Got my new Studio 15 today and I really like it so far...

It took me just a few days to realize that I hated my new HP dv7t and decided to send it back for a refund after only five days! I won't re-hash the whole story again here, but I was very disappointed...and then some.

I decided that a 15.4" notebook was a better fit for me and it didn't take long to narrow my choices down to the Dell Studio 15 and Dell XPS M1530. The Studio 15 was the most appealing because of its lower price, use of ATI instead of nVIDIA graphics cards and a few neat options such as the Backlit Keyboard.

I got it as a "Previously Ordered New" unit from the DELL Outlet (instead of a "Refurbished" model)....which means it is, literally, NEW!

Here's my configuration-

DELL Studio 15
Midnight Blue
2.5GHz Intel T9300 Core 2 Duo
Windows Vista Home Premium
3GB DDR2-667
WXGA+ (1440x900) LED display
250GB Hard Drive
256mb ATI Radeon Mobility HD 3450
CD/DVD Read/Write
DELL 1397-G wireless card (I plan to upgrade to the 1510-N wireless soon)
Integrated Bluetooth module
Backlit Keyboard
Fingerprint Reader
6-cell Battery
AND 36-months McAfee Security

I'm very pleased that DELL doesn't load up their systems with crapware anymore. I spent several hours removing all the unwanted programs and trial offers from the HP...so this was a pleasant surprise!

The overall performance is impressive and I have no doubt it can handle anything I throw at it. The feel and functionality of the keyboard, touchpad and the cool DELL Dock are all beyond my expectations.

Quibbles are very few and relate to the design/looks of the system- the pattern on the right wrist rest and extending onto the touchpad resembles a water stain and begs the question- was that on purpose? The other design faux pas is the speaker grille- it is very plain and rather cheap looking...standing out even more because the rest of the unit is a winning design!

Minor dislikes and ones that will fade into the background very quickly with so many more positive attributes to keep me happy!

 

Sooo jealous of ppl who got theirs from the outlet. I did need mine in time for school though so I guess I got it at the right time...at the time I got a decent price and I was feeling pretty good about it until this past week

 

lol im kinda the opposite of this story....PS I am still awaiting my dv5t so I havent had a chance to judge it yet

 

Congrat's on the arrival of your S15! Enjoy!


Cin

 

Look at it this way- you DID get a good deal at the time you purchased yours! It's not as though you could have waited until now to buy, right?

I've dealt with the same sort of frustration, only it was a $30k car I had purchased when it was new on the market. They were going for close to full sticker for the first six months or so, but after about a year they could be had for about $26k! It's the price you have to pay to be an early adopter.

Now I just wait for stuff to land in the bargain bin! lol

 

lol, im hoping for the mini to land in the bargain bin that will make me feel better

 

My only gripe with the Mini is the flash-only hard drive options- just 8GB or 16GB. It'd be great if they'd throw an 80GB hard disc as an option.

I'm liking the Lenovo IdeaPad S10, which is their 'netbook' with the Atom processor, etc. They're backordered for over a month already!

 

Yeah, a 16GB hard drive does suck but I'd just be using it to take notes in class instead of lugging my laptop and all my books around campus...

 

I wanted to buy my nephew one for his 9th birthday in a few weeks, but he needs enough storage space for his music and videos and to sync with his iPod. The lack of an optical drive is another issue with all of the netbooks, too.

The Dell Outlet has also been running some great deals on Inspiron 1525 models and I got my hands on a 20% off coupon for one. I nabbed a 1525 with 1.83GHz T5550 processor, Vista Basic, 80GB Hard Drive for $360 after tax and shipping! Then I went over to NewEgg and ordered a Geniune XP Home CD for $85. The total will be $445 for a 1.83GHz notebook running XP Home with a CD RW drive! I'm tempted to snag another one for myself....even one with a Celeron processor would run XP Home fine.

 

AFU, I ordered my Studio today also from the Outlet. I think I got a great deal.

 

I know how u feel, same think happened to me... OP, how much did ur system cost?

 

If you want to feel bad check out my signature.

Got an LED +WXGA screen, ATI 3450, 250 GB HDD, 3 GB Ram $599. That includes tax and shipping btw

 

It was 840-850 for everything (including tax) with free shipping. I ordered it on July 21 I believe.

 

Jaycee8980- we can't be friends.

 

Jaycee, I will be your friend!

lmao....yup you've got sweet setup there!


Cin

 

Rock on! That's awesome. I paid $767.20 for the same specs except I got the 2.5GHz T9300 processor plus Fingerprint Reader & Bluetooth....AND 36-months of McAfee, too.

We both got smokin' HOT deals!

 

Hey Stryker- tell us about it...what color, processor, type of display and all that good stuff...

 

Does the Outlet only sell Previously ordered New models or even new ones. Are the deals just as good for new systems too?

