OFFICIAL: Studio 17 Owner's Thread

Well this is a bummer. Just received an email from Dell - order delayed until 12/5 for my Studio 1737 with the RGB LED screen ...

 

Im really wondering if anyone has gotten these. Mine was delayed too. The question is what is causing the delay is it the RGB LED screen or the Montevino CPU?
Almost sounds like they started advertising this configuration without even having the parts yet.

 

Just received my 1737 today after returning my plum purple one which was full of issues. I switched from the plum purple to spring green on this one (had a hard time deciding between the two colors on my first one) and I have to say the green is pretty nasty. lol I'm hoping its only because my living room is pretty dark and that it might look better in daylight but it doesn't look like the pics on here. Its more of a yellow/green/radioactive vomit look. If anyone is considering green, don't do it! hah

 

LOL remember you have 21 days if you dont like the color although you may want to think of another excuse to return it. Actually maybe it was the plum purple color that was causing the issues. Maybe the green will fix these problems

 

lol yes after the nightmare problems I was having daily with the purple one, I'll be perfectly happy as long as this one works. Will have to try not to look at it from the other side to avoid burning my retinas.

 

I bought my Studio 1735 recently and have been really enjoying it. I have to carry my laptop between work and home and could do with a sleeve. I don't want a carrying case tho just something to protect it a bit.
The 17" studio seems to be a bit bigger than other laptops like a macbook pro. Can someone recommend a laptop sleeve or second skin that will fit.

Thanks

Sam

 

Got another order delayed email on my Studio 1737 with the RGB LED screen. The date is the same - 12/5 - but they say according to FTC rules I need to tell them yes I'm willing to wait or they will cancel the order.

So I'm checking the dell.com site today for Studio 17 pricing and the $250 upgrade to RGB LED screen option has disappeared! Methinks Dell is having a problem getting those screens ...

 

I sure hope not! Is your laptop still in the build phase? My order was delayed till 12/8 from 12/1, but as of yesterday it was in the boxing stage. So either my laptop is built and I can finally exhale, or Dell is a POS and does not know what they're talking about. Or both.

 

Mine says "in production"

 

call 1800wwwdell and give the machine your order number to find out what stage your in.

 

I ordered a sleeve when I ordered my Studio 1735, and was very disappointed to find that it didn't fit (even though it said it was for a 17 inch. I even tried to put it in the sleeve without the larger battery, and no luck). I guess I could have returned it, but I figured I could use it for my old Inspiron 15 inch.

So my advice, don't buy a 'Built' 17 inch sleeve for the Studio 17.

 

Thanks for the advice, i was looking at buying that as it does say suitable for a 17" laptop. Guess i won't now and i will keep on looking.

 

I received my Studio 1737 yesterday.

Very nice machine...

First impression: The Studio 17 37 does have an eSata-Port!!!

My config: Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 | 4GB - 800MHZ | 320GB |

Extras: Blu-Ray Drive | INTEL WiFi Link 5300 | WXGA+ WLED TFT



I´ll install Vista ULTIMATE 64bit now

 

More bad news on my 1737 with the 1920 RGB LED screen:

"Congratulations on your recent Dell order. While preparing your order to be built, a backend issue was identified that would have delayed its completion and shipping to you. To resolve this issue, we were required to cancel your original order and replaced it with a new unique order in order for it to build and ship without further delay.

Your new order number is xxxxx, and it can be used on Dell Online Order Status to monitor your orders. Your new estimated shipping date is 12/19/2008.

If you have any issues with your new order, please contact the Order Modification Department at 1-800-247-2076, option 2."

Ugh.

 

Don't worry about it. I got that same letters when they canceled my bt and computer order just to include them on the same order. They extended my ship date a week, but it ended up shipping on the previous shipping date anyway.

Also, thanks for the heads-up, I'm pumped that that IS an e-sata port and not some stupid DELL proprietary port that I will never use.

 

does a loaded 1735 play GTA4?

some input please.

 

I am sure it will not be very playable if you get the high res screen. Not sure about the 1440x900, but I am sure it will be playable with some settings turned down.

 

I ordered a 1737 on the 2nd, I'm now just waiting for it to be built (its at Phase 3 at the moment and I can't stop checking the Dell order status page!)

I agonised over the spec as I don't have a massive budget and wanted to get the best I could for the cash I had, focusing mostly on performance. Anyway I went for a plain black P8400 with 3gb RAM, the 1440x900 WXGA screen and integrated graphics (I have my xbox for gaming, so don't need any 3d oomph)

One thing I'm not too happy about is the amount of software that comes pre-installed, I tried calling Dell and asking them to just install Vista but 'no can do sir' I guess my first job will be a format/install when it arrives!

