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    Dell Studio 15z vs XPS 15z?

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by bluescreenofdeath, Aug 25, 2011.

  1. bluescreenofdeath

    bluescreenofdeath Notebook Enthusiast

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    Just got an email from Dell this morning about a new Studio 15z. Lovely coffee colored finish, less than 1" thick, but no specs on it. It looks more like the old XPS chassis, but I'm not quite sure what the internal differences are between the XPS 15z, or even the regular XPS 15, does anyone know?
     
    bluescreenofdeath, Aug 25, 2011
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  2. zjacobss

    zjacobss Notebook Consultant

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    new studio 15z? Could post a picture of it?
     
    zjacobss, Aug 25, 2011
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  3. madmattd

    madmattd Notebook Deity

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    New as in it's been out for a couple months...The 15z is a slimmed-down XPS 15 with weaker components and cheap trim that is glued on and falls off within a couple days in many cases. An attempt to copy the Mac Book, but the build quality sounds like it is somewhat lacking. And I've heard the keyboard and touchpad are pretty bad too.

    Again, all 3rd-hand info, but there is a lot on the 15z on this forum. Check out the appropriately-named owner's thread.
     
    madmattd, Aug 25, 2011
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  4. livinsaint

    livinsaint Notebook Guru

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    But I believe OP is talking about this laptop...

    Dell Studio 15z Laptop Details | Dell

    Could it be the same that you are talking about??? I think its a newer version...its studio 15z and not just xps 15z....
    Looks nice though..
     
    livinsaint, Aug 25, 2011
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  5. madmattd

    madmattd Notebook Deity

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    Well that is different, I stand corrected. Thank you livinsaint. I'd be willing to bet it suffers from a lot of the build quality issues of the XPS 15z though...
     
    madmattd, Aug 25, 2011
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  6. BigNerd

    BigNerd Notebook Deity

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    Isn't that the older discontinued Studio 15z?

    The only current 'z' notebooks are the Inspiron 14z, XPS 15z and I think a non-US Inspiron 13z.
     
    BigNerd, Aug 25, 2011
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  7. bluescreenofdeath

    bluescreenofdeath Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yes. that's the one I got an email about. Any consensus on if it's old, new, discontinued? There seems to be no price of detailed specs on it.

    It looks nice, and I like the old Studio XPS hinge designs better than the new funky hinges
     
    bluescreenofdeath, Aug 25, 2011
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  8. livinsaint

    livinsaint Notebook Guru

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    Well by the looks of it...it does seem to be somewhat like a combination of the studio 15 model and new xps 15z model...hinges, screen, keyboard, kind of a glossy finish, palm-rest, the design probably taken from studio 15 and the placement of ports (all on left), slot drive on right taken, sleekness, backlit keyboard from xps 15z model...might be good for multimedia users who don't mind carrying something heavier than those very light laptops...

    and i second you 'bluescreenofdeath' (that's a scary nick)....regarding the old studio hinges' design...kinda neat and curvy...
     
    livinsaint, Aug 26, 2011
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  9. lancorp

    lancorp Notebook Virtuoso

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    Looking at the specs, it seems rather "old". Nothing to write home about, has only USB 2.0 ports, looks rather plain. Looks more like something from the Inspiron line, not the Studio line (which, typically, has a more cutting edge look).

    While it does come with an i5, it doesn't say whether it's sandy bridge or previous gen. Only Intel HD Video and 720p display?

    Not impressive.
     
    lancorp, Aug 26, 2011
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  10. hockeymass

    hockeymass that one guy

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    Maybe they're putting out a new model. I wouldn't buy the XPS 15z. I mean, I wouldn't buy it again, I had one and returned it.
     
    hockeymass, Aug 26, 2011
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  11. lancorp

    lancorp Notebook Virtuoso

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    Plus, I thought Dell retired the Studio line? I suppose there's a chance they brought it back, but the styling just doesn't look "studio".
     
    lancorp, Aug 26, 2011
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  12. bluescreenofdeath

    bluescreenofdeath Notebook Enthusiast

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    It does look similar to my old Studio XPS 16 though, and the better keyboard with full sized arrow keys appeals to me much more than the gimpy ones on the XPS 15z. I'm guessing it's probably using less than top end components due to the thin 1" size?
     
    bluescreenofdeath, Aug 26, 2011
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  13. lancorp

    lancorp Notebook Virtuoso

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    Looks more like mostly Inspiron design with some Studio/XPS frills (like slot-load DVD). But, specs are pretty down-to-earth. Definitely more like Inspiron stuff.

    The Studio had the all-glass screen, metal hinges, cool looking keyboard, etc...this one look very plain.

    Maybe Dell built it to be an Inspiron, then decided to bring back the Studio line (my idea on IdeaStorm, btw), and thought this new model would make a good Studio model...
     
    lancorp, Aug 26, 2011
    #13