The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Studio 15 quality vs XPS

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by dmacfour, Aug 11, 2008.

  1. dmacfour

    dmacfour Are you aware...

    Reputations:
    404
    Messages:
    1,155
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    So I'm pretty sure I'm going to order a Studio 15 in the next couple of days, but wanted to get a second opinion. For $899, I can get one with the 3450, a T8100, 320gb of HDD, and 3gb of ram.

    Quality wise, how does it stack up against the XPS 1330? the only reason I ask is because there is also a base model 1330 for the same price. I'm a college student, so the portability of a 13" laptop is very appealing. I just don't know if the added portability and possible higher quality are worth the downgrade in performance. the 1330 would have a T5750, an X3100 gfx card, 2gb of memory, and a 160gb HDD.

    I'm only going to be doing schoolwork, surfing the web, and watching movies/listening to music.
     
    dmacfour, Aug 11, 2008
    #1
  2. lotta221211

    lotta221211 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    49
    Messages:
    396
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    That's a hard decision. How often do you plan on carrying around your laptop? Do you plan on bringing it to every class?

    I'd personally go for the Studio 15 all around. Judging from reviews, the Studio has a solid build. Still a hard choice.
     
    lotta221211, Aug 11, 2008
    #2
  3. dmacfour

    dmacfour Are you aware...

    Reputations:
    404
    Messages:
    1,155
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Well I'm pretty sure I'm going to be moving it around a lot, I'm going to be walking from apartments to Campus, so I'm probably going to have the laptop with me all day, until I go back at night. I'm just worried about it being under powered for basic things. Will the X3100 run aero fine?
     
    dmacfour, Aug 11, 2008
    #3
  4. focalBlur

    focalBlur Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    31
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I have a studio 15 on order. I will be using the laptop in class and carrying it back and forth everyday. I had been using a inspirion 2200 that is a 14.1inch laptop at 6lbs. I did not have a problem carrying that so I think that studio will be fine for day to day use.

    I think the studio is a bit larger then I would like but I don't think it is too big and chose extra power and a better display over the smaller and lighter XPS
     
    focalBlur, Aug 11, 2008
    #4
  5. Cin'

    Cin' Anathema

    Reputations:
    14,217
    Messages:
    15,406
    Likes Received:
    87
    Trophy Points:
    466
    I don't have the S15, but the 1530...and I really dont have a problem carrying it..I carry it in my messenger bag, and trust me I overload it at times with stuff.

    Because I really enjoy my 1530 and all about it I would say the 1530..but the S15 is newer also.. ;) :)

    You need to compare *apples to apples* and decide which one you really want to get... the one that will work for you. ;) :)

    Good luck!

    Cin ;) :)
     
    Cin', Aug 11, 2008
    #5
  6. phaaam

    phaaam Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    138
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    The X3100 should be able to run Aero well. I mean don't expect max settings on games or anything but it's good for school. It'll run warm, but it doesn't have the nVidia defect so you should be okay. What you could do is customize a more powerful M1330 and use a coupon. Check out the coupon list on NBR. It'd be a pretty sweet deal if you get the coupon. You could completely blow the studio out of the water and not pay too much more. Good luck. Personally I got the M1530 over the Studio 15. The price difference was tempting, but the Studio 15 was too new to decide, as in there could be problems down the road that haven't come up yet, like the nVidida. But now at least nVidia is working on a revision and Dell "intends" to give a warranty. So maybe that'll play a factor in your decisions.
     
    phaaam, Aug 11, 2008
    #6
  7. Forte

    Forte NBR's Supreme Angel

    Reputations:
    352
    Messages:
    2,462
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Studio is plastic. XPS is magnesium alloy and lighter. XPS still has the quality.
     
    Forte, Aug 11, 2008
    #7
  8. rohangarg

    rohangarg Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    94
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    im starting my college too from this month and have been wondering the same thing over and over XPS M1530 Vs Studio 15
    True the XPS is lighter but Studio has a LED backlit screen whic is not available in the M1530 and a backlit keyboard.I am a moderate gamer,so please advise which laptop to choose from.Weight is not an issue for me.
     
    rohangarg, Aug 20, 2008
    #8
  9. Cin'

    Cin' Anathema

    Reputations:
    14,217
    Messages:
    15,406
    Likes Received:
    87
    Trophy Points:
    466
    Hey! Congrat's on a impending or...w/which one you choose! ;)

    Here: I think you will find this linky very helpful w/your choices of either!

    Studio 15 vs. XPS M1530:
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=275712

    Hope that helps!

    Cin ;) :)
     
    Cin', Aug 20, 2008
    #9
  10. dmacfour

    dmacfour Are you aware...

    Reputations:
    404
    Messages:
    1,155
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Well I'm glad to say I went with the XPS instead. I saw an XPS and a Studio side by side and the XPS not only looks better, it feels more solid, and it has a better graphics card.
     
    dmacfour, Aug 20, 2008
    #10
  11. Cin'

    Cin' Anathema

    Reputations:
    14,217
    Messages:
    15,406
    Likes Received:
    87
    Trophy Points:
    466
    The 1530..is a solid, and sturdy lappy! One of the reasons why I chose it...Plus the look was very *sleek and sexy*, to boot! ;) :)

    The graphics card is sweet ;) :) I just could never imagine a cross-blend of them both (visual went thru my head) :eek: LOL...

    The S15, however ~ will/would work great for those that want something different, color choices, etc ~ I think that some of the color choices makes it a nice looking lappy ;) :)


    Cin ;) :)
     
    Cin', Aug 20, 2008
    #11
  12. rohangarg

    rohangarg Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    94
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    ive already seen that thread but im still in a fix
    well i think ill wait it out for 2 months for a led screen in an XPS and one more thing,i heard that nVidia's GPU's are frying up due to overheating.That's scary.I dont want my 800 pound machine frying up after 2 months of use :( :(
     
    rohangarg, Aug 20, 2008
    #12
  13. somms

    somms Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    219
    Messages:
    482
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Thats probably the best approach...wait and see...

    I wouldn't be able to recommend ANY notebook w/Nvidia GPU at this point...
     
    somms, Aug 20, 2008
    #13
  14. rohangarg

    rohangarg Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    94
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Hey people check out the new designs on the studio,they were leaked earlier this month on engadget and are finally out.
    My choice 'Bunch o surfer's'
     
    rohangarg, Aug 20, 2008
    #14