Studio 15 Owner's Thread

Thanks for the good info Joanrod.

On another note,
Am I the only one who runs an RCA cable from my computer's headphone out to my home stereo's receiver? I hear so many people complaining about the sound quality of their computers that I wonder. I don't think i've ever used my home computer's built in speakers for anything.

 

I do it sometimes, but not in college 'cos anything of worth is usually broken/stolen in a very short length of time

 

Minimula- remove the provided Dell IDT audio codec in your system properties, and allow Vista to install it's own High Def codec. It improved audio quality 100x for me.

 

I'm checking on the studio 15s in the Dell outlet store.
Do any of them have the LED 1440x900 screens?
They don't really specify, or at least if they do, I'm overlooking it.

 

Yes, but you cannot use that as a filter element. Unfortunately, you have to look at each and every one. In the Display, it will say WXGA+ LED if it has the LED backlight.

I get them there all the time.

 

Thanks! I'll go check out some more of them!

 

As far as the sleep issue goes....we got our studio 15 in NOvember and had problems with the sleeping and not waking up without a hard start. Spent HOURS on phone with tech support changing settings and all sorts of things. I finally asked for a tech person who knew SOMETHING. I accidentally got an American (meant for higher level accounts!) and most of the solution finally seemed to be with updating the BIOS. Apparently a revision was issued sometime in December, like the day before one of the techs suggested it. I think that was what mainly fixed it. I think occassionally it happens, but most of the time it is ok. Much better than it was. I think there was also a change in the sleep settings, something about hybrid--but I don't remember. Check the Dell support page and try to find out about revising your BIOS, especially if you got yours before December.

You know, it's my sons laptop, I don't know if he's tried DVD's yet to see if we've had eject issues...

 

Where is the best place to get the Digital Persona software? I want to reinstall the fingerprint reader software now that I'm running Windows 7.

 

You should have gotten a CD with your Studio 15 just for the Digital Persona software...

 

I did but I think the last time I reformatted I read on here the more updated version was from HP or something.

 

Ahhh...I must have missed the part about you wanting an updated version!

 

having a randoncrashing problem and the random eject problem.. Im going to try the bios update..

 

Which version of the webcam driver allows for pan/tilt? When I first had the laptop from Dell these features worked in the settings. Now, if I move the slider nothing happens at all.

 

HI Everybody.
I wanted to create a new thread for this topic, but could not find the option, so I am posting it here.

The question is: Does the Dell Studio 15 still comes with the squiggly lines, some have described as "topo" design and others have said "spilled milk"?

I have talked to a sale agent and have been told that it has been discontinued and another one say it is still there. So best way to help everybody asking this question would be to post it here.

NOTE: Please, only those receiving their Studio 15 as from January01, 09 should post to avoid any confusion. When the model was launched it was there, and some got flowery design as well.
Also state which country you are in. It may vary from one country to another!

Thanks

 

Just want to say 'hi' and thank you for such a wonderful collection of wisdom.

I recently got a Studio 15 (1537), after my Inspiron 9300 finally gave up.

This thread has already helped me with the weak audio problem. Now, I just wish I got a backlit keyboard...

 

Help guys!

The backlight on my keyboard stopped working. At first I thought it was just off from being idle but it didn't turn on when I pressed a key. I've also tried pressing Fn+Left arrow and used the full-backlight as well as the half-backlight mode but it the backlight still won't work.

What should I do? My mother bought my 1537 in Canada as a Xmas present and I'm in Manila right now so returning it to Dell is out-of-the-question...

Ah! When I press any key located at the center of the board very hard, it lights up, but it turns off as soon as I lift my hand.

I really love the backlit keyboard feature T____T. Has anyone got the same problem? Should I dissect my laptop?

Thank you and have a good day everyone!

 

Are you sure you pressed the right key combinartion i.e. Fn+right and NOT Fn+left?

 

Ooops! My sense of direction...