 

my orders skipped from phase 2 to phase 4 inside a day! awesome! apparently putting it in a box can take up to 8 days...

 

I have ordered a Studio 17 on the 3rd and it's already on phase 5! A pity though, because I tried to cancel the order today, to order a different one...There was a different offer today for only €30 more than I'm paying right now, but with a 500gb hdd (compared to 320gb now) and a blu-ray player!

So if I still want to cancel I need to return the laptop, pay the shipping costs (approx. €20), wait for Dell to refund my money and order the other one...Too much of a hassle for me, it's not like I'll be playing blu-ray discs all day (I have a Mac mini as a media center for my TV). And with the laptop that will be arriving this monday there's a Creative Zen Stone 2gb included that I can use when I'm in the gym.

Specs:

Studio 17 Midnight Blue
P8400 - 2,26ghz
4gb DDR2 800mhz
1440x900 WLED
320gb hdd - 5400rpm
ATI 3650 - 256mb
320gb 5400rpm

 

http://support.dell.com/support/dow...-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=1&fileid=286988

New 1735_A05 BIOS:

Code:

Fixes/Enhancements
------------------
1. Added enhancement for Wifi catcher function. 
2. Added enhancement for Embedded controller. 

 

Well folks I'm obviously a nOOb, but I came across this thread while net searching for some goodies for my Dell Studio 17. I wanted to let ya'll know the wait I put up with... I ordered on 11/13 and it arrived today. The computer was stuck in the boxing phase for a week and a half.

As pissed as I was with the two separate delay emails, I'm pleased as punch now. It seems worth the wait completely.

 

So you're happy with what you got? That's good to hear! What configuration did you get?

 

Does anyone happen to know if the AVerTV Hybrid NanoExpress ATSC card works with 64-bit Vista?

It wasn't offered in the same configurator that allowed me to order a 64-bit Studio 17 system, but, I see that Dell does still offer it in other configurations.

So, I wasn't sure if it was just a random configurator glitch or if Dell specifically didn't allow it to be selected for 64-bit Windows systems because of driver / compatibility issues.

Thanks for any info!

 

well, ordered on the 2nd and delivery arranged for tomorrow (9th) so they're on a 7 day turn-around in the UK at the moment, a whole week less than quoted!

 

The same applies for The Netherlands as well. I ordered my Studio 1737 on the 3rd, and UPS tracking service shows it's on it's way to my home today! That's 5 days, instead of the initial ETA that indicated a delivery on December 29th.

I'm rather pleased, unfortunately I'm working at the moment so I have to wait until tonight for some quality time with the Studio 17

 

Sorry for the double post, but I just got the message that my Dell Studio 17 arrived! I am now officially allowed to post in this thread

\o/

 

Hi Guys

Is now a good time to buy the Studio 17 or any chance of X-mas coupons up later? Appears $174 off is the best deal I can get right now on the Studio 17".

Secondly, how's the non LED 1920X1200 screen? I'm trying to keep the cost low and the LED option is little higher but I haven't seen a LED screen before so not really sure if its worth $250 more.

Also, any h/w updates coming to this model? I'm kinda torn between this or the 18" HP model. How does the 3850GT compare to the HP's 9600GT card?

Thanks

 

Just to give you a comparison on price. I bought mine during the Thanksgiving sale. P8400/3GB/320GB/ATI HD3650/RGB-LED display/Backlit Keyboard/Fingerprint Reader/MicrosoftWorksPlus2008.

The total with tax and shipping was $1295.00

I notice they are having the 12 Days of Deals right now so a good deal may happen again soon.

 

I have been using the new BIOS for a couple of days now and I have yet to hear my speakers crackle one time. Even though the update notes seem kind of ambiguous, I think they may have solved that problem.

I will probably get crackling out of my speakers as soon as I post this. But right now I am very happy.

 

I got my 1737 last week! It arrived about 4 days earlier than scheduled. AND the Laptop Mini arrived with it!

I made some last minute changes to the system that I think were a good move:

1- I upgraded the drive to the DVD+-RW/BLUE RAY Drive
2- I maxed out the CPU @ 2.53 Ghz


Initially though I am worried.... I have TWO problems, and maybe someone can help me?