 

Hey there,

They sell certified refurbished, previously ordered new, scratch & dent, and off-lease....The deals are good for all systems, new and used


Cin

 

Im looking for one right now, AFU helped me out alot but i just cant find that PERFECT one yet LOL. AFU do you think the deal will still be on by tommorow night LOL? Ill be devastated if it isnt. Knowing my luck it will be over lol!!!

 

Cool. Too bad there are no outlets here in India , coz it would work great, with many people tilting towards HP because they are not comfortable with the idea of a laptop coming through courier

 

I wouldn't push it bro.....it looks like the inventory has thinned quite a bit compared to this morning, so the coupon code could expire in 10 minutes or Dell could leave it open-ended for a while to move more systems.....you holding out because you can't find exactly the rigth one yet?

 

Wow i cant believe this, it expired right when i found the exact laptop i wanted. WOWW, i knew this would happen, i told you guys!!!

 

you got a great config for a great price. im thinking about getting a refurb Studio 15 but since I'm still using my current laptop for school, its not possible to sell it and buy another laptop.

interested in getting one with LED screen and backlit keyboard. how are they on the Studio 15?

 

Exactly how much does the Studio 15 weigh without the power adapter. Could some one please put it on a scale and let me know. I know Dell advertises it at 6.11 lbs but in the past i have not found their advertised weight exactly accurate plus it also depends on the battery size so please let me know your battery and the weight if possible. Thanks

 

It feels like 50 pounds when you carry it around campus.

 

I dug out my postage scale to get an accurate weight. My system, without the AC adapter, is exactly 6.3 pounds. The specs are as follows- Intel T9300 processor, ATI Radeon HD 3450 graphics, 3GB RAM, 250GB HD, WXGA+ (1440x900) LED display*, Dell 1397-G Wireless Card, Dell Bluetooth 370 Internal, Backlit Keyboard, Fingerprint Reader, 6-cell Battery. *The LED display on my Studio 15 makes allows a slightly thinner lid and looks sleeker, both when closed and opened, than the standard WXGA 1280x800 display that I have seen on models in Best Buy and Staples. It also weighs less than than the standard display, but I don't know how exactly how much less and Dell won't provide that information!

The AC adapter weighs between 1.1 and 1.2 pounds according to my scale. The weight isn't an issue but the shape/size of the power "brick" is the biggest I've seen in years. Models with discrete graphics automatically have the 90W AC adapter, which is the bulky unit that I have. Models with integrated graphics have a 65W power supply that weighs 12 ounces according to Dell's specifications.

Hope this help with your weight question. If you have any other questions, I'll do my best to answer them for you!

 

I hope you're not planning to have a career in sales! lol

 

No sales for me.

 

I'm hooked on the LED display...bright, crisp images, bold colors, thinner construction than the standard display....I love it! The backlit keyboard is interesting and will be useful at times. The back lighting goes off after a certain period of inactivity, but it comes back on before my fingers touch the first key. It's based on a motion sensor, I'm assuming....the media keys above the keyboard also activate only when your hand is above them. I appreciate not having to look at them all the time....very nice touch.

The fingerprint reader is also the easiest to setup and simplest to use of any I've had, including one from HP and one from Lenovo! The DELL Dock is a cool feature, too....even if it is a blatant copy of the Mac dock...

I'm already feeling very comfortable with my Studio and have learned to use most of the feaures without needing to check a manual. The graphite-colored frame of the LED display almost looks like it could actually be titanium or some other trendy metal material!

BUT....I still can't understand how anyone thought the plain, dull, black plastic piece above the keyboard (media controls and speaker strip) added anything to this design....the rest of the materials and design are fantastic, though. But my mom's Inspiron 1525, which I bought for less than $600, has a better looking keyboard design and the wrist rests, touch pad and media controls above the keyboards all integrate beautifully.

Maybe this relatively minor design faux pas was done intentionally to keep the Studio 15 from being TOO GOOD? They needed some people to still buy the XPS M1530 and it is even more of a looker!

 

sounds good, my next laptop's definately going to have an LED display. Waiting to see if Dell will update the Studio 15 or M1530 line up by Christmas, then maybe i'll pick it up at the Dell Outlet

 

Thanks a lot for the detailed answer. I currently have the Inspiron 1420 and it weights 6 lbs with the 9 cell battery. I'll most probably stick with that for a little bit longer. I agree with you that the LED screen should be lighter so a studio 15 with a regular screen will most probably be around 6.4 to 6.5 lbs. Before my Inspiron 1420 i had the Inspiron e1705 which was an excellent performer but weighed a ton, 7.8lbs to be exact so light weight is a top priority for me. The xps 1530 is a better option in that regard however one has to look at the cost as well. Oh well, i guess for now the 1420 should suffice

 

Hopefully they will have the newer processors by then, so that means better battery life

I agree with allfiredup, the 1525 keyboard area does look better than Studio and its also much sleeker, but overall the Studio design looks great and they give out freebies too

 

It's funny that 9 year old kids use laptops and mp3 players and all the technology in between. Kids are getting smarter.