Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
I'm done with HP and have filed a complaint for a refund and as you might figure out I need a new computer. So far the Studio seem to be right for me as it comes with an ATI GPU, Nvidia have lost my trust.
Critical questions:
-How is the HDMI output as well as Blu-Ray playback?? I'll be hooking it up to my new LCD I'll be purchasing later this week.
-Are you happy with the build quality and the overall feel of the computer??
-Any minor annoyances I should be aware off??
-How good is DELL's next business day service, is it as efficient as it sounds?
-Game performance with the RADEON HD 3450, sufficient for casual gaming??
-If you hate the Sudio 15 I'll be happy to hear what ever you've got to say.
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Blueray i can't comment on...but HDMI works like a charm....i've watched lots of DVDs on my tv.....and it is very watchable if i may say so
Build quality is great:
- i have no reservations when i pick it up, and i don't have to be particularly careful when i handle it
- the lid is a magnet for fingerprints (especially oily ones)
- the inside is made of plastic, so it doesn't feel quite as sturdy as a metal chassis, but still very sturdy
- about the keyboard: it has a tiny amount of flex, but i prefer this to no flex, b/c i find it to be more comfortable....in fact the keyboard is awesome in my opinion....
- the LED screen is pretty awesome, especially when i use my laptop outside or hi light conditions
- the backlit keyboard, while potentially useful and a very cool novelty isn't really necessary if you get the LED screen b/c it is bright enough to allow you to see you screen
annoyances:
- the main one is the media-buttons: if you are using your laptop in any place where there isn't sufficient light, you can't see the buttons (b/c they are not illuminated) and thus have to lean really close to see which button to press. By now, i have intuitively gotten used to where all the buttons are, so it’s not much of a problem, but initially it definitely was.
- the fingerprints on the lid
- occasionally the fan goes off a bit loud but i use ik8fangui...so this is again not much of a problem for me
- the speakers aren't so hot......they're ok......but if u plan on watching movies a lot, or listening to music a lot, you would likely want to use external speakers or headphones
- the bloatware, while not substantial, is quite annoying, i would reformat, as long as you are comfortable with reinstalling vista, etc.
the next day thing i can't comment on
Game performance:
- AOE3 - WORKS AMAZINGLY on highest settings
- Halo 1 works amazingly on highest settings
- COD4 pretty sluggish even on lower settings....not enjoyable
- FIFA 09 and other sports games work very well
- Farcry 1 works fine on highest settings
- Assassin’s creed works on lower settings, but there is still some warping/lag during those weird scenes
- basically...older games work fine....newer demanding games may work on lower settings....but the most demanding are not worth playing
I love my studio, but it does have its annoyances.....just gotta weigh what you want with what you get i suppose.
Reasons to not buy a studio:
-you need good audio right from the laptop
-you want to play the newest most demanding games
-you hate having a lid that attracts fingerprints and needs to rubbed with a cloth every once in a while
-you want a thin, very portable notebook (while I tote my studio to class every day, it isn't really portable or the thinnest in its screen size (you can definitely get thinner laptops)-it falls between the portable and desktop replacement categories, without falling directly into either of the categories)
-you want an extremely sturdy notebook which can take a beating and still be fine
-you need a ultra high performance laptop
good luck in deciding, and i hope this helped!
Give me some reasons not to buy a Studio 15.
Discussion in 'Dell' started by Homeboy, Oct 14, 2008.
