We got a look at some engineering prototype versions of Dell's new
Studio 17 and Studio 15 laptops, so while they might be lacking a minor bit of polish here or there compared to the real versions, Dell certainly had these up and running a good couple months ago. We're not totally blown away by the design, but it's certainly a step in the right direction for Dell, and a few elements (like the hinge) even seem to be taking some cues from Lenovo's ultra-designed
IdeaPad line. There's no denying that the Studio 15, with its flush-to-the-edges keyboard strikes a more stunning figure than the slightly bleh Studio 17 version, but neither one is quite as thin as we'd like, and the material doesn't quite shake off the cheap plastic feel of Dell's Inspiron series. But hey, color (and graphic) lid customization is fun, and you're still going to be hard pressed to beat Dell's prices. Pics are below, and we apologize for the blurring: a few unannounced products snuck into the shots, but hopefully we'll be hearing more about those shortly.
posted June 26th 2008 5:16PM
Nice dust. :)
Seriously. The first company that makes a dust repelling laptop will be my new best friend.
@LiqwidZero: I'm afriad that might burn your epidermis.
It's dandruf, not dust. ..
@Ryan Singer: meh, they're both equally nasty.
Does their CompleteCare come with "Lice Protection"?
What is the target market for these "Studio" laptops? They look like an XPS M1535?
People. People with money.
I hope it's not just another Windows laptop that $2800 or more.
Actually, the Dell Studio 15 starts at $799 - $1,099
The Dell Studio 17 starts at $999 - $1,299
From the Dell site.
Another windows laptop over $2800?
I bet you can't find very many over that price that aren't made by Alienware or Voodoo. Dell and HP generally have nicely configured models for around $1600 and routinely have coupons online that knock off anywhere from $100 to $400.
I just looked at Bestbuy.com. They have 7 laptops over $1800 and 3 of them are Macs. The 4 PCs are big enough that they couldn't really be considered laptops and none of them costs over $2350 anyway.
It's for yuppies in studio apartments.
Uh oh, I see some un-blurred, perforated aluminum in shot 12! :X
Is that a neon green *candle* in the reflection of shot #8?
Color-matched mice are one thing, but if they're throwing in retro 80s New Age paraphernalia, count me in!
the are in fact between inspiron and xps series
I'm really liking the design of these laptops.
WAAAAAAAAAAAY too much "Glossy" for my liking.
ewww... norton liveupdate
It's like watch Halle Berry taking Pepto Bismal :Q
unannounced products or well placed products.
These photos are like looking at a chubby girl in a sexy dress. Sexy, but you know it would be that much better if it was thinner.
Also, how hard is it to put the battery under the track pad, it would really, really, improve the balance!
no hdmi ports?
There is a HDMI port on the left side.
I think Dell did a good job with this design, it looks more sleek and modern compared to some of their older lines. It should be a big seller for the back to school shopping season.
B.F.D.
Notebook review had a hands-on test posted today:
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4471
Configure one with the LED display and a few other otpions and your talking close to $1800 even with the instant savings offer.
Oooops, "options" not "otpions". Also Vista only.
I don't know about the slot loading optical drive. Its convenient in the fact that you don't have to have as much space to slide out the tray, but at the same time if it ever failed it would be an even bigger PITA to replace then a regular laptop optical drive is.
why go for these blurry pics....dell has them on the website:
http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/laptop_studio_15?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs
starts at $799
what a waste of time! dell needs to build a time machine to bring it back to the 21st century. FUGLY!
Interesting to note that there seems to be a Dock (similar to OS X) at the top of the screen on one of the photos.
I'm not a big fan of the dock, because I don't think it's that practical enough. It's visually nice and all, with pretty icons that bounce as you hover, but it can be distracting if your mouse bumps and hovers over it, and if I run 2 of the same application at once, it can confusing to tell which one I want with one arrow indicating what I'm using, or small screenshots of it. It's visually nice, but not that useful. The taskbar is far more convenient to me. Just my opinion.
Looks very similar to the free ObjectDock for Windows.
It's the Dell dock talked about in the previous news.
@ g3n3tix : Whoops. I didn't notice that article, until I turned a few pages. News goes by fast.
its already released.
"...and the material doesn't quite shake off the cheap plastic feel of Dell's Inspiron series."
I know this is subjective, but I've honestly found the "cheap plastic" on Inspirons to be better than my (white) Macbook. Go figure.
OK, I really like the design (colors, and the way the lid folds back!) minus 3 things:
1. It's looks way thick and heavy. No way I'd carry this to Starbucks or conferences.
2. Where is the built-in webcam? Am I missing it?
3. The plastic keyboard with stickered on lettering and the cheap mice? Please take that back to the lab and try harder!
Love the concept and the name....however its lacking in design.
Sorry but that hinge thing looks God awful. Also when will Dell realize that Thin = Sexy?
NO, functional, feature rich, well equipped, stingy on power and affordable are sexy. Just because the mac air is thin, doesn't make it sexy in my book. It's expensive, elitist, and a real insult to intelligence. Dell make great products, I have a 5 year old inspiron that's rock solid, and still looking good.
@inno8sky
I know it's cool to take aim at the MacBook Air when talking about "thin", but it's hardly just the Air that's thin and, I'm sorry, but size and weight in a laptop are damned important factors. I can fully appreciate that there are other factors that are important as well, but there's no excuse these days for not being able to pack a fully featured notebook into a case that is thinner than this thing. Mind you, this thing isn't really in the same price category as the high-end laptops so something's got to give.
Looks like an iPhone
Is that a 13 inch laptop in pictures 8 and 12? The dell website doesn't show a studio with a flush-to-the-edges keyboard.
exactly what I want to know. 13" or smaller, hopefully.
Having been raised on a strict diet consisting mostly of Latitudes, I'm shocked to find myself saying that I actually like the design of these new notebooks.
It looks exactly like an HP.
google dell E-Value code and use "1-DNDPUA1", and you will get Studio 15 with pretty good components, including WLED display and Core 2 Duo T9300 2.5GHz @ $1,199. I've ordered mine with even more upgrades like 4GB memory and still came out under $1,500. Super value me think :)
I'm actually going to be buying one of these over the weekend. So is the back that fat or is that the battery? Can you guys post more detailed pictures?
well "cheap" and your "website" do have an appropriate association
I compared the 15 inch studio to a similarly setup 15 inch XPS and they seem to be almost the exact same price and just minor differences in add-ons. Which one is better?
"There's no denying that the Studio 15, with its flush-to-the-edges keyboard strikes a more stunning figure than the slightly bleh Studio 17 version,"
I think the larger notebook in your pictures IS the Studio 15. The Studio 17 has a full keyboard with a numberpad.
The notebook you're talking about with the keyboard all the way to the edges looks more like an all black XPS M1330.
I think Engadget inadvertently leaked an unannounced 13.3" or 14" laptop there!
yeah.
The all-black looking one, with the keyboard from edge to edge must be a 13.3" or a 14.1", because the Studio 15 has more ports on the left side.
So, how about some more info about that Engadget? :)