Is this a good time to buy a Dell Studio notebook?

Hey guys.

I am interested in the Dell Studio 15, but I'm in no rush to purchase. Is this a good time to spend the money? Is there a hardware upgrade or a new release looming?

What should I do?

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: If you are wondering, the reason I am less interested in the Studio XPS series is due to the poor placement of the vents. If this issue is being addressed as well, please let me know. If there was no heat issues with the XPS notebooks, I would buy not even consider the others.

 

The vent when covered by the screen redirects the airflow up. The Studio Xps is a better choice

 

All the reviews I've read so far indicate that the Studio XPS notebooks run hotter than the Studios with similar specs and load. For example, this site's lists the Studio 15/17 as comfortable enough to run as a "laptop" under load, while the XPS becomes too hot.

But the heat issue aside, the Studio XPS does indeed seem like a much better designed product.

 

I own the m1330 and the 1640 and i can tell you the 1330 is insanely hot and is hot to use on your lap. The 1640 is alot cooler i have yet to top 80 when gaming

 

Ah ok, sounds good.

Ok then, is this a good time to purchase a Studio XPS or should I wait for better deals and/or spec upgrades?

 

A new model, the Studio 1555, is on the way (unsure of timeframe). It switches from the current 15.4" 16:10 aspect ratio to a 15.6" 16:9 aspect ratio display. It is already available in Singapore, take a look- LINK

The other notable hardware change is the graphics card- a 512mb ATI Radeon Mobility HD 4570 replaces the 256mb ATI Radeon HD 3450 in the current model.

 

Yeah I was just reading through that 12 page thread on the 1555. It is looking VERY attractive. It seems like Dell has fixed some of the problems with the current Studio series.

The 1555 no longer has touch media controls which have been causing a lot of headaches for people, and it also has a better keyboard which doesn't seem to flex as much (as seen on the youtube video review).

I think I will wait for this to be released before making any purchases. Though I'll have to wait for it to trickle to Canada after it is released in the States.

 

Hopefully, the 1555 will have improved structural rigidity compared to the 1535/1537. I have a 1535 that suffered motherboard failure after just four months. Unfortunately, mine isn't an isolated incident. Motherboard flex, due to the overall flimsiness of the case, is to blame....not a good thing!

The new Studio XPS models benefit from magnesium alloy reinforced chassis. They should prove to be much more solid and durable as a result.

 

My Studio 15 is the coolest laptop (temperature) i've ever owned.

Its currently running at 32 degrees C. This is a typical temperature. In normal operation is never really gets into the 40s.

If i'm under load it might hit 45, its been up to 50 just a couple of times before the fans kick in. I think its excellent.


I got an awesome deal on the 15. It runs the p8400 CPU, WLED 1,440x, 7,200rpm HDD, 4gig RAM, bluethooth, backlit keys, facial recognition. I got 25% off it so for the spec i thought it was a bargain.

I dont need a powerful GPU because i don't play games but it came with the ATI 3450.

You might pick up some good deals as the new Studio 15 is due. I think you get more for your cash on the old model. I think dell are bringing out the new studio to make the XPS as attractive as possible.

 

I'll second that. My 1535 with 2.5GHz T9300, ATI 3450 and 7200rpm hard drive runs cooler than most laptops I've used. The fan rarely kicks on during routine surfing, etc.

 

my studio 15 runs pretty cool but the build quality is pretty poor in my opinion, the keyboard and surrounding area feel very flimsy and cheap. The fact that I found a wad of masking tape under my keyboard makes me seriously question Dell's QC and commitment to quality. Do your homework and spend a few hours reading the problems people have experienced in this forum.

 

No it doesn't.

 

Yes it does i own one and have monitored the temp and felt the airflow

 

Good for you.