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    Studio 15 or XPS 15 laptop?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by dman777, Mar 22, 2009.

  1. dman777

    dman777 Notebook Consultant

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    I am trying to decide between the Studio 15 laptop or the XPS 15 laptop. I really really really wanted a backlit keyboard, and while the Studio 15 has it the XPS 15 does not. But, that being said I really like the look and build qaulity of the XPS 15. I'm just using it for web surfing and programming, so the power isn't a concern and they are relatively the same price(with the customization that I want). Which should I go with?
     
  2. Kierkes

    Kierkes Misanthrope

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    Studio = No brainer since you want the keyboard so badly.
     
  3. dman777

    dman777 Notebook Consultant

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    Ya, I guess since I what I am wondering is it worth having the backlit keyboard and sacreificing the build quality of the XPS 15? Or is it worth having the build quality of the XPS 15 and sacrificing the backlite keyboard?
     
  4. Rodster

    Rodster Merica

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    There's a trade off and you'll need to decide. Yes the XPS 15 has a better build quality but it also suffers from design flaws. Such as GPU failures for the XPS 15.

    The Studio 15 doesn't have the bling factor that the all aluminum XPS brings but it doesn't have the GPU problems that the XPS has and you get your back lit keyboard. :)
     
  5. Kierkes

    Kierkes Misanthrope

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    Maybe I should have explained better, but Rodknee pretty much covered how I felt.
     
  6. Mastershroom

    Mastershroom wat

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    I don't see anything wrong with the Studio 15's build quality. The worst you might have to deal with is a glitchy touch-sensitive eject button, but that's hardly a deal-breaker to me. I'm very happy with the backlit keyboard, and the computer as a whole.
     
  7. moose

    moose Notebook Evangelist

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    get the studio xps 16 problem solved
     
  8. 2_of_8

    2_of_8 Notebook Enthusiast

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    So that it's larger and more expensive? I think those two sacrifices aren't ofr everyone.
     
  9. Cicero

    Cicero Notebook Enthusiast

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    It depends on entirely what you want to do. I'd suggest the Studio 1535, and, if you are willing to wait a few weeks, the Studio 1555 would be by far the best.

    A quick comparison to illustrate the differences between the 1535, XPS m1530, and 1555:

    Studio 1535
    Pros:
    -Screen - Up to WUXGA with the remainder being all WLED options.
    -Processor - Montevina with 1066 Mhz FSB processors
    -RAM - DDR2-800 Mhz
    -Keyboard - Backlit keyboard
    Cons:
    -Hard drive - No SSD option

    XPS m1530
    Pros:
    -Hard drive - SSD options available
    Cons:
    -Screen - Only up to WXGA+ LED option
    -Processor - Santa Rosa with 800 Mhz FSB (older generation that costs almost as much as Montevina processors).
    -RAM - DDR2-667 Mhz (slower RAM that costs the same)
    -Video Card - GeForce 8600M GT, a card that could potentially be defective and already two generations old.
    -Keyboard - No Backlit keyboard

    Studio 1555
    Pros:
    -Same as Studio 1535.
    -Video Card - ATI Mobility Radeon 4570, a new card that has performance similar to the old GeForce 8600M GT found in the XPS except it runs cooler and hasn't been found to be defective.
    -USB Ports - 4 Ports over the old 3 available in the 1535 and the XPS m1530
    -Lighter than the other laptops mentioned.
    Cons:
    -Slightly wider
    -No idea on hard drive options and screen resolutions, though expect them to be similar to the 1535.

    Hope this helps. I'd recommend that if you have additional questions you post a thread in the What Notebook Should I Buy? forum for additional help.