It's Fn+right not Fn+left. Sorry for the error. But yes, I've done that. I even tried using Dell Quickset on the Windows Mobility Center and set the backlight mode to both bright and dim - still won't work...

T___T

 

I tried searching for this, but couldn't find it. Since the ati 3450 seems to be looked down upon for gaming, is it worth it over the GMA4500HD integrated gfx as this seems to be 2x faster than the x3100. I plan on just using for a few occasional runs in Wow (Using desktop for this mostly) and would like good aero performance and good battery life. Also, are integrated gfx on the studio 15 give significantly better battery life?

 

The dedicated card will give you better performance in gaming than either Intel IGP. The ATI 3450 runs fine for me. The IGPs will give better battery life, but it won't be a significant improvement.

 

Yeah, the 3450 is perfectly serviceable considering the Studio 15 isn't really a "gaming laptop" by any stretch. It's not bleeding edge by any means but it'll handle more or less anything if you don't mind turning settings down on newer games. There's a couple of threads popped up recently referencing Crysis, which is arguably still the benchmark for demanding games; the Studio 15 can play it on low settings, which still look good compared to games from a few years ago. But for just a bit of WoW and Aero, as you say, it'll be just fine.

The integrated graphics benchmarks are so ridiculously far below the 3450's, I'd almost wonder why bother with the Intels. (My own research suggested the GMA4500 to be about twice as fast as the x3100, but the ATI 3450 to be at least twice as fast again as the GMA4500, and perhaps even more for some stuff - oversimplifying here, but you get the idea.)

A side-by-side comparison in otherwise identically-specced S15s would be cool to see; especially for the battery life. I'd guess you'd get maybe 20-30 minutes more at most running integrated, but that's really just a guess.

 

I play Counter Strike: Source on highest settings with about 70-90fps. I've ran the Crysis and FarCry 1 demo. On lowest setting I was only about 20-30fps. It's definately not a gaming laptop. I really wanted to play some of the newer games however I've accepted for what it is. The most cost effective way for games are consoles anyways.

 

Thanks for the advice guys. Ended up scoring a $530 refurb 1537 with a core2duo 2.0 mb cache (doesn't matter as I have a T7400 ready to drop in there from a "spilled juice from sippy cup" M1330 : kids lol: ) 3450 GPU 1280 WLED 2gb ram (also going to take 4gb ram from M1330) 250gb HD. It also came with Dell's wireless N card (I chope this one is better than the Intel wifilink) I assume the bluetooth from the M1330 is compatible?

 

I'm so jealous...I bought my 1535 last month for $530 after applying coupons. Now I'm seeing all these systems pop up. Congrats man

 

Hey, just wanted to come in and join the club.

I just ordered a refurb 1537 for $450 from the outlet. Has the T5800, 3gb ram, 250gb HDD, fingerprint reader & a/g/n Draft Mini Card. Its replacing my e1505 which is suffering from some rickety hinges.

 

This.

There's really nothing that wrong with my e1505, its been a great computer, but I just cant deal with the loose hinges anymore. I have to bend it forwards and backwards and hope it sticks in a spot that works.

Can't tell you how many times I've accidentally hibernated it by "closing" the screen.

I got essentially the same computer for the same price on the outlet too. Hope its good. Been hearing lots of different things about the studios; good and bad.

 

I just took my e1505 apart to try and fix the hinge. Looks like the bolt in the left hinge tightened up to much it locked up. The hinge then broke free the screen mount meaning all I had was a right hinge. I just loosen the bolt (took a vise and a vise grip to do it) and put some crazy on the hinge to hold it in place since the screw holes are shot.

If this works good enough I'll sell it for cheap to a family member.

