Dell Studio 15 (1555) Review

[Huskerz85]

In any case, I think the balance of price/performance/features makes the Studio 15 a compelling option in the market right now. Unfortunately those speakers and the flex in the lid and the bottom of the chassis are something of a disappointment.

If there are to be complete model line refreshes coming up soon, hopefully some of the problems with this particular model can be rectified? One can hope...

[TexasEx7]

Since this one is a fairly recent release, and it was meant to be a 'rectification' to a previous model, I would doubt Dell will make any changes to it.

[Phil]

I'm suprised by the "screen rates fairly average". Vibrant colors and excellent contrast, excellent horizontal viewing angles and vertical viewing angles are very good from above.

Sounds to me like this panel is above average.

Going by several user reports I would think this LG panel is above average LCD panels too. I have never seen it in real life though.

[Jerry Jackson]

I'm suprised by the "screen rates fairly average". Vibrant colors and excellent contrast, excellent horizontal viewing angles and vertical viewing angles are very good from above.

Sounds to me like this panel is above average.

Going by several user reports I would think this LG panel is above average LCD panels too. I have never seen it in real life though.

I went with the "fairly average" statement because of the slightly uneven backlighting. If it wasn't for that then I would have said above average since in all other respects it was indeed above average.

[Phil]

I went with the "fairly average" statement because of the slightly uneven backlighting. If it wasn't for that then I would have said above average since in all other respects it was indeed above average.

Ok thanks that explains it.

[lottdod_1999]

Ok now I'm REALLY pissed at myself for not getting a custom lid like that. Geez that looks nice.

I don't get it, I have a 512MB video card and I got the same PCmark06 scores?

[Andrew Baxter]

I think I would have stuck with the plain red for the lid color, yikes that's loud.

I can't say how much I hate the fact Dell kept the naming Studio 15 the same from the last generation to this, it's in no way obvious on the site what the underlying model number is and frankly I see this as being a major confusion for consumers as it's impossible to sort out the right review for the laptop you're buying. Ok, so it keeps the naming clean, but if they just keep evolving the laptop without changing the name they're going to force us into dubbing each release "1st gen", "2nd gen", "3rd gen" like is necessary with the iPod. The iPod usually has enough physical differences on the surface to be able to tell if it's the latest generation or not, if you put the Studio 15 (1535) and Studio 15 (1555) on a table and stood 5 feet away there's no way you can tell the difference, please Dell go back to differentiating your model numbers with each release.

[Clutch]

Then this forum can start dubbing the generations.

[ImakE]

Thats a lot of laptop for the price.

[teknerd122]

Don't be deceived. I have one of these and I have to say that it's very poorly made. I bought my Studio 15 last year, and it is coming apart. The lid is made of two halves that meet around the hinge - these halves are separating and the lid now has a very odd articulation. The spacebar began to squeak after two months of use. Also, the battery indicator began to peel and had to be removed. Dell Support has been unresponsive on these issues.

When I first got the Studio 15, I thought it was a step above the construction of my previous Dell laptops - XPS m1210 and 8600. Those laptops have experienced years of hard use and are still in great condition. My Studio 15 has been an around-the-house queen and it's falling to pieces. Don't be fooled like I was! I'm definitely going to start buying from a different manufacturer.