size difference between the sloping screens.

 

Ok, what does? the quality of the screen? Please educate me.

 

Yeah, the screen is what determines whether your image will be bright and clear. This is why some laptop owners report having "grainy screens." I've heard that LED backlit screens have excellent contrast and brightness, if that's what you're looking for.

 

Hi Jerry,

Very nice review.

Please help to check the manufacturer & model of the slot loading DVDRW?

If possible please help to capture of print screen of the device manager showing the slot loading DVRW detail?

Thanks & keep up with your nice work.

 

I really looked forward for this new notebook line from DELL.

I would say it is really good looking and has a lot of futures but is still below expectations.

The video card is in my opinion the worse part of the laptop. I use my laptop for work and gaming and this laptop is just not indicated for gaming.

The ATI 3650 is a good chipset but they should have definitly considered the lower ends of the 8800M series, a 3850 and why not, a 9800M GTS.

And DDR2? The old 7900GS had DDR3 if I recall well.

Maybe things will change in the future.

Another beautiful thing that I loved about Dell is the possibility to upgrade almost all components in your notebook. I have upgraded my E1705 with a 7900 GTX and I know there are many other people who upgraded the video cards in their Inspiron 9300 and 9400, but if that is not possible anymore, well... then that just makes me sad.

In two years the gaming performance of the 17-inch non-XPS line of DELL notebooks had very little performance increase, if it didn't even go backwards.

I would love to buy a 17-inch notebook with decent gaming capablities, something between the current Inspiron 1720 and the ridicoulasly overpriced XPS 1730. I believe this is were the Studio line was supposed to be, but it's not.

Another thing is the construction itself. The laptop looks like it will not deal with heat very well. The old Inspiron and Vostro design with two fans was... well...was excellent.

To bad DELL...

 

Dang, and I was just about to get an Asus M70.

I'm a graphics designer and they've certainly got aesthetics down, though some are frowning that the functionality front slipped under.
Minimalist looks often helps the laptop age well, aesthetically.

I would love to know which parts are not upgradeable.

 

Not that I'm a major nVIDIA fanboy (my desktop has the Radeon HD4850 afterall), but I think Dell made a wrong decision in choosing the HD3650. The 9500GS with DDR3 memory should've suited the Studio 17 perfectly; not as fasy as say the 9600 series that'll go on the XPS series, but nevertheless good enough for current games at decent resolutions and detail settings.

Don't feel like finding the review right now (just do a search yourself... sorry it's getting late around here), but I believe the one of the Toshiba Satellite A300 models have the exact same GPU + DDR2 memory and manages to score 300+ points higher in 3DMark 2006. Maybe the Dell is downclocked a little?

 

Thank you for the review, it was good, but I think this notebook looks like a pig. That in tandem with the meh-tacular GPU will ensure I won;t be buying one of these.

 

The only thing I like about the Studio line over an XPS M1530 is that it has a backlit keyboard. However, I'm thinking that if they placed it on a less expensive line of computer then they will eventually place it on the XPS 1530. (I hope)

 

I hope Dell put some decent VGA option into his Studio 15 palette.

 

Great review and great product. Thanks!

 

Question, is it possible to combine the E-Value code with a student discount?

 

@Count: No, sorry.

 

The wifi on my 700m is fishy, and the speakers don't work, and the fn-number pad doesn't work, but my machine is long, long out of warranty. The machine was very heavily used, and I think I got my money's worth on it.

 

Will this laptop be able to drive a 2560x1600 LCD monitor (e.g. the Dell 30")?

 

Great Review Jerr!!! Can anyone point me to where I can get the desktop picture???

 

What's the main differences between the latest nvidia (used in dv5t, dv7t) and ATI Radeon HD 3650.

 

looking into it, thank you!

 

Wow! Dell is on the ball! Microsoft, take notes. :laugh:

 

Gosh, just another black box? My laptop from 2005 was silver and white, hardly black and nameless.

How unfortunate the reviews these days only focus on bling and colors instead of quality and performance, Dells bling may have gone up but the quality and performance have gone down in these new refreshes of their lapotop lines, Certainly nothing to praise dell for.

Your new laptop may be red or orange but its not going to last as long but who cares right? its red or orange that must make it better.

Alas for quality.

 

Great review! I saw one of these at Staples today and what a nice looking machine!