With its new line of Studio laptops, Dell aims to reach a mainstream audience with a power to price ratio that falls somewhere between the Inspiron and XPS lines while catering to its more multimedia-minded users. Does it succeed? Read on.
Design:
I’ve always liked the smooth satin finish of the Inspiron and XPS notebooks and was glad to see this made a return with the Studio line. The screen attaches to the base of the notebook with a hefty hinge on either end that gives it a sturdy, won’t-snap-off-in-your-lap kind of feel, and the screen is surprisingly hefty for being so thin. The keyboard is smooth, quiet, and comfortably laid out, though it looks a bit dated in comparison to the rest of the notebook. Function before form, I suppose. An optional backlit keyboard compliments the glowing, touch-sensitive media controls below the screen. These controls are very responsive, lighting up and performing with just the right amount of pressure. The touch pads on both models are comfortable, responsive, and quiet, equaling the functionality of the keyboard but fitting in a bit more effectively with the modern look of the rest of the laptop. A wedge-shaped base subtly tilts the keyboard toward the user while leaving plenty of room for input/output ports on the sides. Add to all of this an excess of factory-customized lid design options for affordable personalization and the Studio 15 and 17 notebooks are relatively attractive, albeit quite heavy (8.4 pounds for the 17 and just over 6 for the 15) alternatives for the multimedia crowd.
Performance:
Both the 15” and 17” versions are created with heavymultimedia use in mind, and perform admirably toward that end. For a mid-range notebook, the Studio line offers plenty of power for the price. Those looking to use their notebook as a portable entertainment system will not be disappointed.
The least-upgraded versions of the Studio 15 and 17 models mysteriously both cost $649 on Dell’s website, though a dumbed-down processor in the Studio 17 (Intel Pentium Dual Core T4200 rather than the 15” version’s T6400) accounts for the equal cost. Of course, with the magic of convenient online customization it’s possible to shove up to a T9550 into both models if desired (raising costs accordingly). 3GB of RAM at 800MHz and a 250GB internal hard drive at 5400RPM increase the multimedia-oriented functionality of the Studio line, with customization offering still more power and memory.
The beautifully large 16:10, 1440×900 screen of the 17” model obviously trumps the 15” version in both size and resolution, though the 15” is not too shabby itself – either model is well-suited for movies, games, and HD video editing. Media playback is smooth and vivid, and the speakers are just loud enough to be practical. While the screen is reflective, it isn’t distractingly so. Viewing angles are acceptable as well.
The addition of HDMI outputs and optional Blu-ray disc drives further enhances the media-mindedness of the Studio line and gives owners the option of using their notebook as a home theater system. Discreet graphics make for a relatively formidable gaming machine, though hardcore gamers could find more power elsewhere. Still, this kind of performance is not often available in a mid-level consumer notebook, making this a much-appreciated option for multimedia connoisseurs.
The new “Dell Dock” allows for OSX-like functionality, placing a bar of frequently used shortcuts at the top of the screen. Additional icons can be dragged-and-dropped onto this bar, creating a useful time-saver that may help to make Vista more user-friendly for those struggling to adjust.
A 2-megapixel webcam and a useful assortment of ports round out the features of these media-friendly notebooks. Battery life is an impressive 3 ½ hours and the 9T215 AC adapter is sleek and thin, reducing the hassle involved with using the notebook while plugged in. The adapter also runs more coolly than most, a welcome feature considering how these tend to become with use.
Verdict:
The Dell Studio 15 and 17 notebooks are affordable, accessible mid-level multimedia powerhouses that will satisfy anyone looking for a portable entertainment system. This amount of power is not often available at such an affordable price, and the design is both functional and attractive. Adequate performance and a useful set of upgradeable features and accessories round out this customizable, media-focused line of notebooks.
About The Author
Jack Edmund is a blogger for the laptop battery and accessories retailer PriorityElectronics.com. His interests include kayaking, bird watching, and technology.
