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 Jun 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? :)
hahahahaha none of you idi@ts noticed the "Live Update" program open...that's because you have grown so accustomed to getting fu@ked, I guess......enjoy your Windoze Dell girls!!!!!!
Still WAY too thick.
Don't these "new" Studio laptops look an awful lot like the current XPS line? Even this much-lauded new hinge looks a lot like the one on my XPS 1530 to me. I'm not saying this is a bad thing (I like the look of the XPS 1530), but for a new product line I would have expected more of a change from the status quo.
What kind of mouse is that pictured?
I know it's a logitech, but what model?
Glossy=no sale
I completely agree with your statement, glossy screens are the devil. However, thanks to a post on Dell's "IdeaStorm" website and Notebook & Laptop review. I just purchased a Anti-Glare filter for my Dell XPS M1330 which cuts down on the glare tremendously. Take a look @ www.buyviewguard.com
A little pricey; but better than most filters out there. Not only that, it's the cheapest way to alieveate one of the biggest problems with notebooks. Seems like 90% of notebooks these days all have glossy type screens. That novetly of higher contrasts "etc", wore off LONG ago.
These models look similar to the XPS line. The Studio line is geared for the consumer base who try to find a common ground between the Inspiron and XPS line.
Studio 15 & 17 facts:
- Has a new hinge. Right side of the hinge features the power button, while the left side features the Wi-Fi on/off switch.
- More customization/ personalization.
- Available with an optional backlit keyboard
- Capacitive touchpad & multimedia buttons
- Slimmer than the current Inspiron line.
I just purchased the Studio 17,
these specs
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9300 (2.5GHz/800Mhz FSB/6MB cache)
System Colour Ruby Red
3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
Built-in Keyboard Options Back-lit Keyboard
LCD Panel Hi Resolution, glossy wide screen 17.0 inch display (1920x1200)
Video Card 256MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON HD 3650
Windows Vista™ Premium
320GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
85Whr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell)
Combo or DVD+RW Drive 8X Slot Load CD / DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
Sound Card High Definition Audio
Dell Wireless 1510 802.11n Half Mini-Card
Integrated 2.0M Pixel Webcam
Office Productivity Software (Pre-Installed) Microsoft Works
Service 1 Year Limited Warranty w/1 Year Return To Depot Service and CompleteCare
Installation Services DataSafe Online Backup 3GB
Finger Print Reader Module Integrated Finger Print Reader
Bluetooth Option Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Internal (2.0)
I paid this amount, with shipping..
$1750.00
Priced a comparable apple MBP, same specs, less functionality, less features.. NO HDMI, Less ports, lower rez screen, it came to 3600.00
Anyone tell me why?
I mean the guts are the same.. if the difference is the operating system, that's one hefty price you're paying for it,.
Cheers, looking forward to getting my mitts on this.
*high five for stealth flame*
@inno8sky
I can't believe that you can say this you MAC HATER you.
Apple Pc's :
-are much much shinier.
-have magnetic things by the power-in socket
-have bigger and smaller screens
-OSX rocks !! it runs Firefox really well.
My friend's Apple pc even has some dudey software by a company called "Skype" which allows me to make free calls pc-to-pc.
You gotta do your research man !! I can't help you any more than this.
I hope that you found this good info. On this basis, cancel your order and buy a mac p, or if it is too late, sell it when it comes.
another thing, Dell sucks! it needs to get rid of the circle round the logo (then it will be better)
@innosky,
i bet you had to pay tax on it too... up here on the reservation there is no tax, so there !
Yep, you're right there's 80,ish bucks of GST there as well.
I find it hard to believe there's so large a price gap between these two vendors, I mean it's like paying 10 grand for a lada, or 20 grand for a lada in a slightly different skin.. The inner workings of these are very very similar, at least where there's overlap, like I said, there are some features available on the new DELL that aren't available on the apple. Similar if not identical CPU, memory is likely the same, or on par, hard drive/s may well be the same vendor, motherboard may well be the same or very similar using the same technology at least.
So what gives, why are some people willing to part with their hard earned cash so easily? For the price difference of over 2 grand, the total price including shipping and tax for the apple will be well over the 4K mark, the operating system better be bullet proof, flexible and extremely userfriendly and it should be FREE for life, given what it costs.
cheers,
OH, my personal experience, which is far more reliable than the ramblings of some prepubescent teenie bopper makes me comfortable about my purchase.
The Dell studio is already available in the UK.
Check it out:
http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/laptop_studio?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs
That there hinge goes back well before Lenovo compadres. My good old Asus Z63 for example. They're still catching up too to my baby =)
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2509