 

Hi folks,

I couldn't find an answer to -

Can the GPU be replaced on the Studio 1537 - Mine's haven't still arrived - but I got a mean one.
Here's my side of things -

T9400 / 4gig / WUXGA (my fav part) / 320 5400rpm / 6 cell / Intel wifi - no bells and whistles except tht mine's gonna be purple hehe..
this purple bug cost me 750 including everything.. All I can think of is puttin in a 4850m somehow and oh! boy kick some

thanks,
nik

EDIT - NM. Looks like I'm stuck with the GPU, oh well.. the grass is always chewable on the other side.. mooooooo

 

Nice username, are you a Mustang owner?

 

Yes I am...

 

Nice stripes! What are the specs? I've got an 07 GT and kept it pretty much stock.

 

Nothing crazy. 05 GT, Auto, JTL CAI and SCT XCalibrator 2 programmer loaded with Brenspeed tunes, SLP LM's out back & 20" American Racing wheels with NT555 rubber.

 

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned previously in this thread (or elsewhere on the board), but is there a fix to stop CDs from randomly ejecting from the 1537? I love my new computer, but I find this one quirk very annoying.

Thanks!

 

Hi there,

Could you help me, I want to buy Dell Studio 1537
Which cover color not collect fingerprints?

Jet Black
Midnight Blue
Ruby Red
Plum Purple

I heard about the problems with a microphone in Studio 1537, for example in Skype. Is this true?

Thank you very much!

 

all of those are matte finish and collect a lot of fingerprints/oil/other marks. i would recommend the glossy finish which comes in any of the graphite grey colors.

 

The lighter the color, the less visible the fingerprints are. The glossy graphite is the lightest color, so it'll show the least fingerprints.

 

I checked today Dell home page, they have only matte finish for Studio 1537? Where can you found glossy graphite grey ?

 

My Dell Studio 15 is arriving today and as it's an outlet machine, I didn't get a choice of the back covers. How easy is it to change these? Are there guides available? A search of these forums and googles have proved fruitless.

 

It's a 1 piece panel like on the Mini 9. Download a service manual from Dell's support page for your model. It will explain everything.

FWIW, I'm surprised people are so AR about fingerprints on a device you have to use with your hands/fingers. If you're that AR about fingerprints, handle the laptop with gloves and attach an external USB keyboard. I use the USB keyboard to prevent wear/tear on the laptop chassis/keyboard because the Dell units can't take a beating.

 

It's just annoying when you pick it up/close it and there are your fingerprints, staring right back at you. Every time. Maybe there shouldn't be a print/oil-sensitive finish like that on a device that you have to use with your hands/fingers? Drives me nuts.

 

Just bought another 1537 and now I'm confused. The Wifi card is listed as a 1510 a/g/n. I thought all 1537 had 5100 wifi cards?

 

My 1537 has the Dell 1397 card. :/

 

Nope, the 1537 has the Dell 1397-G wireless card standard. Take a look at the first configuration here- http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/laptop-studio-1537?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&m_overrides=2=PFLX&plexImgID=1619&plexModID=2

I don't recall seeing the Dell 1510-N as an option. I've only seen the 1397-G and 5100AGN as the two choices available.

 

Just got my 1537...it is glorious!!!
got it for $495 from the Dell outlet and this thing runs so nice and clean running compared to my Compaq. i improved the sound quality by switching out the driver and installing a HD audio from vista and now its so so so so nice love this Lappy!! Love the LED Screen too, like looking through a window

 

You'll run into the media button problem soon enough.

 

media button?

 

Not necessarily - I've never had a problem with it

 

Did some research. Dell 1510 N used to be an option. Now the only option is Intel 5100 N.

 

i've been looking at the Studio 15 on the Dell Canada site and noticed the LED (1440 x 900) option is not available and the notebook can now be configured with a Core 2 Duo P8400. does anyone know why the particular LED is no longer selectable? i'm also curious whether Dell quietly moved to the Montevina platform with the Studio 15s. thanks.

 

The 1510-N was the ONLY option for Wireless-N on the 1535/1735. But was it also offered on the 1537 at some point?