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Dell Studio 15 Review

Dell continues to try and update their notebook designs this year, and the new Dell Studio 15 is the latest consumer 15-inch notebook that highlights these new designs. Is it possible to take design elements from the 13.3" XPS M1330 and the 15.4" Dell XPS M1530 and make a budget notebook that keeps consumers happy? Take a look at our full review of the Studio 15 to find out for yourself.
We purchased our review unit of the Studio 15 from Staples where they offer set configurations of the Studio 15. Our budget configuration cost $799. Fully customized configurations are available at Dell.com.
As mentioned in our first look, we had hoped to conduct a full review of a custom-ordered Studio 15 machine with an orange colored lid. Unfortunately, the shipping date for our review unit was pushed back more than a month ... so we will complete our full review based on the pre-configured model available at Staples.


The specs of this particular Studio 15, the S1535-113P, are as follows:

  • Screen: glossy 15.4" WXGA 1280 x 800 display

  • Processor Intel Core 2 Duo T5750 (2.00GHz, 667MHz FSB, 2MB Cache)

  • Memory: 3.00 GB RAM

  • Storage: 250GB HD (5400rpm)

  • Optical Drive: Slot loading DVD+/-RW

  • Wireless: 802.11b/g

  • Graphics: Integrated Intel X3100

  • Built-in 2.0MP web camera

  • Ruby Red color lid

  • Ports: 4 USB 2.0, HDMI connector, 15-pin VGA video connector, Ethernet 10/100/1000 LAN (RJ45), AC adapter connector, Audio jacks (1 line-in, 1-line out, 1 Mic-in), 4-pin IEEE 1394 port, 54 mm ExpressCard slot, Consumer IR

  • Battery: 6-cell 56WHr Li-Ion Battery

  • Dimensions: Width: 14.0" (355.6mm), Height: 1.0" (25.3mm) front / 1.3" (33mm) back, Depth: 10.3" (261.5mm)

  • Weight: Starting weight of 6.11 lbs

Build and Design



While we were reasonably impressed with the dimensions of the Dell Studio 17 as a 17-inch notebook, the Studio 15 is a little heaver than other notebooks in its class. While the design of the notebook gives it the appearance that it's rather thick, it's actually close to the same thickness (or even thinner) than other 15-inch consumer notebooks.



The first time you look at the Studio 15 it's as if Dell removed the metal palmrests from the XPS M1530, added a little bulk, and offered a few more ways to customize the look. The end result is an impressive looking desktop replacement. I use the term "desktop replacement" because most people in the market for a 15-inch notebook aren't planning to haul their notebook everywhere and use it during regular airline travel. Well ... no one who cares about the person seated next to them is going to use this on a plane anyway.



While the Studio 15 isn't exactly a thin-and-light notebook designed for mobility, it does offer solid design and construction. As mentioned above, the Studio 15 takes several design elements from the latest XPS notebooks: the wedge-shaped profile, drop hinge, slot-loading optical drive, and touch-sensitive media buttons are all hallmarks of the XPS M1330 and M1530. That said, there are a few extras in the design of the Studio 15 that you won't see in the XPS line.

1 comment:

Petani Internet said...

Wow nice review,
I live Dell Studio 15.
But i don't know to buy it.

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