Dell Studio – Review

Posted on January 1st, 2010 | by admin

Studio_XPS_Studio_13

The Dell Studio series was created in part to blast misconceptions that specs of laptops are set in stone and that they have similar appearances. People clamor for personalization, which also translates to what they prefer in a computer or laptop.

 

Fortunately Dell has heard everyone’s clamor. The company has paid close attention to the buzz in its own forums, and other community forums frequented by computer users. Because of all the discussion about the need for a customizable laptop, Dell has developed the Studio series specifically to answer those claims.

 

True enough, the series has a flair for the personal melodrama that each computer user has. Dell offers these laptops in many colors. Of course, the aesthetics of each unit are not the focus.  Each Studio model is powered by a “muscled” processor from Intel, from Core2Duo to the next-generation Core i7 processor technologies. Each Studio unit may also store up to 4 gigabytes of random access memory to support the powerful features of the processor.

 

You could say that beyond its beautiful exterior, there lies a very powerful unit that can tackle just about any task that you can throw its way.

 

Storage space is not a problem with the Dell Studio series. Dell has installed at least 250 gigabytes worth of hard disk space for its Studio models. Some models even have hard disk space that totals 500 gigabytes. Downloaders, gamers and businessmen alike will appreciate the amount of space that they have at their disposal.

 

Its graphics capabilities are also topnotch. Most of the laptops under the Studio series are powered by a GeForce graphics accelerator. The least you can get for a graphics card would be the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570 with 256-megabyte video ram.

 

 

Studio XPS Studio 13

 

The XPS stands for the unit’s extreme performance capabilities. Indeed, the Dell Studio 13 is armed to the hilt and ready for some heavy functioning with 2.93 GHz Intel processor options including the Core2Duo T9800, up to 8 gigabytes of RAM and powerful graphics cards.

 

Specifications   
CPU Up to Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T9800 (2.93GHz, 6MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
Memory Up to 8GB1 1067MHz DDR3 SDRAM
Graphics  NVIDIA® GeForce® 9400M G
Display “Edge-to-edge” Glossy 13.3 inch WXGA CCFL LCD display
  “Edge-to-edge” Glossy 13.3 inch WXGA WLED LCD display

 

Pros:

Clearly geared towards both gaming and entertainment, the Studio 13 has some of the most powerful specifications in the entire series with its graphics card options and its 2.93 GHz processor.

 

Cons:

Of all the Studio models, the Studio 13 has the smallest screen at 13 inches. Some gamers may find it difficult to use because of the amount of screen available to them.

 

 

Studio 14z

Studio_14z

As its designation suggest, the Dell Studio 14z is the one with the 14-inch screen. In a way, it is similar to the Studio 15 in terms of features except for a few differences. It only has one graphics card option and that is the Nvidia GeForce 9400M, and no integrated graphics card for its default configuration. It does not have the Core i7 option as well.

 

Specifications   
CPU Up to Intel® Core™2 Duo Processors
Memory Up to 5GB 1067MHz DDR3 SDRAM2
Graphics  NVIDIA® GeForce® 9400M
Display 14 inches 720p and 900p resolutions

 

Pros:

The option of having a GeForce 9400M as a default configuration is a welcome fact. The Studio 14z also features a good amount of RAM at 5 gigabytes, though slightly lower than the Studio 15.

 

Cons:

Though it has a good graphics card, you are still restricted to only one option. When time comes you realize that you need to upgrade, you won’t be able to do so with the Studio 15.

 

 

Studio 15

Studio_15

 

The Dell Studio 15 is the 15-incher of the Studio series. Armed with powerful options for a processor including the next generation Core i7 processor, the Studio 15 has so much in store for the buyer.

 

Specifications   
CPU Intel® PentiumTM Dual Core, Intel® Core™2 Duo and Intel® CoreTM i7 processors
  Up to Intel® CoreTM i7-820QM Mobile Processor (1.73GHz, turbo up to 3.06GHz, 6MB L3 Cache)
Memory Two DIMM slots providing up to 8GB Dual Channel DDR3 @ 1333MHz
Graphics Intel® Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
Display 15.6-inches with 720p, 900p or 1080p resolutions

 

Pros:

The Studio 15’s display screen stands out by being able to reach 1080p high-definition resolutions. Plus, it can be fitted with powerful graphics processors from ATI.

 

Cons:

The default configuration has only an integrated graphics media accelerator. This could restrict the graphics processing that the person on a tight budget can have access to with this model.

 

 

Studio XPS 16

Studio_XPS_16

 

Another XPS model, you can expect this unit to stand up to even the most memory-hungry applications out there. With a powerful processor backed up by up to 8 gigabytes of RAM and its ATI Mobility graphics cards, you can put the Dell Studio XPS 16 through abuse and find it still standing.

 

Specifications  
CPU Up to Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T9800 (6MB cache/2.93GHz/1066Mhz FSB)
Memory Up to 8GB 1067MHz DDR3 SDRAM
Graphics ATI Mobility RADEON HD 3670-512MB
  ATI Mobility RADEON HD 4670-1GB
Display Edge-to-edge Glossy 15.6 inch HD WLED display (900p)
  Edge-to-edge Glossy 15.6 inch Full HD WLED display (1080p)
  Edge-to-edge Glossy 16.0 inch Full HD RGB-LED LCD display (1080p)

 

Pros:

The strongest points in the Studio XPS 16 are its powerful graphic cards that complement its memory and processor. Its display screens are also capable of up to 1080p resolutions.

 

Cons:

Unlike its cousins, the XPS Studio 16 does not have high-definition audio speakers but instead has simple 7-watt stereo speakers with a built-in subwoofer.

 

 

 

Studio 17

laptop_studio_17

 

In terms of specifications, the Dell Studio 17 is perhaps the most powerful of the 5 Studio series laptops by Dell. It is powered by a 1.6GHz Core i7 processor, which is considered a next-generation technology. It also has a 1-gigabyte ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650.

 

Specifications  
CPU Intel® Core™ i7-720QM Quad Core Processor @ 1.6GHz (2.8GHz Turbo Mode, 6MB Cache)
Memory 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 at 1066MHz
Graphics 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650
Display 17.3” HD+ (900p) Bright LED Display with TrueLife™ and Camera

 

Pros:

What we like about the Studio 17 is its powerful processor and graphics card. The screen is also decently sized at 17 inches.

 

Cons:

Compared to the other Studio series laptops, the Studio 17 cannot output true HD resolution in its display. Accordingly, it also has only 4 gigabytes of memory to back up its processor.

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Tags: Dell. Studio, Laptop Series

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