1. I heard other had issues with the speakers CRACKLING as well. How did you fix it?

2. I wanted to use this badboy as a mini video-library, utilizing the HDMI OUT port. When I use the cable I seem to get sketchy video quality and NO audio!

Does anyone know how to activate the audio OUT on the HDMI?

Here are the specs of my system:

STUDIO 1737
Vista Home Premium 64 BIT
Core 2 Duo T9400 2.53 Ghz, 1066 Mhz, 6MB L2 Cache
Orange Paint
4GB DDR2, 800Mhz 2 Dimm
Back Lit Keyboard
Hi Res 17" 1440x900 (That equals 720p right?)
ATI Mobility HD 3650
320 GB 5400 RPM SATA HD (I WISH it was 7200rpm)
6X Slot Load Bluray Combo Drive
Intel 5100 Wireless-N

Price = $1567

Add on another $99 for the AMAZING "$99 Laptop Mini" Deal, and I'm a happy customer!

Now, if I could just get the sound and HDMI issues working!

 

The speaker crackling has stopped for me when I updated to the most up-to-date BIOS available on Dell site.

 

You may want to try later today as the Studio 17 is going to be on of the 12 days of christmas promos today

-or-

I'd give this e-value code a shot and upgrade from there

6F968-DNPCVZ1

Using that code I got:
Intel Core 2 Duo P8400, 2.2GHz, 1066Mhz, 3M L2 Cache
3GB RAM DDR2 800MHz
250GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive - Free Fall Sensor
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650
Widescreen 17.0 inch display (1440x900)
Integrated 2.0M Pixel Webcam
Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive
Integrated High Definition Audio 2.0
Dell Wireless 1397 802.11g Half Mini Card
85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Back-lit Keyboard
Integrated Finger Print Reader
Windows Vista Premium System

for $1090.87 Shipped

 

Well, my 1737 arrived yesterday and now I've formatted and re-installed Vista without any of the Dell 'free' software I'm pretty happy with it, although I'm regretting the spec I got slightly as I'm not that impressed with the screen.

I got the basic WXGA screen and the colours don't look as bright and vibrant as I'd like, everything is a touch washed out (even after messing with the brightness/contrast) which is a bit of a shame since I do alot of digital photography and was hoping for a better quality of image than I've got.

Also, does the new BIOS people are talking about (1735 A05?) apply to the 1737 as well as the 1735? I'm not sure what the 35/37 means?

 

The 1737 is the latest model with Centrino2 procs, if I'm not mistaken. The 1735 bios can't be used on the 1737 or vice versa. Hence you're stuck with the A02 bios from the 1737, until an update appears.

 

Hey just got my studio 17 the other week. I ordered a crumpler gimp sleeve to protect my new baby, but it turns out old lappy is too fat to fit in the sleeve! Has anyone had any luck in finding a sleeve that fits?

Also just in case anyone has a problem with any of their media keys sticking in the on position, making it impossible to watch a movie or play any tunes. Dell gave me a link to update the bios, which seems to have worked. Just thought I'd pop that in here, you never know!

Anyway any advice on the sleeve would be much appreciated.

 

I don't have any advice on the sleeve (although it's rather strange that Dell supplies sleeves that don't fit the Studio 17), but I do have a question regarding the bios update that you mentioned.

Is this is beta? And if so; where did you get it from and do you have a bios number? A02 was the latest bios version I could find for my Studio 17.

 

I'd be interested in an answer on the BIOS updates too since I've now experienced the crackling speaker issue which some people have said was fixed with the BIOS update on the 1735.

To be honest it kind of feels like Dell used total budget speakers, the sound from them is terrible! Messing with the EQ levels has helped find a little bass but not much, and that crackle is getting quite annoying now I'm listening to music...

I've tried to speak to tech support online but my service tag isn't being accepted! eek!

 

Newbie here my first post. Question is, How can I verify that DELL really put in a RGB LED screen, instead of just the regular 1920x1200 LED screen? the old switcheroo?

STUDIO 1737
Vista Home Premium 64-BIT
Core 2 Duo T9400 2.53 Ghz, 1066 Mhz, 6MB L2 Cache (Centrino 2)
Black Paint
4GB DDR2, 800Mhz 2 Dimm
Back Lit Keyboard
Hi Res 17" 1920x1200 RGB LED
ATI Mobility HD 3650
320 GB 5400 RPM SATA HD (free upgraded to 250GB 7200RPM 16MB cache HDD)
8X Slot Load DVD/CD RW drive
Intel 5100 Wireless-N
Finger Print Reader
Works Plus
17" BElkin Messenger Bag
Free Next Day Air over Night shipping (1 Day)

Price = $1487

 

It has been reported that you will actually be able to see the red light leakage from the LED if you tilt the LCD and look at the proper angle.

