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    Give me some reasons not to buy a Studio 15.

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by Homeboy, Oct 14, 2008.

  1. Homeboy

    Homeboy Notebook Consultant

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    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.
     
  2. rezendevous

    rezendevous Notebook Evangelist

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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 :D

    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!
     
  3. eesh72

    eesh72 Notebook Consultant

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    I'm not gonna like, I kinda wish I would have gotten a mac.
     
  4. UKCougar

    UKCougar Notebook Enthusiast

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    "Give me some reasons not to buy a Studio 15"

    The Studio 17? (-:
     
  5. Homeboy

    Homeboy Notebook Consultant

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    Changed my mind in the minute and opted for the 17 since it came out cheaper than the 15 in the specification I wanted.
     
  6. UKCougar

    UKCougar Notebook Enthusiast

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    Result! When's it due?