Is the Studio 15 really that bad?

I'm getting my first laptop sometime soon and I've been doing my research, and read a lot of mixed reviews about this machine. I've heard a lot of bad things about the media touch buttons, the keyboard messing with the screen, and the speakers. I'm not too worried about the speakers because I plan on either always using headphones or keeping the machine hooked up to external speakers. Though, I am kinda concerned about the touch controls randomly ejecting disks (as I've read) and the screen being scratched from the sloping keyboard. Is it really as bad as everyone says? Should I stop looking at this machine?

I also have a few general questions. In a nutshell, is Vista 64-bit the way to go? Is a hard drive with a free-fall sensor a good idea on a laptop or is it unnecessary? Is the 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3450 a respectable video card? Do the latest Studios still have that weird design on the palm rest?

I'm going to college in the fall and majoring in bioengineering - this is my graduation gift - I have $1,200 or less to spend. I really, really like the backlit keyboard which is why I keep coming back to the Studio. I really just need the laptop for school stuff, internet, music, and playing The Sims 2 (and TS3 when it comes out). I'm a little worried about the video card, but it does meet the minimum requirements (and anything is a step-up from my trusty old Dimension 4600 lol). Here are the specs I'm looking at - any and all advice is appreciated - especially from people who own at Studio 15. Thank you!


Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8600 (2.40GHz/1066Mhz FSB/3MB cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium, 64-bit edition
4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 800MHz
Hi Resolution/Bright, glossy widescreen 15.4 WLED display (1280x800) w/ camera
256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3450
Speed: 250GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) with Free Fall Sensor
8X Slot Load CD / DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
High Definition Audio 2.0
Intel WiFi Link 5100 802.11agn Half Mini-Card

 

Wait for the new 1555 due out very soon ... better speakers with a subwoofer, video card is 2x to 3x more powerful, no longer has touch sensitive media buttons. I believe only the 1535 had the pattern palm rest, the 1537 didn't

 

No, the newer ones don't have the "weird" pattern on the palm rest.

 

if u have 1200 mite as well get an xps or xps studio

 

whats the battery life like with a 6 cell just running basic stuff?

 

Pretty similar to my setup - I would recommend getting the 1440x900 screen though.

 

For that price you can get a nice latitude or precison - much better quality and support than the commercial line.

 

Okay quick question here.

Since the OP mentioned the keyboard getting in the way of the screen, will the keyboard see a redesign? I noticed in some reviews that the keyboard flexes a bit when pressed on. I fancy the chicklet keys as seen in Sony Vaios and Apple MacBooks.