 

See red backlight oh well, can't wait to see how awesome it looks

say a report from Lenovo which said that their RGB LED screen can reproduce or was accurate to 98% or 110% of the NTSC color Gamut.

Oh Happy Day...

Dance.

and I had to cancel my first order because I had Vista 32-bit which was useless with 4GB ram or 6GB Ram that I will end up putting in.

Since I think the Centrino 2 Monteviniea chipset can take DDR3

64-bit for me Oh well I can't play anymore Warcraft 3

 

This was the response I got from them when I emailed them I think it was update AO4:

Sorry for the inconvenience caused due to delayed reply we are facing a high volume of emails and we are trying to reply those on time.


I would request you to upgrade the BIOS (Base chip) of your computer while using this link as mentioned below:

tinyurl.com/6dp4g7

Please download the system software also while using this link as mentioned below:

tinyurl.com/58dkdc

Thank you for your valued time and Business with us.

They did respond quickly and even emailed me back asking if it sorted the problem out. So can't complain about their customer support!

 

Look in the lower left corner and you should see a red light under the bezel.
Also on some of the screens there is a reddish tint but nothing that I would complain about.

 

great a redish tint to all my whites I can hear the laughter from my Apple owing buddies now.

 

Actually I had a MacBook Pro 17 and wasnt that impressed with the picture quality and in fact sold it.

The higher quality IPS and PVA screens found on larger LCDs do have either a reddish or purple tint to them at times. Mainly people complain about the white backlight bleed that many displays have.

 

Hi guys,
I am also looking into purchasing the Studio 17 with the Adobe RGB screen. One quick question, have you guys considered the Sony AW190JAH from Newegg instead? If so, what were your arguments for going with the Studio 17 in the end?

Thanks !
K

 

That Sony is a nice Laptop but I am affraid of Sony's customer service even more than DELL's Heck today I got a call back from Michael Dell's office to make sure I was happy and my problems resolved, hence the free 7200 RPM HDD 18 MB cache upgrade, to be installed after my laptop is delivered.
Plus I have 2 Years Full Warranty onsite Service.

The Sony AW190JAH does look very nice and a great price But I wanted to build what I wanted my specs

That P8600 3MB cache just won't cut it especially when Windows 7 gets here. Plus for $100 more I got the T9400 2.53ghz 6MB cache CPU.


The Sony also lacks the latest Technology the RGB LED screen, Doesn't even say if its LED at all.

Plus it lacks a Back Lit Keyboard which is huge and a big negative.

the 512MB GeForce 9600 GT is tempting, but Its not a CRysis gaming machine with Specs like that people will try and Game on it and end up being let down. Not to mention the Battery drain.

Plus an 18.4 Inch screen thats just crazy and kills any portability or battery life, I see they even found Space to Squeeze in a V.92 Modem WHY?

Besides Sony loads So much BS bloat ware junk they would make Dell jealous.

I am happy with mine Studio 17, but by this time Next year most of us will be crying when we see the

i7 core laptops with Windows 7 and Built in touch screens and DDR3. For the same prices we paid today.

 

What problems did you have?

 

2 wrong orders placed even after we reviewed it they still managed to get them wrong. Plus 48 hours of emails and calls with no replies they must have been swamped by Christmas orders, what ever it was it ended up in my favor.

Because I rebuilt my same original system only for some reason it came out $350 bucks cheaper, and for my troubles Michael Dell's office threw in a 250GB HDD 16MB cache 7200 RPM Sata II 3.0GB/sec drive, that will be installed later on site by a tech.

Plus my original order placed on 12-6 had a 12-22 ship date and I had to pay $41 for 2 Day Air Fed Ex

My New system same features execept I went with Vista 64-bit built on 12-9 ships on 12-19, and I got Next Day Air Fed Ex Free Overnight

So big win win overall. Only bummer to the Studio 17's is the DDR2
Ram and that 3650 ATI card. All they need is a slightly better card and DDR3 and they would be amazing.


Its just frustrating how DELL works you can try building the same system 3 times in 2 days and get 4 different prices. Not to mention EPP or Discount Codes

 

Price!!! Sony has great notebooks but more expensive than Dell.

Yes Sony does have the RGB-LED display but you pay close to $3,000 for the luxury.